The Oba of Benin Kingdom, Omo ‘N’ Oba N’edo, Ewuare 11, on Wednesday met separately with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The monarch met with Obasanjo at his pent house in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
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The Oba of Benin whose first point of call was the palace of the Alake, described the courtesy call as Royal visit .
The Oba of Benin arrived the palace at about 2.20pm, with his chiefs and were ushered in by Oba Gbadebo in company of other notable traditional rulers in the ancient tow :
Oba Adedapo Tejuoso(Osile Oke-Ona) ,Oba Saburee Bakre(Agura of Gbagura),as well as high chiefs of Egbaland, including: Nigeria Ambassador to United Kingdom, Sarafa Ishola , the Osi of Egbaland , Bode Mustapha, Bada of Egbaland , Dr Femi Majekodun and Seriki of Egbaland, Tosin Fadare .
Welcoming his guest, the Alake spoke about the long years relationship between Benin and Egbas kingdoms.
He went on memory lane, on the relationship between the Egba and Benin, saying the visit was another round of good relationship between the two ancient towns.
The monarch added that it was great to have the Benin monarch in Egba palace after number of decades
He however, showed his visitor the first Bible in Nigeria, brought to Abeokuta by the missionaries in the course of evangelism.
The Nigerian Ambassador to United Kingdom, Sarafa Ishola, who facilitated the visit said in his brief remarks that, the visit was to further cement the relationship of the two ancient towns.
The visiting monarch in his speech disclosed that he has been eager to visit Egbaland.
He recalled that his grandfather had earlier resided, noting that the two towns have similarity in history culture and other activities
He said “I want to thank HIs Royal Majesty for this reception. Things happened for a reason. God works in mysterious way. I never thought I will be in Abeokuta. And here I am today. I always have it in mind to visit Abeokuta, even before my coronation.
“I have learnt about Abeokuta. There is similarity in historical, cultural activities .It is not ordinary that Abeokuta and Benin have things in common.”
The visit is coming few days after some recently repatriated artefacts was handed over to the Oba of Benin.
While speaking on the return of the artifacts, the Benin monarch expressed appreciation to the efforts of the country ambassador towards ensuring the return.
He called for further efforts, in getting those artifacts still abroad .
He however disclosed that arrangement was in the pipeline for the construction and establishment of Benin Royal Museum where all the recovered artifacts would be housed.
