16 September 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Ambassador Alex V. Lamadrid visited the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Benin City on the sidelines of the 80th birthday celebration of the Esama of Benin, Sir Chief Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, from September 10 to 12. Ambassador Lamadrid was accompanied by the Philippine Embassy's Assistance-To-Nationals (ATN) officer-in-charge Raymund C. Ondiano.
Ambassador Lamadrid took the opportunity to meet a dozen OFWs who are employed by Dr. Igbinedion. Ambassador Lamadrid exhorted them to take care of their health so that they will not be infected by Ebola Virus disease (EVD) and briefed them on the symptoms of EVD and ways of avoiding infection. Ambassador Lamadrid advised the OFWs to immediately coordinate with the Philippine Embassy in Abuja if they need urgent assistance and gave the OFWs the contact details of the Philippine Embassy’s ATN officers. Ambassador Lamadrid also advised the OFWs to save and invest their hard-earned money in the Philippines, in preparation for their return to the Philippines upon their retirement or end of contract.
Ambassador Lamadrid, together with at least eight other Abuja-based Ambassador, paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Igbinedion on September 10 and conveyed his best wishes to the latter on his 80th birthday.
On September 11, Ambassador Lamadrid attended a concelebrated mass dedicated in honor of Dr. Igbenidion’s birthday at the St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic church in Benin City. The mass was attended by more than a thousand people, including renowned politicians led by the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and high government officials of Nigeria, such as Dr. Martin Uhomoibhi, Permanent Secretary of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prominent businessmen and other illustrious citizens Nigerians were also in attendance.
Dr. Igbinedion is the Esama of the Benin Kingdom. The title Esama traditionally means the “godfather of the people,” with responsibilities that include helping of the less privileged be it in the form of money or in kind. Dr. Igbinedion is well-known for being a philathropist. He built a business empire with an international property portfolio and a private TV (ITV) and radio station. He also owns a private bank, oil refinery, diamond, gold and marble mines all over Africa, Igbinedion University, the first private University in Nigeria and a large number of hotels. He owned the now-defunct private airline, Okada Air, of over 40 airplanes and helicopters, which used to employ Filipino pilots and aircraft technicians. He has built numerous churches including a grand Catholic Cathedral, and has set up and owns a number of private hospitals across Nigeria. END