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Oba of Benin appoints new priest for Holy Aruosa Cathedral
By Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief
The Oba of Benin, HRM Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has approved the appointment of Mr. Igbinoghodua Edebiri as the new presiding priest of a traditional worship Centre, the Holy Aruosa Cathedral in Benin, the Edo State capital.
The approval of the new presiding priest for the cathedral where the first-class monarch (Oba of Benin) worships was sequel to the recommendation of the elders’ council of the oldest worship centre in Africa established in 1506 by Oba Esigie.
The appointment was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the Secretary of Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor.
The newly-appointed presiding priest was directed to immediately open the Benin traditional worship centre, which was temporarily shut in view of the removal of the former presiding priest, Harrison Okao.
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The cathedral, known far and wide, is an unusual worship centre where tradition and religion are practised with the teeming worshipers having a direct contact with God without going through any intermediary.
Part of the statement reads: “This decision is expected to bring lasting peace, sanity and tranquility to the holy spiritual environment that is imperative in the Holy Aruosa Cathedral of Benin, which has hitherto been absent in the Holy Aruosa Cathedral, because of the non-compliance with tradition and custom by Harrison Okao over many years.
“Consequently, all properties, paraphernalia of office as Ohenosa and keys of the Cathedral should be handed over to Chief Esere, Head of Iweguae. Mr. Harrison Okao is also to refrain from operating the bank accounts of the Cathedral, with immediate effect.
“In order to avoid the breakdown of law and order in the volatile Niger Delta state, shortly after the suspension of Okao as the presiding priest, the Holy Arousa Cathedral was sealed, based on order from above.
“The traditional worshippers were also barred by security operatives from entering the worship centre and the expansive premises with large parking lot.”
