Warri, Delta State | When a lion roars, the echoes never fade—they inspire generations. For Chief Emuoboh Kenneth Gbagi, son of the late business icon, philanthropist, former Minister of State for Education, and 2023 Delta State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, FNIM, OON, that roar has become a guiding rhythm of restoration, continuity, and devotion to legacy.
From Oginibo to Uvwie, from Falcon Bay Oil & Gas to Signatious Hotels, the younger Gbagi is on a mission — not just to rebuild, but to revive his father’s dreams and ensure every unfinished vision blossoms again.
“You know, my father was such a great man,” Chief Emuoboh said. “Before his passing, politics had taken much of his time. He always said he would return to business fully when the time was right. Now, by God’s grace, that time has come — for me to complete what he started.”
Reconnecting Communities, Rebuilding Roads
In Oginibo, construction has resumed on the long-awaited Oginibo–Owhawha Road — one of the late Gbagi’s cherished community projects. Drainage works are ongoing, to be followed by sand filling and asphalt laying.
“I vowed to complete all projects started by my late father,” Emuoboh affirmed. “These roads are not just about connecting communities; they connect dreams, families, and progress.”
In Ugbolokposo Junction, Uvwie Local Government Area, a piece of land encroached upon after the elder Gbagi’s demise has been reclaimed, fenced, and revitalized — a symbolic act of resilience and justice.
Falcon Bay Oil & Gas Returns to the Spotlight
Among the Gbagi Group’s major enterprises, Falcon Bay Oil & Gas has come back to life under Emuoboh’s leadership. Once dormant due to regulatory issues, the company has been fully revived with new approvals from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
“Today, Falcon Bay is back — remodeled to meet modern standards and positioned to compete favorably with leading oil and gas marketers,” he said.
At PTI Junction, Warri, the Falcon Bay station now operates nearly 24 hours daily, complete with new branding, solar lighting, and modern service systems.
“That station is the heartbeat of Warri,” Emuoboh said with pride. “If you’re coming from the airport, you must pass there. I’m sure my father would be proud.”
Signatious Hotels Reimagined
The Signatious Hotels chain — with branches in Warri, Lagos, and Abuja — is undergoing massive modernization under the supervision of Mrs. Onanome Okolo, Emuoboh’s sister. A new branch in Oginibo is also on the horizon.
“We’re working closely with partners to re-furnish and modernize every property,” Emuoboh noted. “It won’t happen overnight, but we are determined to ensure that nothing our father left behind ever falls into neglect.”
Powering Prosperity and Honoring Legacy
In Warri, Robinson Plaza has regained electricity after six years of blackout, thanks to new transformers installed at PTI Junction and Deco Road. The plaza now bears the name Robinson Gbagi Plaza, immortalizing the patriarch’s legacy.
The dedication of the Kenneth O. Gbagi Plaza at Ukpologboso — attended by HRM Matthew Ediri Egbi, Owahwa II, Okobaro of Ughievwen Kingdom, and Archbishop God-Dowell Oyibo Avwomakpa — marked another milestone in the family’s mission of remembrance and service.
“A lion cannot birth a lamb,” Emuoboh said passionately. “My father’s dreams were enormous, and we are only continuing in his steps — strength for strength, vision for vision.”
A Future Built on Faith and Tourism
Looking ahead, Chief Emuoboh is developing an amusement and leisure park near the plaza — one that aims to rival the Agbor Water Park and attract tourists from across Nigeria and beyond.
“We want Ugbolokposo to become a destination of joy,” he explained. “Something that reflects my father’s love for humanity, progress, and tourism.”
Despite his expanding responsibilities, Emuoboh’s prayer remains simple:
“Just like Solomon in the Bible, all we ask is wisdom,” he said humbly. “That God should give us the wisdom to ensure that my father’s legacy does not die but lives beyond me and my generations unborn.”
A Legacy Rekindled
From roads to refineries, hotels to heritage, one truth stands firm — the Gbagi legacy is not just being preserved; it is being reborn.
Chief Emuoboh Kenneth Gbagi is breathing new life into his father’s vision — nurturing a legacy of business, community service, and transformation that continues to shape Delta State.
“He taught us that greatness is not measured by what you build for yourself,” Emuoboh concluded, “but by what you build that outlives you.”
