Oba Ewuare II rejects the Iyaloja-General concept, affirming that Benin culture recognises only the Iyeki, a traditional market leader confirmed by the palace

Oba Ewuare II has firmly rejected the idea of an ‘Iyaloja-General’ title, describing it as alien to Benin’s rich cultural heritage.

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Speaking from his palace on Tuesday, the revered monarch cautioned Mrs Folashade Ojo-Tinubu, who holds the national Iyaloja-General title, that the Benin Kingdom recognises only the Iyeki, a position deeply entrenched in its ancestral traditions.

Oba Ewuare II emphasised that in Benin, every Iyeki must be selected by market women and subsequently confirmed by the palace.

He noted that the Iyeki’s role goes beyond managing traders, as they perform vital cultural and spiritual duties within market shrines on behalf of the throne.

The monarch said the Iyaloja-General concept was unknown to Benin customs and should not override the long-established system of Iyeki leadership. “Iyaloja is alien to us here in Benin.

You are in Benin, the home of culture. Every Iyeki has a special relationship with the palace and performs sacred roles in the market,” Oba Ewuare II stated firmly.

Adding clarity to the Oba’s remarks, Chief Osaro Idah, who was authorised to address the visitors, explained that the Iyeki operates independently in each market, such as Oba Market and Ogiso Market.

He said the notion of a ‘general Iyeki’ or a unified market head contradicts Benin’s structure of governance.

“The novelty of general Iyeki is alien to Benin custom and tradition. Each market has its own Iyeki chosen from among traders and confirmed by the palace,” Idah explained.

Earlier, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo-Anani, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady in Edo State, had introduced Ojo-Tinubu to the monarch, explaining that her visit was to inaugurate Pastor (Mrs) Josephine Isi Ibhaguezejele as the Iyeki-General of Edo State.

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However, the Benin Monarch’s clear and powerful assertion reaffirmed that cultural identity and traditional order remain non-negotiable pillars of the kingdom’s heritage.