Gabriel Igbinedion

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.^[1]

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.

External links

• Official website of Gabriel Igbinedion

References

1. ^ "Gabriel Igbinedion (Lucky's father) Removed as Bini Chief - declared Enemy of the Oba". Nigerian Muse. 30 January 2008. http://www.nigerianmuse.com/nigeriawatch/Gabriel_Igbinedion_Lucky_s_father_Removed_as_Bini_Chief_declared_Enemy_of_the_Oba. Retrieved 20 July 2009. 

Persondata
Name	Igbinedion, Gabriel
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Place of birth	Okada Village
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