TVC E – The ancient city of Benin wore a new look on Saturday as the ancestral father of the Benin Kingdom, sons and daughters of the land welcome crown Prince of Benin, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, as the new Edaiken of Uselu.
His installation followed the successful completion of the mandatory traditional rites.
The event attracted a large crowd of supporters that thronged the palace, while shops and other business outlets were shut temporarily on Saturday morning as a mark of honour and solidarity with the Crown Prince.
The Oba market and some streets, as well as roads housing some traditional shines were cordoned – off by security personnel and manned by colourfully dressed palace chiefs.
The move was to assist officials of the Federal Road Safety commission (FRSC) assisted by traffic policemen with useful tips to ease human and vehicular movements of persons.
Women groups adorned in Benin traditional attire, drummers and entertainers, youths and visitors, palace chiefs including politicians and government officials led by Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, defied the scorching sun to await the arrival of the royal father.
The arrival of the convoy of the Crown Prince in company of some first Class Benin Chiefs and combined security team from his private residence in Benin to the palace, marked the commencement of the ceremony at about 2pm.
After a brief consultation with palace chiefs and the performance of traditional rites at the palace, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, clad in a white and red traditional regalia with a pair of dark glasses was installed.
The heir apparent to the traditional stool, at about 4pm, rode on a long convoy with Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Pius Odubu in company of other top government officials and palace chiefs to Edaiken palace to at Uselu in Benin.
The Edaiken is expected to go through some traditional rites before takes the traditional stool of Edaiken of Uselu which will become his temporal place of abode which predates ancient times.
