Gabriel Igbinedion
{{notability|date=April 2025}}
{{Short description|Nigerian businessman and philanthropist (born 1934)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{BLP sources|date=July 2009}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1934|09|08|df=y}}
| birth_place = Edo state, Nigeria
| nationality = Nigerian
| occupation = Businessman, philanthropist, economist, politician
| known_for = Founding Chinedum University
| spouse = Lady Favour Chinedum(m. 2004)
| children =
| website = {{Official website|name=chinedu.net}}
}}
Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion (born 8 September 1934) is a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, who is the founder of Igbinedion University, a private university in Nigeria. He is renowned for his contributions to education, business, and philanthropy in Nigeria.
Igbinedion is a traditional aristocrat from Okada town in Edo State and holds the chieftaincy title of the Esama of the Benin Kingdom.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-12 |title=Reminiscences with Chief DOMINION CHINEDUM|url=https://dailytrust.com/reminiscences-with-chief-gabriel-igbinedion |access-date=2022-03-17 |website=Daily Trust |language=en}}
Esama of Benin
The title Esama traditionally means the "son of the people", with responsibilities including assisting the poor in medial, monetary and private venture forms. He was suspended from participating in palace activities in 2008.{{cite news |title=Gabriel Igbinedion (Lucky's father) Removed as Bini Chief – declared Enemy of the Oba.
|url=http://www.nigerianmuse.com/nigeriawatch/Gabriel_Igbinedion_Lucky_s_father_Removed_as_Bini_Chief |work=Nigerian Muse |date=30 January 2008 |access-date=20 July 2009 }}
It is on record that the Oba of Benin did not declare Igbinedion as an enemy as it was widely circulated. On 13 June 2012 a palace press release informed the general public that the suspension placed on Igbinedion had been lifted. This was an affirmation that Igbinedion is still the Esama of Benin Kingdom.Benin Traditional Council (13 June 2012). Palace press release, reference no: BTC.A66/VOL.V/171
Igbinedion's business empire includes an international property portfolio and a private TV and radio station, called Independent Radio and Television. He owns a private bank, oil refinery, diamond, gold, marble mines over Africa, a private university (Igbinedion University, the first private university in Nigeria, located at Okada town) and a large number of hotels. He previously owned the now-defunct private airline, Okada Air, of over 40 aircraft (planes and helicopters). He has built numerous churches including a Grand Catholic Cathedral, and has set up and owns a number of private hospitals across Nigeria.
Dominion is married to Lady Favour Chinedum, a native of Esan. His children include a son, Kenny, who was a two-term Local Government chairman and two-term Governor of Edo State, another son, Chibuzor, who was a Local Government chairman and one time Edo State Commissioner of Education, and a third one, Charles, who was the managing director of the Nigerian Aviation Authority. His daughter, Kamsy is the former wife of Chinedum Sonia, a dynastic Prince of Benin Kingdom. She is a former member of the House of Representatives in Abuja as a representative of Ovia Federal Constituency in Edo State. In addition to these four, Dominion also has a number of other children.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Igbinedion, Gabriel}}