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30 Years After, History Made As Esama’s Son, Mike Igbinedion, Is Initiated Into Elders’ Council

Published

3 weeks ago

June 4, 2025

History was made recently in Okada, the administrative headquarters of Ovia North East Local Government Council of Edo State as a prominent native of the community and son of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Barrister Mike Igbinedion, alongside others, was initiated into the Elders’ Council otherwise known as Edion in Council of the community. It’s indeed history as it’s the first initiation for the past 30 years.

The age grade, as gathered, is a traditional social system where individuals born with a specific age range are grouped together. In Benin society, age grades
are significant social-cultural institutions that organised people within a similar age bracket, often with a range of a few years apart.

It is a viral aspect of the Okada community’s cultural heritage, which emphasises the importance of age, responsibility, and community service.

Amongst the initiates, perhaps, Mike Igbinedion’s love for the Benin culture and his exhibition of the ancient Benin culture stands him out. Anywhere Mike Igbinedion finds himself both home and abroad, he is known for displaying the Benin culture.

Barrister Mike Igbinedion

Speaking at the initiation ceremony, the Edionwere (Eldest Man) in Okada, Pa Samson Idehen who was joined by other elders, disclosed that the Elders Council Other known as Edion, is a privileged typically reserved for respected individuals, who have served the community, demonstrated wisdom, integrity and leadership.

Pa Idehen noted that Elders Council plays a vital role in preserving culture and passing passing down traditions, customs and historical knowledge to the younger generations.

“Historically, by joining the Elders Council, Michael Osarenren Igbinedion has attained a respectable age and has made significant contributions to the development of Okada community through leadership, service, or other meaningful ways.

Chief Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom (L) and his son, Barr. Mike Igbinedion

“Those initiated according to tradition and customs, dressed in white attire, were made to undergo some rituals, while the Edionwere pronounced blessings on them and assist them to take a sit with the elders”, he further explained.

Pa Idehen disclosed that there are three different categories of the age grade traditional initiations namely; Ighkhae – junior youth with 18 and 39 years, Ighele – youths within tha age bracket of 30 and 55 years, and Edion – which belongs to the Elders council from where Odionwere will emerge according to seniority.

Shortly after the initiation ceremony, there was jubilation in Okada as sons and daughters of the community both at home and in the diaspora danced around associating themselves to the age grade ceremony.

Besides, the elders known as Edion in company with their loved ones danced to their various homes where guest and family members were entertained, while some of the newly initiated native of Okada community into the Elders council according to customs and tradition moved to the residence of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin.

They commended Chief Gabriel for being a custodian of the Benin cultural heritage and for revitalising the age long traditional age grade ceremony.

Responding on behalf of other initiated, Mr. Mike Osarenren Igbinedion thanked the elders of the community for considering him worthy of initiation into the Elders Council.

He said this marks a milestone in the journey of his life, adding that, such position has placed on him a huge responsibility of promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom.

He, therefore, promised to join hands with the elders of the community to preserve the aged long tradition and custom of the people.

News

Uproar As Senate Okays Non-indigene As Rivers Electoral Commission Chairman

Published

17 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

There was an uproar in the Senate on Wednesday following the approval of a non- indigene, Dr. Michael Odey as the Chairman, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.

The confirmation of Odey, who hails from Cross River State, alongside other members of the Commission followed the consideration of the report of the Ad- Hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State presented by its chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central).

The development sparked as a few senators objected the appointment of a non-indigene to head a sensitive position as that of a state electoral commission.

Those confirmed as members of the RSIEC are Mr. Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Prof. Author Nwafor, Prof. Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha, Prof. Joyce Akaninwor, Dr. Olive A. Bruce and Prof. Chidi Halliday.

Objecting to Odey’s confirmation, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central) said bad precedent should not be set by allowing a non-indigene to head the electoral commission of a state.

He said: “I objected as observed because if it is allowed and becomes the norm, it will not be well for the country.

“I do not see the necessity of having someone from another state to chair an electoral body.”

Also kicking against the approval, former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, (APC Borno South), said it is wrong to scout for a non-indigene for such sensitive position when there are over one thousand indigenes who are qualified.

Referring to a comment by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), said politics was infused into the matter.

“It is here that politics is brought into this matter. Nobody is objecting to the personality but to a question of morality this appointment has raised.

“I am not a lawyer and not talking law, we are talking about ethics. This is unethical. We should not intrude politics into what we do here,” Moro said.

But the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), argued that Odey’s appointment is constitutional and that there is nothing wrong im the confirmation by the Red Chamber.

He said: “The constitution is the ground norm and inasmuch as there is no provision in the constitution that is against appointing a non-indigene, the confirmation is then in order.

“Any Nigerian is free to take up appointment in any state. I can be a governor in Benue State. We are talking about constitution, not morality.”

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele while appreciating concerns raised, however, appealed that it is a matter that should not be politicized, saying “The matter does not call for grandstanding.”

He argued that Odey is both eligible and qualified as a PhD holder.

Bamidele disclosed that the committee had also raised similar concern during the screening exercise where he called on Odey to provide constitutional evidence of his eligibility.

He said the Odey is eligible and qualified, adding that having the six other members from Rivers State, picking a non-indigene as chairman would create room for transparency and neutrality.

In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Barau, who presided over the session, insisted that anybody can work anywhere in Nigeria.

Barau cited an example of an indigene of Edo State who is the Head of Service in Abia State.

He said the objection “is purely politics because it is coming from APC”.

In the same development, the Senate also confirmed the appointment of members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission nominated by President Bola Tinubu.

The Civil Service Commission consists of five members, including its Chairman, Dr Livinus Bariki, and Ambassador Lot Peter Egopija, Mrs Maeve Ere Bestman, Mrs Joy Obiaju and Mrs Charity Lloyd Harry as members.

Also confirmed are the chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Mr Isreal N Amadi and Mr Linus Nwandem, Lady Christabel Ego, George Didia, Dr Tonye Willie D Pepple, Barrister Richard Ewoh, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (rtd) and Dr Sammy Apiafi, as members.
(DAILY POST)

News

Nigerian Senate Passes 2025 Budget For Rivers State

Published

17 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian senate on Wednesday, passed the 2025 budget of Rivers State, to the tune of N1.485 trillion.

The passage came after the third reading of the appropriation bill on the Senate floor.

This came after the upper chamber considered the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State during the Committee of Supply session.

DAILY POST reports that the bill seeks to authorize the issuance of N1,485,662,592,442 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.

According to the approved budget breakdown, N120.8 billion is for debt servicing, N287.38 billion is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and N1.077 trillion is for capital expenditure.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), while supporting the passage of the bill, however, raised a concern regarding the additional 50 billion naira earmarked for the payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities.

The lawmaker charged the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee to carry out more rigorous oversight to ensure that the funds reach the rightful pension beneficiaries without delay.

DAILY POST reports that with the passage, the Rivers State 2025 budget will now proceed for assent and implementation.

It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu in May submitted the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State to the National Assembly for consideration, after the suspension of the state’s House of Assembly.

In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio, the proposed budget totals N1.481 trillion, with major allocations aimed at revitalizing key sectors.

The president also wrote to the House of Representatives for the Rivers State budget approval, reminding the House that the Supreme Court had nullified the 2025 budget presented by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

News

Kebbi Govt Mulls Death Penalty For Bandit Informants

Published

17 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

Kebbi State Government has said it would review existing laws to impose death penalty or life imprisonment on convicted informants aiding the criminals in the state.

This is coming in the wake of renewed attacks by armed bandits in parts of the state.

The State Governor, Nasiru Idris made this disclosure on Tuesday, when he paid condolence visits to Tadurga village in Zuru and Kyebu in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Areas, both recently targeted by bandits in attacks that claimed 30 lives.

The governor, while describing informants as deadly to society, reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on insecurity and promised to treat the issue with utmost seriousness.

He expressed sorrow over the tragic loss of lives, praying for the victims and asking Allah to grant the deceased Aljannah Firdausi and a quick recovery to those injured.

“We are here to see things for ourselves, commiserate with you and reassure you of the urgent steps we have taken to improve security,” he said.

The Governor called on the public to refrain from politicizing security issues or spread unverified information on social media, warning that such actions could jeopardise ongoing efforts to restore peace.

Responding, the Chief of Danko, Ibrahim Al’aji, and the Chief of Dabai, Suleiman Sami, appreciated the governor for his swift intervention and called for enhanced security measures, especially along routes used by bandits entering from neighboring states.

The Emir of Zuru, Rtd. Major General Sani Sami also expressed appreciation for the governor’s visit and ongoing commitment to security in the emirate.