Edo State Commissioner stripped of Chiefaincy title Over Disprect for Ozalla King

From Imafidon OSAZUA (Benin)

The Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Uyi Oduwa-Malaka, has been stripped of the honourary chieftaincy conferred on her by Ozalla Kingdom.

Uyi was honoured with the title Uzoyare of Ozalla Kingdom by the Onotare of Ozalla Kingdom in Owan West local government area.

The HRH Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai, the Okpamen the IX, performed the traditional ceremony. Uyi was accused of misconduct and disrespect to the king by asking him to meet her in the car when she drove into the palace on the April, 12 2024.

A press statement signed by the Palace Spokesman, Dr. Osumah Obaze, and made available to journalists in Benin City, said the Onotare ordered the immediate revocation of her title so as to serve as a deterrent to others with the intentions of desecrating the respected throne.

The statement also said that another title Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom given to George Ohioma is also revoked and now an exclusive preserve of “Ozalla freeborns”.

The statement read in part: "Her legion of offences among others, includes openly insulting the Onotare and for not paying obeisance to the Onotare of Ozalla on April,13 2024, during Ivbamen festival in the present of the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and Chairman, Owan West Local Government, Mr. Dickson Ahonsi and for openly boasting to remove the traditional ruler from office.

"In the same vein, the Onotare of Ozalla, His Royal Highest Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai also revoked the honorary chieftaincy title, Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom conferred on Barr. George Ohioma aka Armani for openly insulting and physically assaulting the Onotare of Ozalla and Secretary to the Onotare, Mr. Ehichioya Ujuanbi in the presence of the Speaker to Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and the Chairman of Owan West Local Government Council, Mr. Dickson Ahonsi at the Onotare's Palace.

"The title Ozemevboya of Ozalla Kingdom is now the exclusive reserve of the freeborn of Ozalla Kingdom, not strangers like Barr George Ohioma. The Onotare of Ozalla, His Royal Highest Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai has banned/ostracized Mrs. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka and Barr. George Ohioma from the palace with immediate effect. This is for the information of the general public.”

Oduwa-Malaka could not be reached on phone and she did not respond to inquiries about the development including when the press statement was sent to her whatsapp number for response.