Profile
Benedict Murray-Bruce is an Entrepreneur, Politician, Motivational speaker, and Nigerian Senator who represented the Bayelsa East constituency. In 2011, he ran for the governorship of Bayelsa State which was unsuccessful after he was screened out of the gubernatorial race under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He is the Chairman and Founder of Silverbird Group. Also known as the common sense senator, Benedict Murray-Bruce is a role model to Nigerian youths. He is the director of several companies in Nigeria as well as in France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Personal Life
Born February 18, 1956, in Warri, Delta State. He is married to Evelyn Murray, they have 3 kids – two boys and a girl. On March 20, 2021, Evelyn passed on after her battle with cancer. On 1st February 2022, Ben Murray lost his mom.
Education
| S/N | Qualification | Schools Attended | Date |
| 1. | Primary Education | Our Lady of Apostles, in Yaba, Lagos | |
| 2 | Secondary Education | St Gregory College in Obalende | 1952 |
| 3 | Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business | University of Southern Carolina | 1963 |
Work History
| S/N | Position | Workplace | Date |
| 1. | Promoter | Miss Universe Nigeria Pageant | 1983 |
| 2. | Promoter | Miss Intercontinental Pageant | 1985-1994 |
| 3. | Promoter | Annual Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant | |
| 4. | Director General | Nigerian Television Authority | 1999-2003 |
| 5. | Executive Director | Black Music Association of America with Quincy Jones, Dick Griffey, Stevie Wonder | |
| 6. | Executive Director | Coalition for a Free Africa with the late President Samora Machel of Mozambique and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. | |
| 7. | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | Silverbird Group | 1980 |
Common Sense Senator
Warri, Delta State
1939
Bayelsa State
People's Democratic Party (PDP)
Christianity
nil
Senator
facebook.com/Ben Murray-Bruce
twitter.com/@benmurraybruce
Political History
Bayelsa State Governorship Candidate 2011 – Unsuccessful
Bayelsa East Senatorial District – 2014
Leadership Style/Philosophy
Awards & Honours
- Showbiz Icon of the Year Award” (2005)
- Top Ten” Significant Nigerian Businessmen Award” (2006)
- Life Achiever Award” (2006) Champion for Nation Building Award” (2007)
- Excellent Personality Award” (2009)
- Officer of the Order of the Niger” (2014)
Project
Major Projects:
Free Multipurpose ultra-modern civic hall.
Scholarship schemes for over 180 students to study at various Universities.
Criticism/Controversy
- In June 2016, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over all the assets of several companies belonging to Senator Ben Murray- Bruce. He was said to have borrowed huge sums of money from the Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and had consistently defaulted in his repayment obligations.
- Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has been criticised by a section of Nigerians who believe the senator is comfortable discussing political/socio-economic matters on only social media (Twitter) while keeping mum in the Senate.