It was a colourful ceremony; and for Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi and 13 other awardees, it was a day to remember. The event was the annual Igue festival, used by the people of Benin kingdom to offer thanksgiving to the gods and ask for their continued blessings. 
The Igue festival, is made up of many festivals, which include: Ugie Edohia, Ugie Ewere and Ugie Iron.” The Ugie Iron is  celebrated to mark the conflicts between the Oba of Benin and the seven hereditary chiefs the Uzamas.  The two other festivals are marked in remembrance of historical incidents of the life of the Edo people, such as the drowning of Oba Ehengbuda and the assassination of an Iyase of Benin on the directives of an Oba of Benin. The festivals are held at December each year. 
According to a palace source, the Igue festival is the time the Oba and some chiefs are involved in agwe, fasting, to seek the face of the gods and for their intervention in the affairs of the people. During this period, the Oba goes into seclusion, and is not to be seen by visitors. The breaking of the fast coincides with the performing of ugie erha Oba, a ceremony for the honouring of the Oba’s ancestors. The Edos believe in ancestral worship and everybody joins the Ugie Erha Oba. It was also gathered that the ceremony of the worship of the head, the real Igue, of the reigning Oba, takes place openly at this festival. This is followed by that of the princes and princesses. This is rounded off with Ugie Edohia and Ugie Ewere three days later.  The Enigies and any traditional ruler in the ancient kingdom, fixes their own dates in their respective domain after Ugie Ewere” the source told this magazine. 
Because of fetish ceremonies associated with the Igue festival, Christian and Muslim adherents do not participate in the celebration. For instance, the Igeu thanksgiving service is held at the traditional Benin church, Holy Aruosa Cathedral Church, where the Oba is the head. But the palace source defended this action, arguing that “there are no shrines, and no artifacts. It is nothing but an attempt by the Edo man to thank Osanobuwa-Osanudazi-Oghene-Oghodua identified as the creator, the Alpha and the Omega, the Unmoved Mover for guiding him through the vicissitudes of life.” 
Last year’s Igue fetival was about the 1000th in the annals of the festival. A new dimension was added in the celebration with the honouring of prominent Benin sons and daughters, who have distinguished themselves in their chosen profession.  Among those honoured at the event were head coach of Nigeria’s national team, Stephen Keshi; chief executive officer of Channels television, John Momoh; the Edo State Head of service, Princess Ekiuwa Ineh; chairman DAAR Communications Ltd, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, who was honoured for her contribution in shoring up the revenue base of the nation. Jude Nosagie, chairman of Precious Palm Royal Hotel; Kolawole Okeaya Ineh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, the first Edo state legal practitioner to attain such status, Omoruyi Omonuwa, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria; Professor Milton Iyoha; Pedro Osaro Obaseki and acting chief medical director of University Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Dr. Ogbemudia Alfred Oghogho were also honoured at the festival. Monarch, Oba Erediauwa who always presides over the festival, said the exercise was to appreciate the beneficiaries for their contributions to the development of the state and Nigeria at large.
Keshi described his award as an indication that the Oba is solidly behind sports promotion, especially the Super Eagles in their quest to return to their winning glory. On his part, Peddie Okao, an amputee and a film producer/director, said his recognition is an indication that hard work pays.

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