By Raphael Okhiria

The Benin Monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has blessed Sen. Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of Nigeria’s President with a Benin traditional Ring Coral beads known as ‘Ikele’, thereby making her to become the first Nigerian First Lady to receive the honour, which is an expression of warm welcome and appreciation for her goodwill toward the traditional institution.

​She was honoured during a courtesy visit to Edo State traditional rulers from the state’s three senatorial districts at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City on Thursday.

​Mrs. Tinubu is the third prominent Nigerian woman to receive the Ikele beads. Previous recipients include retired Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, and former Zonal Director of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Benin Network Centre, Mrs. Pauline Igbanor.

​In an address read on behalf of the palace by the Oba’s eldest daughter, Princess Ikuoyemwen Aimiuwu-Ewuare, the Benin Royal Father, prayed to God and the ancestors to grant President Bola Tinubu and other leaders divine wisdom and strength to fulfill their responsibilities.

​Oba Ewuare further noted that his reign has been a journey of service, reflection, renewal, and continued commitment to preserving Benin cultural heritage, while “strengthening traditional institutions, and promoting peace, unity, and the well-being of our people.”

​The Benin monarch, however commended the First Lady for representing Nigeria gracefully on the global stage, making special mention of her recent recognition by President Donald Trump.

​Addressing the traditional rulers earlier, Mrs. Tinubu expressed delight at the honour and pledged to collaborate with the traditional institutions.

She announced her plans to partner with rural women through her Renewed Hope Initiative.

She noted that her visit to Edo State was to commission a fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses procured by the state government.

​She highlighted key achievements of President Tinubu’s administration, emphasizing economic and social empowerment grants targeting rural women, the elderly, vulnerable citizens, and persons living with disabilities.

​Delivering a message from the Presidency, the First Lady congratulated Oba Ewuare on his 10th coronation anniversary.

​”He (President Bola Tinubu) asked me to appreciate your support and wish you well on your 10th coronation anniversary. We didn’t plan it this way, but it is divine.

​”I am truly happy, and I wish you long life, divine health, prosperity, joy, peace, and fruitfulness”, she added.

​The First Lady was accompanied to the palace by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, First Ladies from Kogi, Kwara, Zamfara, and Cross River states, alongside leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).