The family of late Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri and the Castle of Legends Initiatives (COLI) have called on all the governorship candidates of the 13 political parties participating in the forthcoming governorship election to make the people the focus of their programmes.
They made the call in Benin City while unveiling activities to mark the one memoriam of the late Esogban of Benin who died July 20th 2023 at the age of 93.
Speaking to journalists in his residence, the First Son of the late elderstatesman, Rev. Collins Edebiri said the “First David Uyunmwun Edebiri Memorial Lecture with a theme: Government of the People by the People for the People” will be held and that it will slant to Edo as it is preparing to go into election to elect the next governor of the state. He maintained that there will be no guest lecturer, adding that the family will present a paper, COLI will present a paper and that they have invited all the governorship candidates to come speak to this topic especially as it affects Edo state and also tell us what they will do for Edo State people themselves.
“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 will be campaigning in one place while his father will be on the other side leading campaign both of them in two different camps and before he was 25, he had made his mark 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 statement by Edebiri and prince Julius Akanoba, the president of COLI said a mausoleum would be opened in his memory “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 center for the teaching of significant events in the history of the Binis and for the revival of old Bini traditional activities. For example, the center will revive the art of storytelling through the Ibota conclave etc. the art gallery shall be a membership club and we shall begin with a take-off of 100 persons.”
