The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has declared a two-week fasting and prayer programme aimed at warding off evil and restoring peace in Edo State.

The spiritual exercise, which ran from September 26 to October 9, 2024, required participants to fast daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Calling for unity, the monarch urged residents at home and in the diaspora to join in the exercise, stressing the need for spiritual intervention to safeguard the state.

Oba Ewuare encouraged Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers alike to actively participate, noting that the collective prayers would help preserve Edo’s heritage, strengthen unity, and shield citizens from negative influences.