By Monday OISE
BENIN CITY- Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has cautioned communities against illegal structures purportedly deemed to be Shrines or Ogua-Edion (Elders porch) without the approval of the Palace, declaring that such act is considered to be an affront on the Palace.
This was just as the BTC specifically warned Ago Okhiaro and Isibor (Camps) in Evbuotubu village, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State to desist from flouting the palace directives.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Benin Monarch, Mr. Osaigbovo Iguobaro said “traditionally, authorization of building a shrine in a village must come from the Oba of Benin who is the custodian of Benin customs and tradition”.
According to him, “shrines built without Oba of Benin approval would be considered as non-conformity with Benin customs and tradition and as an affront on the Palace , such structures will not be allowed to serve as impediment on the sanctity of Benin customs and tradition”.
It will be recalled that the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) public announcement of June 9th, 2022 wherein it declared that Ago Okhiaro and Ago Isibor are part of Evbuotubu village under the traditional head (Odionwere) of Evbuotubu, who oversees the village on behalf of the Oba of Benin.
