News

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

Published

4 months ago

June 4, 2025

Editor

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

Edo Deputy Gov Orders Installation Of Solar In PHC Facility

Published

16 minutes ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

Deputy governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on Monday, ordered the immediate installation of solar power at Aruogba Clinic, Benin to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

A statement by Friday Aghedo, Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, said the order was given when Idahosa went on an inspection visit to the health facility.

The deputy governor, while reinstating the state government’s commitment to strengthening grassroots healthcare system across the state, noted that as a result, Primary Health Centers (PHCs) across the state were being transformed to deliver on governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda.

While commending the pace of work at Aruogba Clinic, he said: “We are here to ensure that the health facilities closest to the people are well equipped to bequeath the healthcare system that the Governor has promised.

“From what we are seeing here today, it is clear that Governor Okpebholo is a man of vision. The accessibility is very good, and the nurses and health workers here are doing commendable jobs,” he stated.

The deputy governor added that the government would intensify supervision of PHCs across Edo to identify and fix areas needing urgent attention.

“We are going to visit many other centres and act within 24 hours on areas of improvement,” he assured.

Idahosa emphasized that proper supervision was key to ensuring compliance with medical standards and improved service delivery at the grassroots.

His remarks were echoed by Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, who explained that the administration was working with the “3As” of healthcare: accessibility, affordability, and availability.

“The solar installation at Aruogba Clinic, officials said, will boost critical services such as antenatal care, child delivery, and malaria treatment, all of which are already being offered free of charge,” he explained.

News

Oba Of Benin Ushers In ‘Emorọ’

Published

24 minutes ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, is set to perform an age-long Emorọ otherwise known as the ‘New Yam Festival.’

A statement signed by Frank Irabor, Secretary, Benin Traditional Council, said the ceremony which takes place on Tuesday September 30th 2025, is expected to be indoors in the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

Irabor added that the ceremony followed a successful completion of two-weeks fasting and prayer declared by Oba Ewuare II for peace, progress and to usher-in Emorọ.

Irabor said Oba Ewuare II used the fasting period to pray for the good people of Edo State and Nigeria and other people of goodwill.

The statement reads, “Accordingly, Omo N’ Oba appreciates all Edo indigenes and non indigenes and Edo sons and daughters in the diaspora that participated in the spiritual exercise and urge them to commence the consumption of Emorọ (new yam), while praying God Almighty and his Royal ancestors to answer their prayers.”

It added: “The indoor ceremony of ushering new yam (Emorho) into the Palace, would be performed on Tuesday, 30th September, 2025″.

“Thereafter, all sons and daughters of Benin Kingdom and, by extension indigenes and non-indigenes living in Edo State who participated in the two weeks fasting and prayer are to commence the eating of the new yam.

“The Omo N’Oba prays to God Almighty to grant us peace and happiness in our individual homes”.

News

UNIBEN Bars 5000 Students From Writing Exam

Published

1 hour ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

No fewer than 5,000 students of the University of Benin are likely to miss the second semester examination over failure to pay their school fees.

A memo released by the Registrar of the institution, Ademola Bobola, said they are the students who failed to pay their school charges despite repeated reminders, and that they failed to subscribe to students’ loan being provided by the Nigerian Education Students’ Loan Fund (NELFUND).

According to Bobola, to make sure that the defaulting students are bar from writing the second semester examination which has already commenced today, September 29, 2025, the school management has put in place an enforcement team.

The memo reads partly, “With the Second Semester examination set to begin on Monday 29th September, 2025, these students shall be barred from writing the examination if they fail to pay their school charges or subscribe to the students loan by NELFUND.

“About 5,000 students have been identified in this category of defaulters.

“In compliance with the directive of Senate of the University of Benin, these students SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED to write the forthcoming examination.

“Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments are SPECIALLY required to enforce the directive of Senate without compromise.

“In this regard, the Provost, Deans, Directors and Heads of Departments are to publish the list of ALL DEFAULTING STUDENTS in their respective Colleges, Schools, Faculties, Institutes and Departments not later than 8am on Monday, 29th September, 2025.

“This is to enable the affected students to know their status as defaulters and afford them the opportunity to remedy their situation before the examination begins.

“Management has, accordingly, appointed an Enforcement Task Force headed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), to monitor and enforce full compliance with the directive of Senate.

“Management expects full cooperation and compliance by all stakeholders to maintain the University’s high standards.”