Preceded by Clever Ikisikpo Children 4 Party People's Democratic Party Political party PDP Spouse Evelyn Murray-Bruce | Nationality Nigerian Role Politician Constituency Bayelsa East Name Ben Murray-Bruce | |
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Born February 17, 1956 (age 68)
Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria ( 1956-02-17 ) Alma mater University of South Carolina Education University of South Carolina | ||
Benedict Murray-Bruce, MON (born 18 February 1956) is a Nigerian business magnate and politician. He is the founder of Silverbird Group. A member of the People's Democratic Party, he was elected to the Senate of Nigeria in March 2015, and currently represents the Bayelsa East constituency, in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
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Early life and education
Bruce was born in Lagos to Ijaw parents Mullighan and Margaret Murray-Bruce who both hail from Akassa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. He attended Our Lady of Apostles, Yaba, Lagos, where he completed his primary education and St Gregory College, Obalende where he obtained the West African School Certificate before he proceeded to the University of South Carolina in the United States, where he received a bachelor's degree in Marketing in 1979.
Early beginnings
Ben has served in various public positions. He served as Director General of Nigerian Television Authority from 1999 to 2003. Prior to starting Silverbird Group, he promoted the Miss Universe Nigeria Pageant in 1983, Miss Intercontinental Pageant, 1986-1994 and to date, he promotes the annual Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant which he began in 1986. He is currently 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.
Show business
In an interview with Connect Nigeria, Ben said he got into show business "by accident". His passion for show business made him and his wife to establish the now defunct Silverbird Magazine in 1980 with a loan from his father. Ben later went into promoting concerts.
Politics
In 2011, Ben ran for the governorship of Bayelsa State which was unsuccessful after he was screened out of the gubernatorial race under the umbrella of the People's Democratic Party. On 27 October 2014, Ben later declared his intention to represent Bayelsa East Senatorial District at the National Assembly under the umbrella of the People's Democratic Party which he went on to win.