Kanyi Okeke
The 78th birthday celebration of
business magnate and father of Lucky Igbindeion, former governor of Edo
State, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, assumed a disastrous dimension yesterday as one of the vehicles in his entourage plunged into the Ovia River, killing the four occupants instantly. The casualties whose identities
could not be ascertained at press time were said to be lecturers of
Igbinedion University, Okada, who travelled with Chief Igbinedion, the
Esama of Benin Kingdom, who earlier in the day launched his Benin-based Independent Television into satellite for viewing in 104 countries.
Three years ago, during his 75th birthday celebration, one of his staff
died in an accident, while running an errand for the Benin high chief. Also
last year, Omoregbe Okpenye (aka Bayo Ade), a musician who was
entertaining his guests at his palatial residence in Benin during his
77th birthday celebration was suddenly kidnapped by unidentified gunmen and later killed..Hmmmm continue.
The carnival-like train had left for the country-home of Igbinedion, Okada, after the launching at the television station where another celebration took place, after which they returned to Benin City.
Disaster struck when the driver of one of the cars,
an Audi 80, in the convoy conveying the four lecturers lost control and
plunged into the Ovia River, along the Benin-Ore Road, killing all the
occupants.
