It was the American novelist and short story writer, Veronica Anne Roth, who made the point that, “There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater.
“But sometimes it doesn’t.
“Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through pain, and the work of every day, the slow walk toward a better life. That is the sort of bravery I must have now.”
This exemplifies the life of Chief (Dr.) Leemon Ikpea, Chairman/Managing Director of Lee Engineering Group and Allied Companies. For over 34 years, the engineering wiz kid has defied the odds, put in hard work and has demonstrated no small sacrifice and courage to be at the apex of life.
From the rustic town of Ewatto in Esan South East Local Government of Edo State, Chief Ikpea is a testament to grace, bravery, hard work, fidelity and belief in God Almighty.
From a humble background and born without a any spoon, not to talk of the proverbial silver spoon, Dr. Ikpea stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration not just to the people of Edo state, Ewatto community, but all of Nigeria and beyond.
So, when the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, on March 15, 2025 conferred on him Honoris Causa, Honorary Doctor of Engineering, it resonated across the length and breadth of the country.
The honour was beyond what the university authorities imagined it was. In a letter signed by the vice chancellor of the university, Prof. Akpofure Rim, the conferment is said to be in recognition of Chief Ikpea’s enduring contributions to the development of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, especially his unwavering commitment to the development of the Niger Delta. But the facts speak eloquently more than that.
The honour, like several others, can be situated in his humanity first agenda. A philosophy steeped in offering a shoulder to those without, offering them an opportunity to dream again through his Agbonjagwe Foundation. The foundation has a track record of being there for the less privileged, especially as it affects their education.
Nothing best illustrates this than in his own very words: “I concluded that since God has blessed me, I needed to be a blessing to others.
“My first priority is orphans, children that are passing the same road I took some years ago, because I know what it means when you cannot pay your school fees and when nobody cares for you.
“Somebody needs to comfort them and I feel that I should be that person. So, I established a foundation in 2012 called Agbonjagwe Leemon Ikpea Foundation.”
The foundation has assisted over 400 students of achieving their live long ambition of having formal education. It has catered to widows, old people, who do not have people to care for them and they need to eat.
According to Chief Ikpea, “so, every month, my foundation gives them an allowance, as we are paying our workers’ salaries. We draw up a scheme for the widows for them to have some trade to enable them to care for themselves and their children.
“We train artisans on welding and electrical works, pipe-fitting and train women in some communities on sewing and hairdressing. We also assist some people with serious ailments like liver and kidney problems, and even cancer. We sent about 15 people to India but we lost one and the others are still alive today.”
Besides educational empowerment, in 2024, Chief Leemon Agbonjagwe Ikpea, laid the foundation stone for a modern health facility in his home town, Ewatto in Esan South East Local Government Area.
The 62-bed health facilities, he said, was conceived in order to give back to the society, especially those in the rural communities. He noted that he was driven by the passion to help his people having been blessed by God in all areas of life.
That is indeed the measure of a man!
Recognizing his spirit of excellence, his friends and associates continue to celebrate him. Former President Muhammadu Buhari had cause to write of Chief Ikpea thus: “Chief Ikpea has, through the grace of God, and hard work, risen from modest beginnings to the topmost rungs of the business ladder, commending him as an example to the younger generation.
“President Buhari affirms that Lee Engineering and Construction Company, of which Chief Ikpea is Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, is one of the home-grown investors in the oil and gas industry, thus proving that Nigerians can excel in the highly technical sector.
“The President rejoices with family, friends and associates of the celebrant, encourages him to continue exhibiting the milk of human kindness, which has seen him awarding innumerable scholarships and bequests to uplift the weak and downtrodden, and commends same to other well-to-do Nigerians,” a statement by erstwhile presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina stated.
Also, one of such individuals that have celebrated the Edo-born business mogul is the Imo born philanthropist, scholar, and oil mogul, Chairman of Megadrill Nigeria Ltd, Dr. Ejike Chukwu (MON). Not too long ago, Chief Chukwu had this to write of Chief Ikpea: “Dear Chief Dr. Leemon Ikpea, I celebrate your leadership role in the oil industry, your tenacity, resilience, and unwavering commitment in redefining the sector while contributing to its growth.
“I join your family members, friends, business associates, staff and management of Lee Engineering and Construction Limited to celebrate a key player in the oil industry, boardroom business strategist, and oil czar, while praying God to add more years to you in good health and with bountiful harvest from the works of your hands.”
Messages have also come from all over especially from the Circle of Friends Forum, CFF, made up of distinguished and accomplished Nigerians which include; Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, OON, Dr. Tunde Ayeni, Chief Timi Alaibe, Chief Bernad Imarah, Chief Richard Lamai, Chief Odili Anyi Chuks and Otunba Lai Onowo.
Others are Otunba Bayo Fatusin, Otunba Peter Obafemi, Mr. Greg Uanseru, Mr. Celement Buari, Mr. Frank Okosun, Mr. Tony Osagie, Mr. Oliver Okeke and Mr. Julian Osula.
There is also Mr. Sholeye Jeremi, Mr. Wale Otegbola, Mr. Julius Rone, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, Alaghi Usman Mohammed, Owan Ben Okoye, Andularazaq Isa Kutepa, Senator Sanusi Daggash, Senator Ahmed Wadada, Agbaoye Kola Karim, Tayo Ayeni and Ola Kukoyi.
All testify to Chief Ikpea’s humility, generosity and humanity.
As Chief (Dr.) Leemon Agbonjagwe Ikpea wears another crown in his already studded headgear, there is the consensus that there is no stopping a man who has aligned his priority with God.
