Gabriel Ogbechie

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Gabriel Ogbechie
Born (1966-05-28) 28 May 1966 (age 57)
Lagos, Nigeria.
NationalityNigerian
EducationBachelor of Science (BSc), Production Engineering.
University of Benin
OccupationBusiness Executive
Years active1997–present
Known forRainoil Limited
TitleFounder and Group Managing Director of Rainoil
SpouseGodrey Ogbechie
Children3

Gabriel Ogbechie (OON) (born 28 May 1966) is a Nigerian Billionaire businessman and philanthropist who founded the Rainoil Group, one of Nigeria's largest indigenous oil and gas company.[1][2][3]

Early life and education[edit]

Ogbechie hails from Idumuje Ugboko in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta state[4] and was born to an average home and the fifth of six children. He attended Queen of the Niger Primary School, Onitsha, and St. Patrick's College, Asaba, after which he proceeded to the University of Benin (Nigeria), where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Production Engineering.[5][6]

Gabriel Ogbechie is a pioneer member of the Lagos Business School Owner Manager Programme 2002 and an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s 57th Owner/President Management Programme.[7] In 2016, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate (D.Sc.) in Technology Management by Novena University, Ogume, Delta State.

Career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Ogbechie began his career working in an Accounting firm before landing his first job as a Sales Operations Manager in the oil and gas industry in the early 1990s.[8]

Rainoil Limited[edit]

In 1997, Ogbechie founded Rainoil Limited.[9][10] The downstream oil and gas company owns three state-of-the-art petroleum product storage depots, strategically located across Nigeria. These depots, each with a substantial 50 million litre capacity, are situated in Oghara, Delta State; Calabar, Cross River State; and Ijegun Egba, Lagos State.[11] In addition to its storage facilities, Rainoil Limited manages a network of over 150 retail petrol stations and LPG plants across Nigeria. The company has a fleet of more than 250 petroleum product tank trucks for efficient distribution to its network of stations and customers.[7]

In December 2017, Rainoil announced the annual Rainoil Tennis Open in partnership with the Nigerian Tennis Federation.[12] Ogbechie revealed that the objective of Rainoil bankrolling a national open tournament was to pave way for an international tournament that would see stars from various parts of the world come to play in Nigeria.[13][14]

Preline Limited[edit]

In October 2021, Ogbechie's Preline Limited acquired a controlling stake in Eterna PLC, a company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange,[15][16] thereby making him the Chairman of the Eterna PLC board of directors.[2]

Philanthropy[edit]

Through the establishment of the Gabriel Ogbechie Foundation, he has been involved in many philanthropic causes particularly in Delta State, where he provides scholarships to undergraduates, community healthcare services as well as youth employment initiatives.[17]

In 2019, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, Ogbechie donated ambulances and other medical equipment to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba to support the fight against the virus in the country.[18]

Controversy[edit]

In December 2020, Ogbechie was accused in a public statement released by his fellow kinsman and Billionaire Ned Nwoko of plotting against him.[19][20] Ogbechie has since denied the allegations.[21][22] On November 30, 2022, the Nigerian Police Force, following its investigations submitted to the Federal High Court in Abuja a report clearing Ogbechie of complicity in the alleged assassination plot.[23][24][25] Ogbechie has filed a one billion naira suit against Ned Nwoko for defamation of character.[26]

Awards and recognition[edit]

In 2018, Ogbechie was named the Downstream Man of the Year at the annual Oil Trading and Logistics Conference which was held in Lagos, Nigeria.[27][28] On October 11, 2022, in Abuja, Ogbechie was conferred with the honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by the Federal Government of Nigeria under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.[29][30][31]

Personal life[edit]

Ogbechie is married to Godrey Ogbechie and both have three children.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Omuojine, Emmanuel (18 October 2022). "Celebrating Dr Gabriel Ogbechie's National Honour". Punch Nigeria. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b Ajayi, Omokolade (2 November 2021). "Nigerian oil tycoon Gabriel Ogbechie's Rainoil acquires majority stake worth $26.1 million in Eterna". Billionaires Africa.
  3. ^ Ndigwe, Chinedu (27 June 2022). "After 25yrs, Rainoil positions for next growth phase". BusinessDay. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Okowa celebrates Rainoil founder, Gabriel Ogbechie at 54". Delta State Government. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  5. ^ Amagiya, Florence. "The amazing world of Rainoil Boss". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  6. ^ "GABRIEL OGBECHIE HIS INSPIRING STORY". ThisDay. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  7. ^ a b Anaeto, Emeka. "Celebrating Dr Ogbechie on his National Honours". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  8. ^ "CLASS ACT! RAINOIL BOSS, GABRIEL OGBECHIE, DAZZLES AT YES LECTURE". The Capital. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Rain Oil Boss, Gabriel Ogbechie's Success Story to Greatness". CitySpy. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Gabriel Ogbechie: How Nigerian Billionaire Oil Tycoon Started Rainoil With N.3m 25 Years Ago". BigPen Nigeria. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Gabriel Ogbechie – Meet the Top 10 Oil Tycoons Fueling Nigeria". Top 10 Magazine. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  12. ^ "RAINOIL Boosts Youth, Sports Development With Tennis". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  13. ^ "Rainoil explains investment in Nigerian tennis development". Infotrust Nigeria. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  14. ^ "We need more tennis stars in Nigeria-Owoseni". The Nation Newspaper. The Nation. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  15. ^ Joseph, Olaoluwa. "Preline Limited launches takeover bid for Eterna Plc". International Centre for Investigative Reporting. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  16. ^ "Preline Limited Takes Over Eterna Plc, Eyes LPG Sector". Transport Day. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  17. ^ Adebola, Bolatito. "Rainoil Boss, Gabriel Ogbechie's Love For Education". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  18. ^ Sowande, Bimbo. "COVID-19: Rainoil boss, Ogbechie donates two ambulances, ventilators and medical equipments to FMC, Asaba". The Nigerian Xpress. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  19. ^ "Revealed! Why Rainoil owner,Gabriel Ogbechie Was Arrested". First Weekly Magazine. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  20. ^ Lawal, Mayowa. "Who Is Afraid of Rainoil Chairman, Gabriel Ogbechie?". ThisDay. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  21. ^ "Why Ned Nwoko Is After Gabriel Ogbechie…His Baseless Assassination Plot". The Elites. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  22. ^ Atori, Daniel (10 December 2020). "Rainoil's Gabriel Ogbechie Punctures Arrest Tale". News Telegraph Nigeria. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  23. ^ "Police clear Ogbechie of allegation by Prince Ned Nwoko". Guardian Nigeria. December 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  24. ^ "Police investigation clears Ogbechie of allegations by Ned Nwoko". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  25. ^ Ugwu, Simon (December 2022). "Police investigation exonerates Gabriel Ogbechie allegations by Ned Nwoko". Energy Frontier. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  26. ^ "Gabriel Ogbechie Slams N1 Billion Lawsuit against Prince Ned Nwoko". Energy Focus Report. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  27. ^ "Rainoil boss wins oil industry Man of the Year award". The Nation Newspaper. The Nation. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  28. ^ Godswill, Alison. "Gabriel Ogbechie wins Oil Industry Downstream Man of the Year Award". The Daily.
  29. ^ "Buhari to confer OON National Honour on Gabriel Ogbechie, Rainoil Boss". Champion News. 2 October 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  30. ^ Oye, Chijioke. "Community Applauds Rain-Oil Boss for National Award". The Pointer. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  31. ^ Macaulay, Wilson. "Okowa's EAC Congratulates Rainoil Boss, Ogbechie Over OON National Honour". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
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