Oba of Benin performs sacred rites of edification and fortification at Emotan Shrine

Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty, has prayed for robust health and prosperity of members of Royal Family and the Benin Kingdom.

Oba Ewuare II, made this supplication when he paid a Royal and traditional visit to the site of Emotan Shrine, opposite Oba Market in Benin City, where he also prayed for the peace, progress and oneness of Nigeria.

At the shrine, the Omo N’Oba among other activities performed certain sacred traditional rites of edification and fortification, with the active involvement of all the customary functionaries and groups.

Oba Ewuare was accompanied by the Iloi (Queens of the Royal household), a large numbers of Chiefs, Enigie, Priests of different divinity and deistical leanings, market women, members of the Royal family and a mammoth crowd to the Emotan Shrine.

Therefore, the presence of the Benin Monarch at the Emotan Shrine was symbolic and spiritual in many respect, whereby the legendary Emotan having being deified and venerated closed to six hundred years ago, by Oba Ewuare II great ancestor.

Interestingly, at the site of Emotan Shrine, which the Omo N’Oba has completely transformed into an esthetic model, Omo N’Oba Ewuare II prayed fervently to the spirit of Emotan, the great Royal Ancestors and the Almighty God to ceaselessly grant him radiant health, good fortune, progress and longevity.

Historically, Emotan lived and came into reckoning in the reign of Oba Ohen and his children, including Prince Ogun, who later became Oba Ewuare the Great in about 1440AD – 1473AD.

Though, a widow and childless, her heroic exploit in strategising and assisting Prince Ogun, the rightful heir to the Royal stool to reclaim the throne from the usurper Oba, Uwaifiokun earned her the status of veneration.

Thus, when Emotan died, Oba Ewuare directed that she be buried at the spot where she used to sit and sell her wares opposite the Oba Market.

In addition, Oba Ewuare then made a proclamation to deify Emotan, and ordered that every man invested with a title had to visit to pay homage at Emotan Shrine, and also that all funeral processions must visit to pay reverence to the spirit of Emotan.

Significantly, Emotan represent true bastion of fairness, equity, justice, peace and harmony.