Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, Former Governor of Edo State In Nigeria Inducted into The Banking On Africa’s Future 10 000 Points of Light – Hall of Fame

Brian Kazungu, 22/05/2021

JOHANNESBURG (MAY 22, 2020) – Mr. Jagjit Singh, the Chairman of the Banking on Africa’s Future (BOAF) – 10,000 Points of Light (POL) Hall of Fame Initiative announced today that Mr. Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion has been elected to the 10,000 POL Hall of Fame.

Mr Igbinedion, who has been honoured in the Public Policy and Governance category was born on the 13^th of May 1957 and was a two-term former Governor of Edo State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. 

He will be inducted into the 10,000 Points of Life (POL) for service and contribution to humanity through state and non-state platforms tomorrow, the 23^rd of May 2021, 6PM, at the Royal India Restaurant located on 2 Maude Street, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.

The the eldest son of Mr. Gabriel Igbinedion, Esama of the Kingdom of Benin, Igbinedion holds a BSc in Marketing (1982) from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, and an MBA (1983) from Jackson State University, Mississippi, in the United States of America.

He was appointed the Mayor of Oredo Municipality (a local government area in Nigeria) in 1987 and held the position until 1989.

In 1989, he was voted the Best Mayor in Nigeria and received an Award for his developmental efforts.

He was later on elected as the Governor of Edo State in April 1999 during the Edo State Gubernatorial election under PDP and was re-elected in 2003.

During the period of his governorship, he established the Edo State Polytechnic Usen and was elected by his colleagues as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Mr. Mawere, the Chairman of Africa Heritage Society (AHS), said: “On 13 May, I was privileged to be one of the guests at his 64th birthday that was hosted in South Africa by his father.

The idea of building a bank with human beings as assets was founded on the idea that sharing is caring.

The fact that his 64th birthday was celebrated in South Africa is significant because it confirms the idea that Africa is stronger when borders are transformed into bridges to connect, equip and to inspire.

The story of Chief Igbinedion inspires an immigration officer at any port of entry to disrupt the thinking that African migration creates value substation since diversity is and ought to be our strength.

The mere fact that he and his family hold assets in South is worthy of recognition and celebration since the idea that a person born outside South Africa with no heritage links to this country is a foreigner is toxic and it undermines the idea and ideal of a prosperous and inclusive Africa.

I was gratified to learn that the Indian born South African citizen, Mr. Singh, who was born in India but chose to be an actor in South Africa, informed me of the election of Chief Igbinedion to this 10,000 POL Hall of Fame.

This shows that he sees his journey to South Africa as the same with the one the Chief has taken to end up celebrating his birthday voluntarily in South Africa rather than in Nigeria.

Mr. Singh was the first one to volunteer his time and assets to allow this celebration to take place in the richest square mile of AFRICA since he believes in doing and not talking wheresoever he is found.

I do not think that if a choice was asked of him whether he harbors any intention of going back to his country of birth, he would affirm his choice to be part of the African problem and solutions that are waiting to be created and shared.

Chief Igbinedion has also chosen South Africa as just another address to identify and work from since the country is conducive to prosecute the enterprise of life just like what was done by the white tribes who left their places of birth to be part of Africa.”

On behalf of AHS, I am pleased to announce that by the power vested in me, I have proclaimed 23 May as a Chief Igbinedion APPRECIATION DAY in recognition of his contribution in shaping and defining the personality and character of Africa’s brand.

On this day, members of BOAF, AHS, C2C, THE 1873 NETWORK, and POL are encouraged to embark on community building project in his honor so that the distance to the IDEAL AFRICA is shorter.”

In acknowledging his recognition, Chief Igbinedion said: “I am humbled by this pan African gesture and when Mawere called me to inform me that my belated birthday present was going to be this induction, I immediately responded in the affirmative.”

Mr. Frederick Koomson, a member of BOAF MEDIA network said: “I am thrilled that an eminent person like him has agreed to be part of this initiative.”