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The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Esanland, Rt. Rev. Gabriel Elabor, has announced plans to build a school in honour of late Ibidunni Ighodalo as a lasting tribute to her humanitarian service and enduring impact on society.
The bishop made the disclosure during a memorial service held in honour of the former co-pastor of Trinity House Church, Mrs. Ibidunni Ighodalo, whose legacy continues to touch lives five years after her passing.
According to Bishop Elabor, the proposed school will be situated in Ihievbe, Edo State, the ancestral community of Ibidunni’s husband, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo. He explained that the project is aimed at preserving her memory while providing educational opportunities for children in the community.
He noted that through the school, future generations would not only gain access to education but also learn about the life, values and philanthropic works of the late Ibidunni, ensuring that her legacy remains alive for years to come.
The cleric clarified that the initiative was neither conceived by Pastor Ighodalo nor his family but emerged from discussions within the church and community after members reflected on the remarkable impact Ibidunni made during her lifetime.
“The people of Esanland need to know more about her and the good works she lived and died for,” Bishop Elabor said. “We felt that one meaningful way to immortalise her was to establish a school in her name. Through this, children will learn to read and write while also learning about the woman whose life was dedicated to helping others.”
He recalled that his relationship with Pastor Ighodalo was relatively recent, but testimonies shared about Ibidunni’s charitable activities inspired the vision for the project.
“It was not long after I got to know Pastor Ituah that we began hearing stories about his late wife, her foundation and the lives she touched. During one of our visits, we heard how she supported women seeking IVF treatment and assisted countless people in need. It became clear that although she is gone, her legacy is still impacting lives,” he said.
Ibidunni Ighodalo died on June 14, 2020, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while on an assignment to help establish a COVID-19 isolation centre. Her death shocked many Nigerians and sparked an outpouring of tributes from individuals whose lives she had influenced through her philanthropic works.
