Nostalgia as Ben Murray-Bruce Remembers Jesse Jackson at SMOTY 2025
Founder of the Silverbird Group, Ben Murray-Bruce, on Sunday paid a glowing tribute to late American civil rights activist Jesse Jackson during the grand finale of the Silverbird Man of the Year Awards.
The ceremony, which marked the 20th edition of the awards, was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites and attracted prominent Nigerians from the worlds of politics, business, entertainment and media.
Jackson, who recently died at the age of 84, was remembered by Murray-Bruce as a global figure whose message of hope and resilience continues to inspire generations.
Reflecting on the late activist’s famous mantra “Keep Hope Alive,” Murray-Bruce said Jackson’s philosophy was not merely a slogan but a guiding principle for confronting life’s challenges.
He urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite the country’s current economic difficulties, noting that Jackson consistently chose hope over despair even in difficult moments.
According to him, the belief in the power of personal choice was central to Jackson’s message and remains relevant to individuals and nations alike.
“I believe as a person, I can choose my destiny,” Murray-Bruce said, delivering a message that resonated strongly with the audience.
During his address, the former senator recounted tragic global and local events to illustrate how human decisions in moments of crisis often determine survival and destiny.
He referenced the Ikeja Cantonment Bomb Blast, recalling how victims faced life-or-death decisions as explosions rocked the military facility in Lagos. Many residents, he said, fled toward a nearby canal in desperate attempts to escape the blasts.
Murray-Bruce also drew parallels with the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center, describing how thousands of people trapped in the burning towers struggled to survive amid chaos and uncertainty.
“In both instances, the choice was not easy. The path was not clear. But it was a choice—to fight, to run, to live,” he said.
The speech, which blended historical reflection with motivational insight, held the audience spellbound as Murray-Bruce emphasized that destiny is shaped not merely by circumstances but by the decisions people make in difficult times.
He concluded by reminding listeners that while individuals may not control the challenges they face, they retain the power to determine their response.
“We do not choose our challenges,” he said. “
