Oba of Benin to appoint district heads in place of suspended dukes

By Jethro Ibileke

The Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has given the  hint of plans to appoint district heads (Okao Eguade) across the various dukedoms in Benin Kingdom whose Enigie (dukes) have been suspended indefinitely.

He dropped the hint during an enlarged meeting with edionwere (village heads) and elders in the affected areas, held on Thursday in the Benin Palace in Benin City.

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, was also present at the meeting.

According to a statement Thursday night by the Chief Press Secretary to Oba, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, the appointed district heads will serve as traditional liaison officers of Oba Palace to the affected dukedoms, for smooth administration.

The statement noted that under the new traditional administrative system, the Oba will immediately send Okao Eguae to Ehor, Ologbo and Ulegun dukedoms to strengthen the traditional leadership structure in the areas.

The Benin monarch who reaffirmed the ban on Community Development Associations (CDA), however assured that after the completion of his mother’s funeral activities, he would make necessary arrangement for appointment of Okao Eguae in other areas.

“We won’t just leave you alone, the suspended Enigie are no longer in-charge. If we allow it to remain that way, some of the youths will overrun their elders,” he said.