Glitz, glamour as Oba of Benin, Emir of Kano rekindle ties

A visit to Benin last weekend by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero excited residents as it provided opportunity to reunite relationship between the two historic traditional institutions.   It was glitz and glamour in the ancient kingdom of Benin on May 29, following the royal visit of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji […]

A visit to Benin last weekend by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero excited residents as it provided opportunity to reunite relationship between the two historic traditional institutions.

 

It was glitz and glamour in the ancient kingdom of Benin on May 29, following the royal visit of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero. The Benin Kingdom and the Kano Emirate have age-long relationship spanning several decades.

The emir, who arrived Benin at about 3.45pm aboard a chartered aircraft with registration number 5A-NNK, was welcomed by school children, traditional dance groups, women, Benin Chiefs and other citizens of the Benin kingdom who stormed the Benin airport as early as 10am and patiently waited for the arrival of the emir and his entourage.

The Oba of Benin welcomed the emir in a grand and colourful reception, with various cultural groups showcasing their dancing skills to the admiration of the emir and his entourage. People thronged the palace to catch a glimpse of the emir.

Chiefs, Enogies, priestesses of various deities, Oba’s children, among others welcomed the visiting emir in the Benin traditional way of paying homage and respect to their monarch.

Different Benin traditional troupes, including Hausa Cultural troupe, Igala, ancient Ekaba theatre group of Orhionmwon, Oba Ewuare Performing troupe, Calabar cultural troupe, masquerades as well as other performing troupes of various ethnic groups added colour to the three-day royal visit.

On Sunday, the visiting Emir of Kano and his entourage were also entertained by the various cultural troupes at the Oba Akenzia cultural centre in line with Benin tradition.

The visit, it was gathered, was to strengthen the age-long relationship between the royal family of the Benin kingdom and the royal family of the Kano Emirate.

Speaking during the reception, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, said the Emir’s visit will open a new vista of possibilities and clearly buttresses the age-long traditions of their forefathers.

“My decision to visit Kano Emirate in early 2020 on a thank-you visit was in demonstration of the mutual respect and love that exist between the Emirate, the royal household of Kano and the royal house of Benin.”

He said it gladdens his heart that the emir decided to reciprocate the gesture in continuation of the tradition, respect and conviviality between Kano Emirate and the Benin Kingdom.

Oba Ewuare II noted that the thank-you visit was to honour his grand mother, Princess Ebose Eweka, who had relocated from Benin to Kano and thereafter established a business and lived there all her life.

“I recall how after her demise; her estate was placed under the care of your father while I was still undertaking undergraduate study abroad”

“My mother by our tradition, the Queen mother albeit posthumously, also lived in Kano with my grandmother before she married my father and since then the Benin royal family and the Kano royal father have had close ties and your today’s visit will further strengthen family bond and friendship that already exist between us.”

He said the Benin throne will continue to uphold and maximize the cultural practices and values of the land to foster peace and overall development of the country.

On his part, the Emir of Kano said his first visit to Benin palace was decades ago as a prince when his father, Ado Bayero, sent him to the then Oba of Benin Oba Erediawa.

“That visit will remain indelible in my memory but this visit is very paramount in my life; it is a visit to rekindle the relationship that exist between the two royal families.

“I first visited the palace about 25 years ago when my late father summoned me and said he has not seen the Oba of Benin for some time and that I should visit the palace and extend his warm greetings to the late Oba of Benin.

“The Oba of Benin hosted me and when I was departing, he said ‘my son go safely and I pray you will return to Benin one day as an emir’.

“God answered his prayers and I have a souvenir for my brother that will testify for that visit of 25 years ago.”

Speaking further, the Emir described the visit of Oba Ewuare to Kano on January 26, 2020, as historic and a show of brotherhood and unity.

“The most significant of that visit was least noticed, it gave your majesty the opportunity to visit all Kano residences of the Queen mother.

“One year after the visit, providence has placed us on the throne of our forefathers and we have the responsibility to continue the excellent tradition of high-level visit to enhance unity and better understanding among our people.

“Your Majesty, my late father, the 54th Emir of Kano and 13th in the Fulani dynasty Alhaji Ado Bayero and 38th Oba of Benin, Oba Akenzua, and 39th Oba of Benin, Oba Erediawa, developed a long and very warm relationship that was created on trust and the need to keep interest of the fatherland over and above all interest.

“Through all the trials and tribulations of the political developments of Nigeria our fathers dedicated their lives to strengthening the bond of national cohesion so that they could hand over the nation to the next generation in a better state.”

According to him, the Benin Kingdom and Kano Emirate are both great in cultural, administrative, military and commercial excellence.

Emir Bayero, who was overwhelmed by the uniqueness of the reception, said he would continue to partner the Benin monarch for peaceful coexistence between his emirate and the Benin kingdom.

“My coronation as the 15th Fulani Emir has been fixed for July 3, 2021 and I seize the opportunity to inform your majesty. I believe you will be part of the ceremony.”