Obasanjo condoles Edo govt, people, over Omo N’Oba’s death

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described the death of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Iku Akpolokpolor Erediauwa II as a great loss suffered not only by the Royal family, but also by the great people of Benin Kingdom and Edo State and the nation at large.

In a separate letters to the state governor, Adams Oshiohmole and Crown Prince, Royal Majesty Eheneden Erediauwa and Edaiken N’Uselu respectively, copies of which were made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital on Tuesday, Obasanjo remarked that the death of the monarch was received with deep sense of sorrow.

In the letter to the Edo state governor, Obasanjo said “I have received with a deep sense of sorrow the sad news of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa II, the Oba of Benin, joining his ancestors.

“I recall, with profound delight, the late Oba’s illustrious career as a seasoned technocrat and erudite administrator before his elevation to the exalted stool of Oba of Benin in 1979. Benin, which is his traditional domain, occupies a pedestal of looming importance in our ancient and contemporary history. It has, since pre-colonial times, remained a robust repertoire of the finest aspects of our cultural and artistic heritage.

“It is instructive that his reign over Benin Kingdom witnessed very significant and notable social and political developments, growth, progress, peace and stability in the state. My administration, as a democratically-elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007, benefited tremendously from his wise counsel and goodwill.”