The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has called on residents and indigenes of Edo State to embark on a two-week period of fasting and prayer to ward off evil and promote peace across the state.
The directive, issued on Monday through the Obamedo of Benin, Efosa Igbinomwanhia, instructs all Benin sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora, to observe the fasting and prayer from September 15 to September 28, 2025.
According to the statement, the fasting will be observed daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is in line with the kingdom’s age-old tradition of seeking divine blessings ahead of the annual new yam festival.
The monarch explained that the practice is intended to seek blessings from God and the royal ancestors for a bountiful harvest, protection from sudden death, and overall peace in homes, families, and the broader community.
The statement reads:
“His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, uses this medium to inform the general public that from 15 September 2025 to 28 September 2025, all sons and daughters of Benin Kingdom, and by extension, indigenes and non-indigenes living in Edo State, are to embark on two weeks of fasting and prayer.
This is in line with our age-long tradition that before the commencement of the yearly new yam, it is important that we fast and pray to God Almighty and the royal ancestors for a bountiful harvest, protection from sudden death, and for peace and tranquillity in our individual homes, families, state, and the country at large.
All Benin sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora are to fast and pray during this period.
The two-week fasting period is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The Omo N’Oba prays to God Almighty to grant us peace and happiness as we all embark on this fasting and prayer.”