A new era begins in Benin (II)

Oba Erediauwa

His classmates were the late Bishop A.W. Howells, Justice R. Ade Doherty and Dr Samuel Manuwa. His tutors included Mr. Earnest Ikoli and Mr. Charles James Smart, who was a popular letter writer in Benin City before his death in 1966.

Oba Akenzua II was a lover of sports. He was very vast in the knowledge of Benin tradition, customs and culture. He understood his future roles as a king. After working as a transport clerk in the Benin native administration, he was transferred to his father’s palace as the Oba’s confidential secretary. In 1925, he was sent to Abeokuta to study the native administration system under the late Sir Ademola II, the Alake of Abeokuta. He was later appointed as the District Head of Eguaedaiken.

Oba Akenzua II was presented with the Staff of Office of a First Class Chief by Lt. Governor Buchanam Smith, who read the speech of Sir Donald Cameron, the Governor of Nigeria. In 1934, the Oba attended the opening of the Yaba Higher College, Lagos.  When he left Lagos, he paid a courtesy call on the Alake, Oba Ademola II

On the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II, Oba Akenzua II visited England with his wife, Queen Idada, on October 5, 1950. On February 5, 1956, Queen Elizabeth II, who visited Nigeria, had a stopover at the Benin Airport where she was received by Oba Akenzua II, the residents and other dignitaries. His late grandfather Oba Ovonramwen’s coral regalia was returned to him from the British Museum by the British government.

He was awarded Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G) by the British Queen. He also received the Doctorate Degree LL.D (Causa) on May 19, 1966 by the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He was also conferred with the Commander of the Order of Federal Republic by the Federal Government.

Oba Akenzua II was a Minister of State in the defunct Western House in 1955. He was a member of the House of Chiefs from 1959 to 1963, before the creation of the Midwest Region.

The oba sponsored the establishment of Edo College, Benin City in 1935. The college was opened in 1936 under Mr. B.D. Coker, a Ghanaian and former headmaster of the Benin Government School, as principal.  He also encouraged the setting up of the Western Boys’ High School, Eghosa Grammar School, Adolo College, Saint Maria Gorretti Girls’ Grammar School and Anglican Girls’ Grammar School.

Oba Erediauwa

(March 23, 1979-2016)

When he was born on June 22, 1923, his father, Oba Akenzua II, presented him to his father, Eweka II, who lifted the baby up, smiled and proclaimed him a future oba.  He was named Prince Solomon Aiseokhuoba Igbinoghodua Akenzua. He was crowned Oba on March 23, 1979.

The late Erediauwa was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He attended Government School, Benin, before proceeding to Government College, Ibadan in 1939. After completing his studies at Yaba College, Lagos, he was admitted into the King’s College, Cambridge to study Law and Administration. He returned to Nigeria to join the Eastern Nigeria Civil Service as a District Officer (D.O.) in 1957. He transferred his service to the Federal Civil Service and rose to the position of Permanent Secretary. He retired as a Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in 1973 and became the Regional Representative of Gulf Oil Company. He was appointed Commissioner for Finance in Midwest State by former Military Governor George Innih in 1975.