The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo You Akpolokpolo, Ewuare 11, has announced plans to establish a multi-million Naira memorial research centre in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said, “The memorial centre when established will highlight the impact and significance the colonial authority had on our indigent culture and traditions and become a guide and educational resource for Nigerians as well as all people of the world.
In the bid to ensure that the project becomes a reality, the monarch requested for a plot of land from the Cross River State government, saying that the centre will not only serve the world, but the generations unborn who would be educated and enlightened on the impact of Nigeria’s contact with the western world.
The Oba commended the people of Cross River State and for always been peaceful and hospitable, and asserted it was no wonder that many Edo citizens have found a home in Calabar..
The monarch commended the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V and the government and people of the state for the reception accorded him, saying that was the reason they were being referred as the “people’s” paradise.
“While imploring that this productive relationship be sustained and even strengthened, we look forward to more years of fruitful and beneficial relationships and engagements between our peoples, he added”.
He sued for a “continued and lasting cooperation, support and peaceful co-existence of our people in our quest towards nation building “.
The Obong in his response to the Oba’s kind words described the late Oba Eradiauwa as a true patriot and cerebral gentleman and prayed for his soul to continue to rest in peace.
On the strength of the subsisting understanding, he commended Oba Ewuare 11, for his visit and said he had in his life traversed many countries in Europe, Africa, America and Asia as a career diplomat.
He recalled that late Oba Ovonramwen N’Ogbaisi came to Calabar in February 1897, lived in peace; notably with one of our illustrious son’s and an entrepreneur, late Etinyin Essien Etim Offiong 111, married one of his daughters, and was at rest with himself, Family and Creator before joining his ancestors in January, 1914″.
