Coronation: Public, private offices shut

Public and private offices, including banks and schools in Benin, were shut on Thursday as workers observed the public holiday declared by the Edo State Government for the coronation of new Oba of Benin.
The Edo State Government on Wednesday declared Thursday as public holiday for the coronation of Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as the new monarch of the ancient kingdom.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that commercial and other activities in the city were also paralysed as major roads and streets were condoned off to allow for easy movement of guests and visitors.
Vehicular movement on roads and streets leading to Oba palace and Uruokpota, venue of the coronation, was also restricted.
Commuters in the city faced hardship as they trekked long distances to get to “free’’ areas to board buses and cabs to their destinations.
Officials of Federal Road Safety Commission, including special marshals, controlled traffic at various road junctions within the city while armed policemen were stationed at strategic positions.