By Raphael Innocent and Imelda Osayande
The 10th coronation anniversary of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has featured an art exhibition and food festival celebrating the cultural and culinary heritage of the Benin Kingdom.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the celebration, which began on Sunday, Oct. 4, is scheduled to continue until Saturday, Nov. 21, with several activities planned to mark the monarch’s 10 years on the throne.
Speaking on Friday at the event held at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, former Edo Deputy Governor and Chairman of the 10th Coronation Anniversary Committee, Lucky Imasuen, described the celebration as a remarkable milestone.
Imasuen said the monarch’s 10 years on the throne had been marked by peace, economic growth and security, adding that the anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate the kingdom’s progress.
He also commended organisers of the skill acquisition centres and the Iyamu Agwabasimi Movement Worldwide for supporting the monarch and helping residents acquire practical skills.
According to him, beneficiaries had received training in hairdressing, braiding, weaving, tailoring, mechanics and phone repair.
He said the food festival was another highlight of the celebration, with visitors treated to traditional Edo delicacies, including ‘Akedi,’ ‘Black Soup’ and ‘Akara’.
Imasuen said that more activities were planned for the anniversary, including musical performances, football matches, traditional wrestling and the official opening of the festival hall.
He urged participants to maintain the peaceful atmosphere of the celebration and embrace the opportunity to showcase the kingdom’s culture and traditions.
“The 10 years of His Royal Majesty’s reign have been years of peace, tranquility, economic growth and security.
“The support for the monarch is not just historic but practical, as people have acquired skills in different trades.
“This is just the beginning of the fun, with many activities lined up. I urge everyone to conduct themselves peacefully as we celebrate our music, culture and traditions,” Imasuen said.
Also speaking, Joy Osaremen, Chief Executive Officer of Seventies Grill Kitchen, said the festival was organised to celebrate the Oba’s anniversary and showcase authentic Edo cuisine.
Osaremen, one of the food exhibitors, said the cuisines on display were prepared using traditional recipes, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the kingdom’s culinary heritage.
She showcased traditional soups, including ‘Umanko,’ ‘Cutting Soup,’ ‘ Umone and Oyuwo,’ also known as Bitterleaf Soup, which she said were traditionally eaten with pounded yam.
Osaremen stressed the need to preserve indigenous cooking methods and encourage people to appreciate traditional meals.
“This food festival is part of the activities to celebrate our royal father, Oba Ewuare II, as he marks his 10th coronation anniversary. We are showcasing authentic Edo delicacies prepared using traditional recipes.
“The soups we have here are traditionally eaten with pounded yam. Returning to these meals will help us appreciate what we have as a people and preserve our culinary heritage,” Joy said.
Meanwhile, the curators of the art exhibition, Omorogbe Osakpolor and Babatunde Adeyanju, said the collection was put together to celebrate 10-year milestone of the monarch.
They explained that the exhibition featured works by artists and craftsmen from the Benin Kingdom, including photography, sculpture and painting.
The curators said the exhibition was open to the public and that the Oba was expected to formally open it.
“We curated these works to celebrate the King’s 10th coronation anniversary. This section is dedicated to artworks produced by artists and craftsmen from the Benin Kingdom, including photographers, sculptors and painters.
“Other activities, such as the food exhibition and displays of craftworks, are taking place outside this space,” Osakpolor said.
NAN reports that the event provided an opportunity for local artists, craftsmen and food entrepreneurs to display their work and celebrate the cultural identity of the Benin Kingdom.
Other crafts on showcase at the event included tailoring, welding, shoemaking. makeup and beauty services, hairdressing and confectionery making.(NAN)
Edited by Joshua Olomu
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