Benedict Murray-Bruce is a Nigerian politician and business magnate who is the founder of Silverbird Group. He belongs to the People's Democratic Party, and was elected to the Senate of Nigeria in March 2015, and currently represents the Bayelsa East constituency, in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Background
Ben Murray-Bruce was born on February 18, 1956 in Lagos, Nigeria into the family of Mr Mullighen and Mrs. Margaret Murray-Bruce of the Ijaw ethnic group of Nigeria. He is a native of Akassa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Growing up was not a bed of roses. His father was a public servant who worked with the UAC. Ben whose initial dream was to be a professor of history had the opportunity of working in Domino Stores, a departmental store owned by his father. He however decided to do other things. His venture into show business didn’t enjoy the support of his parents. In his words “One time I was dancing and my father saw me dancing. He said, “If I ever catch you dancing, you’ll never use those legs again.” Though his father hated show business, thinking it was a waste of time, but somehow he managed to cope with a son who was bent on making a living out of the business. Even though he hated the business, he enjoyed the attention he was getting being the father to Ben.
Education
Ben had his primary education at Our Lady of Apostles primary school, Yaba, Lagos. Then he went to St Gregory’s College, Obalende where he sat for and obtained the West African School Certificate. After his secondary education, Ben Murray-Bruce traveled to the United States of America for a university education at University of South Carolina, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in Marketing in the year 1979.
Ben has served in various capacities at the public service. He was the Director General of Nigerian Television Authority between the years 1999 and 2003. In 1983, he was the one who promoted the Miss Universe Nigeria Pageant, Miss Intercontinental Pageant 1986-1994 and to date. He is the current promoter of the annual Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant which he started in the year 1986. Ben served as a Member of the Board of the Nigerian National Arts Theater, Federal Films Censors Board, Nigerian Film Corporation, National Film Distribution Company and Anti- Piracy Action Committee of Nigeria.
Ben is very outstanding in the show business, a business he so much has passion for. His passion for show business led him and his wife to established the defunct Silverbird Magazine in the year 1980 with a loan given to him by is father. Afterwards, Ben went into concerts promotion. Ben is a front line Entertainer in Nigeria and the entire West Africa. He single-handedly revolutionized the cinema business in Nigeria, he started the Silverbird Productions with a very little, today, Ben Bruce has built a business empire that is running into several billions of Naira and has provided employments for so many Nigerian youths.
Ben later joined politics and in the year 2011, he contested for the position of governor in his state Bayelsa, but was unsuccessful owing to the fact that he was screened out of the gubernatorial race under the umbrella of the People's Democratic Party. Ben later contested and won election as a Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District at the National Assembly under the umbrella of the People's Democratic Party.
It was on Ben’s platform that the winner of Miss World was discovered in the person of Agbani Darego. Mr. Ben Murray- Bruce is the chairman of the Silverbird, a group that has one of the best TV stations in Nigeria known as and called the Silverbird Television.
He is a Christian who believes that religious discrimination is one sure way to national disunity.
Politics
According to report, Mr Murray-Bruce vowed to fight poverty through appropriate legislation. Murray-Bruce said: “I am running for the Senate because I am interested in making changes. I am not interested in business as usual. Many things have gone wrong in the country and a lot of them can be traced in the chamber. I want to be part of. If we fix these problems, we fix the Nigerian problem…”
Again, he said: “I am politically loyal to President Jonathan, but I will reach out to the opposition. Even before I am elected, I am already working on 10 bills that would be presented to the house immediately on inauguration. The situation cannot remain business as usual.”
Views
Quotations:
"Nigeria confuses kids by telling them to be patriotic irrespective of ethnicity only to use state of origin as admission criteria in schools."
"For Nigeria to make meaningful progress, our leaders have to be more interested in the price of leadership than in the perks of leadership."
"We should think twice before washing our dirty linen before the world. It doesn't just reduce our opponents. It also reduces us to the world."
"Its mental slavery to allow foreign media dictate what we think about Nigeria & her institutions. They cant love Nigeria more than Nigerians."
"Whatever foreign activists say, we must appreciate our military. When push comes to shove, they are the only folks defending us from terror."
"So sad that in Nigeria, very few want to participate in revenue generation yet everyone wants to participate in revenue allocation."
"Dont wait til Ramadan or Christmas to give food to the poor in your village. Give them education and they will learn how to feed themselves."
"2000 years ago Rome knew how many people it had. Mary & Joseph were counted in Bethlehem. In 2015 does Nigeria know how many people she has?"
Membership
He is a member of the Board of National Arts Theatre, Nigerian Film Corporation, Federal Films Censors Board, National Film Distribution Company and Nigerian Anti- Piracy Action Committee.
Personality
He is a critic of the Buhari-led administration.
Physical Characteristics:
He has a fair complexion, and tall.
Connections
He is married, and has four children
Father:
Mullighan Murray-Bruce
Mother:
Margaret Murray-Bruce
Spouse:
Evelyn Murray-Bruce
Siblings:
Michael Murray-Bruce, Roy Murray-Bruce, Guy Murray-Bruce, Edward Murray-Bruce, Willie Murray-Bruce, and Joy Jonah
Ben won the Showbiz Icon of the Year Award in 2005
He was among the Top Ten Significant Nigerian Businessmen in 2006
He won the Life Achiever Award in 2006
He won Champion for Nation Building Award in 2007
"Excellent Personality Award" (2009)
Ben won the Showbiz Icon of the Year Award in 2005
He was among the Top Ten Significant Nigerian Businessmen in 2006
