Coronation of new Oba begins in Benin

Hundreds of residents in Benin, the Edo State capital on Saturday gathered at the palace of the Edaiken N’Uselu for the foot procession of the crown prince, His Royal Highness, Eheneden Erediauwa, to Oredo, as part of activities for his coronation as the new Oba of Benin.

Several groups have also positioned themselves in different locations within and outside the palace, awaiting the crown prince to begin the historic event.

Some of them included Benin chiefs, traditional societies, women and youth groups.

There were also various cultural groups on ground to provide entertainment during the ceremony.

A visit by our correspondent to the Edaiken’s palace, revealed the presence of different security agencies at strategic locations.

Some of them were also sighted at Eko-Ohae, close to the Oba Market.

As instructed by the Coronation Planning Committee, our correspondent observed that commercial activities came to a halt around Eko-Ohae and Urho-Okpota areas.

Prince Eheneden, who is also the Edaiken, is expected to move on foot for about eight kilometres to Eko-Ohae, where he would stay for three days.

He would, however, make stopovers at the sacred palm tree called Udin Amamieson-aimiuwa for a brief ceremony at the tree and at Iya-Akpan, where Uselu chiefs would take leave of him with Oredo chiefs taking over.