The conceptualization of Immaculate Conception College Old Boys’ Association (ICCOBA) was initiated by Mr. Wilson Uwaifo in 1964. He was of the 1960 set. He worked as a librarian in Edo College and later on worked in Observer Newspaper. Edo College had opened its Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1964 and some young I.C.C. boys were in that first set of Edo College HSC amongst whom were Festus Iduozee (now Enogie of Evboesi) of 1962 set, Matthias Idemudia Ogunsuyi and Patrick Kagbala both of 1963 set. The I.C.C. boys had a closed relationship with Mr. Wilson Uwaifo. This time, Edo College Old Boys were coming to the School compound (then off Wire road, old school campus) to hold the Old Boys meetings. The I.C.C. boys always visited Uwaifo at the library and it was then Mr. Uwaifo asked the young I.C.C. boys that, why can’t they hold their own meetings? They were asked to go out, identify other I.C.C. Old Boys who were in town so they can start holding their own meeting. It was on record that the moment they graduate from I.C.C., most of them traveled to Ibadan and Lagos to work and not resident in Benin. As instructed, the boys started looking for other old boys under the coordination of Wilson Uwaifo.

The Association in University of Ibadan (UI) became vibrant. The I.C.C. boys who were in UI started meeting and formed a niche. This 1966 group was headed by Thaddeus Ogboghodo of the 1961 set. Other members were Greg Onaghise (1961), Festus Iduozee (1962), Matthias Ogunsuyi (1963), Samuel Okoro (1962), Matthew Omigie (1959) and Okundaye of 1961 set. By 1967, other younger boys came in. They include Raymond Elaiho, K. C. Idemudia, Anthony Osagie and Victor Aimiuwu, Roland Ehigiamusoe, all of 1964 set. They formed a group in UI and later on, G.O.S. Ekhaguere and others joined. Another UI member was John Ogbeide (Jevo) of 1964 set. By then, about Ten (10) I.C.C. boys were UI students. UI became a strong group, so much that anytime they came on holidays, they kept the Association.

Simultaneously, University of Lagos (Unilag) held about the exploit of the Association in UI. They also started their group in Lagos, headed by Joseph Egharevba (1962), Victor Ogbomo (1963), James Okungbowa (1962) and Peter Orobor (1963).

1965 set also came on board, amongst who were Bernard Irusota, Akpata, Gregory Odigie came to boost the number in UI which became a formidable group. Whenever they came on holidays, they reinforced what was in Benin. To make it active or strong that time, they organized some activities where they all gathered. This time, Patrick Igunbor got married and the Old Boys rally round themselves and participated. Solomon Asemota also married, which was a spectacular marriage as he dressed in Police attire while his wife dressed in Air Force attire. The Old Boys were happy to be associated with such activities and this was how they grew. They had meetings from place to place in Benin, which was reinforced and strengthened with the University boys coming around on holidays.

This time, some Old Boys who were already working were attracted into the Association like Emmanuel Woghiren who was in Specialist hospital, Vincent Oganho(Dental Centre), Felix Obi and others. Read more...

People who were not part of it started coming on board here in Benin. There were some Old Boys who were very active like Nicholas Ogbeide, Cletus Emwanta, Uhunmwangho and Pius Asemota who was a young businessman. This was how the group grown. They started organizing end of year party and most of these activities were done in I.C.C.

Another group was formed in Auchi Polytechnic by Isaac Uhunmwangho (1965). At this time, the Association was visible in Benin, Ul, Unilag and Auchi Poly. After the war, a group picked up in University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) under the leadership of Late Matthew Omigie, Patrick Ogadi, Matthias Ogunsuyi, Lawrence Ohiowele, Abel Agbontaen, Anthony Edokpayi and they started formulating the constitution which will be used to safe guide themselves.

At this point, a group in Lagos with Humphrey Agbamu and others started coordinating the Lagos Branch. This was where Solomon Asemota and others became part of. The first National Convention was held and Solomon Asemota became the first National President of ICCOBA and this was early 70s. Kingsley Idemudia who was a member in Benin was volunteered to become the first National Secretary. After the Convention, the Association started taking shape and formation of different branches started. Even though the National President was in Lagos, Benin branch was more rooted with Barr. Andrew Aburimen as the first President who was very effective in galvanizing people, especially those who were just graduating and they became members of the Association and assisting each other became a tradition. Even at this time, Barr. Aburimen gave a land property to K. C. Idemudia (who doubled as the National and State secretary), just the same way he donated a land to ICCOBA where the ICCOBA House is now situated.

After Aburimen, Okungbowa became the Benin Branch President, followed by Igunbor whose tenure became conspicuous during the time of Late Ambrose Alli who was also an Old Boy of I.C.C. There was proliferation of schools during the time of Ambrose Alli as governor and the Benin branch President then Igunbor told governor Ambrose Alli that being an Old Boy, he must not sacrifice excellence on the altar of population.

The Association maintained a cordial relationship with the School during the time of Rev. Fr. Donnelly, Rev. Fr. Casey and also the vibrant period of Dr. Itotoh.

Some of the persons who were there from the beginning were Aburimen, Igunbor, Matthew Omigie, Oduwa, Pius Emokpae who was senior prefect, all of 1959 set. In Benin, there was Anthony Igwe, John Igwe(a footballer), Odihi, Otaga who works in the Prisons then. The next set was D. O. Odigie, Pa. Ogiehor, thereafter was Thaddeus Ogboghodo group, Onaghise, Victor Aghayere and others. It’s on record that the foundation of ICCOBA was built around 1962 and 1963 sets. The foot soldiers were those who made the Association work, they were graduates of 1962 and 1963 set who were on ground to make sure things works.

It is worthy to note that all I.C.C. graduate had confidence in moving out. It almost became a tradition that if you get admission into I.C.C., you are definitely going to be outstanding. Parents were not bothered when the Old Boys were going to ICCOBA meetings because of the confidence they had in the boys. Most parents were supportive, even buying cabin biscuits for the Boys when they visit their homes. The Association became very neat and the envy of the other schools. By 1965/1966, the Old Boys had started participating in the school inter-house competition (old boys’ race) and organizing football match with the school. From Benin Branch, Warri and Asaba branches of the Association was formed. With the creation of States, Old Boys spread across Nigeria.