Igbinedion as a Benin family name is now a household word. It has become synonymous with Aviation, Industry, Education, Finance, Medical Care and Rural Development at local, national and international levels. The man who has made this possible in Africa is Sir (Dr.) Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom.
Chief Igbinedion has attained great heights in life reminiscent of great achievers. He is a philanthropist and and a humanist of national dimensions and an industrialist of international fame...READ ON
ESAMA's 77th Birthday Bash!
After conquering seemingly insurmountable mountains, then there is the need to celebrate. For the House of Igbinedion, the month of September every year ushers in great moments of celebrations and presentation of gifts.
Sir Chief (Dr) Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom and the Grand Commander of the Knights turns 77 on September 11, 2011.
Dubbed “the Trail Blazer at 77,” activities marking the birthday anniversary of the Esama who has been acclaimed as the most popular Blackman in the African continent will officially kick off on Monday September 5, 2011 with the opening of three churches sponsored and built by the Esama.
This will be followed with the unveiling of three churches on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 and other two churches on Wednesday September 7, 2011 and Thursday, September 8, 2011.
The Esama traditional birthday lecture which is expected to draw a galaxy of personalities from within and outside the country comes up on Friday September 9, 2011 at the nation’s premier private university, Igbinedion University, Okada.
For a man loved and honoured by his kinsmen, the Okada /Usen Day comes up on Saturday, September 10, 2011.
In keeping with his usual spiritual birthday flavour, the Patriarch will be joined by family members, friends and guests for the Morning Dew interdenominational service at God’s Historical Chapel on Sunday, September 11, 2011.
Activities marking the 77th birthday of the Esama will climax on Sunday, September 18, 2011 with a special thanksgiving service at the St. Gabriel Archangel Catholic Church Sapele Road, Benin City at 11.00am
Meanwhile, a deluge of congratulatory messages have started pouring into the House of Igbinedion from within and outside Nigeria.
From Left to Right: Chief Dr. Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, Deputy Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada; Rev. Prof. Eghosa E. Osaghe (JP), Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada and; His Excellency Sir Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, Honorable Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada.
Overall Best Graduating Student, Miss Aluko Folake Tosin (CGPA 4.79) with Sir Chief (Dr) Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom @ the 9th Convocation Ceremonies of the Igbinedion University, Okada
His Excellency, Sir (Dr.) Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion
The ESAMA of Benin
Special Invitation by
His Royal Majesty
Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll
Asantehene
The Founder & Board of Governors
The provision of qualitative education has been an obsession for Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion since his years of adolescence till this day. The sense of mission was no doubt informed by the fact that his own education was ...read
Sir Chief (Dr.) Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, Lady Cherry Igbinedion in a procession at the first convocation of the Igbinedion University
OKADA UNIVERSITY IN BRIEF
Igbinedion University, the first private University in Nigeria, is. Located at Okada Wonderland, a town beside Benin City, Edo state. It was issued with a Cerificate No. 001 by the Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday, May 10, 1999. The University was founded by Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, a philanthropist and and one of Africa's formeost industrialists. The University operates on a collegerial system of tertiary education. It has a variable number of accredited faculties and courses ranging from courses in Law, Medicine, Engineering and the Arts and Social Sciences.
The University has in its few years of existence recorded several land mark achievements including being the first private university to produce Medical Doctors. It presently has an enrollment of about 7000 students and is presently supervised by the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Eghosa Osaghae.
It is also on record that in 2006, a student of the young Igbinedion University, Mr Sunday Damilola Olawuyi obtained a First Class Honours degree in the highly competitive Nigerian Bar examinations, thereby also standing out as the only private University in Nigeria to have achieved that feat.
Students of Igbinedion University, Okada
Knight of the Benedictine Order
Igbinedion Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Okada, Edo State
Miss University Africa Organization AWARD
2009 Recipient-
Chief Dr. Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, for establishing the first private University and owning the first private Airline in West Africa
2010 Recipient-
President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia, as the “Most Students Loving President in Africa,” for providing free education to all girls and establishing the first university in his country
2011 Recipient-
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, naming her African Female Role Model for 2011
Chief Igbinedion's Philanthropy and Community Service
Chief Gabriel Igbinedion is a philanthropist of no mean standing. It is worth mentioning that many Nigerians have been able to acquire a good education at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels through Chief's Igbinedion's scholarship awards.
Between 1972 and 1990 he single-handedly provided electricity to his hometown of OKADA and about 83 other villages in OVIA South-East and North-East...
Chief Igbinedion's Contribution to the Economic Well-being of Nigerians through offer of employment
Thousands of Nigerians have been offered employment in the educational institutions which Igbinedion established. Thousands more have gained employment in his many business organizations. The effect of these job offers from the Chief can only be imagined. He has made tremendous contributions to the well-being of teeming number of Nigerians and to social stability...read on
It was one month long of activities marking the 77th birthday of HIS EXCELLENCY SIR CHIEF DR. G. O. IGBINEDION (CON, LLD, D.LITT, GCKB),
Esama of Benin Kingdom,
Honorable Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada,
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Romania to Edo and Delta States of Nigeria,
Chairman Okada Group of Companies.
September 11 marked the grand finale of the celebration of life for Igbinedion, a billionaire and founder of Okada Group of companies.
The thanksgiving service was beamed live via Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Independent Television (ITV), Africa Independent Television (AIT) and a few other Television Stations.
At the well-attended event, Sir Igbinedion said he has not only moved closer to GOD but he would do more to serve GOD.
Rev Ayo Oritsejafor, President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other notable men of GOD officiated the ceremony.
Wife of the celebrant, Lady Cherry said some people celebrate their birthday for one week, some for one day but Igbinedion's own is a spectacle which usually spreads over a period of one month; it is the Lord’s doing. ...read more details...
Scores of well wishers queuing up for birthday feast
Sir Chief (Dr.) Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion being congratulated by
Nobel Laureate Dr. Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa
During the ESAMA's 70th Birthday Anniversary
L-R: Lady Cherry Igbinedion, Chief Sir G. O. Igbinedion, Martin Luther King lll and HEH Walter Carrington, Former US Ambassador to Nigeria at the Igbinedion Education Centre forAfrica's First Observance of the Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr.
Oral Roberts confering the Doctor of Law Degree on Chief Igbinedion, Looking on is Dr. William W. Jernigan of Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
This website has attempted to unfold Chief Osawaru Igbinedion from the cradle to manhood and from a humble beginning to a position of enermous affluence...READ ON
A great son of Africa who has become a towering international success. This is the powerful moving biography of one man's determination to win- H. R. H. Oba Lamidi Adeyemi lll, The Alaafin of Oyo
This remarkable biography weaves the story of an endlessly fascinating man, his family and business empire- Dr. Brian Aghedo PhD
Do you have what it takes to be an industrialist, businessman and philanthropist? Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion's life story tell how, withouth mortaginng your soul- Chief Pearnel Charles, Jamaica
Sir Igbinedion is a great man of trmemendous and unqualified resources. His humility and great service to humanity coupled with his willingness to help the less-privileged has earned him respect and admiration the world over- Prince Abubakar Audu, former executive governor of Kogi State, Nigeria.
Igbinedion does not believe in failure, he says, "don't be afraid, everyone has them and sometimes they can be resurrected with resounding success- Alfred Eghobamien Esq.SAN
