Otunba Theophilous Shobowale Benson (SAN)
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.
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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.”
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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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