By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
THE Benin Kingdom in Edo State, on Thursday, lost a great son, Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri.
He reportedly passed after a brief illness in a private hospital in Benin City.
He would have been 94 on September 2nd.
Family members said he died at 12:20p.m.
“He has not been too strong and we took him to the hospital a few days ago and he died this afternoon.
“The family will follow the protocols for the formal announcement to be made,” a family member reportedly said.
The Esogban, who comes after the Iyase (Prime Minister) of Benin, is often referred to as the Odiownere of Benin Kingdom.
Stonix News gathered that his last major outing was his participation in the March 18th Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
He was reported to have said the February 25th Presidential election was the best since he started voting in 1951.
Esogban also reportedly said he had never missed any election since he first voted in 1951 as a 22-year-old.
Edebiri was a journalist and a writer, such that in 2022 he unveiled two books: “Tripod of Life: Essence of Benin Tradition and Culture” and “The Life and Times of Iyase N’Ohenmwen” to mark his 93rd birthday.
At the occasion, he reportedly said Nigeria derailed from the part of development when in 1979, the leaders adopted the American Presidential System of government which he averred has not been practised as it should be.
