21/10/2023
Amb. Theodore Ehannire Osas State Coordinator National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Edo State Congratulates the Oba of Benin His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II of Benin Kingdom, Edo State on his 7th year anniversary on the revered throne.
The state coordinator Amb. Ehannire, eulogises the sterling quality of His Majesty with the peace and developmental achiements he's brought to bare in the kingdom in his 7 years in the throne so far.
A great leader, a father and an institution, the OmoNobq NEdo Oba Ewuare is a man of distinguished personality an astutue administration and a lover of tradition.
It is true the Benin Kingdom has existed since 1189 to date, being one of the most advanced precolonial kingdoms with its bronze industry. An artifact that caught the attention of the British that were carted away from the Obas palace around 1897. They are slowly being returned back.
His Royal Majesty the Oba of Benin Kingdom Oba Ewuare II (Ogidigan-born 20 October 1953) was crowned the Oba of Benin on 20 October 2016. He is the 40th Oba, a title created for the Head of State (Emperor) of the Benin Empire at some time between 1180 and 1300.
Eheneden Erediauwa,as he was known before becoming Oba of Benin, attended Edo College in Benin City (Nigeria) from 1965 to 1967 and *Immaculate Conception *College*(ICC) from 1968 to 1970. He got his A-Level Certificate from South Thames College, London. He graduated with an Economics degree from the University of Wales, UK and holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Rutgers University Graduate School, New Jersey, USA.
He worked at the United Nations between 1981 and 1982. He also served as Nigeria's Ambassador to Angola and Sweden, with accreditation to Norway, Denmark and the Republic of Finland. He was also Nigeria's Ambassador to Italy.
Ewuare II chose his name as tribute to the 15th-century Ewuare I. Since his ascension to the throne.Like many of his predecessors, he started his rule by demanding that the spiritually and historically important Benin Bronzes that were stolen in 1897 by the British Empire be returned to his people.
In October 2017, he celebrated his first anniversary on the throne, with great participation by the local populace as well as several officials, politicians, and visitors from other parts of Nigeria such as Lagos, Calabar, and Jos. The Sokoto Sultanate Council and Ile-Ife's royal family also sent representatives to take part in the celebrations.
In 2018, Ewuare II issued a curse against any juju priest involved in carrying out human trafficking within his domain, and he publicly revoked all curses used by priests to manipulate trafficking victims.[8] One analyst reported that "what the oba has done is likely to be more effective than anything the international anti-trafficking community has managed to do after millions of dollars and many years"
In 2021, the University of Aberdeen approved the repatriation of one of the Benin Bronzes, which was handed to a delegation that included representatives of Ewuare II on 28 October 2021.He received it, and a bronze cockerel returned by Jesus College, Cambridge, at a ceremony in the royal palace in Benin City on 19 February 2022.
He's blessed with children, wives and the Benin Kingdom.
Oba ghatokpere....Isee.
Amb Theodore Osas Ehannire
NHIA State Coordinator
Edo State
