OLDEST CONGOTOWN, Monrovia — A distinguished gathering of some of Liberia’s most accomplished women on Sunday paid glowing tribute to Opral Mason Benson, celebrating a life defined by service, elegance, leadership, and enduring contributions to both Liberia and Nigeria.
The intimate but powerful honoring ceremony was held at the El Musari Lounge in Oldest Congotown, where former cabinet ministers, jurists, diplomats, educators, artists, and civil society leaders converged to recognize a woman many described as a quiet but towering bridge between two West African nations.
The event was convened by a circle of eminent Liberian women, including former Education Minister Dr. Evelyn Kandakai, former Foreign Minister Olubanke King-Akere, musician and social activist Aunty Miatta Fahnbulleh, and former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott, among others. Their presence underscored the significance of the honoree’s legacy within Liberia’s national and Pan-African history.
A Life Linking Liberia and Nigeria
Mrs. Benson, born in Arthington, Montserrado County, Liberia, and educated at the College of West Africa and later Morris Brown College in the United States, rose to international prominence following her marriage in 1962 to Chief Theophilus Owolabi Shobowale (T.O.S.) Benson, Nigeria’s first Minister of Information. Their union coincided with a transformative era in Nigeria’s post-independence history and positioned Mrs. Benson at the heart of diplomatic, cultural, and social exchanges between Liberia and Nigeria.
Speakers recalled that there was scarcely a major Liberian national event in Nigeria during that era that did not bear the imprint of Opral Benson’s presence and advocacy. Beyond diplomacy, she distinguished herself as a pioneering entrepreneur and cultural influencer, becoming one of Lagos’ earliest fashion and beauty moguls and later serving as a senior executive and director with Johnson & Johnson products in Nigeria.
Her contributions earned her some of the highest honors in both countries, including Liberia’s Commander of the Star of Africa and Nigeria’s Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
Honoring Legacy, Womanhood, and Patriotism
In moving tributes, speakers emphasized that the program was not merely about celebrating longevity, but about honoring values. Dr. Kandakai described Mrs. Benson as “a living archive of West African womanhood,” while Olubanke King-Akere highlighted her role in advancing women’s confidence, beauty, and professionalism at a time when such spaces were largely closed to African women.
Several speakers connected Mrs. Benson’s life story to Liberia’s historic regional leadership, recalling Liberia’s role in West African diplomacy, the formation of the Organization of African Unity, and Nigeria-Liberia relations during critical moments such as Nigeria’s civil war. Her life, they said, embodies a generation of Liberians whose influence extended far beyond the country’s borders.
The program also honored, in memoriam, trailblazing Liberian women whose sacrifices laid foundations for today’s leaders, reinforcing the ceremony’s theme of intergenerational remembrance and continuity.
Words from the Honoree
Visibly moved, the 91-year-old honoree thanked the organizers and attendees, describing the recognition as an unexpected but deeply meaningful affirmation.
She expressed gratitude for a life that allowed her to serve women, families, and nations, pledging that as long as strength allows, she would continue to contribute in whatever way she can. Her brief remarks were met with sustained applause, reflecting the affection and respect she commands across generations.
Celebrating Liberian Women, Preserving History
Organizers explained that the honoring formed part of a broader effort to document and celebrate Liberian women whose stories risk being lost to time. Participants urged younger Liberians to learn from these legacies, stressing that national progress is built on remembering those who came before.
As music, laughter, and reflections filled the evening, the gathering became more than a tribute to one woman. It stood as a celebration of Liberian resilience, Pan-African solidarity, and the enduring power of women who quietly shape history.
For many in attendance, honoring Opral Mason Benson was not only about giving flowers while she lives — it was about reclaiming a shared story of dignity, service, and pride that continues to inspire Liberia and the wider African continent.
