By Newsmata
Life is in stages, each with its own beauty, experiences, responsibilities and challenges. For Michael Osarenren Igbinedion, scion of the influential Esama of Benin Kingdom, Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion family, the journey of life from childhood to adulthood has been one of self-discovery, with every stage laying the foundation for the next.
At an epochal ceremony that gave life to the saying, ‘the young shall grow’, Michael Igbinedion, alongside seven of his siblings, was on April 23, 2025, heralded into the prestigious Elders Council, otherwise known as Edion, of his Okada community in Ovia North-East local government area of Edo State.
Mike Igbinedion is a lawyer and the Chairman, Wantan Group of Companies/GHPP Konsult/ GO H20 Water Limited and Serendip Oil and Gas Limited, and like his father, a philanthropist.
In Benin Kingdom, age groups, also known as age grades or age classes, are a fundamental aspect of social organisation, and they are a way of structuring society based on age, with individuals progressing through a series of these categories as they age.
It is a vital aspect of Okada community’s cultural heritage, emphasising the significance of age, responsibility, and community service. The Edion is the exclusive preserve of persons who have attained the age of 55 and above.
According to the tradition and customs of Okada Town, the initiation of Michael Igbinedion makes him eligible to become Odionwere in the future.
The highpoint of the colourful ceremony which threw the university town into excitement, was the pronouncement of blessings on him and other initiates by the Odionwere, (the oldest man) of Okada community after undergoing the necessary rituals, all dressed in white traditional attire.
Underscoring the symbolism of the ceremony, the Odionwere, Pa Samson Idehen and some elders, said joining the Elders Council (Edion) is a privilege typically reserved for respected individuals, who have served the community, demonstrated wisdom, integrity, and leadership.
They noted that Elders Council plays a vital role in preserving culture and passing down traditions, customs, and historical knowledge to the younger generations.
By joining the Elders Council therefore, Michael Igbinedion has attained a respectable age and acknowledged to have made significant contributions to the development of Okada community through leadership, service, or other meaningful ways.
Shortly after the initiation, it was all jubilation as sons of the community both at home and in the Diaspora who had converged to be part of the Age grade ceremony, savoured the joy of the ceremony which was last held about 30 years ago.
Some of the new Elders Council inductees, according to tradition and custom, moved round the residences of some of the prominent natives of Okada town, including that of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.
They commended the Esama’s role as a custodian of Benin cultural heritage and for revitalising the age-long tradition of the Age Grade ceremony.
Indeed, an apple does not fall far from the tree. As the son of a prominent Benin traditional chief and an icon of culture and tradition, Michael, since his adult life has been an ambassador of the rich culture and tradition of the great Benin Kingdom, never missing an opportunity to showcase its unique traditional attire – ewu-iwu – with matching cap and beads anywhere in the world. His initiation into the Elders Council would therefore further bolster his pride as a Benin man wherever he finds himself.
An ecstatic Mike Igbinedion said the new position has placed on him a huge responsibility of promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom.
Thanking 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 my life” and promised to join hands with the elders of the community to preserve the age-long tradition and custom of the people.