Chinazor Onianwah
In 1450, when Oba Ewuare ascended the throne following a bloody assassination of his brother, Uwaifiokun, he changed the course previous Obas had followed by expanding his kingdom to as far as western banks of the Niger River and southward to the Atlantic Ocean and as far west as Dahomey. It didn’t take long before the Portuguese took notice. When they came calling to buy slaves, Ewuare said no. He told them his kingdom has abundant agricultural produce to sell. The Portuguese attempted to take Benin in battle, but Ewuare surprised them with a standing army more fierce and agile than they ever encountered. Eventually the Portuguese settled for a diplomatic relationship with the Kingdom and they exchanged ambassadors.
One of Ewuare’s greatest achievements was the commissioning of prized art works and the promotion of cultural festivals. He also was the first monarch who conserved wild life and he had a zoo in the rear of his palace.
If the the new Oba knows the history of the kingdom and that of his ancestors, I have no doubt the world would once again hear from the old Kingdom of Benin. Long live the king!