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

Breaking News: King of Style, Ben Ikimi, Bows Out in Grandeur
By: Al Humphrey Onyanabo

Lagos high society has been thrown into mourning following the passing of one of its brightest lights — Ben Ikimi, the younger brother of flamboyant politician and architect Chief Tom Ikimi. Known for his refined taste, effortless elegance, and appetite for the finer things of life, Ben lived as he pleased — lavishly, boldly, and unapologetically.

For those who knew him, Ben Ikimi was not just a man — he was a lifestyle. He carried himself with the ease of old money and the flair of new ambition. His presence at any gathering instantly elevated the atmosphere — his tailored suits, gold cufflinks, and the faint trail of exotic cologne that announced him before he spoke. He was one of those rare Lagos men who could blend charm, wit, and grace without ever seeming to try.

In the late 1990s, when Lagos nightlife was beginning to find its true rhythm, Ben Ikimi changed the game with his creation of the legendary Silver Door Night Club on Victoria Island. It wasn’t just a nightclub — it was an institution. The Silver Door was where Nigeria’s crème de la crème came to unwind; a place where deals were whispered over bottles of Dom Pérignon and laughter echoed into the early hours.

Membership was exclusive — ₦1 million in cash — a figure that spoke volumes at a time when the naira had real weight. Yet, the city’s elite scrambled to be part of it. Bank MDs, insurance czars, oil barons, and visiting expatriates jostled for entry, while beautiful women from across the country dreamt of catching a glimpse — or a favor — from the moneyed men who made The Silver Door their playground.

Champagne was the anthem, and Ben was the maestro.

Behind the velvet ropes and sparkling chandeliers of Silver Door was a man who understood beauty and craftsmanship. As a builder and interior decorator, Ben’s eye for detail was legendary. He designed spaces that exuded both comfort and class — his own residence on Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi stood as a showpiece of taste long before the high-rises took over that iconic stretch.

His circle of friends read like a who’s who of Nigeria’s business and social elite — Musa Dede, Greg Uanseru, Osaro Onaiwu, Osa Osunde, Tony Elumelu, and many others who admired not just his style but his loyalty and humor.

Even as Lagos evolved and the nightlife he once defined transformed, Ben Ikimi remained a symbol of an era when elegance still mattered and wealth had personality.

His death leaves a void — not just among his family and friends, but in the annals of Lagos’ social history. The King of Style has kicked the bucket, yes — but the legend of Ben Ikimi will linger in the champagne-scented memories of those privileged to have known him.

He came. He saw. He styled.
And now, he rests.

By: Al Humphrey Onyanabo,

The Storyteller,
08109975621

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)

The Igueben people have confirmed their backing for the People’s Democratic Party, PDP Candidate for the 2025, Edo Central Senatorial District’s election, Prince Joe Okojie’s senatorial bid, joining a growing list of supporters who believe in his vision for Edo Central. This endorsement comes on the heels of a powerful statement from former Minister of Foreign Affairs, High Chief Tom Ikimi, a seasoned politician and who has thrown his weight behind Okojie’s candidacy.

Ikimi’s statement quashes rumors about his party affiliation, affirming his commitment to the PDP and Okojie’s candidacy. “I’m still in PDP… We are sending Prince Joe Okojie to the Senate. It’s Uromi’s turn,” he declared, highlighting the party’s zoning arrangement and Okojie’s alignment with this principle.

Ikimi’s endorsement is a significant boost to Okojie’s campaign, bringing goodwill and galvanizing support among PDP stalwarts and voters. The Igueben people’s backing and Ikimi’s support demonstrate growing momentum behind Okojie’s candidacy, driven by his message of equal representation and development.

With Ikimi’s backing, Okojie’s campaign is poised to gain even more traction. As the campaign heats up, Okojie’s team will build on this momentum, reaching out to voters and stakeholders to secure their support. Okojie is set to be a strong contender in the election, with a vision that resonates with the people of Edo Central.

Edo Central Senatorial District’s PDP Campaign Council

In a statement on Thursday, 24th of July, in Igueben and signed by Sir Hillary Ekhoye,the Iyase of Igueben who doubles as a top PDP leader, the party stakeholders described the claim in some quarters of Chief Ikimi belonging to a particular faction as “false, baseless and unfounded claim”.
The stakeholders re-affirmed that Chief Tom Ikimi has not left the PDP and he remains the national leader of the party.

The statement read in part: “Our national leader is working closely with the party structure at the national level, in the state, and at the local government.

“Chief Ikimi does not belong to any faction or group in the party, He rejected the attempt by some characters to misuse his personality and influence to give credibility or justification to their move to APC, which is solely for their personal and self serving interest.”

Copied from
https://grandnewsonline.com/ikimi-remains-pdp-natl-leader-belongs-to-no-faction-igueben-pdp-stakeholders/

Igueben PDP Leaders Affirm High Chief Tom Ikimi’s National Leadership; Says He belongs to no faction or group in the Party.

Leaders of the PDP in Igueben Local Government, Edo State on Thursday, 24th of July in a statement Signed by High Chief( Sir) Hillary O. Ekhoye JP, PDP Igueben Leader, in response to false claims, reaffirms that High Chief Tom Ikimi has not left the party and he is the National leader.

Our National leader is working closely with the party structure both at the national level, state, and the local government.

High Chief (Sir) Tom Ikimi does not belong to any faction or group in the party. He rejects the attempt by some funny characters to misuse his personality and influence to give credibility or justification to their move to the APC, which is solely for their personal and self serving interest.

Signed
High Chief ( Sir) Hilary O. Ekhoye
Leader, PDP, Igueben Local Government.