Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to honour Sir Chief Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, for his outstanding contributions to education, business and national development.
Obi made the remarks during the public presentation of The Chronicles of a Legend, a biography of Chief Igbinedion, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. The event was attended by past governors from the 1999 era, traditional leaders and other dignitaries.
Speaking at the ceremony, Obi celebrated the life and legacy of Chief Igbinedion, describing him as “a truly productive Nigerian” whose investments have touched lives across the country.
According to a statement he also shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi said:
“Igbinedion built the first private university in Nigeria, launched the first indigenous airline, and was among the first to be granted a banking licence, Obi said he knows this as someone coming from the banking sector where he served as chairman of a bank in the past. Yet such achievements have not been given the recognition they deserve. We live in a country that does not celebrate those who deserve it.” Obi added
According to a report from The Guardian Nigeria, he said during the event that he plans to set up a ten‑year endowment in honour of the Esama’s legacy, aimed at inspiring future generations through education, entrepreneurship and philanthropy.
Born in Edo State in 1934, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion is the founder of Igbinedion University, Okada, Nigeria’s first private university. He is also credited with pioneering Okada Air and several other ventures in banking, real estate and media, creating thousands of jobs in the process.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, praised Chief Igbinedion’s lifelong commitment to nation-building. According to Punch newspaper, Akume described the Esama as “a man of vision whose achievements in education and business continue to have national impact.”
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki and other speakers also extolled the Esama’s humility, philanthropy and passion for nation building, according to reports from AllAfrica.
The Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representative Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu was also present during the event.
The 256‑page book, The Chronicles of a Legend, chronicles the life and achievements of Chief Igbinedion across 16 chapters. It was described by speakers as “a compendium of resilience, innovation, patriotism and service,” according to AllAfrica.
