TELL Magazine

The Benin Traditional Council, BTC has kicked against the planned turbaning scheduled for Sunday May 5, 2024, of one Danjuma Garba Binkola as ‘Garkuwan Hausawa Benin’ by someone claiming to be “His Royal Highness Alh. Adamu Isah Adamu”, and who described himself as ‘Sarkin Hausawa’.”Garkuwan Hausawa” means ‘the Shield of Hausa Benin’. The BTC warned “these errant individuals” to refrain from violating the sanctity of the Benin Traditional and Customary Law by immediately cancelling the planned ceremony.

Consequently, the BTC, in a public announcement Thursday evening signed by the Iyase of Benin, (the Prime Minister) Chief Sam Igbe, has alerted the Nigerian Police and other security agencies, stating emphatically that the ceremony must not hold because, “it is a violation of Benin Traditional and Customary Law applicable to chieftaincy matters…”

The public announcement, with reference number BTC.A40/VOL.LVV1/161, and dated 18th April 2024, titled “DENUNCIATION OF PLAN TO HOLD A TURBANING CEREMONY IN BENIN CITY”, reads:

“It has come to the notice of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) that an individual claiming to be known as “His Royal Highness Alh. Adamu Isah Adamu” and who describes himself as “Sarkin Hausawa” plans to perform a Turbaning ceremony in which one “Alh. Danjuma Garba Binkola” will be installed as “Garkuwan Hausawa Benin” on Sunday 5th May, 2024 at No. 7 Butcher Street, Off Mission Road, Benin City.

“The BTC hereby inform the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies as well as the general public that this planned event is a violation of Benin Traditional and Customary Law applicable to chieftaincy matters and therefore must NOT HOLD under any circumstances.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the BTC wish to emphasise that as the Prescribed Authority on Chieftaincy Matters within the Seven Local Government Areas of Edo South Senatorial District, the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, has not given consent to, or approved the turbaning or conferment of chieftaincy title by whatever name called on any individual by the name “Alh. Danjuma Garba Binkola”; or permitted any person by the name “His Royal Highness, Alh. Adamu Isah Adamu”, to hold any such ceremony in Benin City or any other part of Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State.

“Consequently, these errant individuals are hereby urged to refrain from violating the sanctity of the Benin Traditional and Customary Law by cancelling the planned ceremony forthwith”.