The Governing Council and Management of Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), on Tuesday honoured the institution’s Founder and Chancellor, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, for his pioneering contribution to private university education in Nigeria as he marked his 92nd birthday.
The university hosted a special lecture to celebrate the nonagenarian, with speakers highlighting his contributions to education, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and national development.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, described Igbinedion as an exceptional Nigerian whose vision had helped reshape the country’s educational landscape.
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Ezemonye, who led members of the university’s management at the event, said the celebration was an opportunity to acknowledge the founder’s foresight in establishing Nigeria’s first private university at a time when private higher education was still largely uncommon.
He said Igbinedion’s legacy extended beyond personal success to the lives transformed and opportunities created through his investments in education and other sectors.
“For 92 years, our Chancellor has demonstrated that greatness is not measured merely by personal success but by the number of lives uplifted and opportunities created for others.
“Through his entrepreneurial ingenuity and philanthropic spirit, he has built enduring institutions, empowered countless individuals and contributed significantly to national development,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor said the establishment of Igbinedion University remained one of the clearest expressions of the founder’s commitment to education, noting that the institution had continued to produce graduates competing favourably on the global stage.
“Today, thousands of alumni scattered across the world stand as living testimonies to his foresight and generosity,” Ezemonye added.
He said Igbinedion’s life should continue to inspire younger generations to pursue excellence, serve humanity and leave enduring positive footprints.
The lecture was attended by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Ahmed Tijani Mora, among other dignitaries.
A Professor of African Economic History and Development Studies, Prof. Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, delivered the lecture titled “A Tapestry of Nine Decades of Wisdom, Still Counting: The Journey and the Legacy.”