Former President Jonathan mourns Oba of Benin …says late monarch a stabilizing force, bridge builder

Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has expressed grief over the passage of the Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, the Oba of Benin, describing the late monarch as a stabilizing force and bridge-builder who was committed to the cause for Nigeria's unity, growth and renaissance.

Jonathan who stated this in a condolence message to the people and Government of Edo State also maintained that the late Oba Erediauwa served as a cultural icon and spiritual guide of the rich Benin cultural heritage.

Below is the text of the message:
'I learnt with profound grief, the news of the passage to eternal glory of the Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, the Oba of Benin, after a glorious 36 years on the throne.

'The late Oba Erediauwa was an exemplary monarch who was highly revered and respected across the country because of his love for peace and knack for conflict resolution. He was in deed a peace-loving father figure, a stabilising force and courageous bridge builder who devoted so much energy to not only bringing communities closer, but also ensuring rancor-free politicking by uniting politicians of divergent principles and proclivities.

'He was in a class of his own as a cultural aficionado; a devotee of his people's tradition, who gave so much of himself in serving as the custodian and spiritual guide of the iconic Benin culture and civilization.

'He also acquitted himself as a highly principled public servant, an accomplished scholar and a nationalist who remained committed to the cause for Nigeria's unity, growth and renaissance.

'I can recollect easily from my personal interactions with the late Oba Erediauwa that he was a modest, urbane, and rational monarch.

He will indeed be missed by his family, the good people of the great Benin Kingdom, Edo State, and the entire nation.'