President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Omo N’Oba Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II of Benin while noting the roles that the Eweka dynasty of the kingdom had been playing in the affairs of the country.
President Buhari said this when he received the traditional ruler at the State House.
The president said that Nigerians have reasons to be proud of the stabilising roles Benin chiefs had played right from the colonial era to the current period, not only in the Delta region but the entire country.
President Buhari at a meeting with the monarch and his team. Credit: Femi Adesina
A statement by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said President Buhari singled out the role of the immediate past Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa I, describing him as the ‘backbone of support’ when he was the federal commissioner of petroleum resources and the late Oba was a permanent secretary.
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The president said: “I cannot hold back my emotions, talking about my relationship with your predecessor.
“After General Murtala Mohammed was assassinated, I was moved from the North-East as governor to ministry of petroleum.
“Your father was then permanent secretary. My relationship with him was very strong. I have lost count of the number of visits to his palace as Oba.”
The president also praised the late Oba for “stabilising that part of the country because of his firmness. I must also commend the immediate past governor, Adams Oshiomhole for stabilising Edo state.”
Buhari commended the monarch for following the footsteps of his predecessor while reiterating his support for the traditional institution.
“I know and respect the traditional institution. I try as much as possible to understand why the authors of our constitution kept silent about their role.
The Oba with President Buhari. Credit: Femi Adesina
“Your Royal Majesty, you are safe where you are,” the president added.
In his remarks, Oba Ewuare II commended the president for his handling of security matters in the country.
He urged the federal government to establish industries in the rural areas to curb unemployment, rural-urban migration and human trafficking.
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The monarch’s delegation included chiefs as well as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that Oba Ewuare 11 made a historic first visit since his coronation to Abuja, the nations’ capital, on Wednesday, November 22.
The monarch’s aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 5:05pm; and he was received by Benin traditional chiefs, prominent Benin indigenes and friends.
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Source: Naija.ng