Erediauwa

Erediauwa (1923-2015) was the 38th Oba of Benin, traditional ruler of the Edo people in Benin City, in Nigeria (not to be confused with the unrelated, neighbor country of Benin). Formerly known as Prince Solomon Akenzua, Oba Erediauwa's current full title was His Royal Majesty Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I.

Oba Erediawua took on the title and duties as traditional head of state and rightful heir of the extinct Benin Empire when he was crowned, succeeding his father, Oba Akenzua II, in a ceremony held in Benin City, Nigeria, on 23 March 1979.

Biography

Erediauwa was born in 1923, son of Oba Akenzua II. Before being crowned he was known as Prince Solomon, Aiseokhuoba, Igbinoghodua Akenzua. He attended Government College, Ibadan (1939–1945), then Yaba College, before going to King's College, Cambridge to study Law and Administration. He joined the Eastern Nigeria Civil Service in 1957 as a District Officer, later moving to the Federal Civil Service where he retired as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in 1973. For a short period he was the regional representative of Gulf Oil. In 1975, he was appointed Commissioner for Finance in Bendel State during the Military Administration of Major-General George Agbazika Innih.