Oba of Benin and Prince Clem Agba
By MARTINS OGBEBE, Benin City –
Immediate past Minister of Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, has reiterated emphatically that he does not, and I will not, have any disagreements with His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin Kingdom, on any matter whatsoever.
“He is not only my father but also the father of all of us in Edo State,” Prince Agba declared in a ‘Disclaimer Notice on Friday.
He was reacting to what he said were “some commentaries and articles that have come to my attention, purportedly in response to the questions I received from our esteemed Royal Father, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare ll, Oba of Benin Kingdom, about my stewardship which every public servant should be asked, during my visit to the Palace on Thursday, June 15, 2023, following my service as Minister of State for Budget and National Planning.”
The former minister said: “I must express that I genuinely appreciate the reprovals given by His Royal Majesty, as they were unquestionably driven out of love. It reminds me of the timeless wisdom in Proverbs 3:2: “For whom the Lord loves, He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” (NASB 1995 Version).”
He made it clear that the commentaries and articles that had surfaced were neither sought nor sponsored by him, stressing, “it is not my nature to join issues in the public.”
For the sake of accuracy, Prince Agba explained that during his visit, the Oba of Benin asked certain questions in the public eye.
“However, unaware to most, later that evening, His Royal Majesty graciously granted me an opportunity to privately discuss and address those concerns, allowing me to provide clarifications and answers. Especially regarding how the provision for the storage of the artefacts was captured in the Budget, for which I apologised and clarified that was not my intention.
“To those who insist on writing articles and commentaries, attempting to politicise the situation (for me and against me) and draw unnecessary comparisons between my three-and-a-half years’ stewardship and the eight-year stewardship of the former Minister of Health, Dr Osage Ehanire from Edo South, I kindly request that they discontinue this fruitless pursuit.
“I wholeheartedly understand the points raised by His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin Kingdom. I hold no ill will or disagreement towards our revered Royal Father or his genuine concerns. Instead, I eagerly look forward to more of such fatherly guidance, as it is invaluable for my personal growth and development,” he stated.
