By Peter Dansu The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has rejected the attempt by Mrs. Folashade ...
By Peter Dansu
The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has rejected the attempt by Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu and Iyaloja General of Nigeria, to introduce the “Iyaloja” title into Edo State, describing it as alien to Benin culture and traditions.
The Oba made his position clear during a courtesy visit by Tinubu-Ojo, who had come to inform the palace of her plan to install Pastor Josephine Ivbazebule as the Iyaloja of all markets in Edo State.
Responding after listening to her, Oba Ewuare II questioned the cultural basis of the Iyaloja concept in Benin, stressing that in the Benin Kingdom, market leadership is traditionally guided by the palace through the institution of the Iyeki (market leader).
“Iyaloja is alien to us here in Benin. You are in Benin, the home of culture; we have our ways here. Every Iyeki has a direct and sacred relationship with the palace and performs specific cultural roles in the shrines located in each market,” the monarch said.
The Oba explained that the Iyeki is first selected by market women before being presented to the palace for confirmation, after which she not only coordinates trading activities but also performs spiritual and cultural duties on behalf of the palace.
Clarifying further, Chief Osaro Idah, who was directed by the Oba to enlighten the Iyaloja General, emphasized that unlike the novelty of a “general Iyeki,” which does not exist in Benin custom, each market has its independent Iyeki.
“The traders select their own leader, and the Oba confirms the choice. The Iyeki of Oba Market, for example, has no authority over Ogiso Market or any other market. Every market operates independently under the cultural oversight of the palace. What you call Iyaloja might be part of your own social or cultural practices, but it is not part of our tradition,” Idah said.
The palace’s firm stance has effectively nullified attempts to impose the Iyaloja structure on Edo markets, reaffirming the uniqueness and supremacy of Benin culture in matters of tradition and market leadership.
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