The ancient town of Igbuzo erupted with ecstatic celebration of two days free medical aid and mental seminar for schools in the town, courtesy of the Association of Ibusa Professional Women (AIPROW), in collaboration with Ibusa Association USA, INC.
The Association of Ibusa Professional Women’s unwavering commitment to women’s health has made a significant impact over the years in Ibusa. They have been a pioneering force in preventive healthcare in Ibusa and its environs, providing free healthcare services to an average of about 6,000 individuals including men, women, and children, since inception.
In this year free medical outreach, no fewer than 700 residents of Ibusa and environs received free medical aid courtesy of the Association of AIPROW. The beneficiaries are the vulnerable including elderly, men, women, teens and children.
This medical outreach was held at the St. Augustine Catholic Church, Ibusa, in Oshimili North Local Government of Delta State.
AIPROW President, Mrs Elizabeth Idigbe, who is the Managing Partner of Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, said the association, founded in 2012, has lawyers, medical doctors, pharmacists, realtors, teachers, fashion designers and other professionals as members.
She said since the government cannot meet all the needs of Ibusa citizens, the group took it upon itself to contribute its quota.The outreach undertook free health screening and mental health seminar for Ibusa Secondary students in Ibusa.
Mrs Idigbe said that this year 2025 outreach provided free full medical checkups, eye screening, provision of reading glasses, diagnosis and treatment of malaria, arthritis and glaucoma. Residents were also screened and treated for cervical, prostate, and breast cancer, amongst others.
During the mental health seminars and mentoring session for students in all the secondary schools, boys were hosted at St. Augustine Catholic Church Hall, while Girls were hosted at Obi Nwaokocha Okeze event center. In addition, they was also a reach out programme for physically-challenged persons where wheel chairs and gifts were given out to them.
According to Mrs Idigbe, these interventions were ways of giving back to the society and nurturing future leaders because AIPROW remained committed to its goal of improving lives in the community.
She added that today, the medical outreach has grown bigger, impacting a lot of people.”
Mrs Idigbe acknowledged the founder and President Emeritus, Prof.(Mrs) Ifeoma Utomi as the brain behind AIPROW, paying tribute to her role as the pioneer president, who initiated the free medical programme in line with her vision to lighten the burden of the vulnerable residents that cannot afford good health care and other basic needs of life.
Prof Utomi, on her part, said AIPROW group started with five or six members in 2012, and had grown in geometric proportions, adding that she was very fulfilled and happy that they found someone like Mrs Idigbe, who incidentally was her Vice President, to hand over to. Today she has taken AIPROW to the next level.
Mrs Utomi hoped that the legacy will continue for generations yet unborn to benefit from the group in many other ways and remains committed to its goal of improving lives.
Also speaking at the event, is the Delta State Head of Service (HOS) Dr. (Mrs.) Mininim Oseji thanked the group for their efforts in addressing health issues in the community, urging the association to sustain the programme for the betterment of Ibusa and appeal to other women in other towns in Delta State to emulate Ibusa Professional Women.
Another stakeholder who spoke at the event was Comrade Emmanuel Chukwunwike Amatokwu aka Kwasa said that AIPROW was dedicated to promoting ideals and values through its community link programs, vocational training workshops / seminars, community projects and one-on-one mentorship programs designed to foster behavioral reforms, educate, empower, and inspire the young men and women to aspire to reach great heights.
Prof. Pat Utomi who was partially present at the event also eulogies the Women body for Promoting and supporting health/public awareness and for giving hope to the less privileged in Ibusa.
Mrs Isioma Nonyalim, is a beneficiaries of the free medical outreach expressing her profound gratitude for the outreach programme- “I am very grateful for the medications. We now have some relief from the pressing challenges we face these days,” she noted.
Another beneficiary, Madam Comfort Ijeh, thanked the group for their efforts in addressing health issues in the community as she urged the association to sustain the programme for the betterment of Igbuzo. Other beneficiaries who claim anonymous, were also full of joy as they thank AIPROW for their kind gesture.
The two days event was graced and well attended by dignitaries like the Uwolo of Ibusa,High Chief Amaechi Nwaenie, Ogbueshi Anthony Idigbe (SAN),President of Ibusa Development Union (ICDU), Onowu Paul Okobi, Board Chairman of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Dr. Austin Obidi to mention but a few.
