Oba of Benin tasks members of Benin forum to uphold ideals

• Receives Members Of His Alma Mater, ICCOBA
The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II has urged leaders and members of Benin Forum to tenaciously hold on to the original ideals and vision behind its creation in 2009 by Oba Erediauwa of blessed memory.

Oba Ewuare II stated this when members of the Forum, led by its chairman, Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom paid him a courtesy visit in his palace. He explained that the forum was established to provide umbrella for other Benin associations at home and abroad, among others.

The Benin Monarch told the visitors to always do everything possible to support the Binis to enable them excel in their various fields of endeavours.
He also charged affluent Binis and those in position of authority to always offer assistance to their people and help fast-track development in the kingdom.

Oba Ewuare II drew the members’ attention to challenges of boundary disputes, as well as the incursion and aggression being exhibited by the Ijaws, especially in Gelegele area, and enjoined them to join forces to arrest the ugly development.

He prayed that God and the ancestors should grant the members the grace, wisdom, strength and resources to achieve the aims and objectives of the Forum.

Earlier, chairman of Benin Forum and the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, said they were in the palace to introduce the Forum and its vision to the Oba, who is the life patron.

He said the aim of the Forum is to pursue the growth of Benin people and the kingdom’s development.

Chief Edebiri explained that the Forum usually collaborates with the palace and state government to achieve its vision and mission. He pledged the Forum’s readiness to support Oba Ewuare II’s vision in order for the Oba’s reign to be eventful, successful and peaceful.

The Benin Forum is a social-cultural organisation established by Oba Erediauwa in 2009 to provide a rallying point for the Binis at home and abroad.

Meanwhile, the president and members of Immaculate Conception College, Benin, Old Boys Association (ICCOBA) has been commended for being good ambassadors of their alma mater.

The Benin monarch made the commendation when the president and other leaders of ICCOBA paid a courtesy visit to him in his palace.

Oba Ewuare II said he was very proud to identify with them as an old boy of the school, and that the visit brought some nostalgic feelings about his days as a student of Immaculate Conception College Benin City.

On plans to construct ICCOBA House in Benin City, the Oba promised to support the project, and prayed for the success of the launching ceremony, which comes up later this year.

Speaking on behalf of the president and members of ICCOBA worldwide, chairman of the Building Committee and a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Parry Osayande, thanked the Oba for his support to the association over the years.

He informed His Royal Majesty of the association’s plan to organise a fund raising towards the construction of ICCOBA House in Benin,
and solicited the Oba’s support towards the project.

Osayande told the monarch that Immaculate Conception College has produced important people in the society, including the Oba, and that the Association’s members are proud to be associated with him.

Also, the Oba received the president and members of Edo College Old Boys Association (ECOBA), with a charge to help in the teaching and learning of Benin language in schools.

Oba Ewuare II commended ECOBA members for their support, especially during his coronation, and assured them of palace support for all their planned programmes and activities.

His Royal Majesty accepted to be their patron and a plaque was later presented to him by the association’s president.

In an earlier address, ECOBA’s president, Dr. Reuben Osahon, commended Oba Ewuare II for transforming the palace, adding that they were proud that their Association has produced two Oba’s.

Osahon explained that they were in the palace to formally install the Oba as their patron in line with their constitution, as well as solicit for support towards the celebration of ECOBA at 80, which comes up between October 6 and 8 this year.

He announced the naming of the college house in honour of Oba Erediauwa and requested for a piece of land to build ECOBA resource centre.