Some of the 67 suspended Enigie (Dukes) of the Benin Kingdom have appealed to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for clemency and forgiveness.

Their appeal is contained in a statement signed by Victor Etinosa Oguigo of Ugoniyekikpoba Dukedom on Wednesday in Benin.

Oguigo emphasised that it would be “suicidal for one to wrestle with his personal God, whom the Oba represents in our individual lives.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that their suspension on March 7, 2025, was due to alleged anti-palace and rebellious activities against the Oba of Benin.

Oba Ewuare II had approved the suspension of 67 Enigie across seven local government areas in the Benin Kingdom.

The suspension was announced by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor.

The Edo State Government ratified the suspension by overriding five executive orders issued by former Gov. Godwin Obaseki with a single executive order.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohonbamu, the move was aimed at maintaining order and discipline within the state’s traditional institution.

Ohonbamu stated that the actions of the Enigie amounted to a “Cultural Coup d’état” as they attempted to challenge the authority of the Oba of Benin.

However, these 40 Enigie denied any misconduct, reiterating that it would be “suicidal” to go against the Oba, whom they regard as their personal God.

They assured the Oba that they never swore any oath against him or the palace and expressed their willingness to continue fulfilling their duties and obligation.

“We, therefore, appeal most passionately for Your Majesty to show compassion and forgive any or all of our shortcomings.

“As our father, it is often said that ‘the hand used to discipline a child is the same hand that draws him close.

“We categorically state that at no time did any of the Enigie swear an oath not to pay allegiance to Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin.”

They therefore pleaded, saying, “Your Majesty, we humbly appeal to you to temper justice with mercy and forgive us all.

“We are prepared and willing to appear before Your Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, at your invitation.” (NAN)

The Managing Director of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said this on Tuesday, at Dugbe Ibadan Narrow Gauge Train Station, after inspecting Moniya Freight Park.

“The essence of this tour is to enable us to access our readiness to handle the cargo side of our business as business and logistics facilitator.

“We are happy with the extent of what we have seen and we can comfortably say we are ready to move any manner of cargo for any of our customers,” he said.

At Omi Adio, Opeifa after inspecting the facility put in place to establish another cargo park, directed the acquisition of more land around the proposed dry port area to provide for anticipated business for the dry port.

The inspection took Opeifa and his management team to the Obafemi Awolowo Train Station, Moniya and the Moniya Cargo Park, where he inspected the readiness of the port to facilitate cargo business.

During inspection at the Western District Headquarters at Dugbe, he charged workers to double their effort and improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the railway.

“I can approve an improvement in your allowances once we improve our IGR. So, let us be committed to doubling our efforts,” he said.

He said management was determined to recommence cargo commitment from Lagos to Kano, adding that he would be at Ibadan to flag off the Dugbe end of the movement once the service begins.

He also commended railway women, urging them to continue to prove their mettle in keeping the wheel of the rail going.

Addressing the welfare of pensioners, Opeifa assured that the corporation would continue to work at improving their welfare.

“I do not need to be told, I can feel so many things and I can only assure you that the management will continue to work at improving your living conditions,” he said.

On vandals sabotaging the corporation efforts at improving its services, Opeifa emphasised that there were no scraps in the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

“All we have are rail materials. All our materials are in serviceable conditions. From here, we are moving cement from Ewekoro to Osogbo and to Ilorin.

“All these wagons you see, all these rail sleepers, all these irons are still working and all security operatives have been directed to arrest and prosecute anyone caught vandalising our property.

“No one is permitted to carry our materials. No letter of approval is sufficient to allow anyone to do so, security operatives should put a call across to us to enable us authenticate such activity,” he said.

At the Ladoke Akintola Train Station, Omi Adio, Dr Seye Oyeleye, the Director General of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, expressed readiness to work with the corporation to reactivate the narrow gauges within some states in the Southwest for mass transportation. (NAN)