THE RURAL NEWS ALERT

 Benin City is the capital of Edo State in southern Nigeria. It is approximately 40 km (25 miles) north of the Benin River. Formerly known as Benin Kingdom, the city is one of the most ancient in the whole of Africa, standing partly as the remains of what was once a powerful and famous African Empire during the 15 th and 16 th centuries. From its rich cultural attractions and traditions to its colorful festivals and world-renowned art, here are the best things to see and do when in town. THE ROYAL PALACE OF THE OBA OF BENIN Monastery The palace, which was declared one of Nigeria‘s UNESCO Listed Heritage sites in 1999, is an architectural wonder. The Oba of Benin is the traditional ruler of the Edo people, and his palace has sacred cultural significance. The palace, which is centrally situated at the heart of the city, was erected by Oba Ewedo (1255 – 1280). It was later rebuilt by Oba Eweka II (1914 – 1932) after the 1897 war. A palace visit comes with dos and don’ts as reg...

 BRIEF HISTORY OF EBONYI STATE Ebonyi State is in southeastern Nigeria. It is inhabited and populated primarily by the Igbo with the city of Abakaliki as its capital and largest city. Other major townships include Afikpo, Onueke, Ezzamgbo, Edda, Effium, Aba Omege, Amasiri, Unwana, Echara Ikwo, Egu-Ubia, Ụbụrụ, Onicha, etc. It was one of the six states created in 1996 by the then federal military government of General Sani Abacha. The State of Ebonyi was created from parts of both Enugu State and Abia State, which were the Abakaliki division from Enugu State and the Afikpo division from Abia State respectively. It has three senatorial zones, the Abakaliki division make up Ebonyi North and Ebonyi Central senatorial zones, while the Afikpo division make up the Ebonyi South senatorial zone. Ebonyi has thirteen local government areas as well as local development centres created by the state government. It is home to six prominent higher institutions of learning: Ebonyi State Universit...

  If the tribe of Isoko was a man, Urhobo would have been his twin brother. For many years and still counting, Isoko as a tribe has been deemed as one with Urhobo by most people outside the shores of Delta State. As a matter of fact, there are people who don’t even know about the tribe at all. And this is because, in terms of political aspiration and infra-structural development, Isoko seems to be lagging behind. Nevertheless, the fact still remains that it is one of the finest tribe in Nigeria. The typical Isoko marriage consists of three steps: First visit, second visit, and the paying of the bride price. On the first visit, the groom to be will visit the bride’s home alongside his family members ( about 5 – 10) to introduce and make known their introduction. Upon their arrival, they would be entertained by the girl’s father with kola nut and drinks. Additionally, the girl’s father will give his guest money for their trouble finding their way to his house. In return...

 Last Saturday, September 26, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, performed the sacred pilgrimage to Oke’Mogun in Ile-Ife with the ancient Aare crown on his head. By the reckoning of Ife people, he would be the 51 st Ooni to take them once a year trip with the crown. The Aare is the oldest and most sacred crown in Yoruba land. The Yoruba also believes it is the oldest crown in the world; the father of all crowns. Taking the about one kilometer walk to Oke’Mogun is the climax of the Ooni’s many ecclesiastical duties. It is the Aare that gives him legitimacy and authority. It is the one crown that makes him the Ooni and Arole Oduduwa. The Ooni and his Aare crown are central to the Olojo (Owner of the Day) festival, which is celebrated yearly to memorialise the day Olodumare created the earth. Among the Yoruba people, especially the denizens of the ancient city of Ife, the Ooni is both man and deity. When an Ooni joins his ancestors and ...

  The Kemta Traditional Council of Chiefs has disowned the “ Olu of Orile Kemta ” , Ogun State, Adetokunbo Tejuoso, who was arrested recently by police for an alleged romance scam, saying the man is neither an oba nor a chief in the council. This was contained in a communiqu é issued by the council at the end of a meeting held at Ile Ogboni Kemta and made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The communique was jointly signed by three chiefs: Yomi Rotimi (Oluwo Kemta), Oluwatosin Fadare (Lukotun Kemta), and Bola Taiwo (Sakotun Kemta). The council described Tejuoso ’ s action, arrest and detention as embarrassing, saying that he is not a qualified traditional ruler of the community but rather an impersonator. The communiqu é reads: “ The council decided to make some clarifications on the matter. Adetokunbo Tejuoso was installed as Baale Adabonyin in Orile Kemta, Odeda Local Government of Ogun State ” .   “ He was appointed Olu of Orile Kemta ...

 The Olu of Orile-Kemta in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Adetokunbo Tejuoso, has called on sons and daughters of his community for their support in order to give room for more development. In a press release made available to Nigerian Tribune by the media and publicity secretary to the traditional ruler, Chief Olatunji Bandele, Oba Tejuoso, who is the first traditional ruler of Orile-Kemta appreciated the Ogun State government and his subjects both at home and in the diaspora for their support since his enthronement three years ago. His words: “I abandoned juicy corporate job to come and serve my people and develop my community because of the love I have for culture and tradition. “For five years I was dodging my people just to avoid being a traditional ruler. But today, I’m happy and fulfilled because I am in a position to serve directly.” Speaking on the agricultural development of the area, the traditional ruler bemoaned the state of insecurity in the coun...