Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised alarm over Nigeria’s dwindling industrial capacity, lamenting that a nation with over 120 million people of working age operates 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 highlighting the life and achievements of business icon and philanthropist, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion.
Describing Nigeria’s industrial situation as unacceptable, Obi asserted that the country’s economic revival depends not on politicians but on visionary entrepreneurs and institution builders like Chief Igbinedion.
“If we had 8,000 people like him, unemployment would be history. Chief Igbinedion established the first private university in Nigeria, one of the earliest private airlines, and was among the first to secure a private banking licence,” Obi said.
He criticised the culture of celebrating public office holders over impactful private citizens, questioning the absence of government officials from key ministries at an event honouring such a trailblazer.
The event, which attracted dignitaries from across various sectors, celebrated the 89-year-old Esama of Benin. The 256-page, 16-chapter book documents his groundbreaking work in aviation, education, banking, and philanthropy.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. George Akume, also paid tribute to Igbinedion, describing him as a titan of Nigerian enterprise whose life exemplifies “resilience, innovation, patriotism, and service.”
He noted Igbinedion’s establishment of Okada Air and Igbinedion University as monumental contributions to Nigeria’s development and commended his continued counsel on matters of state and governance.
Also speaking, former Edo State Governor and son of the honouree, Mr. Lucky Igbinedion, said the book was curated to inspire present and future leaders to live with purpose, integrity, and impact.
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