By Abiola Olawale
Family members, friends, and well-wishers have continued to shower accolades on Chief Dr Leemon Ikpea, OON, CON, JP, the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies Limited following his Conferment with the prestigious Doctor of Business Administration Degree (Honoris Causa) by the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
The New Diplomat reports that Ikpea, a business titan and oil and gas mogul, received the prestigious degree from the notable institution-UNIBEN on Saturday.
He received the prestigious award during the grand ceremony of the UNIBEN’s 49th and 50th Convocation, which took place on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024.
In various congratulatory advert messages in pages 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38, of Vanguard newspaper, family members and friends took turn to congratulate Chief Ikpea on this spectacular achievement. Chief Mrs. Justina Ikpea, the lovely wife of the esteemed business mogul, Dr Leemon Ikpea, in a congratulatory message said among others:
“ On behalf of myself and our lovely children, I heartily celebrate an exceptional husband, father, motivator, great humanist and Philanthropist; Chief (Dr) Leemon Agbonjagwe Ikpea, OON, CON,JP as he is today conferred with the prestigious Doctor of Business Administration Degree, Honoris Causa, by the renowned University of Benin.
“My darling, you have touched lives, impacted the Nigerian business space, and this award is only a testament to the numerous virtues that you possess.
“As you mark this epochal milestone, we pray that God will continue to rain His blessings upon you, more than you have bestowed upon people. May it bring with it greater joy and fulfillment.”
Also, Dr. Godwin Abhulimen, in a congratulatory message showered encomium on Dr Ikpea on the occasion of receiving yet another distinguished award. This time from the university of Benin.
Their messages overflow with pride and admiration, reflecting the significant impact Ikpea has made in his field, humanity and the high respect and admiration he commands.
Abhulimen in his congratulatory message said: “ My dearly beloved boss and mentor,
I am beyond excited to congratulate you on your receipt of the well-deserved honour of a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Benin. Your leadership abilities, dedication to the betterment of society and contributions to the Nigerian socio-economic landscape are truly unparalleled.
“You are not just a leader of leaders and a captain of industry but also a mentor, a role model and a father figure to me and so many others. Your wisdom, guidance and humble dedication to excellence are truly inspiring…Congratulations once again ,Sir.”
Engr and Mrs Tony Ikpea in their advertorial message wrote: “Special felicitations to a big brother and ultimate role model, Chief (Dr) Leemon Agbonjagwe Ikpea, OON, CON, JP, Chairman/CEO, Lee Engineering Group and Allied companies limited, as he is today(Saturday) conferred with the prestigious Doctor of Business Administration Degree, Honoris Causa from the University of Benin. This is in acknowledgement of his accomplishments in business and support for the university.
“Dear brother, the award did not come as a surprise to us, as your track record of achievements already transcends the international boundaries. This award is just a confirmation.
“We thank you for being the perfect role model and setting the path for us to follow.”
Also, Mr Benedict Ebalukhota, Executive Director-F&A, Jerry Azih, GM Business Development/Relations of Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies Limited, in their congratulatory message in Vanguard wrote: “Hearty Felicitations to our Amiable Boss-Dr Leemon A. Ikpea(CON,JP)
On this very auspicious day, we are joining numerous well-wishers and family members to felicitate a quintessential role model and amiable boss, Chief(Dr)Leemon Agbonjagwe Ikpea,(CON, JP)Executive Chairman, Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies Limited as he is being conferred with the Doctor of Business Administration Degree, Honoris Causa, by the prestigious great university of Benin in recognition of his exemplary contribution to the Nigerian business environment and the school’s development.
“ Sir, we are excited that the efforts you have put into sustainable business growth, development and socio-environmental impact are being acknowledged today…”
Barr. Matthew Egbadon in his congratulatory message in Vanguard newspaper, wrote among other things:”My family and I, are immensely proud to congratulate our dear brother and friend, Chief (Dr) Leemon Agbonjagwe Ikpea, OON, CON, JP, on being awarded the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Honoris Causa, today (Saturday) by the University of Benin, Benin City. This prestigious recognition is a testament to your unwavering dedication and remarkable contributions to the education of the less privileged in both secondary and tertiary institutions, both within Nigeria and beyond.”
Similarly, Julius and Yutee Rone and family joined a host of others to celebrate with Ikpea. In his advertorial message published in Vanguard, they wrote amongst other things:
“We want to felicitate a special brother, pacesetter and icon, Chief (Dr) Leemon Agbonjagwe Ikpea, OON, CON, JP, Executive Chairman, Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies limited, as he is being conferred with the prestigious Doctor of Business Administration Degree, Honoris Causa from the University of Benin, in recognition and acknowledgement of his accomplishments in Business and support for the university.”
Mr and Mrs Efe Akhigbe in their advertorial message in Vanguard newspaper stated amongst others: “We celebrate today and always, a distinguished individual, Chief (Dr) Leemon Agbonjagwe Ikpea, OON, CON, JP, Chairman/CEO of Lee Engineering Group, as you are today conferred with the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration, Honoris Causa, by the prestigious University of Benin, Edo State. This award is in recognition of your achievements in the business world, contributions to the renowned University and humanity.”
The New Diplomat reports that Dr Leemon Agbonjagwe Ikpea, OON, CON, JP, the Adolor of Ewatto, was born at Ewatto in Esan South East, Edo State, on December 19, 1956. He attended St. John’s Primary School in Ajamogha, Warri.
He further added to his feathers when he bagged a degree in owner President management program from the Harvard Business School in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
Chief Ikpea is the founder, Owner and Executive Chairman of Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies Limited, which is a foremost homegrown oil, gas and power services sector company, performing extraordinary and commendable services in the Nigerian business environment.
Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies Limited is an indigenous company which has offices in Warri, Benin, Abuja and Portharcourt and is headquartered in Lagos.
Indeed, Chief Ikpea’s Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies Ltd is a high-level service provider in the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Operation and Maintenance (EPCOM) with over 30 years of experience in the oil, gas and power sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Incorporated in 1991, the indigenous and first-class company expanded its scope of operations in 2007 to include maintenance and attainment of optimal performance in the operations and maintenance of the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 34. amongst others.
Beyond the shores of Nigeria, Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies Ltd has partners /offices in the United Kingdom, Italy and the United States of America (USA).
The Utorogu gas plant, located in Delta State, was successfully constructed by this company, Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies Ltd, on a build, return and operate basis.
As a first-class company with a forward-looking vision, Lee Engineering was propelled to set up a high-level fabrication plant to contribute its quota to the oil and gas sector and to help the successful transition to the indigenization of the nation’s technology sector as it relates to the oil, gas and power sector.
Chief Ikpea is not only a billionaire business mogul, he is also is a great philanthropist of immense stature. To also advance charitable and philanthropic causes, Chief Ikpea, in 2012, founded the Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation (ALIF), which has been rendering valuable services to humanity through charitable acts like the award of scholarships to indigent students and youths, including great support to orphans. The promotion and advancement of Education has also been a fulcrum of the ALIF.
Through the foundation, Dr Ikpea, the Lee Engineering Executive Chairman, has donated heavily to several educational institutions and social welfare programmes all around the country and also touched the lives of many women and other members of the general public, including the vulnerable and less privileged.
Indeed, these are philanthropic gestures the foundation carries out without noise.
Chief Dr Leemon Ikpea, OON, CON, JP holds the prestigious title of Odonlagbon of the Warri kingdom, a very rare honour for a non-Itsekiri, bestowed on him by Olu of Warri. Chief Ikpea is the Adolor of Ewatto, his hometown in Esan South East LGA of Edo state.
