The Eze Oha Evo III, King Leslie Nyebuchi Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka, has appealed to the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II N’ Ogidigan, to continue to use his good offices to engender peace in the South-South region and the country at large as he marks his 7th anniversary on the throne today.
Eke made the appeal when he spoke in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday.
He said the Oba, who is to mark his 7th anniversary on the throne as the 40th Oba of Benin, should not relent in his efforts to bring peace and unity in his Kingdom and beyond.
According to the Nyerisi Mbam Oro -Evo, no meaningful development could spring out when a people are in disarray.
He noted that the Benin Monarch is a man of peace and should settle for nothing less than peaceful coexistence in the whole of Niger Delta and the entire nation.
“Seven is a significant number in the Bible. If you can recall, David’s Seven Brothers were rejected before David was selected and made King. So, the King’s 7th kingship anniversary is both spiritual and significant”, he said.
He recalled that since the 40th Oba of Benin stepped onto the throne, his people can testify of being witnesses of unadulterated governance.
“When it comes to the culture and traditions of his people, the Oba knows it at the tip of his fingers. He has an open door policy of administration which has distinguished him among his counterparts”, he said.
The Ikwerre monarch, who went down memory lane, recalled how the Oba was received by his people seven years ago during his inauguration and said such was an evidence of a man of trust and integrity.
He stated that the time to allow such persons with impeccable character to contribute to issues of interest in the country has come and should experience no further delay.
The Monarch, who further eulogised his Edo State counterpart, noted that the Oba in 2017 formed Benin Customary Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (BCADRC) in an attempt to address the frustration the people went through in seeking justice in the then Palace Penal System of justice administration.
According to him, such was to bring justice, equity, tolerance, accountability among others to the people.
He called on the entire people of Edo State to continue to ‘otopkee’ for their King in order not to fall short of the royalty blessings.

By: King Onunwor