The Ibolo Voice in Diaspora (IVID) has strongly condemned what it describes as an “orchestrated and malicious smear campaign” against Dr. Awa Ibrahim, an accomplished son of Offa/Ibolo land and a respected national figure. The group issued an official communique on Thursday expressing outrage over allegations circulated in a video by an individual it described as a “self-proclaimed Islamic cleric.”
In the statement signed by its Global Publicity Secretary, Amb. Mrs. Lawal Aishat Tinuola and obtainedbyJUST EVENT ONLINE TV, the group described the allegations as baseless, fabricated, and aimed at tarnishing the reputation of Dr. Ibrahim, who they said has devoted decades to education, philanthropy, Islamic scholarship, and community development across Nigeria.
According to IVID, attempts to link Dr. Ibrahim to any form of destructive activity are “malicious, futile, and offensive,” noting that the attack appears intended to undermine both the individual and the wider Ibolo community.
Profile of Dr. Awa Ibrahim
The group highlighted Dr. Ibrahim’s distinguished background to counter the allegations. Born on October 19, 1953, in Offa, he holds degrees from the University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, the University of Ilorin, and has undergone executive education at Harvard Business School and institutions in the UK and Italy.
He is the Chairman of Integrated Consultancy Management Accountants (ICMA) Services Limited and sits on the boards of several major companies, including Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company Limited and Oceanic Health Management Company Limited. Dr. Ibrahim is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and currently serves as the Pro-Chancellor of Fountain University, Osogbo.
Community Pushback and Demands
Describing the allegations as a calculated attempt to tarnish Offa/Ibolo’s reputation, IVID urged all traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, and civic associations within the region to rise in firm defense of Dr. Ibrahim.
The group issued a rallying call for unity, insisting that an attack on the eminent figure is “an assault on the soul of Ibolo” and a threat to the community’s collective integrity.
IVID further demanded immediate intervention from security agencies, calling on the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to:
Investigate the originators of the defamatory claims,
Summon the cleric responsible for the video,
File criminal charges against those involved, and
Ensure the removal of all defamatory content from social media and other platforms.
They warned that they would not tolerate the continued circulation of “noxious and incendiary” content aimed at damaging Dr. Ibrahim’s reputation.
A United Front
The diaspora group reaffirmed its commitment to defending the honor of distinguished sons and daughters of Ibolo, adding that the community stands “united and unbroken” in the face of what it termed a deliberate campaign of misinformation.
“Dr. Awa Ibrahim’s legacy of service, peacebuilding, and development cannot be diminished by baseless allegations,” the communique stated, reaffirming the community’s resolve to resist any attempt to sow division or discredit its most respected figures.
