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By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
93 year-old Chief Simpson Obruche, who is based in the United Kingdom, has eulogized the life and times of late Prof. Peter Palmer Ekeh, describing him as a man worthy of emulation in his sacrificial and selfless service to the development of humanity, Urhobo people and other Nigerians.
The Uwheru chief made this known at the Urhobo Cultural Center, Uvwiamuge-Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State recently when a symposium and day of tributes was held in honour of the departed world class social scientist by the Urhobo Progress Union and the Urhobo Historical Society.
Chief Obruche, who is the president of the UPU in London, also appealed to well meaning Urhobo people and the children of the deceased to always sustain the vision of the departed Urhobo hero.
In the same way, Chief Simeon Ohwofa, secretary of the board of trustees of the Urhobo Historical Society, described the late Prof. Peter Ekeh as an Urhobo leader and patriot that was totally commited to the cause of moving the Urhobo nation forward through rebirth and renaissance of the Urhobo history and culture.
“Late Prof. Peter Palmer Ekeh was a man that was totally commited to the advancement of Urhobo history and culture in many ways. All through his school days until he became a lecturer in Nigerian universities and in the US where he finally passed on, he was commited to the cause of Urhobo unity, identity and independence as a people.
“This struggle however culminated into his establishing the formidable Urhobo Historical Society in 1999 in the US with some other Urhobo intellectuals. Since the establishment of this research based organization, it has been one publication or the other in promoting the history and culture of the Urhobo people. Today, Urhobo is pragmatically placed in the world map as one of the vibrant ethnic groups in Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa,” he said.
The Lagos-based business mogul appealed to Urhobo Progress Union, well meaning Urhobo people and others to support the endowment fund established in honour of the late Prof. Ekeh.
In his tribute to the late erudite scholar, business expert and human-capital manager, Dr. Benson Uwheru, spoke extensively on the humility of late Prof. Ekeh, “though he was a highly respected and great man in the academic world and the Nigerian society.”
“When I got an appointment from an international business organization, late Prof. Peter Ekeh was one amongst numerous Nigerians that sent me a congratulatory message. Since then, I have been in close contact with this humble man. He was like a father to me. He went further to advise me as a son of Urhobo to always use my position and the opportunity to pull along Urhobo youths.
“Truly, I listened to his words of advice and today, I have been able to pull from the streets many unemployed Urhobo youths and offer them great business opportunities. They are today enjoying that good gesture.
“So as a young Urhobo patriot, I want say what I so much cherish in the life of the late Prof, was his acts of humility and kindness because life is like a chain, we must hook to each other to move forward in life.”
Dr. Uwheru however called on Urhobo leaders and the Delta State government to create job opportunities for our unemployed teeming youths roaming the streets. According to the renowned motivational speaker, it would reduce the rate of crime in Urhobo communities.
The symposium which centred on the topic, ‘Social Reality, Statehood and Citizenship in Africa through the lens of Peter Ekeh,’ was delivered by an erudite Professor Eghosa Osaghae, a professor of Political Science at the University of Ibadan, a former vice chancellor of Igbenedion University, Edo State and also, a former student of the late Prof. Peter Ekeh.
The event which was chaired by Prof. Sam Oyovwaire, a former information minister was attended by creme de la creme of Nigerians from home and abroad, including Urhobo traditional rulers, chiefs and long line of Professors and lecturers from different universities across the world.
