Category: Arts and Culture 

  “The Impossible Always Succeeds, What Is Unluckiest Is Surest”… “Glory to God Almighty! My trauma brought out my hidden talents and potentials, as one writer had aptly written ‘believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle’. Though, l was broken to fragments and the blow that landed was heavy; truly l was like a shattered mirror, however l had to move courageously out of the shadows of unbearable and catastrophic torture. I became by God’s grace indestructible. No one knows my story, hence this book: “Smash Your Trauma, and Dare to Conquer”. My story is that of extraordinary resilience, a bitter struggle against all odds, of never backing down no matter the circumstances. My story has taught me that life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain, even with roaring thunder and lightening. No matter how bad the storm, never quit! Here is the untold story of a man who was a moving corpse!” Excerpts From The Prelude of My Soon To Be Published Memoir “SMASH YOUR TRAUMA!” By Igbotako Nowinta

…Lifts Suspension on the Use of Red Coral Bead. …Okpebholo Hails Monarch for Upholding Customs, Traditions By  Sebastine Ebhuomhan The Monarch of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, has expressed his profound appreciation to all the members of the Royal Family, the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), the people of Benin Kingdom, the people of Edo State, the people of Nigeria, and the global people from all walks of life, who made the burial ceremony for his mother, the Queen Mother, Omo N’Ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare II, a huge success. Today, Sunday, with Thanksgiving (Ekponmwen) at the Holy Aruosa Cathedral on Akpakpava Road, Benin City, where he worships, the monarch drew the curtain on the six-week-long funeral ceremony that had different cultural, traditional and spiritual events underlining the Benin Traditional Kingdom’s throne as the most powerful of any kingdom in the world. Iyoba Ewuare transited to eternal glory exactly 49 years ago. The programme of activities of her funeral rites began on Saturday, 15th of February with Iwarinwim and ended on Thursday, the 27th of March with Ekasa. With the successful conclusion of the funeral, which formed part of the rites of passage for the Iyoba, Oba Ewuare has not only fulfilled the last of requirements to settle on the throne of his forefathers as the 40th Oba of Benin, he has also elevated his status traditionally and culturally, according to traditionalists. At the thanksgiving event today, the monarch sang, waved and danced joyfully to the different songs and music renditions with which the over-filled Cathedral thanked and praised God for the successful funeral. Radiantly robed in a milk-coloured ceremonial outfit with same cap and marching red beads, shoes and sunglasses and staff, Oba Ewuare thanked all for the successful rites. Exploring the coincidence with International Women’s Day, the thanksgiving also presented an opportunity to extol the virtues of Omo N’Ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare II such as love, virtue, support, unity etc. In his homily, the Ohen-Osa of Holy Aruosa Cathedral, Igbinoghodua Edebiri, urged peace, unity, love, loyalty and support for the monarch. Particularly, he prayed for the sound health, blessings and longevity of Omo N’Oba, the Royal Family, the Benin Kingdom, Edo State, Nigeria and the entire world. He further prayed for Governor Monday Okpebholo and his government as well as other political leaders of Benin Kingdom and Edo State. Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa led a strong political presence at the thanksgiving that included Edo House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku; ex-Deputy Governor, Chief Lucky Imasuen; Edo South Senatorial District lawmaker, Senator Neda Imasuen; Representative Billy Osawaru; Representative Esosa Iyawe; Cabinet Commissioners including the Attorney-General, Rt. Hon. Samson Osagie; Information, Barrister Paul Ohonbamu; Water Resources, Washington Osifo; Education, Paddy Iyamu; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Pius Alile; Head of Service, Mr. Okungbowa; Edo State Sports Commission Chairman, Hon. Amadin Enabulele; Major-General M. O. Ihanuwaze of the Army Headquarters Annex, Asokoro, Abuja; ex-World Medical Association President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele; University of Benin Vice Chancellor, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, SAN; lawmakers of the state assembly; acting chairmen of local government area councils among numerous others. The highlights of the thanksgiving also included homage to Oba Ewuare by different individuals and various groups. Meanwhile, in a press statement with Reference BTC.A40/VOL.LVVI/503, titled, Public Announcement, dated 28th March, 2025, signed by the Secretary of Benin Traditional Council, Chief Frank Irabor, the BTC reiterated the successful completion of the burial rites and the lifting of the suspension placed on the use of red coral bead. “This is to inform the general public that the funeral rites of Iyoba Omo N’Ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare II, has been successfully completed. “Consequently, the suspension on the use of the red coral bead is therefore lifted. The red coral bead is now permitted to be used by the general public. Oba ghato ‘kpere, Ise,” it concluded. Similarly, a congratulatory letter from the Ministry of Justice on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo personally signed by the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Rt. Hon. Samson Osagie, PhD., hailed Oba Ewuare for upholding the customs and traditions of Benin Kingdom and using his reign to propagate the rich culture and values of Benin Kingdom and to pursue the well-being and prosperity of Benin Kingdom and Edo State. The letter stated, “I write heartily to extend my warmest congratulations to you, our dear father, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, on the successful completion of the funeral rites of our beloved Iyoba Omo N’Ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare II. I thank God for the life our mother lived, and the numerous people that she brought joy and laughter to. I pray that her legacy will continue to make us strive to be better in all we do. “This grand ceremony was indeed a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom, and it once again made the world recognize and appreciate the richness of our culture, values and kingdom. Our Royal Majesty, your role in upholding the customs and traditions of this great kingdom is highly commendable. This significant event demonstrates your commitment to upholding the rich culture of the Benin Kingdom. “I thank you for your dedication towards the well-being and prosperity of the entire Benin Kingdom. I have never been prouder of the Benin Kingdom, and I firmly believe that your reign will continue to move our kingdom forward. “Your leadership is making the Benin Kingdom better, stronger, and more prosperous, earning the envy of others. may your reign be long and blessed, and may it continuously be more fruitful, bringing abundance and prosperity to our great kingdom. When there is peace in the kingdom, the state also benefits. “Please accept my heartfelt congratulations. “Oba gha to kpere, Ise.”   Mr. Sebastine EBHUOMHAN is an award-winning journalist and media consultant from Edo State. He can be reached on: usie007@yahoo.com and 08037204620.

By Sebastine Ebhuomhan Friday, 28th March, 2025. Benin City. The Monarch of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, has concluded the six-week long funeral ceremony for his mother, the late Queen Mother, Omo N’Ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare II. Iyoba Ewuare transited to eternal glory exactly 49 years ago. The programme of activities of her funeral rites began on Saturday, 15th of February with Iwarinwim and concluded on Thursday, the 27th of March with Ekasa. Unlike some other aspects of the rites, Ekasa held at the Palace of the Oba of Benin. In Benin Kingdom, Ekasa is a deeply spiritual cultural dance performed solely for the pleasure of the monarch during coronation ceremony and funeral rites. It can also be performed during other deeply meaningful cultural and spiritual activities relating to the royal family held indoors. Decked in his traditional regalia of a red cap on a white short-sleeve shirt and a red heavy wrapper, complete with white beads on his neck and hands along with a pair of matching shoes and sunglasses, Omo N’Oba emerged from the inner chambers of the palace to the throne of his forefathers at the Ughozolua area of the palace. At Ughozolua, princes and princesses, other members of the royal family, members of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), political leaders of Benin Kingdom and Edo State, other dignitaries and very important personalities paid him homage before the final ceremony began under the salute of “Iyare, Iyare, Umogun” through the rubbing of both palms together and the rendition of traditional songs symbolising victory, peace, unity, blessings, progress and development in Benin Kingdom, Edo State, Nigeria and the world. Notable Ekasa groups in Benin Kingdom from Ogbelaka, Eguaedase, Eben and Ogele took turns to perform the traditional and cultural dance to the admiration of all. The palace erupted with shouts of joy and obeisance, Iyare, Iyare, when Oba Ewuare took the symbol of Ekasa from 11-year-old Eguavoen Ayadin to dance around alongside Ekasa dancers. The final ceremony expectedly drew a huge crowd of radiantly dressed, proud, satisfied and happy participants from Benin City, Edo State, and all walks of life. Particularly, the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Edo State, Chief Benjamin Ekekwere led members of his socio-cultural organization to the palace,where they also paid homage to Oba Ewuare II like many other traditional rulers across and beyond the state, palace chiefs across and beyond the state, public and private functionaries across and beyond the state, priests and priestesses of deities across and beyond the state as well as traditionalists and native doctors across and beyond the state. Oba ghator kpere, Ise!   Mr. Sebastine EBHUOMHAN is an award-winning journalist and media consultant from Edo State. He can be reached on: usie007@yahoo.com and 08037204620.