For years the history of the ancient Benin Kingdom has been told and retold with major emphasis on the skills and expertise of the bronze work produced by the ancient craftsmen in Benin.
However, the Benin culture is a rich profusion of art and culture, the bronze art being only a chapter in an encyclopedia of history.
This is why the RED BOOK seeks to properly educate the general populace about the complete history of the ancient Benin Kingdom.
Saturday the 20th day of October, 2018, the Oba Ewuare ll foundation in collaboration with the Benin Traditional Council played host to eminent Nigerians, Captains of Industries, Diplomats and Dignitaries across the globe to witness the unveiling and the launch of the book THE BENIN MONARCHY, AN ANTHOLOGY OF BENIN HISTORY. The event which took place at the Palace of the Oba of Benin was indeed a colourful one.
The Chairman of the occasion, former military Head of States Gen. Yakubu Gowon GCFR talks about his outstanding relationship with the Benin Kingdom.
The Edo State Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki eulogies the Oba of his fatherly role and immense support he constantly gives to his administration and for ensuring peace in the land. The State Governor also promised to repatriate some of the Benin Artifacts from Europe and to also build a befitting museum as gift to his royal majesty.
Omwon ogho, okpia Oba, Hosa Okunbo who is the Executive Producer of the book extols the Sterling qualities of the rich Benin Kingdom and how he came about the idea and inspiration that gave birth to the book.
There were good will messages from the former President of the federal republic of Nigeria, H.E Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR and the immediate past Governor of Edo State and the present National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole among others.
It was also the celebration of his royal majesty’s birthday as one of the queens rendered a special happy birthday song to her king.
The event later shifted to Ugoneki where the Benin Monarch performed the ground breaking of a satellite town to build low cost Housing Estate with mordern facilities like Golf course, a School, Church and Mosque, an Hospital, a mini Stadia for sporting activities Restaurants and an Event Centre.
All these are put together to encourage Agro Business and Industry at the Satellite town that would snowballed into Economy Development of the Benin kingdom.
Also present at the epoch making event was his eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, the State Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu, prominent son’s and daughters of Edo kingdom.
Saturday 20th October 2018 also marked the 2nd Coronation Anniversary of his royal majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku akpolorkpolor, Oba Ewuare ll N’Ogidigan, Oba of Benin Kingdom.