The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, stunned visitors at his palace when he openly rejected the ‘Iyaloja’ concept presented by President Bola Tinubu’s daughter and Iyaloja General, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, declaring it foreign to Benin tradition.
Tinubu-Ojo had stormed the palace to announce the inauguration of Pastor Josephine Ivbazebule as the Iyaloja of all markets in Edo State.
However, the monarch wasted no time in setting the record straight.
“Iyaloja is alien to us here in Benin. You are in Benin, the home of culture; we have our culture here. I have discussed this matter with my chiefs and those who are knowledgeable. Do you know the role of Iyeki in Benin culture? Every Iyeki has a special relationship with the palace. Are you aware of that? Do you know that every Iyeki has a cultural role to perform inside every market?
“The Oba does not interfere so long as the Iyeki does what is expected of her in the shrine of a particular market on behalf of the Oba. We are not going to say much, except to explain to you the concept of Iyeki in Benin,” the monarch declared.
He reminded Tinubu-Ojo that in Benin Kingdom, market leadership rests with the Iyeki — chosen by traders, confirmed by the palace, and entrusted with both administrative and sacred duties.
Chief Osaro Idah, speaking on behalf of the Oba, drove the point home even further.
“Iyeki is independent in every market, like the Oba Market, Ogiso Market, and others. The traders select their leaders from within the market. The Iyeki do more than the role of coordinating traders.
“There are certain shrines in all the markets. They play certain roles on behalf of the palace. After their selection, they bring the person to the palace for confirmation.
“The novelty of a general Iyeki is alien to Benin custom and tradition. We just believe the Iyaloja is your socio-cultural thing, like you have other clubs.
“It is not in our culture to have a general Iyeki. Iyeki is particular to each market. No one has the right to control another in a different market. The Iyeki in Oba Market has no role to play in Ogiso Market. The Oba established the market for all in the society,” Idah declared.