Five Years After, Benin City Remembers Pa Igbinoba As Children Reminisce About His Life And Times

Residents of First East Circular Road in Benin City and environs will today, November 30, 2021 mark the fifth anniversary of the transition of their late Odionwere (Community Leader), Pa Albert Ogieriaikhi Igbinoba.

Pa Igbinoba who retired from the National Electric Power Authority,(NEPA) after thirty-five years of meritorious service died on November 30th, 2016 at the age of 92 years.

His reign as Odionwere of one of the commercial hubs in the Edo State capital would remain in the annals of the community as its Golden Era as prosperity, security, justice and peace were the order.

He was also the Okaegbe (Head of the family) of the Egbede Family of Erie Quarters in Benin City.

Pa Igbinoba would be remembered by all for his integrity, industry, courage and compassion.

He was survived by children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, nephews and nieces.

To mark the day, some of the children of the late sage recall with nostalgia the life and times of a father they refer to as the Greatest Dad that ever lived.

Excerpts

Dad was a great manager of resources- Mr. Osazuwa Igbinoba 

Apart from the virtues of integrity, humility, compassion and courage which defined his life, my father, Pa Albert Ogieriaikhi Igbinoba was an efficient manager of resources. 

He hated with passion those wasteful habits like drinking, smoking and gambling.

With his little income as a staff of NEPA, he was able to provide all of our needs in the family, assist others in need and also prepare for the retirement of comfort.

Until his death on November 30th 2016 at 92 years, he was never a liability, indeed he had more than enough for himself and all of his children. My father was a great source of inspiration.

If our politicians can manage resources like my father, Nigeria will be an El Dorado with the abundance of resources available.

Though I miss my dad, my joy knows no bounds for having had a dad like him. I would not have had a success story to tell if I didn’t have Pa Albert Ogieriaikhi Igbinoba as my dad.

The good name he left behind is a great asset for us the children and we are all happy about it.

Dad made me a voracious reader- Mr Ikpo Igbinoba 

At eight years old, I was already addicted to reading. Thanks to my father who was an avid reader of newspapers. By twelve, I was already a fan of celebrated columnists like Lam Adesina, Ebenezer Babatope and Tola Adeniyi. On a daily basis at that tender age, I fed my addiction by buying three newspapers,  the Daily Times, Nigeria Tribune and the Nigeria Observer.

Thanks to my mother, Mrs Grace Uwuimiro Igbinoba who provided the funds.

I ended up cutting my journalism teeth in the Daily Times Group in the early 1980s.

In my almost four decades of practice, reading which I do voraciously has helped a lot in my career growth. 

At various times, I have held such positions as Sports Editor, Acting Group Sports Editor in the Daily Times Group, Business Editor, Political Editor, and News Editor, in other different publications. 

Today, I am a publisher of an online publication, and I consult with individuals and organisations. 

Reading which my father introduced me to at a very tender age has remained my strength in a sector that is very dynamic.

I just can’t thank my late father enough.

I can’t thank my dad enough for his labour of love-Mrs. Osaro Orumwense 

When I think about my father, there are certain words that readily come to mind; commitment, motivation, honesty, discipline to mention but a few.

My father was committed to giving us(his children) the very best in life. 

He worked so hard to provide for us to make sure that we(my siblings and I) did well in life.

I cannot thank him enough for his labour of love. My father motivated me to be the best I could be. 

I remember when I was growing up, he would say to me “Osaro, do not let anyone or anything distract you from your education. Let me tell you if you want to study to PhD level, I am ready to sponsor you”.

Little did I know then that he was sowing a seed of greatness in me. To the glory of God today, I have two Honours degrees to my name and the credit goes to my father. My father loved us a great deal, but he never spared the rod when we misbehaved but then that was his own way of instilling in us those values that defined him. 

Without mincing words, my father was the greatest dad that ever lived and I count myself extremely lucky and blessed to have had him as my father.

My father was fanatical about education- Dr. Osagie Igbinoba 

I attended Edo College in Benin City. In my fifth year, a group of us were talking about some new fees and dues imposed by the school. 

Some of my friends were afraid that their parents could not afford the new fees.I stood and said if tomorrow they wanted us to get aeroplanes as levies, my father would get it.

I said it without prejudice or pride but with absolute faith and certainty that my father would actually provide it if it was required for my education.

My dad, Albert Ogieriaikhi Igbinoba was not a wealthy man but not once did I lack anything that I needed.

In all my years of schooling, I only missed school for two days. 

That was when the school demanded tax clearance certificates and the tax office was a bit slow in issuing the same.

The most important day of the year for my dad was the day the children brought home the list of books required for the year. 

He would dress up in his green velvet and take me to Mission Road and we would walk from one bookstore to the next till all the books on the list were acquired.

My father was a fanatical believer in education and he was prepared to invest everything in it. He lived by example, displaying immutable integrity and honesty. He belonged to several “osusus” and “meetings”(Cooperative Societies) and he was usually the treasurer in those organisations.

People trusted him with that position because they knew that when he kept their money and their books, embezzlement and loss were impossible.

My father was strong for us, his family and I believe that is what is required of a man. He was a great man.

My father was a great adviser to me- Mrs. Etin-Osa Ugbonakhena

My father was integrity personified. He was a man of impeccable character and a strict disciplinarian. He was also my confidant and great adviser who ensured that I didn’t go astray.

Today, I am proud to say that my life has remained focused because of the upbringing I enjoyed from my father.

My father invested a lot in my education and all through my schooling from the primary to the university level, he ensured that I was never in want.

He provided all my needs.

My father led an honest life and instilled that virtue in my siblings and me.

I will always remember my father’s popular saying which he made into a song in Edo language “No rue eho, e eho logho” loosely translated as “the trickster will get the reward for his tricks”.

I count myself extremely lucky to have had Pa Albert Ogieriaikhi Igbinoba as my father. 

My father was a man of the people-Mr.Theophilus Igbinoba 

It was after my father’s demise, that I realised how great a man he was. 

The way my father was mourned when he died underlined one fact that he was not just my father, but a man of the people. My dad provided everything for us. All our needs for our education and other aspects of life were met by my dad.

He was a disciplinarian who did not hesitate to whip you into line once you misbehaved.

Now, I know that those strokes of the cane were to make us successful and responsible members of society when we grew up.

What I remember my father for always is his honesty. 

He was always preaching to us that honesty was the best policy.

How my father is being celebrated every November 30th, makes me feel proud to be his son. 

My dream is to lead a life like my dad and raise my children the way he raised us. It’s a tough challenge but I will try.

My dad was the greatest gift from God-Mr. Osafamen Igbinoba 

From the day I was born until the day my father joined his ancestors on November 30th, 2016, we lived together. Growing up with my father as a child, his last child was very interesting. 

Though he didn’t spare the rod when I strayed, I could not have wished for a better father.

I grew up to admire everything about my father, all his habits, but I must confess, it would be tough for anyone to live like my father. 

I copied very nice habits from my father. I didn’t see my father once with a stick of cigarette or a bottle of alcohol and I admired those qualities.

That I don’t smoke or take alcohol today like many in my age group is to my father’s credit. 

I also copied kindness from my father. He was always willing to help those in need.

What gives me the greatest joy in having had Pa Albert Ogieriaikhi Igbinoba is that anywhere I go to and introduce myself as his son, I am accorded special attention and respect.

He left behind a good name and great legacies and I am massively blessed for having him as my dad.