With freemason brothers in the palace.

GROWTH OF BENIN LODGE: At its second regular meeting on 5th May, 1962 seven brethren including W.Bro. H.R.H. Akenzua II, C.M.G., OBA OF BENIN where admitted as joining members. Bro. Prince S. I Akenzua (Now Omo N'Oba N'Edo Erediauwa, OBA OF BENIN) and W.Bro. L. O. Ogbeide P.D.S.G.W. were initiated and became the first initiates of the Lodge. In 1964 barely two years after the consecration of Benin Lodge W.Bro. H.R.H. Akenzua II, C.M.G. (Omo N'Oba N'Edo Oba of Benin) was installed in the chair of King Solomon thereby becoming the 1st Benin Monarch to attain that exalted position, on that unique occasion, the R.W Bro. Hon. Justices Lionel Brett Kt. P.D.G.M. graced the installation with his presence and a large number of prominent masons from different parts of the country were present to witness the ceremony. He was honoured with the rank of Past District Junior Grand Deacon the following year. The first secretary became Master in 1966 while his son, W.Bro. A.A.I. Eweka D.G. Supt. Wks. was installed Master in 1986. It is a remarkable achievement that under the mastership of W.Bro. L.O. Ogbeide the present Masonic Hall was designed and constructed by W.Bro. A.I. Eweka and dedicated on Feb. 1973 on which occasion Bro. A.A. Guobadia was installed Worshipful Master. The year 1981 was significant in that W.Bro. W.E. Pemu P.S.G.D., P.D.D.G.M. was in the chair and the Master single handedly provided the former chain link fence round the Hall and planted the flowers which continue to beautify the premises and give Benin Lodge Hall the appearance of the most beautiful Masonic Hall in Nigeria today. At the Annual Communication held in December, 1987 W.Bro. W.E. Pemu, P.S.G.D., was appointed Deputy District Grand Master of the newly created Western Division. On the 29th February,1988, the new division was inaugurated in the hall by theMost Worshipful Pro Grand Master, the Rt. Hon. Lord Cornwallis, OBE, D.L. assisted by a powerful delegation of the Grand Lodge. Right Worshipful Bro. McEwen was installed the District Grand Master. On that occasion W.Bro. W.E.Pemu and W.Bro. Prince A.I. Eweka were handed their letters of offers as Past Junior Grand Deacon and Past Grand Standard bearer respectively. W.Bro E.O.Obianwu was the Worshipful Master on the occasion. Since the consecration, Benin lodge has hosted the District Grand Lodge as follows: A. Half Yearly Communication in June 1974 B. Half Yearly Communication in June 1986 C. Quaterly Communication in December 1989 and D. Half Yearly Communication on 13th June, 1998. The 1974 communication was presided over by Rt. W.Bro Trevor Elmore, the 1986 one by late W.Bro. Dr Chief G.C. Mbanugo while W.Bro.W.E. Pemu presided At the 1989 quarterly communication. The 1998 Half Yearly communications was presided over by W.Bro. M.O. Taiga, ADGM. The attendance at each of these communications was impressive. W.Bro. F.A. Morah was installed Worshipful Master for the year 1989/90 during which as many as six members including Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa were initiated. W.Bro. P.E Agbajoh P.D.G.Chap. who had been Master in 1967 and again in 1980 passed to the Grand Lodge above on 23rd August, 1989. At the funeral service which was attended by several distinguished masons on 30th September at St Andrews Anglican Cathedral , Warri, the Officiating Minister paid tribute to the benevolence of Chief Agbajoh's heart, the sweetness of his temper, and the extra-ordinary endowment of his mind. By his death Benin Lodge lost one of its great masters. A real brother and a true friend. May his soul rest in perfect peace. At the regular meeting held on 6th Octber, 1990, W.Bro. Chief Dr. P.M.O. Oyolu initiated his son, Bro. David Anthony Oyolu. That was the first time in the history of the Lodge that Worshipful Master, in his year of office, had the privilege of initialing his own son. In 1992, the Lodge was again honoured a second time by the appointment of W.Bro. Prince A.I. Eweka as the Deputy District Grand Master for Western Division. In 1992, a crown Prince of Benin, Prince Eheneden Erediauawa,( Edaiken N'Uselu) was elected and installed Master of Benin Lodge. Unfortunately, the lodge suffered the loss of a prominent and energetic member, who was the second initiate of the Lodge in the person of Late W.Bro. L.O. Ogbeide, P.G.Std, B., P.D.G.S.W., P.3RD D.G.P., P.Z., P.M and Secretary of the Lodge. May his soul rest in peace. As at October 1995 all the past Masters of the Lodge with the exception of W.Bro. Fadaka, Hon. Justices Aluyi, W.Bro. Deacon M.O. Omoruyi and W.Bro. B. O. Modebe were honoured with the District Grand Ranks while W.Bro. W.E. Pemu P.D.D.G.M., was promoted P.S.G.D. and W.Bro. A.I. Eweka P.D.D.G.M., P.A.G.D.C. (RA) was also promoted as P.S.G.D. and W.Bro. L.O. Ogbeide P.G. Std. B. As at 4th Jan. 1997 the financial members of the Lodge stood at 34. On 4th September, 1998, the Lodge suffered a great setback due to the demise of W.Bro. J.O. Edosomwan, P.D.J.D. 1999 witnessed a decline in membership which hopefully will improve. On 6th December 2003, The District Grand Lodge of Nigeria made history by the presentation of a plaque by the Rt. W.Bro Adedeji Adedoyin D.G.M. on behalf of the distrct to W.Bro. A.I. Eweka P.S.G.D. P.D.D.G.M. (W) on the occasion of his 80th Birthday - 8th October 2003, and was supported by W.Bro. Chike Offodile P.A.D.G.M., W.Bro. Olorogun M.O. Taiga A.D.G.M., W.Bro. E. O. Obianwu A.D.G.M. and other eminent masons. This is deemed an honour conferred on both Benin Lodge and the recipient. Copyright © 2006. Web
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nice