By Gift Esumike and Raphael Innocent
A Nigerian historian, Prof. Osarhieme Osadolor, has referred to as for better recognition of the mental contributions of the late Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa.
Osadolor made the decision on Monday whereas delivering the keynote lecture on the pre-launch of the Oba Erediauwa Memorial Lecture Series on the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
The famend historian mentioned the writings of the late Oba of Benin, his public service and defence of Benin traditions supplied worthwhile classes in management and governance.
The lecture, themed: “Oba Erediauwa’s Voice in Discourse: Defining His Intellectual Legacy”, was organised as a part of actions marking the tenth coronation anniversary of the present Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
Osadolor described the late conventional ruler as a thinker king, whose strategy to management mirrored Plato’s idea of governance guided by knowledge and dedication to the frequent good.
He argued that Erediauwa’s mental legacy deserved better consideration, notably his writings and contributions to public discourse on governance, schooling, faith and the economic system.
The historian traced Erediauwa’s journey from his early schooling and public service profession to his ascension to the Benin throne in March 1979.
“Born on June 22, 1923, as Prince Solomon Igbinoghodua Akenzua into the Benin royal family, Erediauwa studied law at the University of Cambridge, England.
“After returning to Nigeria in 1952, he joined the public service, worked in various government offices and ministries, and rose to the position of permanent secretary before retiring in 1973.
“He reigned as the Oba of Benin from March 1979, until his death in April 2016, during which he promoted Benin traditions and engaged in wider conversations on national development and public affairs,” he mentioned.
The lecturer highlighted the late Oba’s literary contributions, together with his autobiography, “I Remain, Your Obedient Servant,” and “The Cradle of Ideas,” a group of his speeches and writings printed in 2013.
“Oba Erediauwa’s writings and public interventions reveal a traditional ruler, who understood the value of intellectual engagement and the need to balance traditional institutions with the demands of modern society,” he mentioned.
In his handle, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, SAN, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, additionally underscored the historic worth of Erediauwa’s mental contributions.
Omoregie famous that schooling of the late Oba, his public service expertise and writings supplied insights into Nigeria’s political growth.
The vice-chancellor described the late Oba’s autobiography as an vital historic useful resource, notably for understanding occasions surrounding the Nigerian Civil War from the attitude of a former public servant.
“His autobiography is an important historical resource because it provides insights into Nigeria’s political development, including the civil war era, from the perspective of someone who served in public office,” he mentioned.
He additionally recommended Erediauwa’s dedication to peace, battle decision and the preservation of Benin tradition.
He described the memorial lecture sequence as a possibility to introduce youthful generations to the Oba’s life, concepts and contributions.
Speaking by means of his consultant, Prof. Victor Igbineweka, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of UNIBEN, Oba Ewuare II mentioned the initiative was designed to protect his late father’s mental legacy and promote scholarship, good governance and cultural preservation.
“The essence of this lecture series is to preserve and promote the intellectual legacy of my late father, whose life and reign demonstrated the importance of scholarship, wisdom, good governance and cultural preservation,” the standard ruler mentioned.
Ewuare II introduced March 23, 2027, as the anniversary of his father’s coronation, the date for formal inauguration of the memorial lecture sequence.
He defined that an earlier committee set as much as organise the programme had didn’t start work in spite repeated reminders, necessitating the structure of a brand new committee.
Earlier, Mr Lucky Imasuen, former deputy governor of Edo, and chairman of the Oba Ewuare II tenth Coronation Anniversary Committee, urged contributors to uphold Erediauwa’s values, notably his dedication to scholarship, good governance and cultural preservation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) studies that the occasion featured a cultural efficiency by the Inneh Theatre Troupe and an interactive session. (NAN)
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Edited by Usman Aliyu/Chioma Ugboma
