By Uche Amunike
The prestigious Monarch of Benin Kingdom in Edo state, Nigeria also known as the Oba of Benin, Ewuare 11, has finally named his set of quadruplets, which were delivered, August 2021 by his 5th and youngest wife, Queen Aisosa.
Recall that news of the birth of the royal babies was announced by the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor through a statement posted on the official Facebook page of the Monarch, where he described the birth of the babies ad unprecedented and historical in the Benin Royal family.
The statement partly read: ‘By the Grace of the Almighty God and the benevolence of our ancestors, the Benin Traditional Council, on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11, Oba of Benin and the Royal Palace of Benin Kingdom joyfully wish to announce that her Royal Highness, Queen Aisosa Ewuare of Benin Kingdom has delivered a set of quadruplets (3 boys and a girl). Yes. Quadruplets’.
The naming ceremony of the royal babies took place, Sunday, with pomp and fanfare at the palace of the Oba of Benin with dignitaries from all walks of life in attendance.
The event started at the Presidential office of the palace where a formal presentation of the babies was made to the entire royal family members, top Palace functionaries and Chiefs.
Prayers and songs of prosperity were offered to the Royal family by different Palace guilds and royal praise singers during the colourful event.
Thereafter, Omo N’Oba Ewuare headed to the ancestral ceremonial hall of the palace, where prayers were made for the four Royal infants for protection, guidance and prosperity at the ancient altar of their ancestors.
After this, according to the tradition of the Benin Kingdom, the Oba of Benin followed the set rules of the palace by naming the new babies as Odoligie, Utomwen Azaka, Amadin and Iriagbonse.
Their names were announced by Chief Letema, in the absence of the Head of Ihogbe group, Chief Ihama.
Oba Ewuare 11 is the 40th Oba of Benin. In October 2020 one of his wives, Queen Owamabe delivered a princess whose birth, coincided with both the Monarch’s coronation anniversary and his birthday anniversary on October 20.
The Edo state government approved the appointment of the Monarch on April 29,2016. However, before he got the appointment by the Edo State Government, the palace of the Oba had announced the demise of his predecessor, Omo N’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Erediauwa, on April 29, notwithstanding the fact that most Nigerians believed that he had long passed on, before his death was formally announced by the palace. Oba Erediauwa passed on at the age of 92, having ascended the throne in 1979.
Note that the current Oba, who was the then Crown Prince Eheneden had already been formally installed as the heir apparent to the throne on March 7, 2015 and addressed as the Edaiken of Uselu.
