The Oba of Benin is the traditional ruler and the custodian of the culture of the Edo people and all Edoidpeople. The then Kingdom Benin.
The present day Oba Ewuare II was crowned the Oba of Benin on 20 October 2016. He is the 40th Oba, a title created for the Head of State(Emperor) of the Benin Empire at some time between 1180 and 1300.
Eheneden Erediauwa,as he was known before becoming Oba of Benin, attended Edo collage in Benin from 1965 to 1967 and Immaculate Conception College from 1968 to 1970
Oba of Benin
He got his A-Level Certificate from South Thames College, London. He graduated with an Economics degree from the University of Wales, UK and holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Rutgers University Graduate School, New Jersey, USA
He worked at the United Nation between 1981 and 1982. He also served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Angola and Sweden, with accreditation to Norway, Denmark and the Republic of Finland. He was also Nigeria’s Ambassador to Italy.
In 2021, the University of Aberdeen approved the repatriation of one of the Benin Bronzes. A delegation led by Ewuare II officially received the statue on 28 October 2021.
By the time he was crowned Oba, Ewuare was married to Queen Iroghama (Obazuaye N’erie), Princess Iyayiota (Obazuwa N’erie) and Princess Ikpakpa (Ohe N’erie). He later wed 2 more women. He is married to five wives in all.
Queen (Oloi) Iroghama Ewuare of Benin, Nigeria
Queen Iroghama is the first wife of HM King or Oba Ewuare ii of Benin kingdom, Nigeria. They married before he became monarch and previously held the title of Princess.
Today she is commonly referred to as the queen mother of Benin since she is the first and oldest wife.
She is also the mother of the current crown Prince Ezelekhae Ewuare who is the future King.
She also has other children including : Princess (Barrister) Ikuyoyemwen Victoria Ewuare, Prince Obhagator Ewuare. Prince Igbinidu Ewuare