Meet Pastor Ize-Iyamu

Get to know the man behind the movement, his life, what he stands for, and what his plans are for our Edo State!

Pastor Osagie Andrew Ize-Iyamu was born on 21 June 1962 into the family of Late Chief Robert Osayande Ize-Iyamu, the Esogban of Great Benin Kingdom and Mrs. Magdalene N. Ize-Iyamu (nee Obasohan), a very successful business woman.

In 1973, Osagie Ize-Iyamu completed his primary education at Ebenezer Nursery and Primary School, Benin City, remarkably obtaining one of the best result in the common entrance examination of the then Midwestern Region.

For his secondary school education, he attended the prestigious Edo College, Benin City. Reminiscent of his stellar performance in the primary school common entrance examination, in 1979, Osagie Ize-Iyamu completed his secondary school education with the best result amongst the students in the art class that sat for the West Africa Examinations Council Certificate (WAEC).

Inspired by his high academic performance, Osagie Ize-Iyamu decided to study Political Science in the university. Upon sitting for and passing the university matriculation examination, he was admitted into the prestigious University of Benin in 1980. However, in a twist of fate, the following academic session, he changed his course of study to Law, which was introduced into the institution that year. Thus, he became one of the pioneer students of the Faculty of Law, University of Benin.

Osagie Ize-Iyamu graduated in 1986 with honors. He immediately proceeded to the Nigeria Law School, whereupon being successful in the Bar Examination was then called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987.

In 1988 Osagie Ize-Iyamu proceeded to participate in the mandatory National Youth Service in Akure, Ondo State. For his primary assignment, he worked in the law firm of Jide Aladejana.

While he was in the National Youth Service, the electoral contest for the local government councils in Edo State, under the zero party arrangement came about. He made his strategic contribution to the emergence of Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion as the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council.

In recognition of his resourcefulness, the local government chairman appointed him his Special Assistant. Thus, he was Special Assistant to Oredo Local Government Chairman between 1988 and 1989.

In 1990, he established a law firm with other associates as a principal partner. The Law firm was Idahosa, Ahonaruogho & Ize-Iyamu (Solicitor & Advocates). The firm had offices in Benin City and Lagos.

Osagie Ize-Iyamu also set his eyes on building a business with varied interest. This culminated in the establishment of the I.O Ventures Limited in 1996, of which he has been Chairman/CEO till date.

He showcased his sagacity in management and entrepreneurial spirit when he set up the magnificent I.O Farms Training Institute- a model farm settlement at Ugbor-Amagba communities in Benin City, Edo State. The institute has turned out hundreds of young agriculturists.

The Training Institute has the triple objective of agricultural training, skills acquisition and youth empowerment, which is a veritable mechanism for the reduction of unemployment, youth restiveness and organized crime.

In 1995, Osagie Ize-Iyamu had a life threatening experience which altered the course of his life as he was unimaginably led into the service of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The incident was a ghastly car accident from which he was unconscious for nine hours, and the hope of his coming out of it was uncertain. His hips were dislocated and his toes fractured.

Miraculously, God healed him perfectly at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos. Overwhelmed by the manifestation of divine favour, and the words of encouragement from his wife, Osagie Ize-Iyamu decided to dedicate his life to serving God.

Promptly, he joined the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), where he grew in knowledge and wisdom about God and church administration. To the amazement of his family, friends and foes, Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s spiritual life transformed beyond imagination. Within a short time, he qualified and was made a minister in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. In 1998, he became Pastor of the Upper Room Parish of the Church, located at Adesuwa Road, G.R.A., Benin City.

He committed himself to the propagation of the Gospel as well as the infrastructural development of the Church. With the encouragement and prayerful support of his wife, as well as the commitment of his fellow ministers, he raised the hitherto small parish (branch) to the biggest RCCG Church in Edo State. Subsequently, he was appointed the Area Pastor of the GRA 1 Area Church overseeing three parishes with headquarters at the Upper Room parish. His transformation became an inspiration to thousands of youths in Edo State.

Today, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is the Assistant Pastor in Charge of Province (APICP), and Christian Social Responsibility (CSR) of The Redeemed Christian Church of God Edo Province 2 in Benin City. Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s great strides have not only been manifest in the faith but also in his political life..

In 1999, upon the return of democratic government to Nigeria, Osagie Ize-Iyamu was appointed as the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Edo State, Dr. Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion.

As the Chief of Staff, from 1999-2003, he elevated the office to the enviable status of a melting pot of consultation, strategy and confidence building. As someone led by the Holy Spirit, he became the man to trust and do business with – the rallying point of energies and ideas. He engineered the smooth and peaceful relationship that the state enjoyed with pensioners and labour leaders in Edo State.

In appreciation of his sterling performance as Chief of Staff, Osagie Ize-Iyamu was elevated to the position of Secretary to the State Government (SSG). In this position of immense trust, critical nexus and strategic catalyst in the government, he proved to be reliable, dependable, trust worthy and a positive generational ambassador committed to the well-being of Edo people. He has continued to contribute to the political development of the state and at a time was given the award of politician of the decade in Edo State.

Osagie Ize-Iyamu is a politician that does not discriminate. He is highly detribalized, open to positive ideas, a motivator of positive agenda for government, and a respecter of elders and social values, a nexus of hope for Christians in Government and a crusader of fairness and social justice. Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s bold footprints in partisan politics and public office in Edo State has been phenomenal in scope, depth and intensity. He is a calm and deep-thinking political architect whose courageous designs inspire the hope for good governance and democratic freedom.

Today, Osagie Ize-Iyamu is widely respected, acknowledged, and referred to as the “Leader” by both the elderly and the young. This is in recognition of his uncommon courage, wisdom, integrity and commitment to the advancement of the common good. For his intellectual and tactical abilities, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has been entrusted with critical positions in party politics. He has been, Vice Chairman, South South, ACN, DG, Governor Adams Oshiomhole Re-election Campaign Organization and Member, APC Constitution Drafting Committee. In all these assignments, he has discharged his responsibilities excellently.

He is an honorary doctorate degree holder of the Benson Idahosa University, Benin City. On July 1^st, 2019, he was recognized for his contribution to the development of our democratic process and rule of law when he received the Life Time Achievers Award by the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin (Lion) Branch. Osagie Ize-Iyamu is happily married to Pastor (Prof.) Idia Ize-Iyamu, a Consultant Orthodontist with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Professor in the University of Benin. They are blessed with four children.