Gabriel Igbinedion
Encyclopedia
Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion is the Esama of the Benin Kingdom in Nigeria
. The title Esama traditionally means the "godfather of the people", with responsibilities including assisting the poor in medial, monetary and private venture forms. He was stripped of the title and declared Enemy of the Oba
in 2008.
Igbinedion's business empire includes an international property portfolio and a private TV and radio station. He owns a private bank, oil refinery, diamond, gold, marble mines over Africa, a private university (Igbinedion University, the first private university in Nigeria) and a large number of hotels. He previously owned the now-defunct private airline, Okada Air
, of over 40 aircraft (planes and helicopters). Igbinedion has built numerous churches including a Grand Catholic Cathedral, and has set up and owns a number of private hospitals across Nigeria.
One of Igbinedion's sons is the Managing Director of Nigerian Aviation, and another, Lucky
, was a two-term Governor of Edo State.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. The title Esama traditionally means the "godfather of the people", with responsibilities including assisting the poor in medial, monetary and private venture forms. He was stripped of the title and declared Enemy of the Oba
Oba of Benin
The Oba of Benin, or Omo N'Oba, is both the oba of the Edo people and the pretender to the defunct title of the king of the Benin Kingdom...
in 2008.
Igbinedion's business empire includes an international property portfolio and a private TV and radio station. He owns a private bank, oil refinery, diamond, gold, marble mines over Africa, a private university (Igbinedion University, the first private university in Nigeria) and a large number of hotels. He previously owned the now-defunct private airline, Okada Air
Okada Air
Okada Air was an airline based in Benin City, Nigeria. The company started doing charter flights in 1979, and started regular operations in 1983...
, of over 40 aircraft (planes and helicopters). Igbinedion has built numerous churches including a Grand Catholic Cathedral, and has set up and owns a number of private hospitals across Nigeria.
One of Igbinedion's sons is the Managing Director of Nigerian Aviation, and another, Lucky
Lucky Igbinedion
Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion was the governor of Edo State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party .-Background:Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion was born on 13 May 1957....
, was a two-term Governor of Edo State.