Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Olorogun Oscar Ibru, has passed away at the age of 67. His family confirmed his death in a statement, noting that he died after a brief illness.
He was chairman of the Ibru Organisation and the first son of Olorogun Michael Ibru, the founder of the Ibru Organisation, one of Nigeria’s most significant family conglomerates.
Business Acumen
Olorogun Oscar Ibru started out as a management trainee at The Guardian before joining Emsee Shipping Lines Limited as the Research and Development Manager, later rising to the position of Managing Director.
He soon ascended to his natural calling as the head of the Ibru organisation, a conglomerate with interests in shipping, fishing, oil and gas, port operations, and real estate.
Under his leadership, the Ibru Organisation attained greater heights. Oscar Ibru spearheaded the group’s investments in real estate and hospitality, developing notable projects across Nigeria. In the media, he sustained the Ibru Organisation’s pioneering role as a founding investor in The Guardian Newspaper.
He also went into agriculture, diversifying the company’s portfolio further, with large-scale cassava cultivation, poultry, piggery, and aquaculture ventures.
Philanthropy
He used initiatives like the Dream Child Foundation to impact education, healthcare, and youth empowerment, further strengthening the Ibru Organisation’s image as a socially responsible business.
In recognition of his contributions, he has received numerous honours, including: Maritime Personality of the Year in 2006, Honorary Doctorate Degree from Igbinedion University in 2017 and Chieftaincy and traditional titles such as Otunba Boyejo of Ijebu Kingdom, Ochuko Ro’vie of Agbarha-Otor, Odomese of Olomu Kingdom, among others.
COVID-19 Scare
The business mogul experienced a scare with Covid-19, having battled the virus for seven weeks and two days with symptoms like pneumonia, kidney and liver complications, collapsed lungs, persistent cough, and fever.
Ibru Organisation Succession
All eyes would now be on who succeeds Olorogun Oscar Ibru as head of the Ibru organisation, one of Nigeria’s oldest business empires.
