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49 Years After Death: Oba of Benin fixes date for mother’s remembrance ceremony
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa pm
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, on Sunday fixed date for the funeral rites of his mother, 49 years after her transition.
The Benin monarch disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City, said the funeral rites were delayed because the tradition and customs of the Kingdom forbade the crown Prince (Edaiken) to perform the rites until he has been crowned the Oba.
The statement signed by Frank Irabor, Secretary, the Benin Traditional Council, BTC, said the Oba had on November 21, 2021 conferred posthumously the title of Iyoba on his mother, Iyoba Omo N’ Ikuoyemwen, Iyoba Ewuare II.
Irabor said the funeral rites would commence on February 15, 2025 and end on March 27, 2025.
He said during the Ekasa ceremony, which is the second part of the funeral rites, the use of traditional coral beads in the Palace and in the kingdom would be suspended.
Parts of the statement read: “In keeping with Benin customs and tradition, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, will by the grace of God and, the royal ancestors perform in a private royal family ceremony, the funeral rites of his dear beloved mother, IYOBA OMO N’IKUOYEMWEN, IYOBA EWUARE II, who transited to eternal glory forty-nine years ago.
“For clarification purpose, in accordance with the Benin customs and tradition, the royal funeral rites could not be performed until the Edaiken (Crown Prince) ascends the throne, and crowned the OBA that the Oba had to first posthumously confer the title of Iyoba on his mother, and thereafter performs the funeral rites, hence the reason why it is taking place now.
“It will be recalled that His Royal Majesty conferred the Iyoba title posthumously on his dear mother on Sunday, 21st November, 2021.
“The first part of the ceremony will last for fourteen days. The second part begins with Ekasa immediately the first part ends. This will be the official mourning period.
“The ceremony will begin on 15th February, 2025 and ends on Friday, 28th February, 2025. The venue is Eguae Iyoba N’Uselu by 5 Junction, Benin City.
“Ekasa group will commence their ceremony on 1st March, 2025 till 27th March, 2025. The performance which will end on the last day, 27th March, 2025, would take place in the Palace of the Oba of Benin.
“From the 15th, February, 2025, when the ceremony will begin, traditional coral beads will not be used in the Palace and in the Kingdom until the end of Ekasa ceremony which is March 27, 2025.
“The whole of this period is declared the mourning period in the Kingdom”, Irabor said.
News
Reps Demand Action on N3.2bn Infraction Allegations in Labour Ministry
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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has called for an inquiry into financial Expressing concerns over the disregard for parliamentary oversight, amounting to N3.2 billion under the leadership of former Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministry of Labour, Williams Alo and Yerima Tafa.
The legislative body has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (IPCC) to take appropriate steps regarding the matter.
The Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts, Rep. Bamidele Salam,con Monday, who expressed concerns over the disregard for parliamentary oversight, crcriticised persistent failure of ministries and government agencies to respond to audit queries.
According to Rep. Salam, despite repeated invitations, the Ministry of Labour has neither provided the necessary documents nor defended itself against 32 audit queries from the 2020 audit report.
He noted that while the Auditor General’s report contained specific recommendations, the committee extended multiple opportunities for the ministry to respond—efforts that were ignored. He further lamented the broader trend of government bodies failing to honor parliamentary summons, undermining the National Assembly’s constitutional role in ensuring accountability.
The committee has also directed the current Permanent Secretary, Saliu Usman, to appear within 72 hours to address the outstanding audit queries for the 2021 financial year. Failure to comply may lead to the adoption of the Auditor General’s recommendations. Similarly, the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Transportation, Women Affairs, and Humanitarian Services have been given the same timeframe to respond to related matters.
Committee members emphasised the urgency of resolving these audit queries before the next report is presented in April. Some lawmakers also raised concerns that the Minister of State for Labour, being a former legislator, should understand the importance of engaging with the National Assembly on financial oversight issues.
News
Appeal Court Returns APC LG Chairmen Fired By Adeleke
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa pm
The Court of Appeals sitting in Akure has reinstated the elected Local Government officials who were previously fired by Governors Ademola Adeleke, and has ordered their immediate resumption of office.
Recall that on assumption of office in November 2022, Governor Adeleke sacked the local government officials after a High Court decision had earlier upturned their election.
The High Court sacked the council officials after their election which was organised by OSSIEC.
The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other political parties had approached the High Court to challenge the council elections.
They prayed the court to declare the election as a nullity because it was only the APC candidates who contested vacant positions and the ‘options given to them was either a YES or NO’.
Daily Post
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Detained popular TikToker, Seaking regains freedom after Adeboye’s request
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
TikToker Olumide Ogunsanwo, also known as Seaking has been released after spending some time in police detention.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore announced the news on Instagram, expressing gratitude to everyone involved in securing his freedom
He wrote: “We are pleased to confirm that Olumide Ogunsanwo @seaking303 has been released from @PoliceNG custody after our prompt rejection of the initial bail condition requiring a Level 12 or 10 civil servant, resulting in a swift agreement and release on administrative bail, signed by me.”
Recall, on Feburary 6, Seaking was rearrested in Lagos over his defamatory comments against the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and flown to Abuja.
Reacting, Pastor Adeboye during a monthly Holy Ghost Service called for the release of the TikToker stating that he was not involved in his arrest.
The clergyman noted that those who moved for the arrest of the Tiktoker didn’t carry him along when they took action over alleged derogatory remarks against him by the social media user.
The popular cleric has, however, directed the release of the Tiktoker, saying he is only fulfilling prophecy.
“I heard that there was someone who lambasted me thoroughly; What’s my offense? because I asked my people to fast for 100 days, I didn’t ask him o. I didn’t ask anybody who is not a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to fast. Only my children. But God said that it will happen.
“I was told that some people got so angry and they went and arrested the fellow. Ha, release him, he is fulfilling prophecy
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