Oba Of Benin Is Only Traditional Ruler In Benin Kingdom Says BTC
…..warns against refering to Enogie (Duke) as traditional ruler in Communities
FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) on friday made clarification on the structure of the Benin Traditional Institution saying there is only one Traditional ruler in the whole of Benin Kingdom, who is the Oba of Benin, HRM Oba Ewuare II (CFR).
Addrssing newsmen at the Edo State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Benin City, Counsel to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Prof. Edoba Omoregie (SAN) stated that by virtue of the Benin Customary Law, which is part of the existing laws of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 and earlier affirmed in the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law, 1979 (as applicable in Edo State), the traditional chieftaincy title of Enogie of any community in Benin Kingdom is the creation of the Oba of Benin and under the authority of the Benin Traditional Council.
According to the Counsel, Upon appointment, an Enogie is asigned as a Chief of the Oba Palace to a â°community as a representative of the Oba of Benin in that community, but never as a Traditional Ruler as there is only one traditional ruler in the whole of the Benin Kingdom, who is the Oba of Benin.
“The BTC therefore use this medium to strongly urge and admonish all members of the print and electronic media to refrain from further reference to the Enogie of any community in Benin Kingdom as a traditional ruler, but only as CHIEF of the community to which the Enogie has been appointed by the Oba of Benin.” Edoba said.
Edoba further warned that, “further breach of this traditional protocol would be considered by the BTC as a serious affront to the entire Benin People and the Palace of Oba of Benin, which breach will be visited with serious consequences under the law.” He concluded.
