Eheneden Erediauwa, the crown prince of Benin Kingdom is set to receive his staff of office from the state governor of Edo, Adams Oshiomhole on Thursday, October 20, 2016.
The crowning ceremony would make him the 39th Oba of Benin and will take place in a grand royal ceremony to be attended by President Muhammadu Buhari, and other important personalities.
The crown Prince will leave Usama Palace, where he has been since October 9 for Benin, the state capital. He is also expected to pass through Isekherhe to perform the ceremonial crossing of a river before moving to Urho-Okpota for the coronation ceremony.
Expected at the ceremony are state governors, the leadership of the National Assembly and other lawmakers, traditional rulers and members of the diplomatic community. However, It was learnt that the heir apparent would not be crowned in public.
According to Punch, there was heavy presence of policemen at Ovoranmwwen Square, Airport Road, Urho-Okpota and around the Oba’s palace on Plymouth Road.
The Edo State police commissioner, Haliru Gwandu had on Tuesday, October 17, 2016 disclosed that 5,000 personnel would be deployed to provide security for the historic event.
The acting spokesperson for the police, Stephen Onwochei, told journalists on Wednesday that policemen would also be drawn from the anti-bomb squad unit of the command.
Contributing, the 4 Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army expressed its readiness to assist other sister agencies in ensuring a hitch-free coronation.
The state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said it had deployed 500 personnel to man strategic locations.
Efosa Ogbebor, the spokesman for the command noted that the operatives would be drawn from the armed squad, Special Weapons and Tactical team and the anti-bomb unit.
He explained that while the command would not deploy armed men at the Oba’s palace, parts of Ring Road, Plymouth Road, Mission Road and Akpakpava Road would be cordoned off to forestall any form of breakdown of law and order.
“Anyone who attempts that will face the full wrath of the law,” he warned.
Photos from coronation ceremony of Oba of Benin. Click on any image to enlarge.
