Okada: The Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), celebrated its Chancellor and Founder, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, on his 92nd birthday, emphasizing his significant contributions to the development of private university education in Nigeria. The event included a lecture titled, ‘A Tapestry of Nine Decades of Wisdom. Still Counting: The Journey and the Legacy,’ delivered by Prof. Yakubu Ochefu at the university’s Library Conference Hall.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Ochefu, a Professor of Economic History and Strategic Studies, highlighted Igbinedion’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a pioneer in private enterprise and education. Ochefu noted that Igbinedion’s initiatives demonstrated the critical role private individuals can play in national development, particularly in sectors traditionally dominated by government.
Ochefu recalled Igbinedion’s early life in Benin City, where he sold kerosene before joining the Nigeria Police Force and eventually venturing into business. Igbinedion founded Mid Motors Nigeria Ltd. in 1968, the country’s first indigenous motor assembly plant, and later established Okada Air in 1983, marking his entry into Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The lecture emphasized the establishment of Igbinedion University in 1999 as a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s education sector. Ochefu described the founding of the university as a revolutionary act that shifted higher education from state control to private enterprise, demonstrating the potential for private institutions to contribute to intellectual and human-capital development.
Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Vice-Chancellor of the university, praised Igbinedion as a visionary leader whose establishment of Nigeria’s first private university was a significant milestone in the country’s educational history. Ezemonye highlighted the university’s achievements and its role in producing graduates capable of competing on national and international stages.
Dr. Foster Sankara, representing the Office of the President of Ghana, also commended Igbinedion for his contributions across various economic sectors, further underscoring the impact of his legacy.