Like Father, Like Daughter: Edo Traditional Ruler Ostracized Gov Obaseki’s Commissioner of Arts and Culture, Ms Malaka

By Reporter

For disrespecting the throne, a traditional ruler in Edo State has stripped the Commissioner of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Ms Uyi Oduwa-Malaka of the honorary chieftaincy that was bestowed on her by the Onotare of Ozalla Kingdom, His Royal Highness Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai.

The revocation notice is contained in a release sent to the press by the palace, saying the traditional ruler revoked the honorary chieftaincy title of the Uzoyare of Ozalla Kingdom conferred on Uyi Oduwa-Malaka, because she disrespected the Onotare of Ozalla Kingdom by asking the Onotare to meet her in the car when she drove into the palace on the 12th of April, 2024.

The press statement signed by the Palace spokesperson, Dr. Osumah Obaze catalogued the commissioner’s offence which includes arrogance, rudeness and power mongering.

“Her legion of offences among others, includes openly insulting the Onotare and for not paying obeisance to the Onotare of Ozalla on the 13th of April, 2024, during Ivbamen festival in the present of the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and Chairman, Owan West Local Government, Mr. Dickson Ahonsi and for openly boasting to remove the traditional ruler from office.”

The palace also stripped another subject George Ohioma aka Armani of the Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom for act of insubordination.

“In the same vain, the Onotare of Ozalla, His Royal Highest Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai also revoked the honorary chieftaincy title, Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom conferred on Barr. George Ohioma aka Armani for openly insulting and physically assaulting the Onotare of Ozalla and Secretary to the Onotare, Mr. Ehichioya Ujuanbi in the present of the Speaker to Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and the Chairman of Owan West Local Government Council, Mr. Dickson Ahonsi at the Onotare’s Palace.

“The title Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom is now the exclusive preserve of freeborn of Ozalla Kingdom, not strangers like Barr George Ohioma. The Onotare of Ozalla, His Royal Highest Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai has banned/ostracized Ms. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka and Barr. George Ohioma from the palace with immediate effect.

“This is for the information of the general public. The title of Onotare of Ozalla Kingdom is neither hereditary nor conferred on anyone, though gazetted by the State Government, it is attained through gerontocracy process,” the statement concluded.

The elders saying that suggests that a daughter is likely to have similar characteristics or habits to her father aptly fits the embarrassing development in Edo State.

Nigerians will remember that, the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki has been having disrespectful altercations with the palace of the Oba of Benin, which has snowballed into court cases between a section of the Enegies (Dukes), with the alleged support of Edo State Government.

The controversial cross-fire over the ownership of Benin Court Arts, also known as Benin Bronzes between Governor Obaseki and the people of Benin Kingdom, preceded the enactment of a parallel Edo State Local Government Traditional Council, which was done to create disaffection towards Oba Ewuare II.

Nigerians will also note that, the Benin Palace had complained of the withholding of the statutory allocation due to the Benin Traditional Council for about 12 months. This action was considered as an aberration by the monarch’s subjects and onlookers.

Governor Obaseki had admitted then that he withheld the funds “due to the disagreement within the traditional rulers” in Edo South.

Read Also: Edo People Should Show More Interest on How They’re Governed!