By Lucky Isibor
It was glitzz and razzmatazz laced in the rich Benin traditions and culture when a legal luminary and son of business mogul, Esama of Benin Kingdom and Honorary Romanian Ambassador to Edo and Delta States, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Mike Osareren Igbinedion was initiated into the Elders Council of Okada, the administrative headquarters of Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Residents of Okada which is host to the country’s premier private university, Igbinedion University were in joyous mode and full of praises to God as they witnessed the milestone event of the initiation of Mike Igbinedion into the Okada Elder Council along side other Okada indigenes within the age bracket, which in accordance with Okada customs and traditions signify his readiness to take new responsibilities in the community.
An age grade is a traditional social system where individuals born within a specific age range are grouped together. In Benin society, age grades are a significant socio-cultural institution that organise people within similar age brackets, often within a range of a few years.
It is a vital aspect of Okada community’s cultural heritage, emphasizing the significance of age, responsibility and community service.
Those initiated according to tradition and customs, dressed in white traditional attire, were made to undergo some rituals, while the Odionwere pronounced blessings on them and assisted them to take a sit with the elders.
The Odionwere of Okada, Pa Samson Idehen in his dazzling traditional attire along with other elders, while emphasising the roles of members of the Elders Council to Mike Igbinedion and other initiates, pointed out that joining the Elders Council, otherwise known as Edion, is a privilege which is the exclusive preserve for respected individuals, who have served the community, demonstrated wisdom, integrity and leadership and urged them to continue to contribute to the development of the community.
“Joining the Elders Council otherwise known as Edion, is a privilege typically reserved for respected individuals, who have served the community, demonstrated wisdom, integrity and leadership.
“Elders Council plays a vital role in preserving culture and passing down traditions, customs, and historical knowledge to the younger generations”, Odionwere Idehen admonished.
The jubilation which earlier heralded the initiation proceedings continued after the ceremony, as Mike Igbinedion alongside other initiates danced in a procession round Okada town moving from one elder’s house to the other to appreciate them for doing them the honour.
Those initiated also went to the House of the Esama of Benin, Chief (Dr) Gabriel Igbinedion who is also one of the Edion in Okada to thank him for the role he played in their initiation into the Elders Council, a ceremony that is first in Okada in the last thirty years.
They Commended the Esama for his role as a custodian of Benin cultural heritage and for revitalizing the age long tradition of the Age Grade ceremony in Okada.
Responding, Mike Osarenren Igbinedion (Esq) thanked the elders of the community for considering him worthy to be initiated into the Elders Council of Okada, promising not to betray the confidence they repose in him.
While noting that the initiation marks a significant milestone in his journey of life, he added that such position has placed on him a huge responsibility of promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom and vowed to
join hands with the elders of the community to preserve the aged long tradition and custom of the people.
A lawyer by training, Mike Igbinedion (Esq), has also established a lot of businesses in addition to his legal practice to create employment for the teeming youths. He is the Chairman, Wantan Group of Companies, GHPP Konsult, GO H20 Water Limited and Serendip Oil and Gas Limited.
Mike Igbinedion is a strong advocate for the promotion and preservation of the rich Benin cultural heritage and demonstrates this by always adorning high style Benin traditional attire any where he goes, both within and outside the country.
According to the tradition and customs of Okada town, the initiation of Michael Igbinedion which has also brought honour to the House of Igbinedion, makes him eligible to become Odionwere in the future.