Being lecture titled, “The Marks In The Sands Of Time: Creating Lasting Legacies In A Challenged World” delivered by Venerable Ernest O. Onuoha, former Rector of Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North LGA, Delta State, Nigeria, on Saturday, November 25, 2023, during the leadership award in ecumenism presentation to some distinguished Nigerians.

Protocol
May I sincerely appreciate The Rector, The Venerable Stephen Moleonwu, and his team, for nominating me for Special Leadership Award in Ecumenism alongside some distinguished Nigerians at this time of our development. This is, indeed, Ecumenism in practice!
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Also, let me commend the centre for finding me worthy to give a lecture in memory of the donor of the centre as titled above. We cherish Alex so much and I do not take this privilege for granted. May God bless us all and help the IBRU Centre to continually live out the purpose for which it was set up.

Introduction
Dr. Alex Uruemu Ibru donated The IBRU Centre on December 23, 1989. So, historically speaking and by the grace of God, I was the third Rector of the IBRU Centre, from September 7, 2010 to January 15, 2018. The first Rector was the then Ven. (Dr.) Ikechi Nwachukwu Nwosu (later Bishop of Umuahia Diocese and Dean Emeritus of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion). The second Rector was the then, Ven. (Dr.) Abraham Akinlalu (later Bishop of Oke-Osun Diocese). Both are retired now to the glory of God.

Just for the records, I was a lecturer and a Registrar of Trinity Theological College, Umuahia, Abia State; a Theological Institution where Anglican Pastors are trained before being sent out to various mission fields in the Anglican Dioceses of Church of Nigeria. By providence, I was appointed the Rector by the then Primate of The Church of Nigeria, Most Revd. Nicholas D. Okoh. To this appointment, I settled to work in order to contribute my quota in realising the vision and mission of the Centre. Currently serves as the Vicar of All Saints’ (Ang.) Church, Abuja, and Archdeacon of Wuse Archdeaconry in the Diocese of Abuja.

Indeed one must confess, coming for the first time to the Centre, it was a place well thought out and planned. A serene environment that enhances spiritual growth and development. This was a product of a quintessential man, who lived ahead of his generation. He lived and he lives on for what God did through and with him. His memory will always reverberate as long as the earth endures.

In the Bible, we have a long list of people who lived, including Methuselah, and they died (Gen. 5:1-end). The sad commentary is that some lived without making a major contribution for societal growth and development. For Alex, he did not only lived, but also made a tangential impact in the society he found himself. He left “marks in the sands of time.” The story of the IBRU Centre is the story of the man: Chief (Dr.) Alexander Uruemu Ibru, a rare gift to humanity.
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“A minute silence in memory of the late Dr. Alex Ibru”
Word Study From The Topic:
• Marks In The Sands of Time — Legacies, Memorials, Reputations, Testaments
• A Challenged World — Climatic change, Insecurity, Food shortage, Risk of Flood catastrophe, Godlessness, Wasting of lives and property, Corruption which had become cyclic and endemic, among others.
Alex saw a challenged world and decided under God to make his humble and honest contribution for societal growth and development. What he did quietly has impacted so much that it speak volumes even though he is no longer with us.
Who “Is” Chief (Dr.) Alexander Uruemu Ibru?
Dr. Alex Ibru is the son of Pa Peter and Madam Janet Omotogor Ibru. He was the youngest of the famous Ibru brothers. He was born on March 1, 1945. He was a native of Agbarah-Otor in Ughelli-North Local Council Area in Delta State. He attended Yaba Methodist Primary School from 1951 to 1957; Ibadan Grammar School (1958-1960); Igbobi College, Lagos (1960-1963); and the University of Trent (formerly Trent Polytechnic) (1967-1970) where he studied business economics. He was a young Nigerian billionaire businessman, Founder/Publisher of The Guardian Newspaper, flagship of the Nigerian press. He was the Minister of Internal Affairs from 1993 to 1995, and a member of the revered Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) in the General Sani Abacha led government.

He was the Chairman of the Trinity Foundation, the vehicle through which he carried out his massive philanthropy. In setting up the Trinity Foundation that oversees the IBRU Centre, he was quoted to have said: “He was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,” (Acts 26:19). By this expression, he was God’s treasurer, and so yielded his private residence, set up a chapel and some couple of buildings to realise his vision for the IBRU Centre. He simply relocated to a nearby building with his family and was not dissuaded by members of his family from going the way God had laid in his heart. It is interesting to note that the Trinity Foundation is being managed by The Church of Nigeria through her leader, the Primate of All Nigeria. The Trinity Foundation has a board and expectedly the Primate, the Archbishops, The Registrar, The Treasurer, all of The Church of Nigeria and the Ibru family are members of the Board. The Rector of the IBRU Centre serves as the Secretary to the Board.

The Importance Of The IBRU Centre
The IBRU Centre has the acronym: “SHE”, which means “Spirituality,” “Health” and “Education.” These purposes it has lived out over time. It is a veritable place for retreats, conferences and special encounter with the Lord, usually open to individuals, groups, churches and corporate organisations, among others.

IBRU Centre is a place away from the stresses of the day and its attendant distractions. The services rendered by the Centre and the human relations it offers are second to none. Users of the Centre have always testified of the tremendous impact it has had on them. That is why they keep coming back to the glory of God. The donor and founder insisted that the place must always be impeccable.

The IBRU Centre has not only affected lives; it has greatly changed the destinies of many individuals and organisations for good. For example, some Bishops of our Church were elected there during some of the Anglican Episcopal Synods that were held there. Such persons have never given up sharing their testimonies in the course of their Episcopal functions. Also of note is that of lay individuals and organisations who have received quantum of answers to their prayers made in the Centre. To God be the Glory!

We must commend highly the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) through her leadership for adequately making use of the Centre from time to time. Examples include, but not limited to the following: the annual January Episcopal Retreats, Clergy and Wives Retreats of some Dioceses in the Anglican Communion, Knights and Ladies Retreats, Senior Clergy Advanced Training Course, Ecumenical Workshops and so on.
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Other Churches including Pentecostals are not left out! I thank God that during my tenure, The Knights of St. John’s International of the Roman Catholic Persuasion, made use of the Centre. Thereafter, I told Dr. Alex of their presence and usage. Of course, he was alive then. Such news made him glad and fulfilled. To him, that was, indeed, Ecumenism in practice.
There Is Something In A Name

When renowned playwright, William Shakespeare was asked the question, “What is in a name?” in Romeo and Juliet, he was referring to the idea that names themselves are a convention to distinguish things or people, but in themselves, do not have any worth or meaning. While we can certainly understand that “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” we do need to be careful with names and their meanings in the world of business, contracts and construction. When it comes to builders’ risk insurance specifically, names do, indeed, carry great meanings. So, Dr. Alex, deeply involved in business having studied business economics, chose a name, a reputation in the place of the IBRU Centre, and we can agree that he did not make a mistake. The IBRU Centre is a household name; a centre for religious teaching, reflection and excellence.

The Bible is replete with people who possess good names or reputations: Noah (Gen. 7:1), Job (Job 1:1), Ruth (Ruth 2:11-12), Jesus Christ (Luke 2:52), Mary (Luke 1:26-31), and so forth. We commend Dr. Alex for his choice of the name, “THE IBRU CENTRE.”

This Legacy Must Continue
Dr Alex U. Ibru lived and left a good legacy in the IBRU Project. This project is strongly co-ordinated by the Trinity Foundation. It is expected, therefore, that his wife, our mummy, Lady Maiden Ibru; his son, Toke; and his siblings; Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); and others should ensure that such a wonderful legacy is maintained.

We thank God, so far, for the contributions of the family, even at the exit of the founder. I believe, with the encouragement, connection and support from the family, the Centre could still be pushed forward to assume its international status. Impliedly and with further commitment from the family, The Centre could attract patronage from some foreign nationals in terms of short courses, seminars and conferences. At least, this will help to keep aglow the founder’s vision and mission about the Centre.

Interestingly, we appreciate the current Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Revd. (Dr.) Henry C. Ndukuba, for his dogged continuation of support and prayers for the Centre. By his discretion and approvals, some new programmes have been added to the existing ones. These are in attempt to ensure that the Centre is regularly busy. We are aware that the busier The Centre is, the better for the vision and mission.

We, therefore, strongly encourage the public to continue to make use of this God-given place. There is no doubt that prayers offered at such a wonderful place in no small measure will contribute to peace and stability in today’s Nigeria. We need peace for societal progress and development. More so, as we pray at The Centre, we should understand that “…fervent prayers of the saints avails much…,” (James 5:16). Remember, “the world’s problem is spiritual” and so the solution “should be spiritual.” And IBRU Centre offers us such a veritable experience.
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The Exit Of An Icon
As I put down this lecture, I recall with nostalgia, what I had written a week before the passing of this great man in the Sunday Guardian Newspaper, IBRU Centre column: “With what will you be remembered?” So, when the news of his demise broke out on November 20, 2011, we were shocked, saddened, and felt helpless. Yet, it was true. The volume of mourners and commentators increased daily. In fact, IBRU Centre became a mecca of sort. He lived only for 66 years. For me then, I said, with this exit of a great and good man, “When cometh another?”

Festus Ahon of Vanguard Newspaper on November 24, 2011, under the title, “Behold the Tomb of Alex Ibru’s Final Resting Place” said among others: “Chief Alex Ibru was a phenomenon whose substance and legacy would live for generations to come. His remembrance will never be forgotten. That simply means he still lives daily.” Indeed, his memory shall not be lost. He lived and lives and the IBRU Centre is a testament.
Conclusion

In our excursion, we have had a graphic impression of the man, Chief (Dr.) Alexander Uruemu Ibru. We are thrilled with his large heart and philanthropy. We quite appreciate his contributions to the development and growth of the society through the Guardian Newspaper and particularly the IBRU Centre.

Even though he lived for only 66 years, his live was significant and impactful. We are aware it is not how long we live, but how well. To this man of destiny, a rare gem to humanity, a man who lived ahead of his generation, will ever be remembered for all that he stood for.

From Urhobo Historical Society: “Dr. Alex Uruemu Ibru: The Events That Re-Empowered His Commitment to the Guardian, Ibru Centre, and Trinity Foundation,” written shortly after his return from surgery in the United Kingdom, and published in The Guardian of November 21, 2011, noted among others: “While others in his shoes might have been gloating at their recovery, the publisher became more reflective and read deeper meaning to his continued existence.

To him, God must have spared his life for a particular purpose. The fact that he did not die in spite of the odds against him showed that he has not completed the assignment allotted to him by God at creation. Of necessary consequence therefore is that the experience had drawn him closer to God and the need to live the rest of his life in the service of humanity.”

He continued: “For the most of what remains of my life, I intend to do two major things. First, I will continue to associate with The Guardian to ensure that its role as the voice of the people is never compromised. The second and perhaps even much deeper engagement will be the Trinity Foundation, which main focus is to provide succour for the poor, the sick, and the needy.” Indeed, these two tasks had occupied his mind even before the dastardly act.

We can see from the foregoing that Dr. Alex in the IBRU Centre, left “his footprints in the sands of time.” May he continue to rest in peace.
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