From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Governorship candidates of the 13 political parties participating in the Edo September 21 gubernatorial election have been enjoined to make the Edo people the focus of their programmes.
The family of the late Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri, and the Castle of Legends (COLI), gave the advice in Benin City, while unveiling activities to mark the one year memoriam of the late Esogban who died July 20, 2023, at the age of 93.
Speaking to journalists on the planned programme, the first son of the late elder statesman, Rev. Collins Edebiri, said the “First David Uyunmwun Edebiri Memorial Lecture Themed: Government of the people by the people for the people will be held. There will be a slant to Edo as it is preparing to go into election to install the next governor of the state. There will be no guest lecturer, the family will present a paper, COLI will present a paper and we have invited all the governorship candidates to come and speak on this topic, especially as it affects Edo State, what they will do for the state, so it is going to be a potpourri of ideas.
“The choice to establish a memorial lecture targeted at the politics and development of society is quite significant because all his life, the late Esogban played active roles in the political development of Nigeria. At the age of 19, he was already in politics. At one point, he would be campaigning in one place, while his father would be on the other side leading the campaign, both of them in two different camps, and before he was 25, he had made his marks as a politician of note.
“For a man who lived a life of great impact, we are hard pressed to do things that are befitting of his attainment and status.”
A joint statement by Edebiri and Prince Julius Akanoba, the President of COLI said a mausoleum would be opened in memory of the late Esogban.
“There will be the official launch of the David Uyunmwun Edebiri Art Gallery. This gallery shall house creative works of art, including carvings, sculptured works, and books of deep cultural values. Not to be confused with a museum, the art gallery will be a research centre for the teaching of significant events in the history of the Bini, and for the revival of old Bini traditional activities. For example, the centre will revive the art of storytelling through the Ibota conclave; the art gallery shall be a membership club and we shall begin with a take-off of 100 persons,” the statement added.
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