Culture is as old as man. The Benin culture resonants the very essence of infallibility and fraternality. Its infallible nature stems from incorruptible tradition of monarchical theocracy handed down with distinct norms and values, while its fraternality consumates the abundant wealth - material and immaterial, knowledge, customs, providence and protection of our ancestral heritage and of course hospitality. If a certain honourable member of the House of Representatives called Hon. Engr. Esosa Iyawe, representing the gallant Oredo Federal Constituency thinks he can blow our faces with cultural revamp programmes and partnerships then, he is a true leader. A son of the rooted soil. In such soils, every little seed has an impact; to bring forth and multiply both in dry clouds and rainy heavens.
Have you ever been inspired by your own achievements? It takes more than privilege to join the Governor, H.E Senator Monday Okpebholo, to welcome His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, to the State House on the 7th November, 2025 to celebrate the Benin cultural heritage and shared commitment to progress. According to the honourable "cultural orientation programme for secondary schools in Oredo especially with the theme, 'The Role of Language in Preserving Cultural Heritage,' is as powerful as giving a golden torchlight to a child in a dark room full of treasure." Our identity is our customs and traditions. It is our treasure. It has always guided us in the path of truth, justice and reconciliation.
Great leaders are thinkers whose bright dreams target future generations. For Iyawe - one of such leaders, continuous collaboration to catapult cultural legacy is a major plus. A South African singer once sang, 'no matter where you go, remember the road that will lead you home.' On October 12, 2024, a dream many refused and rubbished came alive. Same event a year later, November 2, 2025; gathering together secondary schools in Oredo Local Government Area, Hon. Engr. Esosa Iyawe facilitated students' cultural orientation and sensitisation programme making cultural, psychological and economic socialisation possible for the children and tutors. Beyond this event, he continued to champion varying empowerment to seekers, according due respect and privileges to our royal throne. Nationally, the Edo State government, the federal government, the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), the Oredo people and indeed the diaspora have measured his dream as invaluable.
In Hon. Engr. Esosa Iyawe's dreams, Edo _Ó'dión_ is not a rhythmic anthem only, it is _"lingua aeterna"_. Many dreams die because the dreamer never wakes up, literally, but with Iyawe, the dream comes alive with him and as a matter of perfection, it will be alive even without him. It is now two lucking in years of doing the same magic again! Such feat is only the for fit.
Anna Umegboro
Benin City.
8 Nov., 2025.
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