News

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

Published

11 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 NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.