Igbinedion: An Icon at 70
By Nnamdi Aike
When in 1948, the late Chief Josiah Ahargbon Oriwae Igbinedion passed away, his 14-year-old orphaned son, Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, who then took a pensive mood, and a hard look at life, crying out "so I am an orphan", did not know what to expect from life except fear of the unknown.
This lamentation was not based on his own future survival, but the obvious limitations as well as the various hurdles which stood before him as a result of the fatherly care that has been created and which seemed to have vanished with the loss at that point in time.
At 70, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, going back through the memory lane, he had to live as an orphan and with the glowing tributes he's receiving today , he can look up to the sky and say "To God be the Glory".
The rising profile of the man Igbinedion did not come easy. It has had its own ups and downs. Igbinedion first attended the Benin Baptist School, for his primary education and Eko Boys High School where he pursued his secondary education. He then proceeded to have higher education until 1959, when he joined the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The future seemed bleak for the young police chap, who was fondly referred to as "Omo Pupa Oga Olopa", (the fair complexioned police officer) during his hey days in the force, for things were not as rosy for him as he thought it would have been.
It was on August 9, 1963, four years after enlisting in the force that Igbinedion made a life changing decision for himself by quitting the police force- a decision that was to positively affect his entire life.
After quitting, he moved into the private sector where he joined Leventis Motors and was later to be appointed sales representative of the company; a position he maintained and received patronage for well over four years in the Mid-Western Region due to his unique style of marketing.
In May 1967, Igbinedion cut his first teeth when he plunged into private business, thus emerging as the first indigenous motor distributor. The enterprise, however, metamorphosed into Mid-Motors Company (Nigeria) Limited, which was to grow from strength to strength over the decades.
He has been described as a Jack in all spheres and a master most especially in the air and land, transportation, health and religion, as well as in the educational sectors for he was able to establish his feet in all of the aforementioned sectors thereby increasing his profile to become one of the great and successful businessmen the country has ever had.
By and large, Igbinedion's biggest business venture was the establishment of the 'Okada Airline', which gained recognition, due to his dogged commitment and determination, thereby, making him the first and at that time, the largest private airline in Africa and at the same time, rated the greatest in the continent in 1994. Little wonder he was described then as the king of the aviation industry.
Aside from being a business mogul, the Esama of Benin decided it was high time as he got involved in politics, he declared for the Democratic Party of Nigeria DPN in Edo State.
Political observers in the state viewed Igbinedion's entry to the DPN then as a move aimed at to pave way for his son, Mr Lucky Igbinedion who then contested and lost the gubernatorial elections in 1991 under the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) to Chief John Oyegun of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP).
But in 1999, when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was formed, Igbinedion became one of its founding fathers and this saw the to the emergence of one of his sons, Lucky, as governor of the state, who in turn has equally been carrying on the torch of the Igbinedion dynasty.
Meanwhile, in the course of establishing a mark for himself, things went sour a bit for Igbinedion as he was banned from visiting the Oba of Benin's palace and also from performing his traditional functions as the Esama, while the suspension lasted. The fallout of the relationship between Igbenedion and the Oba of Benin shook the entire Benin city for in the long run, the case was finally taken to the court of law to be settled. He dragged the Benin monarch to court but this was seen by many as a taboo. While the dispute lasted, many Binis saw as an abomination for a subject to take the Oba to court, but political analysts contended that there was nothing derogatory in dragging the monarch to court as the royal father's name (Igbinedion) was allegedly used by the chief priest of Bini kingdom, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, who ditched the NRC for the SDP to swing victory for the SDP in 1991.
Eventually, Igbinedion was asked to tender an unreserved apology to the Oba of Benin. He had no option but to pledge his loyalty to him (Oba). The dispute, in the long run, was settled amicably as both are now good friends.
Igbinedion, who is also the Parakoyi of Ibadan land, has described his contributions in the religious, health and educational sectors as his greatest achievements here on earth.
According to him, the wealth is not for me alone. It is not because I went to school that God made me rich, after all, there are many professors. It is not because I am of royal blood, for the Obas are there. And it is not because I am holy for there are Popes and Bishops".
Behind every successful man, they say is a woman. For Lady Cherry Igbinedion, the Esama describes her as "my priceless gem and a most perfect companion".
Speechless on how to comment on the hubby and, although short of words, Lady Cherry was able to articulate the appropriate words to describe her loving husband saying that, "he is the greatest husband in the world, he is the greatest father in the world. I don`t know how he affords himself the ability in spite of his hectic schedules a businessman to play this role so beautifully, so effectively".
The icon at 70, who over the years has received so many awards for his meticulous efforts, sees all that he has achieved and says "To God be the glory".
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