With Offer of Scholarship as Miss. Omorogbe Godsword of Gilgal Education Centre came First and In line with IPM’s tradition of giving, IPM distributed bags of rice to everyone who attended the anniversary
Iguobazuwa, Edo State, October 18, 2025 at Denco Hall
The Iguobazuwa Progressive Minds (IPM) on Saturday, October 18, 2025, marked its 5th anniversary with a simple, vibrant and impactful celebration that brought together community leaders, dignitaries, educators, and youth in a powerful demonstration of commitment to grassroots development, peacebuilding, and social empowerment.
The event, which began at approximately 1:30 PM, was opened with a solemn prayer by Rev. Igun the CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) Chairman Ovia South West LGA, setting a spiritual tone for the day.
Celebrating Five Years of Impact
In his opening remarks, Mr. Joseph Onyeweazu, fondly known as Excellent Joe, alongside Mr. Luggard, gave a brief introduction, outlining the mission and objectives of IPM.
He highlighted several milestones achieved over the past five years, notably the annual giveaways to the less privileged, successful conflict mediation between farmers and herders, and the repair of the General hospital borehole in the community when it became unfit for use and so much more.
Their remarks underscored IPM’s focus on promoting peace, unity, and sustainable development within Iguobazuwa.
Distinguished Guests and Dignitaries
The occasion was graced by esteemed personalities under the distinguished chairmanship of Prof. Ikponmwosa Ignatius Omorodion, Commissioner for Livestock Development Edo state.
Also present were:
- Pa. Edward Edoghayeobare, the Royal Father Of the Day(The Odionwere of Iguobazuwa who was ably represented by the Okheaghele of the community, Mr. Osaro Abifade)
- Mr. Godson Ofurie, Proprietor of Gilgal Education Centre and Chairman of Association of Private Schools in Ovia South West LGA.
- Mr. Ibizugbe Iziegbe (popularly known as Izzy Bizzy), a respected civil servant and former Secretary-General of IPM.
Speeches that Sparked Action and Reflection
Mr. Godson Ofurie’s Address:
Mr. Ofurie delivered a passionate speech praising IPM’s commitment to the development of Iguobazuwa.
He highlighted notable infrastructural growth including improvements to roads and schools attributing these successes to collaborative efforts between individuals, government bodies, and faith-based organizations such as Christ Embassy, which recently built a school offering free education to underprivileged children.
Mr. Ofurie emphasized the importance of cleanliness, entrepreneurship, local business support, and the dire need for a functional community library. He encouraged residents to patronize each other’s businesses and invest in human and educational development as a pathway to long-term prosperity.
Prof. Ikpomwonsa’s Insightful Remarks:
Prof. Ikpowmonsa took a reflective approach, recounting the value of knowledge and community service from his early days. He stated, “I remember when I could spend over 12 hours at Iguobazuwa library and today he is a Prof but that same Library isn’t visible anymore, knowledge empowers action.”
He elaborated on the roles of individuals in community development:
- Leadership: The backbone of any thriving society.
- Community Engagement: Open dialogue and collaboration are essential for solving pressing issues.
- Entrepreneurship & Skill Development: Using examples like Excellent Joe and Mr. Ofurie, he emphasized that Education and economic activity drives growth.
- Environmental Sustainability: A call to preserve natural resources for future generations. Like the Ukodo River and some others
- And also tasked the community leaders on the need of focused leadership and accountability to their people and not just in the sales of land, and if need be that lands are been sold, it should be for developmental reasons and those resources channeled to various developmental strides in the community
He proposed the establishment of a Vocational Centre and stronger partnerships with government as key strategies to equip youth and stimulate development which he is currently working on and pray it scales through.
Mr. Izzy Bizzy’s Engaging Presentation:
Mr. Iziegbe emphasized participation and accountability. His address revolved around:
- Need for Inhabitants(Indigenes and Non indigenese to Engage in community development)
- Environmental sanitation
- Renovation of schools
- Road construction
- Peace-building during times of crisis
- Transparency in leadership
He advocated for community-led needs assessment, urging IPM to submit structured development proposals annually to the local, state, and federal governments.
He stressed that, “Development comes from the synergy of all bodies, Government, community leaders, NGOs, and the people themselves.”
He called for:
- Town hall meetings to ensure government accountability
- Empowerment of women and youth through cooperative societies
- Grassroots leadership training
- Civic education and active electoral participation
IPM Essay Competition and Scholarship Awards
As part of the anniversary activities, the highly anticipated IPM 2025 Essay Competition was held, with Miss. Omorogbe Godsword of Gilgal Education Centre emerging as the winner.
Essay Competition Results:
- 1st Place – Gilgal Education Centre (Participant: Omorogbe Godsword)
- 2nd Place – Excellent Group of Schools
- 3rd Place – Edo National College
Gilgal Education Centre was awarded the IPM 2025 Scholarship, following a thorough evaluation of essays based on content quality, grammar, structure, presentation, and punctuation.
Prizes and Donor Contributions:
- Excellent Joe: ₦10,000 to 1st Place (Gilgal Education Centre)
- Izzy Bizzy: ₦10,000 to 2nd Position (Excellent Group of Schools), ₦5,000 to 3rd (Edo National College)
- Mr. Godson Ofurie: ₦10,000 to 2nd Place
- Mr. Ifeanyi: ₦2,000 and ₦5,000 to 3rd and 2nd respectively
- Mr. Rain: ₦10,000 to 2nd, ₦5,000 to 3rd Position respectively
Community Support and Signature Giveaway
In line with its tradition of giving, IPM distributed bags of rice to everyone who attended, a gesture that continues to symbolize the organization’s core value of inclusivity and compassion.
*Conclusion and Closing&
The event officially came to a close at about 5:00 PM, leaving participants energized and inspired to take collective action toward the growth of Iguobazuwa.
From motivational speeches to scholarship awards and calls to civic responsibility, the 2025 IPM Anniversary served as a remarkable reflection of what can be achieved when a community unites for a common cause.
Author: Test Acct
This account was made for testing out the website
