Gidigba hails Oba of Benin for cultural defense, retaining Iye-Eki, dismissing notorious "Iyaloja" in Benin markets

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_warns Edo govt to avoid tendencies that undermines Benin culture, tradition_

By Gidigba Group

Gidigba—a Benin-based socio-political organization, has hailed Omo n'Oba n'Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II CFR, Oba of Benin, for his altruistic intervention on the notorious "Iyaloja" concept that nearly toppled markets across the Benin nation. 

Group commends very profoundly the Omo n'Oba's counsel that market women should not be used as political pawns by the political class—His Royal Majesty urged Benin traditional Iye-Ekis to avoid bitter politics, capable of bringing the age-old Benin cultural heritage to odium and ridicule. 

Oba of Benin played host to Iye-Ekis on Thursday at the Oba Palace, marking a final end to the notorious "Iyaloja" concept in Benin markets; the Royal Father, tasked market women in markets undergoing crisis to fall back to their markets, chose new Iye-Ekis and bring to the Palace for traditional confirmation. 

The socio-political organization hailed Omo n'Oba for defending the Benin culture against senseless political invasion by the political class—particularly his total and unapologetic rejection of the "Iyaloja" concept in Benin markets—Gidigba refered to "Iyaloja" as a heartless corruption of Benin culture, commending His Royal Majesty for summarily dismissing the notorious concept. 

In a release, Gidigba noted, "we are indeed grateful to our Royal Father, the highly revered Oba of Benin, for his courageous stand against "Iyaloja", a notorious political concept, camouflaging as market union, senselessly imported to corrupt our age-long Benin cultural heritage—we thank the Monarch for questioning the motive, and summarily dismissing it in markets across Benin".

"Our markets are cultural entities that must be protected against alien invasions, and our market women, who daily ply their trade to drive their homes, deserves eternal support; as a socio-political group that identifies with the Benin culture, we will continue to support our market women, and encourage them to be cultural ambassadors and not bitter politicians".

"To this end, we strongly warn the Okpebholo-led government to steer clear of markets in Benin—except to improve market conditions and develop better policies for the market community, the Okpebholo-led administration must avoid tendencies like "Iyaloja-Otagbogbo", capable of ridiculing the age-old cultural heritage of the Benin nation—for which our markets are a critical component."

"Once again, we commend Oba of Benin, for his stand, our market women, for their doggedity and determination, our youths, for standing on the side of truth, the Benin nation, for the loud condemnation of the alien concept, Edo people, for their huge support and solidarity, and everyone who stood firmly against the failed invasion of the Benin cultural heritage". 

"We commend, particularly, the diaspora community who consistently launched significant social media invectives against the "Iyaloja-Otagbogbo" concept, and ensured the notorious anti-Benin programme did not see the light of day". 

"We commend the Edo PDP, Benin socio-political and cultural organizations, for lending their voices in the matter, and standing on the side of the people". 

"Conclusively, we will proceed with our ongoing market tour to ensure that our market women are safe, that there is strict compliance to Omo n'Oba's directives and that the cultural and traditional practices in our markets are strictly adhered to—by way of maintaining market shrines and raising altars in markets where there is none". 

Oba gha t'kpere, ise. 

Signed

Gidigba Group, Benin City.