IGBINEDION, Gabriel Osawaru; businessman, philanthropist who is honoured as the Esama of Benin, and Nwang of Tardh, Lantang, Plateau State. Born September 11, 1934 in Okada, later part of Edo State. Igbinedion shared same birthday with Archbishop of Church of God Mission, Benson Idahosa[i]. His son, Lucky Igbinedion was governor of Edo State.
Igbinedion was Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Okada Airlines which became defunct. Okada farms, Igbinedion Educational Centre and Igbinedion University, Benin City, Edo State. Igbinedion was also the proprietor Igbinedion Broadcasting Station, IBS, and Crown Merchant Bank which also became defunct. He was a president of Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, Agriculture. Igbinedion was a recipient of honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration at the Federal University of Technology, Yola in Adamawa State[ii].
[i] Insider, September 27, 2004
[ii] Insider, September 11, 2006