By Eric Elezuo
The city of Benin, the capital of Edo State, was on a stand still on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, when a prolific son of the land, celebrated a landmark 80 years.
With notable personalities from across the length and breadth of the country present, the city assumed the enviable status of cynasure of all eyes, feeding all and sundry with the best of organisation, standard and cultural display.
The event kickstarted at St Paul’s Catholic Church, along the Airport Road, in the heart of Benin City, where the who’s who in politics and otherwise gathered to thank God for 80 years of life well lived.
Making a most glorious entry, the celebrant, who could not hide his joy by the way he beamed smiling greetings at the guests, and dressed in a flowing white attire, complemented with exquisite royal beads of diverse colours, also received warm greetings before settling down majestically in the front row of the church amid a melodic play of solemn hymn.
In his brief sermon, the Archbishop of the Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who presided over the thanksgiving service, and was assisted by other bishops, hailed the resilience of the celebrant and how his knowledge and experience has benefitted the country during his hay days.
While also delivering a message, titled ‘What a Life’, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, Felix Job, acknowledged that High Chief Ikimi has been up and doing.
The celebration took a different turn right after the church Thanksgiving giving as all roads led to the reception venue, where a medley of performances and presentations we’re displayed.
Speaking as the chief host, Governor Obaseki congratulated the celebrant, expressing his heartfelt joy on behalf of the people and government of the state, and describing Ikimi’s efforts as an enduring legacy.
Among the classy dignitaries whose presence added distinguished colour to the occasion were Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who practically played the part of the chief host; the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; the Esama of Benin Kingdom; Chief Gabriel Igbinedion; and a former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion.
THE MAN, HIGH CHIEF TOM IKIMI
The man, who posterity will remember for his roles as the pioneer chairman of one Nigeria’s most popular party in the 3rd Republic, the National Republican Convention (NRC) as well as a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, was born on April, 10 1944, in Kumba-Southern, British Cameroons (modern-day Cameroon) to John Onile Ikimi and Victoria Isiemoa Ikimi, both from Igueben (Igueben Local Government Area- Edo State).
Tom Ikimi started his early education at St. Joseph’s College, Sasse-Buea, Southern Cameroons in 1957, and left in 1961. He was a pioneer student of the Midwestern Polytechnic, Auchi, Midwestern Nigeria, (now Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State) for his technical education from January 1966 to December 1967, and studied Building and Civil Engineering before obtaining Ordinary National Diploma. He was also a pioneer member of the Students Union, and a keen sportsman, who contributed to the establishment of the College Athletics Club.
After his stint at the Poly, he pursued after more of his professional education, and studied Architecture at the Ahmadu Bello University, Architectural School, Zaria from 1968 – 1973, and obtained the B. Arch (Hons) degree.
While in school, he participated in students unionism, and was a member of the student union and National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS). He is known for moving the motion in late 1970 at the NUNS convention in Zaria to readmit the Eastern Unions back into the NUNS at the end of the civil war.
Among his many pioneering endeavors, Ikimi was also a pioneer member of the National Youth Service Corps Programme serving in Ibadan, during the 1973-74 session.
He has also served in a good number of reputable organizations including as Architect in the firm of planning partnership later IBRU Vaughan Richards & Partners, Lagos from 1974-1977, and was made Associate partner in 1975.
He established his own firm, Tom Ikimi Design Company in May 1977 and executed a number of private and commercial projects within and outside Nigeria (1977 – 1993). He later won the international competition for the new OAU office and conference Centre project, Addis Ababa Ethiopia. He is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (FNIA) and has business interests in construction, trade and farming.
HIS MANY PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Member Constituent Assembly – 1988/89, Member Chapter 2 Committee “Fundamental Objectives and Directives Principles of State Policy”. National Chairman- National Republican Convention Party — 1990–1992.
He was the Special Adviser To the Head Of State, Commander-In-Chief, General Sani Abacha in February, 1994 where he prepared the memo for the establishment of the highly successful Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF)
He was appointed Foreign Affairs Minister March 1995
Ikimi led Nigeria’s delegation to the Review/Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in New York City, delivering the national position address on April 18, 1995. [citation needed]
Additionally, Ikimi headed the delegation to the Ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Bandung, Indonesia, from April 25 to 27, 1995.
Ikimi represented the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief, at the 40th Anniversary Meeting of the Movement of Non-Aligned countries in Bandung, Indonesia, on April 28, 1995.
Furthermore, Ikimi led the delegation to the Ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement in Cartagena, Colombia, from May 18 to 20, 1998, delivering Nigeria’s statement on May 19, 1998.
Taking charge of the delegation, Ikimi oversaw Nigeria’s participation in the Special UN Security Council Session for Foreign Ministers in New York City, delivering the country’s statement on September 26, 1995.
Ikimi led the delegation to the 50th Commemorative Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from September to December 1995, delivering Nigeria’s statement to the Assembly on October 3, 1995.
Serving as the President of the United Nations Security Council in October 1995, Ikimi hosted Pope John Paul II at the UN 50th Anniversary celebration in the capacity as President of the Security Council.
Ikimi represented the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief, at the summit meeting of the Non-Aligned member countries of the United Nations Security Council in New York City on October 4, 1995.
Continuing leadership, Ikimi headed the delegation to the 51st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from September to December 1996, delivering Nigeria’s statement on October 3, 1996.
Ikimi also represented the Head of State at the 11th Summit of the Non-Aligned countries in Cartagena, Colombia, from October 18 to 20, 1998, delivering Nigeria’s statement on October 18, 1998.
Additionally, Ikimi led the delegation to the 52nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from September to December 1997, delivering Nigeria’s statement on September 23, 1997.
Led Nigeria’s delegation to the 52nd Session of the United Nations General assembly (UNGA) September – December 1997 and delivered Nigeria’s statement to the Assembly on 23 September 1997.
Chairman of ECOWAS council of ministers and ECOWAS committee of Nine on LiberiaC-9) from 26 July 1996.
Chairman ECOWAS Ministerial Committee of Five on Sierra Leone.
Led Nigeria’s delegation to and chaired the 4th meeting of the ECOWAS Ministerial Committee of four on Sierra Leone (C-4) in New York, 11 July 1997.
Led the delegation of the ECOWAS Ministerial Committee of Five (C-5) to New York and briefed both the Secretary-General and the Security Council under the Arria Formula, on the situation in Sierra Leone, 11 November 1997.
Led Nigeria’s delegation to and chaired the 8th meeting of the ECOWAS Ministerial Committee of Five on Sierra Leone (C-5) in New York, 5–6 February 1998.
Led Nigeria’s delegation to several ECOWAS ministerial meetings and Head of State summits around the sub-Region.
Led the ECOWAS ministerial committee of nine (C-9) to successfully resolve the Liberian crisis.
Supervised under the United Nations, the holding of the first postwar democratic election in Liberia in August 1997 and the establishment of a democratic government headed by Mr Charles G. Taylor.
The violent overthrow of the government of president Ahmad Tejan Kabbah on 25 May 1997 posed a threat not only to the peace and security of Sierra Leone but also the security and stability of the West African Sub-region. As chairman of the committee of four and five on Sierra Leone, he led negotiations and coordinated the delicate operations leading to the successful restoration of the government of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah on 10 March 1998. He led the ECOWAS Team and was the first to enter Sierra Leone to assess the situation on the ground after the liberation of Freetown from the rebels by ECOMOG Forces 18–19 February 1998 to permit the return of president Ahmad Tejan Kabbah from exile in Conakry.
His tenure as Foreign Minister coincided with the period when the West African sub-region and indeed much of Africa was beset with conflicts, which including civil wars in Angola, Rwanda/Burundi, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), the Sudan, Liberia, Somalia and Sierra Leone. The central organ of the OAU was established in Cairo in 1994 as a mechanism for resolving these conflicts. In his tenure, Nigeria retained her membership of the central organ in the three successive elections which were conducted annually. Aside from the several meetings of the OAU council of ministers, Ikimi represented Nigerian Head of State at the summit meeting of the Central Organ of the OAU Mechanism for the Prevention, Management and Resolution of Conflicts in Tunis, 20 April 1995. He also Led Nigeria’ delegation to the 31st OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 26–28 June 1995, also in Cameroon, 9–10 July 1996 at the 32 OAU Assembly. Zimbabwe, 1–3 June 1997 and Burkina Faso, 8 June 1998.
Ikimi is happily is married, with three sons and a daughter, and a dutiful member of the Roman Catholic Christian denomination.
The erstwhile political leader has a profile larger than imagined, and is reputed to have served a definite purpose for Africa, Nigeria and humanity in general.
Additional Information from Wikipedia