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TOS Benson Dies at 90

The Punch
Semiu Okanlawon
& Tony Amokeodo
14th Feb 2008

Foremost and flamboyant politician, Otunba Theophilous Shobowale Benson (SAN) is dead. A family source said that Benson, popularly called TOS in the legal circle, died around 5pm on Wednesday in his residence at Falomo in Ikoyi, Lagos. Although details of his death were sketchy as at press time, the elder statesman marked his 90th birthday in July 2007 with pomp and ceremony.

Attempts by our correspondents to speak with his wife, Mrs. Opral Benson, failed as an aide who picked a call to her telephone said she was not in the mood to speak. The aide said, “Right now, she cannot say anything, as she is shocked about the death of her husband. “I will implore you to please call tomorrow (Thursday). I can assure you that she will be ready to respond to your questions at that time.”

Benson attained his peak in politics when he became Nigeria’s first Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Culture in 1959 and as a lawyer in 1990 when he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The nonagenarian was known for his wise remarks, anectodes and social life. Benson had reportedly said during one of his appearances in court that, “I am allright upstairs, downstairs and in the centre.”

One of his known political remarks is “I believe in the greatness of this Republic; we can only rise to the challenge of citizenship of this great country if we can do our duty conscientiously, upholding the equality of man regardless of tribe and clan; by the recognition of services based on the fundamental principles of our constitution and respect for rights based, not on tribal affiliation, but on merit.”

The Ikorodu, Lagos State-born lawyer, was, like his kinsman, the late Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, an associate of the late first Nigerian President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Benson belonged to the class of the late Chief Ozumba Mbadiwe, who was known as a man of ‘timber and calibre’, and the late Minister of Finance, Chief Okotie-Eboh.

The death of TOS elicited reactions from prominent Nigerians who poured encomiums on him. Among those that reacted to his passage were the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole. Others were the Chairman of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Committe, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, and foremost musicologist, Elder Steve Rhodes.

Fashola, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr.Opeyemi Bamidele, said Benson put his professional expertise at the disposal of the country. He said, “He was an accomplished statesman and one of the most respected. He was also a great professional being a lawyer who got to the very top of his career. The Lagos State government will work with his family to ensure a befitting burial.”

Bankole, who spoke through his Special Adviser (Media), Mr. Kayode Akinmade, said Nigerians would miss Benson in the quest for nation building. He said, “The Speaker commiserate with the family of the late Benson, people of Ikorodu and Lagos State generally over the demise of the sage.”

Rhodes expressed surprise at the news of Benson’s death. He said, “Oh, My God! It is the end of an era. He was a part of the first experiment with independence as minister of information. He was sufficiently stylish.”

Gbadamosi, who described Benson as the first Ikorodu lawyer, said, “It is a pity. He was like a father to all of us, the generation of Ikorodu citizens, the first generation of lawyers; an inspiration to several generations. “A great man. A lot of Ikorodu lawyers worked in his chambers. He was the toast of younger people; a great dresser and a dapper lawyer.”

Benson was born on July 23, 1917. He began his public service career at 20 when in 1937 he joined Her Majesty’s Customs. He left the Customs in 1943 and thereafter proceeded to London for his law education. By 1947, he had qualified as a lawyer, having been called to the Lincoln’s Inn, London.

His political activism dates back to 1947 when he formally joined the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroun. In 1950, he contested and won election to the Lagos Town Council.

From 1950 to 1959, Benson held various elective positions under the NCNC, the last being member of the House of Representatives and Government Chief Whip. He was re-elected into the House in 1965.

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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

TOS Benson ‘The Showman’

14/2/2008

The late Chief TOS Benson was not just ever-conscious of his larger than life image, he felt everybody should recognise it. Fashionable and dandy, the late Chief Benson was easily picked out in a crowd.

At a book launch some years ago at the prestigious Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, the late lawyer was sitting among the army of guests. The ceremony kicked off. Some dignitaries were called to the high table. The late Chief Benson expected to be called, he was not. Midway into the ceremony, a guest realised this "mistake" and rushed to the Master of Ceremony (MC).

The MC took the microphone, announced Chief Benson’s presence and apologised for his non-recognition. "I’m sorry sir," exclaimed the MC.
"Don’t sir me; do the right thing!" the late Chief Benson snapped. The hall burst into a laughter. The Chief stood up, looked round, adjusted his agbada and offered himself to be taken to the high table where a space was quickly created for him.

His significant dates

1917: Theophilus Owolabi Shobowale Benson was born on July 23

1924: Left his birth place, Ikorodu for Lagos to begin a new life

1925: Admitted into Primary School at the Holy Trinity School, Ebute-Ero, Lagos.

1932: Gained admission into CMS Grammar School, Bariga Lagos.

1937: Joined the Civil Service as a Customs Officer.

1943: Left Nigeria for further studies in the United Kingdom.

1944: Admitted into the Inns of Court School of Law, London.

1945: He gained admission into the University College, London.

1945: Joined the Egbe Omo Oduduwa in London

1947: He was called to the Bar (Lincoln’s Inn), London.

1947: He returned to Nigeria as a qualified Lawyer.

1947: Established Poroye Chambers in Lagos.

1946: Defended the arrested Zikist members, wining the case.

1949: He became First Chairman & Co-founder of Oriwu College, Ikorodu

1950: He was elected into the Lagos Town Council

1951: Elected to represent Lagos in the Western House of Assembly

1951: Appointed as a member of Lagos Executive Development Board

1951: TOS was made Chairman, NCNC Western Working Committee

1951: Became the First Deputy Mayor of the City of Lagos.

1952: Became Leader of Opposition in the Western House of Assembly

1953: Attended the first Constitutional Conference in London.

1954: Elected into the House of Representatives

1954: Became Government Chief Whip.

1955: He became a member of Ikorodu Town Council.

1957: Attended the second Constitutional Conference in London.

1958: Attended the third Constitutional Conference in London.

1959: TOS was appointed as the first Minister of Information.

1959: He became the Third National Vice Chairman of the NCNC.

1960: Attended the fourth Constitutional Conference in London.

1961: Member of the government’s delegation to the Monrovia Conference

1962: Married Opral Mason of Liberia

1962: He was member of the Nigerian delegation to the Common Wealth Prime Minister Conference

1966: Was re-elected into the House of Representatives

1966: Arrested on the allegation of sponsoring the education of Isaac Boro and was detained for six months

1970: He became Chairman, Body of Benchers

1974: He was elected the Chairman of Yoruba Tennis Club

1983: TOS was bestowed with the National Honour – Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR)

1990: He was honoured with the rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)

1993: Commercial Avenue, Yaba named after him by the Mainland Local Government

1999: Received the Distinguished Eagle Achievement Award at Newark, New Jersey, USA

2000: Beach Road, Ikorodu renamed T.O.S Benson Road by Ikorodu Central & West Local
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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Jonathan, Fashola, Others Eulogise TOS Benson at Funeral

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday joined Vice President Jonathan Goodluck and several important dignitaries at the interdenominational funeral service held for the late first Minister of Information and legal icon, Chief Theopillus Owolabi Shobowale (TOS) Benson at the Ikorodu Town Hall in Ikorodu.

In his tribute at the occasion, Governor Babatunde Fashola described late TOS Benson as a titan who lived his life for over nine decades and left indelible footprints on the sands of time.

He added that TOS Benson was a legal luminary, an intellectual giant, an unsparing polemist, a consummate legislator, a keen sports lover and a most accomplished Nigerian of this century. In his words; “He was a rib-cracking humorist, a social icon, a cultural symbol, a consistently charismatic and captivating personality who was indeed a man of great style”.

His life symbolized an innate capacity for greatness possessed by all Nigerians as a people. It is an internal testimony of the seed of excellence that lies within each one of us waiting to be nurtured to fruition” Fashola added that “like salt, TOS Benson’s life, added flavour to the society. Like the ageless honey, he enriched countless lives, like a proverbial lamp on the hill, his example shall shine down the ages showing the light for the present and future generations to find the way of courage, compassion and commitment”

Late TOS was a proud son of Ikorodu, who cherished and defended his state’s interest, but was a common property of the Nigerian nation who was too urbane to play tribal politics, the Lagos State helmsman emphasized. Vice President Jonathan Goodluck read the personal condolence letter of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua to the widow of Chief TOS Benson, Chief Mrs. Opral Benson at the funeral service praying that God grants the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

In his sermon, the Bishop, Professor Rufus Oguntuashe urged all men to approach their sojourn in life with goodness and carefulness as death can come calling at any unexpected time. He likened a man’s life to the example of power outages by the Power Holding Company, saying once the outages are effected our lives are recalled by the maker, waiting for the judgment day.

Among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony are Former Governors Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Sarah Sosan, First lady, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, members of the State Executive Council, the Minister of Information, Mr. John Odey, members of the State House of Assembly, members of the National Assembly and several top government functionaries and dignitaries.

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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm