By Osamede Aghedo.
There is something eerily reminiscent about the personality of this Nigerian. He likes to take new opportunities and dwell in a place where there are challenges and problems to solve.
Engineer Gideon Ikhine is a man with amiable posture and immeasurable values that is driven by the mantra, “Challenge your Challenges”, makes him outstanding in all spheres of life.
His life accomplishment and adventure are embedded in his family root which is governed by the fear of God, the spirit of dedication and of excellence.
This thorough bread courageous man cannot be ignored in the political, social and economic development of Nigeria.
He has also steered the course of history in a competitive particularly in the world of business and capacity building.
These detribalised Nigerian, bridge-builder accessible, mentor and manger of human and material resources, has made a distinct impact with his selfless work. His ambition, has brought him national and international recognition.
For a man who could lift a crowd, raise them with the audacity of hope, Gideon Ikhine, has constantly redefined the notion of how to deploy problem-solving skills for positive result.
He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and a Member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Engineer Gideon Ikhine is 1990 Graduate of Engineering from the University of Benin, Benin City where he obtained with a Second-Class (B. Eng.) honours in Civil Engineering. He has attended several training programmes locally and internationally.
His working life as a Leader and Engineer has seen him through over 29 years of post qualification experience that has exposed him to opportunities in both Public and Private sectors where he has executed several Projects.
These experiences were garnered while working in firms like Enplan Group, Pasomar & Associates, SGS Inspections, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) where he was a Project Engineer responsible for executing challenging Projects in the difficult swampy terrain of Niger-Delta; on Roads, Bridges and Oil Platforms Location, etc.
Challenged by the need to create a truly Nigerian Engineering Company that could compete with its international counterparts and provide equal employment opportunity for the teaming Nigerian Engineers and people, Engr. Gideon Ikhine in 1997 left SPDC Nigeria Limited to establish Nugi Limited, an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) company initially focused on the Oil and Gas industry but has now grown to other strategic sectors of the economy. Other subsidiaries where he serves on the Board as Chairman include:
- Nugi LLC (Engineering & Procurement), Houston, USA
- Granite Rocks Limited a Mining Company for Granites.
- Pinnacle Farms Limited with over 25 Hectares of Cocoa at Ohe Village in Esan Central LGA of Edo State.
Under Nugi Limited, he has undertaken very significant EPIC projects for various bridges, roads, runways and heavy foundation construction works for the leading International Oil Companies in Nigeria like Shell, ExxonMobil, Total, Agip and Chevron in very challenging terrains in the Niger Delta. He has also done work for other Companies and Government.
His core skills include but not limited to:
- Visionary Leadership
- Strategy and General Management
- Project Evaluation and Management
- Operations Evaluation and Optimization
- Negotiations and Communication
- Business Development and Relationship Management
- Training and Motivational Speaking
Engr. Ikhine’s pioneering role and contribution to society has earned him the privilege of sitting as a Member of The Provisional Council of Foundation Faith Church and a Pioneer Member – Board of Trustees Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State. He led Nugi Limited to receive the prestigious International Partnership Award from the United States of America, in recognition of the significant transactions & promotion of Nigerian-American Trade. His patriotic and humanitarian service has earned him recognition from various institutions and traditional stools.
Engr. Gideon Ikhine’s first stint in Politics was between 1987 and 1988. During Political Party formation in the Third Republic; he was one of the pioneer members of the Nigeria Youth Organization, which formed the Ideal People’s Party led by team of Alh. Sani Sha’aban, Alh. Muazu Abubarkar III, Chief Joseph Ighofose, Chief Ayodele Kosoko, etc. The Ideal People’s Party later merged with the Liberal Convention.
Thereafter, he went in pursuit of his professional career as an Engineer, where he has been doing great exploits and making Nigerian Engineers proud. Nevertheless, his passion for partisian politics saw him show tremendous support for SDP in the Third Republic and later PDP in the Fourth Republic.
His political involvement and support for his party PDP from the National through State to LGA and Ward level, has seen him exhibit passion in the restructuring and repositioning of his party on several occasions. He has demonstrated commitment to the Party by supporting the aspirations of party members to the State House of Assembly and National Assembly on various occasions.
In recent times, he worked assiduously in his Senatorial Zone in ensuring the success of his Party (PDP) in the emergence of two members into the House of Representatives and a member into the Senate in the last two consecutive elections; this earned him the acronym “The Game Changer”.
His sphere of politics spans beyond the State: the recent Presidential Election attest to his doggedness in working tirelessly to ensure the emergence of His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as PDP Presidential flag bearer and further ensured PDP won the election in his Unit, Ward, LGA and Senatorial District during the last Presidential Election.
As a Politician, he has been able to demonstrate Humility, Loyalty, Commitment, Consistency, Capacity and Accessibility to every Party member without discrimination or tribal sentiments in upright ways.
A philanthropist par excellence, his home is open to all and sundry at all times. Engr. Gideon Ikhine believes Edo State needs grassroot Political Leaders with compassionate heart that can connect with the yearnings, pains, and cries of her citizens; especially the under-privileged, our teeming youths and women seeking hope for a better tomorrow and the total liberation of Edolites.
He believes in change that will lead to the full restoration and values of the Old Bini Kingdom, Community development, Human Capacity building, Productivity; in the long term a self-sustaining State, where all will be cared for without being pauperized and taken advantage of, as presently practised.
He prays earnestly that God will answer our prayers as he promises to give good governance to the people of Edo State when he becomes the Governor come 2020, hence he is offering himself to serve.
He is happily married to Barr. Remi Joy Gideon-Ikhine (with over 30 years at the Bar). Their 25 years of blissful marriage is blessed with Isimemen Peter, Naomi Ebehi and Isaiah Ose Gideon-Ikhine and they are all pursuing their various University Degree Programmes.
A recipient of various awards, some of which are:
RECOGNITION AWARD
Outstanding Achievement and Contributions to the Engineering Profession
By Nigerian Society of Engineers – Port Harcourt Branch – September 20, 2018
DISTINGUISHED/EXQUISITE AWARD
In Recognition of your attainment of the pinnacle of your career and achievement
as a Graduate of University of Benin
University of Benin Alumnus – December 9, 2017
ALUMNI MERIT AWARD
In Recognition of your Meritorious Service to the Association and Success in his Career:
University of Benin Alumni Association – June 23, 2012
DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARD
In Construction Management
Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State – May 18, 2010
