By Zainab Bakare
The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has decorated Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, with the prestigious Benin traditional coral beads known as Ikele.
The First Lady received the honour during a courtesy visit to the palace in Benin City, Edo State, on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
According to a statement from the palace, the decoration recognises her goodwill towards the traditional institution and makes her the first Nigerian First Lady to receive the honour.
In an address read by the Oba’s eldest daughter, Princess Ikuoyemwen Aimiuwu-Ewuare, the monarch prayed for divine wisdom and strength for President Bola Tinubu and other Nigerian leaders.
Oba Ewuare also commended the First Lady for representing Nigeria on the international stage and reaffirmed his commitment to preserving Benin’s cultural heritage, strengthening traditional institutions and promoting peace and unity.
Responding, Mrs Tinubu expressed delight at the recognition and pledged to collaborate with traditional rulers.
She also announced plans to partner with rural women through her Renewed Hope Initiative, highlighting programmes targeting women, elderly people, vulnerable citizens and persons with disabilities.
Delivering a message from the President, the First Lady congratulated Oba Ewuare on the 10th anniversary of his coronation.
She said President Tinubu appreciated the monarch’s support and wished him long life, good health, prosperity and peace.
The First Lady was accompanied by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, other state first ladies and leaders of the All Progressives Congress.
Mrs Tinubu is the third prominent Nigerian woman to receive the Ikele coral beads, following retired Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, and former Nigerian Television Authority Benin Network Centre Zonal Director, Pauline Igbanor.
