T. O. S. Benson

Theophilus Owolabi Shobowale Benson was born on 23 July 1917 in Ikorodu, he attended CMS primary school in Agboyi island Lagos.[4] He is also a grand uncle of Babajimi Benson who is a member of Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives.[2] In the 1951 election Benson was chosen as one of the NCNC candidates for the five Lagos seats in the Western House of Assembly, the others being Nnamdi Azikiwe, Adeleke Adedoyin, A.[1] Radio and television were used to communicate the government's message that the gains of independence should be consolidated and the nation unified, rising above ethnic divisions.[12] In the early 1960s the Western NCNC was torn between allying with the United Progressive Party (UPP) or the Action Group.Benson, the leading Yoruba politician, Vice-President of the NCNC and Minister of Information, was attacked on these grounds by the Igbo State Union.After taking control of the Nigerian Government earlier in January 1966, the military decreed the arrest, in March 1966 for "state security" reasons, 30 politicians from the south.[1] He became a prominent Yoruba chief; although a native of Ikorodu, he held the chieftaincy title of the Baba Oba of Lagos.[18] In a 1990 interview Benson spoke in favour of leadership by rotation for the State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs.