The activities for the coronation of the crown prince and Edaiken N’Uselu, His Royal Highness, Eheneden Erediauwa, as the new Oba of Benin will commence on Saturday (today).
The Chairman of the Coronation Planning Committee, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, announced this on Friday during a press briefing at the Oba’s palace in Benin, the Edo State capital.
Akenzua, who is also the Enogie of Evbuobanosa/Abudu, explained that the programme would begin with a foot procession by the crown prince from Eguae Edaiken (Uselu) to Oredo, in company of indigenes from the area.
He said the Edaiken would stop at a sacred palm tree, known as “Udin Amamieson-aimiuwa,” for a brief ceremony.
According to him, the Edaiken will arrive at Iya-akpan, where the Uselu chiefs will leave him and the Oredo chiefs will take over.
The crown prince is expected to arrive at Eko-Ohae, where he will stay for three days.
On Monday, October 10, Akenzua said the prince would leave Eko-Ohae for the Usama palace while coronation rituals would continue.
Akenzua also said that Prince Eheneden would later move to Use village for the ceremony of choosing a name on Tuesday, October 18, before returning to Usama.
The Enogie noted that the grand finale of the programme would hold on Thursday, October 20, when the crown prince would leave Usama for Benin, through Isekherhe to Urho-Okpota, where the coronation ceremony would take place.
He also said that the Omo N’Oba’s thanksgiving service at the Holy Aruosa Cathedral, on Akpakpava Road, would hold on Sunday, October 23.
Akenzua said, “It bears repeating here that from today (Saturday), when the Edaiken will leave Uselu palace, the use of coral beads by those who are normally entitled will be restored and the current use of ‘Omo N’Ore’ (white beads) will be discontinued.”
While pointing out that burial ceremonies were prohibited from being held by residents from Saturday, October 8, to Thursday, October 27, 2016, he urged the residents to halt commercial activities at Eko-Ohae and Urho-Okpota until further notice.
