Kunle Adelabu
-Unveils burial plans
The Olojodu of Ojodu-Berger, Ogun State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Segun Benson, has stated that it appered that the highly revered lawyer and elder statesman, late Sir (Chief) Babatunde Olushola Benson, SAN, KJW, waited for his arrival before he passed away.
Late Chief Benson, the only lawyer to be elected as Secretary and President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Asiwaju of Ikorodu Kingdom, passed away in his country home in Owode – Ibeshe in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, on July 24, 2021.
In an exclusive interview with THE IMPACT, the monarch said that the late legal luminary lived an exemplary and worthy life.
“He knew that he was going to die and to me, it appeared that he was waiting for me before departing this world”, the monarch said.
“When I arrived at his estate, he (Chief B.O Benson) said, “Kabiyesi, you have arrived, and I answered yes sir, and he went into the rest room and few minutes between the time he went into the rest room and come out, everything changed. That is why I said that it was as if Baba was waiting for my arrival before passing on”, Olojodu recounted.
“It was a moving moment for everyone.
“We thank God for all that he was able to achieve and attain while alive and we pray that all that he left behind, including family members and children, continue to prosper while we also wish him eternal rest.
While unveiling the burial plans to THE IMPACT, Oba Benson said that the remains of the late Asiwaju of Ikorodu will be brought back to lkorodu next Thursday, July 15, for procession round the town before the Christian Wake Keep at his residence at Ibeshe.
“Baba’s remains will be brought back on Thursday (next week) for the Christian Wake – Keep and you will see how great and how well loved the man was while alive and also in death”, the monarch said.
“The organizers have arranged for men (pallbearers) who are on standby to carry his remains in a procession round the town.
He said that many prominent persons and groups, including the governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, have either been coming to late Chief Benson’s house to identify with the family or sent in their condolence messages.
Olojodu also said that the valedictory service, that the family earlier scheduled for High Court in Ikorodu, has been moved to the High Court, Ikeja, on the request of legal giants and other lawyers for mass participation.
“You can see chieftains of the Lagoon State Movement here today (on Tuesday) to honour him. He was part of them and fought for the creation of another state out of Lagos State”, he said.
“The governor of Lagos State has also forwarded his condolence message which will be forwarded to you (THE IMPACT).
“We planned to do a valedictory service for him at the High Court in Ikorodu, but lawyers, especially the senior ones, have requested that we move it to the High Court in Ikeja which we have accepted”, he told our reporter.
He also said that royal fathers who will not be participating in the burial due to traditional belief, will be sending in their staff of office for the burial event to honour Chief Benson who held several traditional positions, including the title of Baba Oba (father of the King) in about three kingdoms.
“On the day of his burial, I charge you to count the number of royal staff of office that will be sent by traditional rulers to his burial service in the church. You should know that we, as royal fathers, cannot attend the burial service but we will be at the Ikorodu Town hall”, he said.
“He was the Baba Oba Batoro in Shagamu, Baba Oba of Ojodu (Abiodun) Berger in Ogun State and also Baba Oba of Ibeshe land in Ikorodu.
“He was very prominent with royal fathers and we are going to honour him with our staff of office.
Recounting many feats which late Benson achieved in the community, professionally, nationally and internationally, Olojodu described him as a father who is going to be missed.
“Chief Babatunde Benson, SAN, was a father to me, though, white men would say that he’s an uncle. He was my dad because he was the one that trained me till I became an Oba. In actual fact, he was instrumental to my becoming a traditional ruler”, Olojodu told our reporter.
“He was a good man who was always ready to spend his money, time and influence in training others.
“He was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) which is no mean feat. He made his impact in the legal profession in Nigeria, Africa and internationally.
“He was a former Secretary and President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) respectively and a former Vice President, African Bar Association.
“He won many big cases while alive and he was outstanding as a lawyer.
“We loved him and didn’t want him to go but God loves him most. It is painful to lose him despite attaining a ripe age and achieving great things in life but we take solace in the fact that he lived a great and fulfilled life.
“Baba did not only achieve great things but also enjoyed his life to the fullest”, Olojodu said with satisfaction.
