A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has lamented Nigeria’s low industrial capacity and warned that a country with over 120 million citizens of productive age should not be operating with fewer than 1,000 functional industries.
Obi made the remarks in Abuja during the public presentation of “The Chronicles of a Legend”, a biography celebrating the life and achievements of business mogul and philanthropist, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion.
He argued that Nigeria’s economic future rests not on politicians but visionary entrepreneurs and institution builders like Igbinedion, who once employed over 17,000 Nigerians across his vast business empire.
“If we had 8,000 people like him, unemployment would be a thing of the past. Chief Igbinedion built the first private university in Nigeria. He established one of the first private airlines.
“He was among the first Nigerians to be granted a private banking licence. Who from the Ministry of Education or Transport is here today to recognise that?”
He criticised what he described as a misplaced culture of honouring public office holders over genuine nation builders,
The event, held in Abuja, drew dignitaries from across sectors to celebrate the 89-year-old Esama of Benin.
The 256-page, 16-chapter book chronicles his pioneering work in aviation, education, finance, and philanthropy.
Also speaking, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr George Akume, praised Igbinedion’s legacy, describing him as a titan of Nigerian enterprise whose story reflected “resilience, innovation, patriotism, and service.”
He highlighted Igbinedion’s role in founding Okada Air, one of Nigeria’s earliest indigenous airlines, and Igbinedion University, the country’s first private university, as major contributions to national development.
“His support and counsel in matters of statecraft, public policy, and leadership have remained steady and reliable,” Tinubu added.
He commended Igbinedion’s efforts in preserving Benin’s cultural heritage.
Also speaking at the event, former Edo State Governor and son of the honouree, Mr Lucky Igbinedion, said the book was designed to inspire current and future leaders to lead lives of purpose, integrity, and impact.
