Oba Of Benin Rejects Iyaloja Role In Edo, Affirms Iyeki As Market Leaders

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has rejected the instauration of the Iyaloja strategy successful Edo markets, insisting that Benin markets are traditionally headed by palace-backed Iyeki.

The monarch stated this erstwhile the girl of President Bola Tinubu and Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, visited his palace to denote her program to inaugurate Pastor Josephine Ivbazebule arsenic Iyaloja of each markets successful Edo State.

Oba Ewuare II explained that the Iyeki person long-standing taste and spiritual roles successful Benin markets, acold beyond coordinating commercialized activities.

“Iyaloja is alien to america present successful Benin. In Benin, you are successful the location of civilization — we person our civilization here. I person discussed this substance with my chiefs and those who are knowledgeable,” the monarch said.

“Do you cognize the relation of Iyeki successful Benin culture? Every Iyeki has a peculiar narration with the palace. Are you alert that each Iyeki has a taste relation to execute wrong each market? The Oba does not interfere truthful agelong arsenic the Iyeki does what is expected of her successful the shrine of a peculiar marketplace connected behalf of the Oba,” helium added.

Speaking connected behalf of the palace, Chief Osaro Idah, further clarified the taste institution.

“Iyeki is autarkic successful each market, similar the Oba Market, Ogiso Market and others. The traders prime their leaders from within, aft which the idiosyncratic is presented to the palace for confirmation,” Idah said.

He stressed that dissimilar the Iyaloja concept, which whitethorn beryllium recognised successful Yoruba culture, Benin contented does not enactment a centralised marketplace head.

“The novelty of a wide Iyeki is alien to Benin customized and tradition. Iyeki is peculiar to each market. No 1 has the close to power different successful a antithetic market. The Iyeki successful Oba Market has nary relation to play successful Ogiso Market. The Oba established the markets for each successful the society,” he said.