By Akinwale Kasali
The Great Iroko of Balogun Business Association, BBA, and prominent businessman, Okey Ezeibe is dead.
The founding figure and Chairman of the BBA, at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, died at the age of 66 on Sunday, September 20th, 2026.
Ezeibe, who bagged a National Honour of MFR hailed from Awgbu in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, died exactly a week before his 67th birthday.
Though the circumstances surrounding his death remains unknown as at the time of filing this report, an initial report said he went to sleep and did not wake up.
Another unconfirmed report alleged that he was found dead in his hotel room in Imo State, where he had travelled for an engagement.
It was gathered that Ezeibe had travelled to Imo State for a scheduled meeting and was discovered dead in his hotel room after associates became concerned when he failed to leave his room as expected.
No official medical cause of death has been publicly confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
Until his death, Ezeibe was one of the leading figures within the Balogun Business Association and the wider business community at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
He was a former President and long-standing Board of Trustees member of the BBA and was widely regarded as one of the association’s founding figures.
Ezeibe was also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Motors, otherwise known as Legacy Urban Peony Services Limited.
He had, over the years, played prominent roles in the organisation of Igbo business interests in Lagos and was associated with efforts to mobilise traders towards the development of major commercial markets, including activities connected with the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association, ASPAMDA.
Following the confirmation of his death, the President of the Balogun Business Association, Hon. Chief Oscar Paul Ikechukwu Odogwu, directed that the BBA/ICC section of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex should not open for business on Monday, September 21, 2026, as a mark of respect for the late BoT Chairman.
The statement announcing his death and the closure of the Market to mourn him reads; “As a sign of respect, the BBA/ICC Complex will NOT open for business tomorrow, Monday 21st September 2026 due to the death of the Chairman of the BBA Board of Trustees, Chief Okey Ezeibe, this morning,” the statement reads.
The closure applies specifically to the BBA/ICC Complex, with members, stakeholders and customers advised to take note and await further directives from the leadership of the association.
Odogwu described Ezeibe’s death as a tragedy and prayed for strength for his immediate family and the entire Balogun Business Association.
“We pray to God to give the immediate family and BBA/ICC the fortitude to bear this heavy loss. It is indeed a tragedy. May his soul rest in peace Amen. The Great Iroko of BBA,” he said.
Tributes have also begun pouring in from business and market leaders following news of his death.
The deceased is regarded not only as a leading figure at the Trade Fair Complex but also as an Awgbu community leader and Anambra State stakeholder.
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