On this 35th anniversary of her passing, we honor our beloved mother—Mrs Victoria Isiemoa Ikimi, a most hardworking woman, for her simplicity, kindness, courage and quiet love. She remained loyal to you, Our Lord, till her passing.

Comfort our hearts, deepen the good she planted in us, and keep her safe in Your embrace Oh Lord. May her memory be a blessing and our guide.

Amen

High Chief Tom Ikimi, FNIA, KSG, CON
Oduma of Esanland
Inneh of Igueben
Akinrogun of Ife
Knight of Saint Gregory
10th April 2026

On behalf of the Ikimi family, I send to you, my lovely sister, hearty congratulations on your birthday today, as we all give thanks to God for the gift of your exemplary life. Your remarkable journey is certainly a testament to his love and faithfulness.

May this milestone birthday mark the beginning of a new chapter of your life, filled with joy, good health, continued impact, and well-being.

Wishing you many wonderful years ahead also filled with love, laughter, and blessings.
Please enjoy your day today.

High Chief Tom Ikimi, FNIA, KSG, CON
Oduma of Esanland
Inneh of Igueben
Akinrogun of Ife
Knight of Saint Gregory
10th April 2026

I stand at the threshold of my eighty-second year, and the road behind me stretches like the ancient paths of Esanland, winding, sometimes treacherous, yet always leading toward a higher purpose.

Born on the 10th of April 1944 in Kumba, in what was then Southern Cameroons, I was carried across borders by destiny before I could walk. My parents, John Onile and Victoria Isiemoa Ikimi, both children of Igueben, planted in me the unshakeable roots of home. Today, as Oduma of Esanland, the Lion who roars not for conquest but for protection, I look back and see not merely a life, but a tapestry woven by divine hands.

From the disciplined halls of St. Joseph’s College. Sasse-Buea, where Mill Hill Catholic fathers taught us that true strength lies in service and adoration to God our creator, to Professional engineering career as foundation student at the Midwest Polytechnic Auchi, to the drafting tables of Ahmadu Bello University and the founding of Tom Ikimi Design Company in 1977, my early years trained me to build.

Architecture was not just about concrete and steel; it was about creating structures of hope for a young nation. Yet the greater edifice I was called to help raise was Nigeria itself, its democracy, its dignity on the world stage, its fragile unity.

Politics tested me as fire tests gold. As member of the Constituent Assembly 1987/88 and the first National Chairman of the National Republican Convention (NRC), as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 1998 and through the turbulent seasons that followed in APP, PDP, and the Action Congress, and later chairing the historic merger, first of its kind, of four major political parties to form the APC which is the ruling party of today. I learned through this journey that political sagacity is not the cunning of the fox but the steadfastness of the lion.

I walked through corridors of power where ambition often eclipsed principle, yet I carried with me the quiet counsel of the Knight of Saint Gregory the Great, bestowed upon me in 1993 by Pope John Paul II now Saint John Paul II. That knighthood was never a medal to wear lightly; it was a daily reminder that every treaty signed, every diplomatic bridge built, every difficult decision taken at ECOWAS tables over Liberia and Sierra Leone, must be measured against the higher law of justice, mercy, and the common good.

The traditional stools I have been privileged to occupy, Inneh of Igueben (inherited in 1988), Akinrogun of Ife (conferred in 1991), and Oduma of Esanland, have taught me that leadership is not borrowed from the modern world alone. It is rooted in the soil of our ancestors and sanctified by the living God. To be a chief among my people is to be father, judge, and servant in one. These titles humbled me even as they elevated me, reminding me that the true leader does not stand above his people but walks among them, listening to the heartbeat of the land.

Yet of all the mantles I have worn, none has brought me greater joy or greater responsibility than those of father and mentor. To watch my children, three sons and a daughter, grow into their own callings, and to see younger leaders across Nigeria and beyond rise with integrity, vision, and compassion, is to witness the only immortality a man may truly claim on this side of eternity.

I have tried, in boardrooms and village squares alike, to pass on what the years have taught me: that power without character is tyranny; that wealth without generosity is poverty; and that politics without spirituality is merely noise.

At eighty-two, I do not look back with regret, nor do I gaze forward with fear. I see instead the quiet providence that has guided every step, from the classrooms of Buea to the halls of Aso Rock, from the drafting board to the throne of tradition, from the confessional to the international conference table. I have fought for democracy not because it is perfect, but because it is the best vessel we have yet fashioned to carry the God-given dignity of every Nigerian.

If there is one truth I would whisper to the burgeoning leaders who now look to the future, it is this: Lead with the heart of a servant, the courage of a lion, and the humility of a knight before his King. Build not monuments to yourself, but bridges to those who come after and above all, remember that the greatest legacy is not the titles we collect, but the lives we lift and the souls we help set free.

As the sun sets gently in my State (Edo State) at the capital City (Benin City) where I am today, I express my gratitude. I thank the Almighty God who called me, the Church that nurtured me, the nation that entrusted me, my beloved family that supported me, and the young lions rising to take on the mantle. I declare that the journey continues. While the lion may not roar forever, the pride it leaves behind must roar with greater wisdom and pure love. Nations are built with the energy of the youth and the counsel/wisdom of the aged.

In this moment of reflection, as I quietly celebrate my eighty-second birthday I assume the true roles of a Senior Citizen. I open my doors to counsel every party and interest seeking to build our nation. This marks an
important chapter in my political career, and I pray that the leaders of our nation prioritize peace over identity politics of difference. I urge them to ensure freedom of expression for all parties and guarantee a level playing
field for everyone, in order to preserve our hard-earned democracy.

Meanwhile I am compiling my thoughts in preparation for the release of my memoirs in a non too distant future even as I continue to observe the climate and give guidance as necessary to the right path.

May the God of all nations, who made us one in Christ, grant Nigeria, and every son and daughter who calls her home, the grace to rise above our divisions and become the beacon we were always meant to be.

High Chief Tom Ikimi, FNIA, KSG, CON
Oduma of Esanland
Inneh of Igueben
Akinrogun of Ife
Knight of Saint Gregory
10th April 2026

This Earth shook with the News:
He is not here, He is Risen.
I wish you and yours a joyous
And blessed Easter 2026.
May this occasion bestow upon
you abundant Blessings filled
with hope, love and Peace.
And May the Risen Lord be your
light, your salvation, your
strength in adversities

Happy Easter

High Chief Tom Ikimi KSG CON
The Oduma of Esanland

Dear Esteemed Sister Grace,

On this momentous occasion of your 84th birthday, I am indeed honored to convey to you the heartfelt congratulations of the entire Ikimi family. Your journey through eight and a half decades has been nothing short of inspirational.

We celebrate you once again today for your remarkable strength, wisdom, and the profound impact you’ve had on all our lives. Your unwavering grace has guided us through generations, and your stories, virtue and wise counsel have become the foundation of our family’s rich heritage.

Your, an ardent golfer, with a vibrant health at 84 is a testament to your resilience and determination. The memories you’ve created will continue to warm our hearts, and the fulfillment you’ve achieved in your personal and family life serves as an example for us all to follow.

May this special day bring you immense joy, surrounded by the love of those whose lives you’ve touched so deeply as we look forward to creating many more precious moments together.

With profound respect and deepest affection,

High Chief Tom Ikimi CON
The Oduma of Esanland
(On behalf of the entire Ikimi family)

As you embark on this new chapter, may divine grace grant you continued strength, good health, and boundless wisdom to navigate the challenges that lie ahead. Wishing you many more years of fulfillment, surrounded by loved ones, and marked by even greater accomplishments that elevate our shared aspirations.

Happy Birthday!

High Chief Tom Ikimi CON
Oduma of Esanland

Chief Dr. Leemon Ikpea CON
The Adolor of Ewatto Kingdom
The Odonlagbon of Warri.

I salute you, my great friend. I send you sincere greetings and congratulations as you celebrate your 68th birthday today. Your professional and philanthropic feats are highly commendable and exemplary.

Yours has been a very interesting life story which has emerged a hugely successful one. To God be the Glory!

As you mark another milestone, we honor your remarkable achievements and humanitarian service that continue to inspire generations.

Wishing you many more exciting and successful years ahead by God’s grace.

Happy Birthday!

High Chief Tom Ikimi CON
The Oduma of Esanland

It is with the greatest pleasure that I join your family, friends and well wishers in giving thanks to God today as you celebrate your 70th birthday.

This is a milestone that you’ve achieved in spritely good health, retaining your excellent stature. We give thanks to the Almighty God!

I must say that we of Esan land and particularly of the Igueben Kingdom are most proud of you not only for your personal full integration into Igueben land but for the excellent upholding of the role of the female gender in our community and you have displayed very qualitative female leadership.

You have managed the Ayemere family so well to now produce an addition of a new generation of high quality and educated children standing by to raise our community to higher levels.

May this milestone be filled with joy, love, and countless blessings as we pray that God may grant you many more happy years of good health and well being.

Happy Birthday

High Chief Tom Ikimi CON
The Oduma of Esanland

May I most sincerely convey to you my warmest greetings on this auspicious day that marks both your birthday and your installation as a Chief in the esteemed Isele-Uku Kingdom. Your elevation to chieftaincy by His Royal Majesty, Obi Engr Nduka, stands as a testament to your distinguished contributions and sterling character.

As an accomplished academic and now a titled chief, you embody the bridge between tradition and modern scholarship. This dual celebration – your natal day and conferment of traditional authority – symbolizes the convergence of personal achievement and community recognition.

As you assume this prestigious title, may your counsel help advance the development of Isele-Uku Kingdom while preserving our rich cultural heritage.

Congratulations, Your Highness. May your new role bring blessings to both you and the community you serve.

High Chief Tom Ikimi CON
The Oduma of Esanland

You are a friend and indeed a brother to me as we make our earthly journey together. On your part you have made wonderful and remarkable contributions to the upliftment of our society and country. Despite some setbacks imposed on your awesome journey you have remained calm, calculated, strong and forward looking. It is clear to all that it is not over yet.

Please accept my sincere greetings and best wishes on your birthday today.

Happy Birthday
Ezigizaga

High Chief Tom Ikimi CON
Oduma Of Esanland