Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed dissatisfaction at the misrepresentation of what he intended in eulogizing the late Benin monarch in his tribute.
According to a press statement endorsed his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, Oshiomhole, “While we inadvertently used the word “iconoclastic” instead of “iconic”, the outrage it has generated is totally misplaced, especially when the context of the usage: “Edo people will miss our iconoclastic royal father of the great Benin Kingdom. Nigerians and Nigeria will miss this great exemplar of a Royal Father, an Oba of distinction and integrity” could not have been negative.
“In the context above, iconoclastic would mean ‘unusual’, ‘uncommon’ royal father who lived a life of distinction different from other royal fathers. For a condolence message that was laced with so many encomiums, ascribing negativity to it was not our intention or motive.
“Words generally in the English language convey different meanings; denotation and connotation; depending on the context of usage. Without dragging this further, we accept that the use of the word in question may have offended the sensibilities of some people and wish to replace the word with “iconic”.
“The Comrade Governor holds the Omo n’Oba in very high esteem and would not use any word to denigrate his name and image. The error is regretted.
For the records, the paragraph now reads, “Edo people will miss our iconic royal father of the great Benin Kingdom. Nigerians and Nigeria will miss this great exemplar of a Royal Father, an Oba of distinction and integrity.
“We appeal to our people to let the matter rest as we are still mourning our Oba who just transited from mortality to immortality.”