TUC: AN IROKO HAS FALLEN IN OBA OF BENIN

Nigeria, April 30, 2016 – The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said it has received with pain and grief the passing on of Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo 1, Oba Erediauwa of Benin, at Ugha-Ozolua in Benin-City on Friday 29th April, 2016.

In a statement, President and Secretary of the union, Comrades Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Simeso Amachree said it is a particularly sad development, coming at a time when the nation needs his wealth of experience to overcome its political and economic challenges.

“A great iroko is fallen! Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo was a special and highly revered and distinguished ruler who endeared himself to the Bini people, all Nigerians and the international community. He was a man who displayed exquisite finesse and ingenuity in the way he handled issues, including those that threatened to throw the country into serious crisis.

“ As a Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in 1973 and later Commissioner for Finance in the defunct Bendel State during the military administration of Major-General George Agbazika Inni, he garnered so much experience that made his tenure as the 38th Oba of Benin exceptional right from the moment he ascended the throne on 23rd March, 1979.

“We remember how, as a peace-loving monarch, he acted as peacemaker between warring politicians on several occasions. His intervention in a dispute between then Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief Tony Anenih, the then Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees, as well the face-off between Anenih and former Edo State Governor Lucky Igbinedion are ready examples.

“So also were his recent efforts at brokering peace among the feuding members of Edo State House of Assembly. The Oba was an accomplished Nigerian and a seasoned bureaucrat whose reign helped entrench integrity in the traditional institution in Edo State and the country at large’’, the union said.

It added that as a Federal Permanent Secretary, he understood governance and spoke where and when necessary no matter whose ox was gored.

“He was a man of courage. Nigerians will miss him a great deal. And we know that the Edo people would wish he were around to counsel them now that the gubernatorial election in the State is at hand.

“We urge the people of Edo and all other Nigerians, especially the leadership cadre, to embrace all the lofty ideals that the late Oba stood for’’, TUC said.