Special Birthday Tribute to Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch (the Lion Bar) – Prince Collins Benson Ogiegbaen, AICMC 

– By Douglas Ogbankwa, Esq.@douglasogbankwa@lgmail.com

“Do not follow where the path may lead .Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail ” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

This is a Special Birthday Tribute to the former  Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch-the Lion Bar on his birthday today the 22nd of May,2025.

Prince Collins Benson Ogiegbaen A.I.C.M.C, the former  Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch is not just an enigma, but an avatar. Prince Ogiegbaen bestrode the the Legal Profession and by extension the State as a Colossus, who made the NBA Benin Branch – the Lion Bar a critical Non State Actor.

As they say “Morning shows the Day”. Prince Ogiegbaen has never left any one in doubt as to his Leadership Qualities .From his days in Edokpolo Grammar School, Benin City or his stint as the President of the Law Students Association (LAWSA), Faculty of Law UNIBEN, Prince Ogiegbaen has demonstrated credible and indelible Leadership Skills ,  that  landed him the Premium Position of former  Chairman of a Super Urban Branch of the NBA, that was after his successful tour of duty as Secretary of the Branch.

Prince Ogiegbaen’s Oratorical Prowess is unparalleled. In his many speeches as former  Chairman of the Lion Bar you would see a complex use of language, idioms and quotations in a way that will make William Shakespeare blush in his grave.

Under his watch, the NBA Benin Branch, the Lion Bar was  transmogrified in leaps and bounds. The Branch was named the 2nd best Branch of the then  125 Branches of the NBA in Nigeria.NBA now has 130 Branches .

The Lion Bar under the watch of Prince Ogiegbaen was the only NBA Branch in Nigeria that had 14  WhatsApp PLATFORMS and other Social Media Channels for its Members .It was  the only Branch in Nigeria that had an Online Directory of the names and phone contacts of Registrars of all the Courts within Jurisdiction in Nigeria and also those of Command Officers of the Nigeria Police and Federal and State Government Officials related to the Legal Profession.

Under Prince Collins Benson Ogiegbaen we had NBA Official, NBA Socials ,NBA Transactions and NBA Political , before the hawks set in and some were closed down .

I concede at some point that our relationship may not have  been rosy , but one thing stand out about Prince Collins  Benson Ogiegbaen,AICMC,  he never kept malice with any body , including me at any point .The truth is no one will leave this world alive , so be merry with everyone.

As former  Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association , Benin Branch ,  he appointed his opponents into positions freely.His Principle that may have voted differently,but we are all still Lawyers .

He tackled the State and State Actors with courage and vigour and Lawyers were like thin god under his Administration.Lawyers were respected every where we went .

He is human after all and he  may have been some foibles , but I rate higher that many who appear silent, but in secret places are chameleons .

It was former American President George Bush that said to his son George Walker Bush 11 , in the disagreement between the later and Nicholai Sakorzy , former President of France France  over  the Us -Iraqi War thus:

*Do not allow a moment of adversity with your friend, to becloud many moments of goodwill and friendship we shared*

The NBA Benin Branch under the watch of Prince Collins Benson Ogiegbaen was the First Branch in Nigeria that initiated Palliative for Lawyers during the COVID-19 Pandemic and it did the most extensive Palliative Programme of any NBA Branch in Nigeria reaching out to about 750 Lawyers,some of them.personally delivered by the former Chairman himself to Lawyers in the Hospital , just as he delivered to  Old and Frail Lawyers in their Houses!

The NBA Benin Branch under Prince Collins Benson Ogiegbaen A.I.C.M.C’s watch was the first Branch in Nigeria to conduct two successive Monthly Online Meetings of the Branch,due to the prevailing COVID-19 Virus ,The Branch had a welfare scheme with cash for Members that did  Marriages or Burials for their loved ones The Branch under his watch was  the most visible NBA Branch in the Online Media and Mainstream Media   under him he was the Chairman that made NBA Benin hit the front pages of 5 major national newspapers,the Branch had  a zero tolerance for harassment of Members by any institution of State .Under him the Branch was the first Branch in Nigeria, to set up a COVID-19 Regulations Monitoring Committee to checkmate Security Agencies , the COVID -19 Mobile Courts and Government, the Branch had under his watch , had the largest Branch Interventions for Members during the Annual General Conference of the NBA,providing over 100 Hotel Rooms for Members for 4 nights ,  and Free Transportation to and from the Conference Venue for Members and it ran the Office of the Bar Public  Defender t, which was copied by the Edo State Government , to provide free legal services to Indigent citizens and which  led to Prison Decongestion in Edo State. All these were achieved and sustained under the able Leadership of the Lion Bar Chairman-Prince Collins Benson Ogiegbaen A.I.C.M.C for just 2 years .,  with the  head of the Bar held high , hugely respected by those that contributed.The Bar never bent for money .He Introduced Life to the  NBA Benin Bar House .Set up the first NBA Benin Table Tennis Club.Brought Young Lawyers to the mainstream of NBA Leadership and tackled election rigging at Bar Elections to a stand still.

He put life into the Bar Relations Committee and he made me Chairman of the  NBA Benin Bar Police  Monitoring Committee and gave us great support.

Together with the then Secretary,we were called the Trivurate ,we all with a passion to serve and willingness to give our all.

In one occasion when a Lawyer was kidnapped,our reach within 2 hours on the internet made the Kidnappers leave the Lawyer ,saying , it was a risk to keep .Then the wolves set in .

We were actually the Lion Bar as Prince Collins Benson Ogiegbaen stopped EDSTMA from arresting Lawyers turning at the turn in front of the High Court .With our contempt proceedings ready to send the then MD of EDSTMA to prison  for  disobeying about 3 Court Orders precipated by K.O .Obamogie SAN ,FCIarb UK  (Delivered by Hon Justice Efe Francis Ikpomwen ) Fellow FCJEI, Paul Osarenkhoe’s Judgment delivered by Hon Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe and C.J. Enegide ‘s Judgment delivered by Hon Justice Peter Ahiekenro, the EDSTMA Management called for truce and that is  how you know you have a Bar Association.

Prince Collins Benson Ogiegbaen AICMC raised the bar of the Bar .That is why we were called the Lion  Bar , because when  we roared the Society caught cold .

As you celebrate your Birthday today, My Chair , as I call you – The first  Lion  Chairman himself as you are fondly called, may this new year usher in good tidings that will take you to greater heights.

Happy birthday to you the Lion Bar Chairman Emeritus!

The best is yet to come.

About the Author:

Douglas Ogbankwa Esq., , a former Publicity Secretary to the NBA Benin Branch is the Convener of the Security Situation Room.