AMAZING STORY OF SIR GABRIEL IGBINEDION@80 FROM CRADLE TO ADULTHOOD + PHOTOS OF HIS CHILDREN!

+ Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren

Billionaire businessman, Sir (Chief) Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion who is the Esama of Benin was born on the 11th of September 1934, to the humble family of Chief Josiah Oviawe Igbinedion and Madam Okunozee Igbinedion at Okada Village, in the present Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. He is the only surviving child of both parents. His mother Okunozee Igbinedion was the daughter of the Ihaza of Usen, a descendant of the Usen Royal family with a proud history.

The young Igbinedion had some philosophical interpretations for his name leaving positive impressions of what life had in store for him right from the beginning. He likened his name Gabriel to Angel Gabriel of the Holy Bible fame and interpreted Osawaru, as the messenger of God. The relevance of these philosophical interpretations is not as much in the meaning of his names, as it is in the positive impact they had on the thinking of the young Igbinedion. Indeed, the name Gabriel was given to him by T.J. Akagbosu, his former school teacher, who likened the young Osawaru to Angel Gabriel.

Osawaru’s family, humble as it was, exhibited rare leadership qualities which comprised the foundation stone upon which Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion eventually developed. Osawaru’s father, Chief Josiah Agharagbon Oviawe Igbinedion was the founder of the present Okada when he initiated the movement from the old Okada with his friends and relatives to establish the new settlement in 1929. The shifting of base from the old to the new Okada some five kilometers away was motivated by the desire to settle near the new road being constructed at that time. Chief Josiah Igbinedion seemed to have bestowed upon the young Osawaru the qualities of leadership that had driven him to begin the establishment of the new Okada Village before he died.

The young Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion took after his father making the development of the new Okada community his primary objective. His love for his people and the desire to actualise his dreams were paramount in his decision to move to Benin City, to continue his education which was cut short as a result of his father’s death. Moreover, his movement to Benin was necessitated by the fact that at that time Okada Primary School offered tuition up to class three only.

Thus most pupils who began school at Okada eventually ended up in Benin. He was one of them. He had began his primary education at the Roman Catholic School, Okada, now known as St. Gabriel’s Primary School Okada, and when he moved to Benin, he enrolled finally at the Benin Baptist School, now known as Emokpae Primary School on Mission Road in Benin City, after short periods at Ezomo Baptist School and Ore Oghene Primary School all located in Benin City.

His movement to Benin was motivated by a number of factors, fundamental amongst which was the death of his father. Being of a humble home he was not in the position to continue his education without his father and had to seek the support of others. This was why he came to live in Benin City as a househelp to among others, Mr. Samson Aiwekhoe Idahosa, a Forest Guard at Okada who enrolled him at the Benin Baptist School.

In an interview, Mr. Idahosa disclosed that he brought the young Osawaru to settle in Benin City and that all he brought along with him were a few clothes purchased partly with the reclaimed bride price of twelve pounds which his father had paid on a young wife who was yet to join him before he died.

LIFE AT SCHOOL

At Benin City, his life materially did not witness any noticeable improvement. The situation remained hard, apparently worsened by the death of his father who though while alive was not always able to provide his son with most of his basic requirements, nonetheless, played the role of a father which no other person could play. The young Osawaru seemed to have lost out on all sides. There were moments he could not even meet up with the payment of his school fees of two shillings and six pence and had to travel to Okada for it. In an interview with him, he disclosed the details of this particular episode which was however, just one of several.

He left for Okada with only six pence in his possession which he expended on transport and food. At Okada he spent the best part of a month in search of two shillings and six pence which took him out of school; and when eventually he was able to get it, he did not have enough money to return to Benin City or even to eat on the way back. He had to walk. On most occasions he had to do odd jobs to pay for his education. And so, at Benin City living for Osawaru was not in any way pleasant. Financially, his life was as difficult in Benin as it was in

Okada and psychologically, it was even worse because of the gap created by the untimely death of his father. Schooling in Benin, nevertheless, exposed the young Igbinedion to numerous challenges: the challenge of his academic work against the background of competition with colleagues of comparative advantage; the challenge of mixing with friends from more affluent backgrounds, the challenge of adjusting to city life from the background of rural upbringing and the challenge of serving under the disadvantaged position of a househelp. The records and investigations reveal that Osawaru’s academic ability did suffer some setback as a result of his change of environment. Academically, he was a match to his colleagues but he had difficulty in properly measuring up because of extraneous factors. While most of his colleagues were regular at school, young Igbinedion spent the bulk of his time scouting for school fees and maintenance allowance.

Outside the academics, he possessed several other qualities which a number of his contemporaries did not seem to have. At that tender age he had acquired a rare capacity for leadership. Popularly known as “Ovbiebo” because of his features and fair complexion, he was very neat, strong willed and self-asserting and was always first at manual labour. Most of his colleagues and contemporaries depended on him for assistance in manual labour and for such assistance he was usually compensated with a farthing worth of yam porridge popularly known as Ikpowo. He was good in sports particularly in football. He was said to have exhibited a great degree of self-confidence and independence. These qualities earned him the position of General Monitor and as such was exempted from labour and other burdens, qualities that eventually made up for whatever shortcomings he suffered as a result of the difficulties he experienced. Reverend Usunalele, his former Headmaster confirmed that the accolade “Exemption”, which has become synonymous with him arose from his background at school.

Against the environment of the harsh economic situation the young Igbinedion plodded on relentlessly. From his primary education at the Baptist School in Benin City, he moved over to Eko Boys’ High School Lagos, where he was admitted with three others from Benin City including Vincent Edebor now a famous Benin Sculptor. In Lagos young Osawaru lived with Mr. Ben Edemakhiota. Needless to stress that his Lagos academic sojourn was adversely affected because of lack of funds. He had the zeal to learn but his capacity and ability were marred. The will was there but the problem of finance remained an endemic one.

His academic life in Lagos, apart from the financial aspect which had become a recurrent variable, did not present as much of a challenge as that in Benin City. Firstly, the young Igbinedion had overcome the initial setback which appeared to have characterised his school life in Benin City. He had developed in age and had adjusted, to some extent, to the hardship that accompanied the early part of his childhood.

Secondly, the young Igbinedion was far away from home, in an environment where little or nothing of his past life was known and where his abilities were judged from his own personal achievement and capacity to sustain the pressures of societal challenges. Thirdly, those qualities of leadership revolving around self-confidence which he inherited from his father, coupled with the usual imposing attitude, if you like arrogance, of the Benin man, accruing perhaps from his historical past, were to propel the young Igbinedion through the hazards of his Lagos sojourn.

He got on well at the Eko Boys’ High School, Lagos. He played football and became prominent in most other sporting activities. Through sports he quickly gained respect from his teachers and colleagues alike. But it was not to be for long. He had to cut short his education in Lagos and return to Benin in 1954 for circumstances outside his control. He had no money to continue with his education and since he had no meaningful financial assistance of any sort and had to cater not just for himself but also his family members, the idea of gaining employment became most paramount. Moreover, Mr. Edemakhiota, the man who housed him in Lagos was transferred to Oshogbo making the young Igbinedion’s decision to quit Lagos even more certain. He returned home and eventually became employed as a probationary teacher at Okoro II village. It was at this period his mother became anxious that the young Osawaru should take a wife. She was instrumental in securing for her son a wife from Usen her home town, Oredola Maria Agho, who bore him four children Lucky, Bright, Patience and Philomena.

IGBINEDION THE MESSENGER

Osawaru soon became bored with the rural environment and before long he sought and secured another job in Benin City, this time as an office messenger at the City Council. In an interview, Chief Igbinedion disclosed that his attraction to city life influenced his decision to quit teaching at the Okoro Village II School and to opt for any job including that of a messenger in the city. Although he was “never officially employed as a messenger”, he served in that capacity at the Council.

His friends at the time confirmed that the young Igbinedion displayed qualities that made the humble job appear an honourable one. He dressed neatly, usually formally, and the general outlook he wore made it easy for him to associate freely with personalities of much higher substance. He had a personality carriage that far outweighed that of his colleagues on the job and before long he became engaged in other assignments that brought him out into the limelight.

As a messenger on a monthly salary of £3:16s (three pounds and sixteen shillings) he also served in the Local Adult Education office where he became involved in the circulation of an adult literacy campaign newspaper “Ebe Ukpalaghodaro” (Progress Book), introduced in 1955 by the Education Department to eradicate illiteracy in Benin Division. Patronage of the paper was poor because of the lack of effective coverage of the area by the organisers of the programme. Although they were supplied with motor cycles for the purpose, some of them could not ride the motor cycles; and some others who could, had no license to do so.

This was where the young Igbinedion again showed leadership qualities. Before long he identified the problem and confronted same with his usual determination. He borrowed a motor cycle, dressed neatly in his shirt and tie, and travelled around all the adult education centres playing the role of an Adult Education Officer. He visited school heads, regularly addressed teachers and pupils alike that the newspaper which sold for one penny per copy was compulsory for all. By this strategy the sale of the paper increased tremendously to the extent that the Benin Divisional Council won for two consecutive years, the Western Region’s Adult Education Cup for effective campaign against illiteracy.

The significance of this particular event was not only in the increased sale of the newspaper, or in the increase in adult literacy level in the communities served as a result of the activities of young Igbinedion. Rather, the remarkable issue was the ease with which Osawaru, the messenger, adjusted himself to the position of an Adult Education Officer and succeeded in accomplishing a task which the officially appointed adult education officers could not perform. A quality that earned him this ability was his overall progressive carriage. He was always neat, presentable and organised. He knew what he wanted and knew how to go about it. As he disclosed in an interview, he knew that the job of a messenger did not befit him, but he had to make the best of it. He seized on the job of an Adult Education Officer as a way out of his predicament and succeeded in remaining prominent on the job partly through his efficiency and partly by out-witting others who were on that schedule. He disclosed in the same interview that his ability to ride a motor cycle placed him at an advantage over his counterparts who did not know how to ride. In the end, the paper they claimed was not selling tripled in sales.

This phenomenon was to become a trait in his future life in his quest for survival in a very competitive world. Obviously, this appears to be one of those attributes he acquired from his father. As a messenger he was unduly meticulous, watching out keenly for details about himself and his job. A source revealed that the young Igbinedion carried out his office duties with ardent concern. About himself, other than dressing neatly and properly, he at times refused to ride his bicycle either because he did not want his well ironed trousers creased or the bicycle (which he kept in immaculate condition) stained. According to his former classmate, Mr. A Gbajumo: “He would rather walk along with his bicycle and his brown messenger’s shirt or coat hung on it so as to concentrate on exhibiting the full glamour of his outfit, comprising an immaculate white shirt, a good tie and well ironed pair of brown trousers.” It is not being suggested that the young Igbinedion always had new clothes on. In fact, he hardly had the money to purchase new ones. What he was known for was his ability to preserve the little he had in such immaculate condition that it remained presentable for a long time.

A discussion with some of his contemporaries revealed some consistency in the story of Gabriel Igbinedion’s early life. It is obvious that it was generally true that the young man had a very difficult start in life; that this early hardship fatally obstructed his drive for higher education; while on the other hand, it armed him with the ability to exploit other avenues to life with maximum tenacity; and that the attributes he inherited from his parents or acquired on his own along his hazardous path to life eventually became the corner-stone of his success story.

IGBINEDION THE POLICEMAN

From the position of a council messenger where he functioned as a rural education promoter, Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion enrolled into the Nigeria Police Force in January 1959. His joining the Police Force was preceded by an incident which he had himself found relevant to record in an interview. He was helped into the job by Mr. E. K. Kizor, a Benin based Senior Superintendent of Police whom he met during a festive occasion at the Oba’s Palace in Benin. Mr. Kizor and Justice Stephen Peter Thomas who was also at the occasion were both interested in a beautiful bird and not quite conversant with the local customs, had each requested the young Osawaru Igbinedion to help catch the bird. Justice Thomas promised Osawaru £2 while Mr. Kizor offered to recruit him as a Constable in the Nigeria Police Force. Osawaru opted for Mr. Kizor’s offer after consulting with a neighbour, Mr. Osarogiuwa. He successfully caught the bird for Mr. Kizor and in return got a place at the Southern Police College, Ikeja as a trainee Police Constable. This particular event showed a trait of consistent luck on the part of the young Igbinedion.

t would be recalled that following the death of his father, Osawaru served under various persons as a househelp, some of whom actually helped him, albeit partially, through the very hard moments of his life. He finished his primary education and high school under a most trying circumstance ending up eventually, first as a rural school teacher and then as a city council messenger. This catalogue of a life pattern showed a trend consistent with a ruthless self determination to survive, buttressed by the support received from some sympathisers.

And now arose the issue of his enlistment into the Police Force. He had left for the Oba’s Palace to watch an event (lgue Festival) without knowing that he would attract the sympathy of the Police Officer who eventually assisted him to secure the police job. Admittedly he was given the job as a result of his personal ability and partly through the assistance offered by Mr. Kizor for whom he had rendered a service. But it is also true that his acceptance of the challenge to catch the bird and the success he made of it, was another evidence of his ability to survive difficult times. Nevertheless, that the young Igbinedion was the one who was called for the assignment, and that the dignitary was honourable enough to fulfill his promise of a job he made to him, reflected some luck on the part of the young man. The argument being raised in this analysis is to provide a foundation for the correct evaluation of those factors that influenced the societal disposition of Osawaru Igbinedion after he rose from humble beginnings to near boundless affluence.

But for now, let us return to the present. The young Igbinedion had gained a place in the Nigeria Police Force.

Before he began the training for the new position, an incident happened that registered indelibly in his mind till date. His mother, Madam Okunozee Igbinedion, nee Ihaza of Usen died 26th November 1959. The situation in which he was when his mother died, and his immediate approach to the problem created by the death could best be represented in his own words. In an interview, he aptly described his situation thus:

When my mother died, I had only two pence. I was then at No. 14 Lagos Street, Benin City. I went to Mr. Monday who was a co-tenant and a trader at Oba Market. I told him what happened to my mother and before he could say anything, I picked up one black shirt. He requested for the money. I told him I would pay later. From there, I went to the Police Headquarters in Benin to inform Mr. Kizor who gave me £6. I left and went to Justice Peter Thomas who gave me £2. I bought a coffin at Erie Street. I hired a lorry and took my mother home for burial.

This was the story of the erstwhile council messenger on the way to being a trainee Third Class Constable whose hope was severely dented by the sudden death of a mother whom he had looked forward to as his last resort. When his mother died he had only two pence at his disposal, but by sheer luck on his part and the goodwill of his neighbours he raised £8, a black shirt, and hired a vehicle to fulfill his objective. In 1973 Igbinedion exhumed the body of his mother for a befitting funeral at her family residence in Benin City.

Madam Okunozee Igbinedion’s death opened a new phase in her son’s life struggle. He was now an orphan who had no brother or sister to look up to, or associate with. Nevertheless, the young Igbinedion had to plod on. He moved on to the Police College determined, inspite of all, to survive. At the Police College he maintained his usual features. He was strong, athletic and intelligent. The pressures at home had waned considerably giving way to a new life in the young man. He made friends, and as usual, he did not find it hard to mix with those in the upper echelon of the Force. A colleague and contemporary of his had this to say of him:

“Mr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion was a pleasant and interesting character, sometimes he could be simple and at other times quite complex, depending on how he slept and what side of the bed he climbed down from. What was consistent about him was his Benin nature. At all times he was a Benin man and always he remained the Benin man, proud of his past, confident of his present and hopeful of his future.”

IGBINEDION THE POLICEMAN

His years of service in the Nigeria Police Force 1959 – 1963 were eventful ones. He served in Agodi Ibadan and Oshogbo Police Commands at the Traffic Division, Investigation and Control Departments, where he exhibited some of those qualities consistent with him and which have been referred to earlier. During this period he made new friends both in and outside his official duties and met or re-opened contacts with some of the old ones. On hand to be of assistance to him during this period was Mr. Kizor the same Police Officer he had met in Benin City and who helped him into the Force. Mr. Kizor was the officer who posted Mr. Igbinedion to the Traffic Division.

It was also at this time he became acquainted with, and married a Scottish lady, Miss Irene Kiernan, the Principal of Queen’s School, Ede, the mother of Peter Osawaru, Okunozee, and Ehi, who was to play a paramount role in moulding his life. His acquaintance with Miss Kiernan began at a duty post at Iwo which he maintained with his usual efficiency. Some of the old friends he interacted with during this period at Ibadan and Oshogbo, in and outside the Police Force, included those he knew in his primary school days in Benin City. Some helped to keep the young policeman the company he was missing since he left Benin, while others played even a much closer role including Mr. Parry Osayande who was the Bestman at his wedding which took place at the Ibadan Baptist Chapel.

Interviews conducted among some of these people revealed a consistently good regard for Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion. They usually went into the history of the young man from his early life comparing his past with the present, and ending up with the same conclusion that the young man was destined to succeed.

Among those under whom Igbinedion worked as a Constable during this period at the Ibadan and Oshogbo Police Commands were the former Commissioner of Police, Joseph Adeola who was then a Senior Superintendent of Police and the late Daniel Abe who was an Assistant Superintendent of Police and the Divisional Police Officer at Oshogbo. Igbinedion also worked closely with the former Assistant Inspector General of Police, C.T. Akagbosu; the former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Parry Osayande, and the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Federal Intelligence and Investigations Bureau), Donald Ugbaja, who were all Cadet Inspectors at the time. Another close friend of his was the late James Babalola who was then a Senior Inspector.

In an interview, Donald Ugbaja spoke of Igbinedion as a Constable. According to him, “Igbinedion was a colourful young man with a lot of promise right from the very beginning. He was quite dutiful and resourceful and he possessed an enormous amount of drive… He used to ride my motor cycle and drive the DPO’s car. That explains how close we were and how much trust we had in him.”

The job of a Policeman soon became less and less interesting to the young man whose life outlook was far beyond what his rank in the Police force could offer. It was not surprising therefore that after four years in the Force, Igbinedion began to contemplate widening his horizon. He decided to quit.

THE ESAMA OF BENIN
As part of his greatest achievements in life, Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion was bestowed on April 5th 1974 with the title of the Esama of Benin Kingdom by the Uku Akpolokpolo, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Akenzua II The Oba of Benin. From then on Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion began to be known as a Chief of the Benin Kingdom, a high ranking Chief being the fifth on the traditional hierarchy of the Chiefs of the Kingdom. It was from then also it became appropriate to refer to him as a Chief of the Benin Kingdom.

It is to be noted that at the early part of this biography, efforts were made to address Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion as a Mister. This was done deliberately to create some difference between his non-title years from his days as a Chief. But this has not been an easy exercise because Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion acquired fame as a successful businessman at quite an early age that the temptation to call him a Chief even when he was not one, was high. Nevertheless, Benin tradition separates being a wealthy man from being a Chief and this biography has attempted to associate with this norm. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion became the Esama of Benin in 1974 at the age of 40, obviously one of the youngest ever to be bestowed with such a high ranking title in the history of Benin Kingdom. As the Esama of Benin, Chief Igbinedion is one of the most prominent Eghaevbonore Chiefs and as such is in a position to contribute to the traditionalities in the Kingdom.

In March 1977, Chief Igbinedion decided to upgrade his status in the chieftaincy ranks by performing the rather expensive and prestigious “Iyanhien” chieftaincy ceremony. The Iyanhien is not a title by itself, but rather the highest ceremony performed by any titled Chief on and above his title. The point being made is that any titled Benin Chief can perform the Iyanhien at his level; the only diffIculty is the expense involved. This is why it is not done frequently in Benin; the last one was celebrated by the late Chief Eghobamien of Benin some fifty years before Chief Igbinedion performed his own. In a brief interview at that time, ChiefIgbinedion commented:

“I decided to perform the Iyanhien, the apex of chieftaincy ceremony in Benin Kingdom for the following reasons; the first, to fulfil my inner desire to boost the chieftaincy institution in Benin Kingdom and practically demonstrate the rich culture associated with the Kingdom. Second, to resuscitate the ancient rites of the Kingdom in the wake of the re-appraisal of our cultural values as demonstrated by the last FESTAC (Festival of Arts and Culture) organised in 1977 to promote worldwide, black culture”.

Chief Igbinedion’s decision to perform the Iyanhien was again influenced by his usual determination to complete successfully any task or endeavour in which he is involved. Moreover, Chief Igbinedion took into account the need to resuscitate the traditional rites of the Kingdom and as such contribute to highlighting some of the lost glories of Benin culture and civilisation. This sounded particularly patriotic in the face of the FESTAC where the Benin Kingdom albeit under the auspices of Nigeria, featured quite prominently. It would be recalled that it was the Benin 16th century Royal Ivory Mask of Queen Idia that was chosen as the symbol of FESTAC.

As the Esama of Benin, Chief G.O. Igbinedion as mentioned earlier is an important member of the Benin traditional governing circle, in which capacity he plays an active part in the deliberations in the Kingdom. The Esama observes all traditional rites of the Kingdom and pays the usual homage and regard to the Benin monarch and monarchy. Over the years Chief Igbinedion has secured the respect of a number of his fellow traditional Chiefs who have described him in various terms including the accolade; the “Esama of Africa” and “Esama of the Universe”.

IGBINEDION AND OKADA

One conspicuous aspect of the life of Chief Igbinedion that can be said to have made him unique amongst all of his counterparts in Nigeria and outside is his rather consistent policy of giving to those in need. Rogets Thesaurus once defined philanthropism “as altruism, humanism, arianism, universal benevolence, cosmopolitanism, utilitarianism, the greatest happiness of the greatest number commonwealth, public welfare socialism, communism, patriotism, civism, nationalism, love of country, public spirit, chivalry, generosity.”

Chief Igbinedion’s own philosophy of “ask not merely what you can do for your country; ask what you can do for mankind,” an extension of the late President of the United States, J.E Kennedy’s, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country,” his concept of “if we could all help someone else, maybe we would find help ourselves when we really need it” and his policy of “I donate in response to God’s divine directives and appeal to my conscience,” all contain some strands of Rogets Thesaurus definition of philanthropism or its simple dictionary description as, “Feeling of kindness and love for all people by giving help to people who are less fortunate or in trouble.”

The uniqueness of Chief Igbinedion in philanthropic gestures is quite profound and dates back to the time when the idea of giving on a large scale was hardly a practice in Nigeria. Even more interesting is the fact that Chief Igbinedion shares his kindness both with the rich and the less fortunate. He helps both the government and the governed to help themselves. One of his earliest demonstrations of this was his donation of the Okada Grammar School to the Bendel State Government in 1972 and the sole rehabilitation of the Okada Primary School.

At a later date, January 1974, he gave a bus to the Grammar School to ease its transport problems. In accordance with the philosophy of charity beginning at home, Chief Igbinedion was to do more for his home base, Okada. In 1984 he financed single-handedly a pipe-borne water supply scheme for Okada, commissioned by Lt. General J.T. Useni then the Military Governor of Bendel State; he built the Okada Village Trado Medical Centre and launched a N50,000 Trust Fund, the proceeds of which are being utilised in awarding university scholarships to deserving indigenes of Okada Grammar School. He established a Trust Fund for the best student at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital School of Midwifery in memory of his late mother Okunozee Igbinedion.

During 1985 he extended 100km NEPA electricity from the National Grid in Benin City, through Iguobazuwa, Utese, Ogbese and eighty seven other villages to Okada. Even individual electricity bill is paid by him for which he issues a monthly bank order to cover the whole town. Before this he had built a Town Hall for community conference at Okada and a Postal Agency which serves the adjoining villages including Usen and Okha. Quite in touch with his roots, the Esama of Benin built and donated to the elders of Okada, a Chamber for Elders (Ogua-Edion) where they meet to deliberate on traditional matters.

In the spirit of giving on to God what is God’s and on to Caesar what is Caesar’s, Chief Igbinedion built a 4,000 seat capacity Baptist Church in Okada to cater for the believers in the faith. All these mass-oriented philanthropic gestures comprise one area where Chief Igbinedion’s concept of philanthropism excels all others; and they emanate from his motivation to improve the well­being of those not so privileged in life. To ensure a continuity of comfort he installed two 1,000 and three 350 KVA generating sets in 1985, the maintenance costs of which are still being borne by him.

With the years, Chief Igbinedion’s public display of kindness became even more firm and widespread. In 1986, he built and donated to the Bendel State Government, a Customary Court Hall at Okada and during the same year, he constructed and handed over to the Federal Government, an entire Police Complex comprising Police Station, staff quarters and barracks. What is interesting in this development is the Esama’s recognition of the need to institute the organs of law and order in the fast growing Okada. Chief Igbinedion’s installation as a Justice of Peace in the same year 1986 is well­deserved.

The Esama of Benin took the next bold step in his determination to uplift the overall status of Okada, and this time to world fame. In this direction, he helped in the rehabilitation of individual households in order to facilitate the general beautification of Okada. He did this by supplying cement to all house owners in Okada to plaster their houses and went on to link Okada with the rest of the world by providing and maintaining a point-to-multi-point Microwave Telephone System in 1987, the first of its type in West Africa, commissioned by the Minister of Communication, Col. A. Tanko Ayuba on 10th August 1987.

Okada now houses a tourist village, Okada Wonderland, which contains 1,800 chalets of a high quality housing estate, world standard lawn tennis courts, an amusement park, a Garden of Fame and Heroes, restaurants and a shopping centre. Under construction are an 18-hole private golf course and an olympic size swimming pool. The complex also contains numerous fish ponds, and a zoo. Today, Okada has been transformed from a mere rural centre to a full­fledged city, thanks to the singular effort of the Esama.

But the great philanthropist almost forgot to provide for himself. In an interview, he admitted that it did not occur to him to erect a living accommodation for himself at Okada until he was reminded of the need to do so. Chief Igbinedion disclosed that the advice was given to him by Lt. General J,T. Useni, then Military Governor of Bendel State who, after commissioning the Okada Water Supply Project in 1984 asked to be shown the Chief’s personal house.

He says,”I only remembered that I had no personal house of mine after the Military Governor Lt. GeneralJ,T. Useni asked me to show him my house and I had none to show; except my father’s. The Governor then remarked that he would no longer accept any invitation from me if he was to be entertained on the streets of Okada outside my father’s home. I then realised my shortcoming and decided to build the first ten chalets in the Holiday Resort Centre. Three months later, the Governor paid another visit and spent the night in one of them. I remain ever grateful to the Governor for telling me the stark truth. He is a friend indeed.”

This was how Chief Igbinedion who has provided so much for the people around him erected his first living accommodation at Okada. He almost forgot to cater for himself. In appreciation of the advice by the Governor J,T. Useni, Chief Igbinedion named the access road to the Okada Holiday Resort Centre after Lt. General J,T. Useni. He has established companies in the industrial, commercial, aviation and education sectors and sub-sectors of Nigeria. He is the Founder/Chairman of the Board of Igbinedion Education Centre, Benin City, Edo State (The School comprises Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools in addition to the Igbinedion Montessori Teacher Training Centre, Benin City. He is also the Founder/Chairman, Board of Regents and Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada. Honorary Doctorate Degrees have been conferred on him by seven universities in Nigeria and three universities abroad.

Chief Igbinedion has received honorary awards from 38 organisations and bodies including the Paul Harris Fellow. He has received Professional Awards from 12 prestigious professional bodies. This formidable accomplishment was not surprising as Chief Igbinedion had before then held sway in the education sub-sector as the Chairman of the Board of the Igbinedion Education Centre, an international school he co-founded with his wife Lady Cherry Igbinedion in 1991. Igbinedion Education Centre comprises: a) Igbinedion Montessori Nursery/Primary School; b) Igbinedion Secondary School; c) Igbinedion Montessori Teacher Training Centre.

The Igbinedion Education Centre is today the sole trustee of the Montessori Concept of Early Childhood Education in Sub-Saharan Africa. Chief Igbinedion has safely secured a place in history for his immense contribution to Nigeria through education during the 20th and 21st Centuries. Most significantly, humanity will always acknowledge his contribution to Human Development through mass employment. He is Grand Patron of twenty one national and international organisations.He has been honoured with over 32 chieftaincy titles across the country, including the Esama of Benin Kingdom and The Gwang Taruk of Jos among many others.

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About Unknown

Deji Sadiq, a.k.a DEJI OF LAGOS is a LASU trained Economist turned freelance journalist, a Blogger, an information strategist, a public affairs analyst and a committed activist with a passion for equal opportunities.