2nd October 2025, NewsOrient, Culture, News, Governance And Development, Business And Economy, Lifestyle
Photo Credit: 1: Oba of Benin, Ewuare II: Sourced from Thisday Newspaper; 2: The Iyaloja- General of Nigeria, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo: Sourced from Independent Newspaper. Posted By: Samuel Egburonu, Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has told Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the “Iyaloja- General of Nigeria,” that the title of “Iyaloja” is not recognised in Benin tradition.

Reports monitored today from Benin, the capital of Edo State, said the Monarch made this declaration during the Iyaloja- General’s visit to the Palace of Oba of Benin, where she reportedly informed the Monarch that her mission to Edo State was “to install one Pastor Josephine Ivbazebule as the Iyaloja of all markets in Edo State.”

Responding to her, the Oba asked if she understood the role of the “Iyeki, the traditional market leader in Benin, and its deep ties to the palace.”

The Benin Monarch went further to tell the Iyaloja-General, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, that “in Benin, market leaders are chosen by the traders but must be confirmed by the palace before assuming their role.”

Pointing out that such market leaders are called “Iyeki,” the Oba of Benin declared that “the Iyeki is not just an organizer of market activities but also carries out specific cultural duties on behalf of the palace, including roles tied to shrines within the markets.”

The Oba of Benin said: “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.”

Also speaking through one of his chiefs, Osaro Idah, the Oba of Benin further declared that “each market in Benin, such as Oba Market and Ogiso Market, has its own independent “Iyeki” chosen by the traders.”

According to him, “the idea of a general leader for all markets, as implied by the Iyaloja title, is completely foreign to Benin customs.”

Idah added “while Iyaloja may hold significance in Yoruba culture and social structures, it does not apply to Benin.”

Chief Osaro Idah, whom the Oba permitted to educate Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo on the subject, also added: “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,” he said pointedly.

It would be recalled that Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu crowned herself “the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria” soon after the inauguration of her father, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the President of Nigeria.

Before that declaration however, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo was the Iyaloja- General of Lagos, a title she got in 2013 after the demise of her grandmother, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji (the mother of her father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu).

Aside from declaring herself the Iyaloja- General of Nigeria, soon after the inauguration of her father as the President of Nigeria, it is on record that Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo also declared herself “the First Daughter of Nigeria” as soon as her father, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in the President of Nigeria.

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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