CELEBRATING THE ESAMA OF BENIN KINGDOM AT 87: CULTURE MEETS MODENRNITY

His Excellency, Dr Benson Alfred Bana accompanied by his spouse Mrs Evelyn Bana were some of the dignitaries invited to grace the 87th birthday anniversary celebration of the ESAMA of Benin Kingdom (A High Chief) which occurred on the the 11th September, 2021, here in Nigeria culture/traditional institutions thrives side by side with modernity and modern institution.

The Esama of Benin'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 across  Africa. Also, 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). He has built numerous churches including a Grand Catholic Cathedral, and has set up and owns a number of private hospitals across Nigeria. Chief Igbinedion is married to Lady Cherry Igbinedion, a native of Jamaica. His children include a son, Lucky Igbinedion, who was a two-term Local Government chairman and two-term Governor of Edo State, another son, Charles Igbinedion, was also at one time a Local Government chairman and a Commissioner of Education in Edo State, and a third son, Peter Igbinedion, was also at one time the managing director of the Nigerian Aviation Authority. His daughter, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion-Akenzua, is the wife of Avan Akenzua, a dynastic Prince of Benin Kingdom. She currently serves in the House of Representatives in Abuja as a representative of Ovia Federal Constituency in Edo State. In addition to these four, Chief Igbinedion also has a number of other children excelling in different fields.

Igbinedion as a Benin family name is now a household word. It has become synonymous with Aviation, Industry, Education, Finance, Medical Care and Rural Development at local, national and international levels. The man who has made this possible in Africa is Sir (Dr.) Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom. Chief Igbinedion is a philanthropist and a humanist of national dimensions and an industrialist of international fame.