His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, is the 40th Oba of Benin, reigning since 20 October 2016. Born Eheneden Erediauwa on 20 October 1953, he is heir to one of the oldest continuous monarchies in Africa, descended from Oba Eweka I and linked to the Oranmiyan dynasty.
Ancestry and Early Life
Ewuare II is the son of Oba Erediauwa. He had his education at schools in Benin City including Edo College and Immaculate Conception College. Before becoming Oba, he served as a diplomat, including postings to Sweden, Finland, and Italy (also accredited to Norway and Angola), and was involved in business and philanthropy.
Family: Wives and Children
The Oba is a polygamist, with five wives. Before his coronation, he was already married to three: Queen Iroghama (Obazuaye N’erie), Princess Iyayiota (Obazuwa N’erie), and Princess Ikpakpa (Ohe N’erie). He later married two more; his youngest (fifth) wife is Queen (Oloi) Aisosa Ewuare II.
He has at least four children. Among these, the most recent addition to the royal family came in August 2021, when he and his fifth wife had quadruplets — three boys and one girl.
Achievements and Cultural Significance
Oba Ewuare II has worked deeply on preserving and promoting Edo cultural heritage. Under his reign, there has been renewed interest in recovering the Benin Bronzes and other artifacts stolen during colonial times. He has also supported cultural diplomacy and restoration of historic sites. The Great Wall of Benin (a massive fortification and earthwork system surrounding the old Benin Kingdom) stands as a symbol of the engineering, organizational, and artistic capacities of the Edo people. The craftsmanship of Benin — especially in bronze, ivory carving, and coral beadwork — is internationally admired.
Crisis, Unity and the Call for Solidarity
Recently, tensions emerged when Folashade Tinubu’s visit to Benin was seen by many as politically motivated, raising fears of division among the many sub-tribes of Edo State. Such incidents highlight how fragile peace and mutual respect can be if traditional authorities, communities, and citizens are not vigilant.
For the youth of the South South and South East, and for all the monarchs of these regions, this is a defining time. Monarchs should strengthen bonds — through cultural exchange, counsel, inter-tribal forums, and shared platforms — to resist attempts to politicize culture for narrow ends. Natives and youths need to mentally reconnect to their roots, to know who they come from, what their traditions are, and why they matter.
Why the Edo/Benin People Matter to Nigeria
The Edo people are more than just guardians of a storied past. Their legacy in art, governance, diplomacy, and spiritual tradition offers all Nigerians a model of integrity, craft, and balanced leadership. The Great Wall, the palaces, the festivals like the Igue, the role of the Oba as spiritual, cultural and moral anchor — these are gifts not just to Edo but to Nigeria and Africa.
Editor Ekpo Ani
SOURCES: Vanguard, NewsWire, Wikipedia, Online
