Di Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, don warn Mrs. Folashade Ojo-Tinubu, wey be di daughter of President Bola Tinubu, make she no dey call herself “Iyaloja-General” inside Benin Kingdom, say di title no get root for Benin culture.

 

Di royal warning come during one visit wey Ojo-Tinubu pay Oba Ewuare II for him palace inside Benin City. Ojo-Tinubu na di nationally recognised Iyaloja-General of Nigeria market women. She come Edo State to inaugurate Pastor (Mrs.) Josephine Isi Ibhaguezejele as “Iyeki-General” of di state.

 

But Oba Ewuare II sharply clear say for Benin tradition, di correct title na “Iyeki” – no be “Iyaloja.” E talk say for every Benin market, na di market women dey choose their Iyeki, but di palace must still confirm di person. Di monarch emphasize say na tradition and culture join together dey guide that role.

 

“Benin get him own tradition. Iyaloja title no follow for our customs. For here, na Iyeki we dey recognize, and di person must get cultural duty wey connect to di shrines inside market,” Oba Ewuare talk.

 

Chief Osaro Idah, wey Oba send to explain di matter well-well, talk say every market for Benin like Oba Market, Ogiso Market and others, get dia own Iyeki. E say di Iyeki dey do more than to just lead market people – dem still get sacred roles and special connection to di palace.

 

E add say: “Iyeki dey independent for each market. Na traders inside di market dey select di person, no be outside appointment.”

 

Oba Ewuare II come conclude say di palace go always protect Benin tradition, and anybody wey wan do anything for di land must follow di right cultural process.