Felix Ibru facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Olorogun Felix Ibru
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Governor of Delta State | |
| In office 2 January 1992 – 17 November 1993 |
|
| Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from Delta Central Senatorial District | |
| In office May 2003 – May 2007 |
|
| Preceded by | Fred Aghogho Brume |
| Succeeded by | Adego Erhiawarie Eferakeya |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 December 1935 Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, Nigeria |
| Died | 12 March 2016 (aged 80) |
| Resting place | Rehoboth Place, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, Nigeria |
| Alma mater | Igbobi College; Nottingham School of Architecture; Israel Institute of Technology |
Felix Ovudoroye Ibru (born December 7, 1935 – died March 12, 2016) was a famous Nigerian businessman, architect, and politician. He made history as the first governor of Delta State who was chosen by the people through elections. He also served as a Senator for the Delta Central Senatorial District.
In his home area, Felix Ibru held a special traditional title called Olorogun. This title is like an honorific given to important people in his community. Many members of his large family also use this title.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Felix Ibru was born on December 7, 1935, in a place called Agbarha-Otor in Delta State, Nigeria. He was the second of seven children. His parents were Chief Peter Epete Ibru and Chief (Mrs.) Janet Omotogor Ibru.
His brother, Michael Ibru, started a very big company called the Ibru Organization. Felix went to school at Yaba Methodist School and then Igbobi College. He was even the Head Boy at Igbobi College in 1955. He won a special scholarship to study in the United Kingdom.
After college, Felix Ibru studied architecture at the Nottingham School of Architecture in England. He became a qualified architect in 1962.
A Special Role in the UK
While he was a student in Nottingham, Felix Ibru was chosen to be the first Black President of the British Council. This was a big deal because he was in charge of the British Council's activities in four different counties in England. Because of this important role, he even met Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace in 1960!
After becoming an architect, he worked briefly in Israel. He helped design farm settlements and buildings. He then continued his studies at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, earning another degree in architecture in 1963. When he returned to Nigeria, he became the first architecture lecturer at the Yaba College of Technology.
Felix Ibru was recognized for his skills. He became a member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects in 1969 and a Fellow in 1995.
Building a Career in Architecture
Felix Ibru started his own architecture company called Roye Ibru Associates. In 1971, his company joined with another firm to create Ibru Vaughan-Richards and Associates. As a main partner, Chief Ibru helped design and oversee many projects across Nigeria.
Some of the notable buildings and plans he worked on include:
- The Sports Centre at the University of Lagos
- The Diette-Spiff Civic Centre in Port Harcourt
- The master plan for Lagos University
- The Sheraton Lagos Hotel & Towers in Ikeja
- The Sports Centre and master plan for the University of Benin
He also worked on special dome-shaped buildings called geodesic domes in different parts of the country.
In 1971, the United Nations invited him to Tokyo, Japan, to discuss foreign investment. In 1974, he gave a lecture at the famous Harvard Business School in the United States. He talked about how African business leaders were growing and working with big international companies.
Political Journey
Felix Ibru first got involved in politics in 1983. He tried to win a seat in the Senate but was not successful that time.
However, in 1991, he ran for governor of Delta State. He won the election and became the very first governor of the newly created Delta State in 1992. This was a big achievement for him and the state.
Later, in 2003, he successfully ran for the Senate again. He became a Senator for the Delta Central area.
Personal Life
Felix Ibru passed away on March 12, 2016, at the age of 80. He was married and had six children and six grandchildren, all of whom survived him.
See also
- List of Nigerian architects
