TELL Magazine

The eldest son of the late Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Rev. Collins Edebiri on Tuesday disclosed that his father, Chief David Uyunmwun Edebiri, who passed on Thursday, July 20, died at the same age of 93, and a few weeks to his 94th birthday like his own father, a former Esama of Benin Kingdom. The reverend gentleman, who spoke to journalists on burial plans for the deceased, said “His father was the Esama of Benin who also died at 93. We were praying for his father to make it 94, but his father went. He died exactly like his father”.
The junior Edebiri, whose lot it is to step into his father’s shoes, posited that his toughest challenge is meeting his father’s achievements and surpassing them. He stated that one of the things the late Esogban was proud of was the culture and tradition of the Benins.
Rev. Edebiri announced that the outcome of a stakeholders’ meeting would shape his father’s burial plan, adding that the stakeholders’ meeting would afford all segments to make inputs and participate in the burial.
“The burial date is yet to be announced by the family, but it will not exceed three months from the date of his death”, he said.
He explained that because of the status of the late Esogban in the traditional setting of Benin, the announcement of his death in the media created a little problem for the family.
“I want to put it on record that my dad died on Thursday, 20th July 2023. As you all know, he lived a good life. It was the first time ever in his life that he went to hospital. He died peacefully on his bed. But we are satisfied that the legacy he left behind will speak for him. The family is satisfied with the calls from the low and high, and the tributes that have been pouring in since his death”.