URHOBO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Web sites: http://waado.org;
http://urhobo.kinsfolk.com
E-mail: UrhoboHistory@waado.org
FOURTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
October 31 �
A Composite Report
By Peter P. Ekeh, Ph.D.
Chair, Urhobo Historical Society
The Fourth Annual Conference and General Meeting of Urhobo Historical Society (UHS) had many outstanding features. Details of the papers and addresses that were presented at sessions and gatherings of the conference surpass, by far, those of the three preceding Annual Conferences and Meetings. Many of the products of the conference will be published in our web sites. This composite report is intended to give the reader an overall profile of the conference. It is presented in two parts: (a) the unique features of the fourth conference and (b) some details of various sessions and gatherings of the conference.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF
THE CONFERENCE
Preparation
Preparation for the conference was
international in scope.
It involved an active regime of consultation between the UHS Conference
and
Communiqu� Committee (based in the
Venues
As in 2002, we retained the Ian Gulland Lecture
Theatre of Goldsmiths College of London
University
as the principal venue of the conference. It served mainly as
the
platform for its academic sessions. Two other venues were employed for
the
evening occasions on all three days of the conference. A spacious but unpretentious and relatively
inexpensive hall on the premises of All Saints Church,
Languages of the
Conference
Last year, there was a persistent demand and
challenge that
Urhobo language be used as a medium of communication in the sessions of
our
conferences. Such request was absent this year. However, a clear
pattern
emerged. The academic sessions of the conference at Goldsmiths College
of
London University were conducted almost entirely in English. On the
other hand,
the evening sessions in the other venues were dominated by
presentations in
Urhobo language. In the process, we witnessed some of the most
outstanding
oratory in the Urhobo language, filled with metaphoric expressions that
recalled a golden age of eloquence in our language.
A Galaxy of
Illustrious Participants and a Strong Presence of Women and Youth
This fourth of our Annual Conferences brought together an usually strong presence of eminent Urhobos, many of whom are deeply interested in Urhobo social and cultural affairs, though not necessarily in the more mundane aspects of its daily politics. It also brought together an admixture of women and men as well as youths who are inquisitive about their future in Urhobo culture.
A strong delegation from among the Urhobo
leadership in
A major distinction of this Fourth Annual
Conference was the
presence of Chief James Ibori, Governor of Delta State, and a large
delegation
of his officials and party chieftains at the opening ceremony of the
conference.
Chief Patrick Bolokor, Otota of Agbon; Chief Ighoyota Amori, former
Delta State
Commissioner of Education; Chief James Eruero, former Secretary to
Delta State Government;
and a number of
other Commissioners in the current Government of Delta State were with
the
Governor at the opening ceremony. Chief Francis Agboro, Chief of Staff
for the
Governor, and Professor G. G. Darah, his Advisor for Communications,
were also
in the Governor�s entourage. Of these, Mr. Love Ojakovo, Commissioner
for
Housing, remained behind and attended all sessions of the conference.
An imposing presence of illustrious names in
Nigerian
business, professions, and academia made this conference special.
Deacon
Gamaliel Onosode, currently Chairman of Dunlop (
There was an especially prominent Warri
presence at the 4th
Annual Conference. Chief Daniel Obiomah, scholar and leader of the
Agbassa
struggle for justice and fair play in
Such strong participation by distinguished
Urhobos from
within
From
An outstanding feature of this conference was
an elegant
presence of Urhobo women, including the cream of their women�s
leadership in
The
Finally, we salute the Urhobo youth who dared
to bare their
frustration at the lack of promotion of a culture they love but now
find
difficult to practice. They have raised our consciousness and
commitment for ensuring
that Urhobo culture should be made available to all Urhobo youngsters,
including those in the Diaspora who through no fault of theirs are
unable to
speak the Urhobo language. Patrick Okene and Sylvester Efole, both
residents of
Ijaw Presence at the
4th Annual Conference
The UK & Belgium Organizing Committee
invited several London-based
ethnic associations from the western Niger Delta to attend our events.
Most
were unable to come. However, the Ijaw community in
Enchanting
Entertainment at the Evening Sessions
An interesting feature of this conference was
its
entertainment component. This was employed for the evening sessions and
comprised two elements. There was, first, a London-based Urhobo music
band that
supplied interlude music and a public address system. It was a very
effective
group arranged by the UK & Belgium Organizing Committee. Second,
there was
a New York City-based comedian with a professional stage name of Away-Away. Mr. Jude Onokpama, an Urhobo
man whose fame in
Sponsorship
Another unique feature of this year�s
conference was the
amount of sponsorship that Urhobo Historical Society received. In spite
of its rapid
growth and recent fame, UHS is a small organization
of modest means. It lacks the
resources to cover the expenses of those it invites to its conferences.
We
are therefore especially pleased to acknowledge the
financial assistance of benefactors who arranged for the
transportation of four individuals
based in
First, Governor James Ibori personally paid
for the airfares
from
At the suggestion of the UK & Belgium
Organizing
Committee, our usual registration fees were not levied at this
conference.
Instead, we relied on donations to meet some of the expenses of
organizing the
conference. We thank all those who donated at the venues of the
conference. We
are particularly grateful to Chief J. M. Barovbe for a handsome
donation of
�1,000.00. An impressive number of individuals from among Urhobo
leaders in the
London Urhobo community also made significant donations of varying sums
of
money and gifts of drinks for the evening sessions. They included Mr.
James
Okorode, Chairman, Urhobo Social & Cultural Club,
We are also pleased to acknowledge a promise of help from another benefactor, who has asked that his name be withheld, towards meeting the significant shortfall on the income side of the financial ledger of the Fourth Annual Conference. We express our profound gratitude to him for his generosity and selflessness.
SOME DETAILS OF THE
SESSIONS AND EVENING CEREMONIES
A. Opening Ceremonies
�
The opening ceremonies started slowly, but
then proceeded
smoothly, and indeed ended quite well. The opening prayers were
narrated by the
Very Rev. Prof. Samuel Erivwo, Provost of St. Andrews Cathedral, Warri.
Olorogun
Moses Taiga, who was scheduled to chair the occasion, was unable to
travel from
Two ritual formalities were performed at the
start of the
opening ceremonies. First, kola nuts, money, and drinks were presented
by UHS
and its organizing committees to welcome Governor James Ibori, Deacon
Gamaliel
Onosode, Chief Daniel Obiomah, and the many other dignitaries present
at the
opening ceremony. In step with Urhobo traditional practices, many other
people
in the audience supported this effort by adding more money. Second, the
Beyond these rituals, there were three addresses at the opening ceremonies. First, the Special Guest of Honour, Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, thanked Urhobo Historical Society for its invitation to him to serve as the Special Guest of Honour. He said he was at the conference to listen and learn. He promised to be present at all the sessions at which the issues of the conference would be discussed. He spoke of the need for all to contribute towards Urhobo affairs. Deacon Onosode�s eloquence in Urhobo language was greatly admired by the audience who applauded our Special Guest of Honour lavishly.
Governor James Ibori�s address was in two parts. First, he spoke in eloquent Urhobo on issues of leadership in traditional Urhobo settings. Making a distinction between Okarho (oldest man) and Ovie (king) of a town or cultural unit in traditional Urhoboland, he pleaded that each had his place in our cultural practices. He opined that the Ovie as the political head of his domain deserves respect. So also other political office holders deserve to receive respect.
Second, Governor Ibori read a prepared paper in English in which he made several salient points:
(i) He
observed that the opening event
of the UHS conference was taking place on
(ii) The Governor praised the efforts of Urhobo Historical Society in building a credible web site, URHOBO WAADO, for the purpose of articulating Urhobo interests. He also thanked the Society for publishing important articles on Urhobo matters in Nigerian newspapers.
(iii) Governor Ibori noted the importance of the main theme of the conference, namely, Leadership and the Future of the Urhobo, as most appropriate at this time. Chief Ibori recalled the excellence of Urhobo leadership in the Western Niger Delta in the last 100 years, invoking such Urhobo leaders as Salubi, Oweh, Mariere, Okotie-Eboh, Tabiowo, and Yamu Numa.
(iv) The Governor cautioned that lack of unity and acts of insubordination to constituted authority now threaten such past achievements.
(v)
Looking forward, Chief Ibori said,
�The future of Urhobo is bright.� He asked his audience to emulate the
ways of
a past President-General of UPU, Chief T. E. A. Salubi, who in 1963
enjoined
Urhobos: �If therefore you share our faith, and I am sure you do, then
let us
kindle anew our torch of loyalty, unity, mutual confidence,
understanding and
the zeal to do more, to work harder so that at the end of the journey
we may
all arrive without failing in faith and industry. May we be worthy of
the great
tasks before us!�
The Chair of Urhobo Historical, Professor Peter P. Ekeh, also addressed the opening ceremony. First, he explained the modest site of the opening ceremonies in humble Church premises, rather than in posh luxury hotel, as owing to the fact that UHS is a small organization with limited funds. Moreover, its emphasis is on serving Urhobo interests, not in circumstances of luxury for its members and guests. He assured participants that UHS fully appreciated the friendship and goodwill which they had displayed by coming to the conference.
Second, Professor Ekeh urged participants to mix up with one another across age lines and across all levels of distinction. He noted that there were present at the conference numerous professors and Ph.D. holders, both of which categories are now noticeably present in Urhobo communities. But there were also those other luminaries, such as our Special Guest of Honour, Deacon Gamaliel Onosode and Olorogun Frank Ukoli with their D.Sc. laurels and Bruce Onobrakpeya with his D. Lit. and other illustrious achievements. Young people should talk to them and look to them for inspiration.
Third, on behalf of Urhobo Historical
Society, the UHS Chair
thanked all those who had sacrificed so much to attend this conference.
He said
the closing ceremonies on the evening of
Lastly, Professor Ekeh outlined the reason why UHS had chosen �Leadership� as the main theme of this year�s conference. He told the audience that UHS was troubled by rampant complaints by Urhobos of all grades, at home and in the Diaspora, that Urhobo leadership had broken down. While there was always concern shown by Urhobos about inadequacies in Urhobo leadership in past decades, the current spate of dissatisfaction with the performances and lack of cohesiveness in Urhobo leadership is unprecedented. UHS therefore offered the opportunity of this conference in order to provide a platform for a full discussion of the principles and practices of Urhobo leadership as well as the current problems that have caused disaffection from Urhobo leadership.
The UHS Chair added that the Society has been guided by three principles of leadership in weighing the prospects and problems of leadership among the Urhobo:
First, Urhobo
leadership is about
meeting challenges that confront
segments or all of the Urhobo people. It is the responsibility of
Urhobo
leadership to define such challenges and to plot short and long term
solutions
to them. The enduring excellence of the Mukoro Mowoe era of the 1930s
and 1940s
was that Urhobo leaders of that period discerned that Urhobos were
inadequately
prepared for participating in the new colonial era. Our leaders of that
age
proceeded to design a solution, including assuming responsibility for
the cost
of training Urhobo�s first two graduates, M. G. Ejaife
and E. N. Igho. That era�s brilliance in
leadership
matters also extended to the founding of
Second, Urhobo
leadership is based
on a collegiate system of collective
leadership in which the top Urhobo leader is primus inter
pares. Training for leadership is not a centralized
affair in our culture. Urhobo leaders emerge independently in all
twenty-two cultural
subunits of Urhoboland and in the substantial Urhobo Diaspora. It is
the duty
of the Urhobo leader to coordinate and harness such diverse leadership
resources for the purpose of serving the common good of the Urhobo
people. Thus,
Chief Mukoro Mowoe�s greatness did not inhere in posing as a sole
leader. Rather,
his achievement was that he was able to carry his colleagues along with
him,
forming, as it were, a
Third, Urhobo leadership is based on the principle that Urhobo leaders must serve the Urhobo people in order to lead them. Indeed, UHS dares to pronounce Chief Mukoro Mowoe as the greatest servant of the Urhobo people. The prototypical Urhobo leader does not seek wealth from his leadership opportunities. Rather, the prototypical Urhobo leader uses his wealth to serve and enhance the collective goals of the Urhobo people. Similarly, those who are endowed with intellectual resources will be leaders only if they make their intellectual wealth available for serving the Urhobo people.
UHS�s Present to
Governor James Ibori
On behalf of Urhobo Historical Society, Dr. Helen Ekeh presented a package of three books to Governor James Ibori to commemorate his presence at the opening ceremony. The books were as follows:
Isaac Owhofasa
James Mowoe, Editor. 1999. Leadership, Unity, and the
Future of
Urhobos. Lectures And A Poem on The Occasion of the 50th
Anniversary of the Death of Chief Mukoro Mowoe. With a
Foreword by
Dr. Moses E. Mowoe.
Chief D. A. Obiomah. 2003. Who Owns Warri?
Tanure
Ojaide.
2003. Poetry, Performance, and
Art: Udje Dance Songs of the Urhobo People.
B. Themes and Topics
of Academic Sessions,
The morning and afternoon sessions of the
conference on
Leadership
Many perspectives were offered on the matter of leadership of the Urhobo people.
(i) In the first session, Dr. O. Igho Natufe pleaded a
model of Egyptian-Israeli negotiations for solving the Urhobo-Itsekiri
disputes
over Warri. He claimed that it was the absence of the type of bold
leadership displayed
by Anwar Sadat of
(ii) In a stimulating paper on Urhobo women and leadership,
Dr. Rose Aziza urged that Urhobo women have a major role to play in the
area of
using language potentials in young ones to shape the future of our
people for
leadership. She stated, �Women must help the young ones to learn to
respect, tolerate
and take pride in identifying with the Urhobo language, literature and
culture.� Dr. Aziza further declared, �The use of the Urhobo language
in
education must be encouraged because it is the key to all other
endeavours.�
(iii) Dr. Emmanuel Urhobo castigated the Urhobo people for
being indifferent to how their leaders are chosen. The result is that
rich
people without leadership qualities offer themselves for leadership of
the
Urhobo people. He called for a more deliberative method of selection of
Urhobo leaders,
based on criteria that respect settled leadership qualities.
(iv) Professor Ajovi Scott-Emuakpor disputed any notion that
there was an absence of Urhobo leadership. Many people have shown that
they are
worthy Urhobo leaders. The matter of a singular leader at the top is
another
matter that deserves to be examined. But it is untrue to say that
Urhobos lack
good leaders.
Urhobo Progress
In their papers and verbal presentation, many contributors linked the issues of Urhobo leadership to the problems and prospects of the UPU.
(i) Participating in the roundtable on leadership, Chief
Daniel Obiomah called for a major reform of the UPU. Leadership of the
organization should be pulled from within the numerous clubs and
associations
that now dominate Urhobo cultural and social affairs. Those who seek
leadership
of Urhobo Progress Union should first be tested for their leadership
qualities
in these organizations.
(ii) Presenting a paper on behalf of Urhobo National
Association of North America (UNANA), Dr. Ona Pela and Dr. Francis
Odemerho
advocated the establishment of a new think thank to be called Urhobo Institute that would serve the
larger goals of research and planning under the auspices of Urhobo
Progress
Union. Chief S. S. Obruche, from
(iii) Contributing to the debate on the reform of Urhobo
Progress Union, Chief D. O. Dafinone said it was a mistake to base
representation in the UPU on the basis of parity among the twenty-two
sub-cultural units of Urhobo. For example, he pointed out, it has been
unfair
to require two delegates each to represent Okpe and Arhavwarie, despite
the
huge disparities in their population.
Mineral Resources in
Urhoboland
In an informative and inspirational
presentation, Dr. Akpo
Avwovwo of the Niger Delta Development
Commission presented an outline with detailed maps of mineral resources
in
Urhoboland, including information about gas flares in our communities.
Keynote Address: Our Religious Leaders
and the Urhobo Nation
by Professor Sam Erivwo
In a precious
Our Special Guest of Honour,
Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, presided over
this important event. He virtually turned the introduction of the
subject of the
keynote address and its author into a remarkable speech of inspiration
that
resonated the essence of Urhobo history and culture in their sublime
fullness.
Speaking in English, in a metaphors-laced delivery that provoked puffs
of
laughter throughout, Onosode referred to the common roots that he
shared with
Reverend Erivwo in educational, cultural, and religious matters. They
shared
common grounds of descent from Ekiugbo, in Ughelli. At different times,
their educational
goals took them to the prestigious
The keynote address was a
genuine piece of the history of Urhobo leadership.
It traced the routes that three eminent Urhobo religious leaders took
to make
differences in the history of early Christian development in
Reverend Ejovi Aganbi was a
pioneer who deliberately gave up vast early
opportunities for presiding over well established Baptist parishes in
Yorubaland
in order to undertake the tedious work of building the Church in his
hometown
of Eku. He was a patient man, so much so that the name Aganbi became
synonymous
with patience and peace-making. His efforts were greatly rewarded. He
left
behind not only a thriving
Agori Iwe was a man of severe
discipline, in his private family life
and in his public religious vocation. He began his pastoral work in
Yorubaland.
But the itch to go to his people became irresistible. He served his
people and
other Niger Delta communities with total commitment. He rose to become
the first
Anglican Bishop of
Father Stephen Umurie was one
of the earliest Catholic priests in
Remarkably, although of different Christian
denominations,
all these three pioneers took an active interest in Urhobo public
affairs.
C. Special
Session on Urhobo Culture and Traditions:
Traditional Marriage and Igbe Religion.
This special evening session was a new addition to this annual conference. We were interested in making it an experiment in praxis, mixing academic studies of Urhobo culture with its practical renditions. It turned out to be a major point of success in the 4th Annual Conference.
Presided over by Chief J. M. Barovbe, this special session was in two parts. The first part was a lecture on the important subject of the institution of marriage in Urhobo culture in the face of changes instigated by Western influences. The second was a lecture on a notable Urhobo religious movement of the 19th century and its brush with British colonialism, followed by a dance demonstration by its devotees.
Lecture on the
Changing Institution of Marriage among the Urhobo by
Ms Janet Oromafuru Eruvbetere, LLB
(Hons.)
Defining the distinction and uniqueness of the marriage institution among the Urhobo, in comparison to Western-style marriages, as an enduring arrangement of relationships between the extended families of the two spouses of the marriage, Ms Janet Oromafuru Eruvbetere walked us through the processes of traditional Urhobo marriage. She contends that the tenets of Urhobo marriage have endured remarkably well, with the important exception of the rejection and assault on the polygamous rights of the husband.
Ms Eruvbetere outlines the implications of Western-type marriage vis-�-vis Urhobo traditional polygamous entitlements to the husband in a dramatic fashion:
(i) Western-style
marriage is terminated on the death of either of the partners. This
system of
marriage confers property rights upon the woman in the event of the
husband�s
death, as his next of kin. This is contrary to the polygamous
traditional
Urhobo marriage system.
(ii) She
becomes the chief mourner and the next of kin to her late husband.
(iii) The
couple�s estate automatically reverts to the wife, thus offering her
maximum
protection whether or not the marriage is childless.
(iv) In
this system, the woman�s contribution to the creation of her husband�s
estate
is acknowledged, and she is entitled to his pension rights. It
therefore means
that the woman enjoys the fruits of her labour during and after her
husband�s
life.
(v) In
contrast, the institution of Urhobo polygamous marriage offers no such
protection or rights after the husband�s death. Consequently, Urhobo
women now
prefer and welcome this Western influence upon the Urhobo traditional
marriage
system.
The
consequence, she says, is that our daughters do not have faith
in polygamous marriages, which is at the core of Urhobo traditional
practices
of marriage. And it appears that their parents are joining them in
their
rejection of this key aspect of Urhobo marriage. She asks,
provocatively, �If
modern Urhobo fathers who ought to be the custodians of our customs and traditions, now encourage
the
practice of giving away their daughters in marriage at the church or
registry;
knowing that this excludes Urhobo polygamous practice, does this not
mean that
they now give credence more to the Western form of marriage than to
Urhobo
traditional marriage?�
Igbe Religion: Urhobo�s Monotheistic Religious Movement of the 19th Century
A large segment of this session on Urhobo culture and traditions was devoted to a lecture on Igbe religion among the Urhobo and a demonstration of its dance practices.
Titled �IGBE Religious Movement: Ubiesha,
Ogbevire's
Oghenuku, and Igbe Ame,� the lecture by Dr. Michael Nabofa was
informative.
Professor Nabofa�s Ph.D. thesis at the
Dr. Nabofa then traced the expansion of Igbe
religion to
Professor Michael Nabofa�s lecture was illuminating to his audience. This is how one distinguished member of that audience, Chief Daniel Obiomah, reacted to its lessons:
�Professor Nabofa�s [lecture] on Igbe was to me a pleasant surprise. The outward appearance of white gear, a fan and dance was all I knew about them and this produced some prejudice. Compared to some of the older conventional religions, Igbe is a religion of its own � with founder, breakaways like Martin Luther, John Calvin constituting denominations, with healing powers and cosmology. The history of Western (European) Thought is an interesting subject. By contrast Africans were thought to have no history or formal Thought. Then I began to be conscious of Urhobo metaphysics. In the collection of poems I gave to UHS last year [which are yet to be published � Editor], one is a poem on OGHWOGHWO which in Greek and Roman philosophy is the Phoenix depicted by Milton in �Samson Agonistes� as �rara avis saecula saeculorum,� the unusual and ancient bird of endless ages. What I am saying is that UHS can glean from traditional religion, traditional usages in burial and marriage customs, festivals, Urhobo names, the Urhobo philosophy of life as the fundamental of Urhobo culture.�
Igbe Dance by a
London-based Congregation
The cultural highlight of that evening was a vigorous Igbe dance by a London-based congregation of Igbe devotees. Its men and women, numbering about twenty, danced to vintage Igbe songs and drumming, which have become part of Urhobo cultural lore.
The congregation that performed the dance
rituals of that
evening is a genuine piece of Igbe�s expansive history. Called Omonedo
Circle
(with the redoubtable Urhobo translation of Igbe
r� Ufuoma Oragha r�Ame Okigho, Mami Omote Uku,
D. Roundtable --
Women and Leadership in Urhoboland,
As it was last year, the women forum of this conference turned controversial. Again, as it was with last year�s Women�s Forum, the issues covered were many. Two of these were the most canvassed. They were (a) the difficulties of teaching Urhobo language and culture to children in the Urhobo Diaspora and (b) the oppression women feel in Urhobo institution of marriage.
Difficulties of
Teaching Urhobo Language and Culture to Children in the
Urhobo Diaspora
Many of the participants in the roundtable voiced frustration with the difficulties facing Urhobo families in the Diaspora and even in such Urhobo cities as Warri and Sapele where pidgin English is rapidly overtaking Urhobo as the language of childhood socialization. Some of the participants urged a variety of solutions, including teaching tools that will help those in the Diaspora to instruct their children in elementary Urhobo.
The view was expressed by many male participants that women had a special responsibility for teaching Urhobo culture and tradition to their children. It was a view that was resisted by the participants in the roundtable, many of whom blamed the men folk for the failure of their children to speak Urhobo.
Oppression That Women Feel in Urhobo Institution of Marriage
A more contentious issue was the view expressed by some participants that Urhobo culture is oppressive of women�s freedom in some respects of Urhobo traditions. The area isolated for discussion was the matter of the circumstances of women at the death of their husbands. The benefits of the practice of wife inheritance, which was disparaged by some participants, were highlighted from the floor.
All in all, this was a contentious session, with very little resolution of any issues. The general conclusion was that these issues must be pursued further in forums organized by UHS at its future annual conferences.
E. Youth Forum
-- Sunday, November 2, 2003,
This is our first experiment in an outreach youth forum in the conduct of our annual conferences; and for a first effort, the experience was encouraging. Presided over by Mr. Love Ojakovo, Commissioner for Housing in the Delta State Government, the highlight of this session was participation by two famous artists, which was intended to stimulate the interests of the youth. The contributions of Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya and Dr. Perkins Foss probably did as much for the adults as it did for the youths.
Perkins Foss�s display of his famous Urhobo photographs focused on the institutional practice of esakpogidi, the rituals on attainment of a fourth generation status in Urhobo culture. The rituals include an avoidance relationship between the great grand parent and the young fourth generation child: they were not expected to see each other. A special ritual of wearing the feather of an eagle (egodi in Urhobo), signifying the slaying of another, marked the coming of age of the 4th generation child when the great grand parent dies. A brisk discussion of this famous institution was stimulating for many older people in the audience.
This was followed by a painfully brief discussion by the youth participants of their frustration with difficulties they faced in practicing Urhobo language and culture. They made important suggestions on how to entice young Urhobos in the Diaspora into practicing Urhobo culture and language. It is a subject that UHS is obligated to pursue in its future annual conferences.
F. Annual General
Meeting:
The Annual General Meeting was very well attended. Discussions of the issues were thorough and brisk. The minutes of the meeting will be published in the next several weeks. Two significant conclusions may be highlighted here.
Bylaws of Urhobo
Historical Society
Following an informed discussion, in which lawyers and accountants shed considerable light on various aspects of the document, the Bylaws of Urhobo Historical Society were ratified by the Annual General Meeting.
Venue of 2004 Annual
Conference and Meeting
The Annual General Meeting elected to hold the next Annual Conference and Meeting of 2004 in Urhoboland. The dates of the conference will be decided by the Editorial and Management Committee in consultation with the Nigerian Organizing Committee of the 2004 Annual Conference. Annual General Meeting appointed Chief J. M. Barovbe as the Convener of the Nigerian Organizing Committee of the 2004 Annual Conference.
G. Special Closing
Event --
The special closing event -- presided over by
Mr. James
Okorode, Chairman, Urhobo Social & Cultural Club,
Called to order in good time, following a stirring opening prayer by the Very Reverend Prof. Samuel Erivwo, this closing session of the conference had many memorable aspects.
First, the UK & Belgium Organizing Committee made a presentation of friendship to Professor Perkins Foss and his wife Catherine. Presented by Mrs. Kesiena Akerele on behalf of the Committee, this gift of an Urhobo traditional wear was intended to reciprocate Perkins Foss�s long term commitment and friendship to Urhobos and his steadfast mission of studying and promoting Urhobo culture. Perkins Foss replied in his trademark greetings in Urhobo. He was warm in his praise of Urhobos and their culture.
Second, there was an insightful and inspirational homily by our Special Guest of Honour, Gamaliel Onosode. Delivered in perfect Urhobo, untouched by any English phrases, Deacon Onosode�s speech in Urhobo was as stirring in the emotions it brought forth in the audience as his wonderful speech in English introducing the keynote speaker the previous day. The Special Guest of Honour was most gracious in his praise of the work of Urhobo Historical Society. His call for unity in service to Urhobo interests was most convincing. As a man who is very highly regarded for his morality in business practices, his invocation of the virtue of hard work in Urhobos clearly resonated with the audience.
Third, the traditional Urhobo prayer in giving out segments of broken kola nuts by the elder of the group took on its own trait of ritual seriousness. Chief David Dafinone�s repeated invocation of the Urhobo desiderata of Ufuoma (peace), Otovwe (longevity), Efe (wealth), and Emo (children) attracted much attention from younger Urhobos in the audience who were unused to the art of dispensing prayers from elders.
The main ceremony of that evening was a series of thanksgiving to those who had helped Urhobo Historical Society to grow. To begin with, the Chair of Urhobo Historical Society reminded his audience of the motto of the Society: Serving Urhobo History and Culture. Urhobo Historical Society has been founded as a service organization for studying and promoting Urhobo history and culture as well as protecting Urhobo interests by telling the truth about our history and culture.
Professor Peter Ekeh then thanked a number of
people and
groups who had helped UHS since the Society was inaugurated four years
ago on
The UHS Chair then handed over the thanksgiving ceremony to the Conference Chair to recognize three outstanding individuals who helped Urhobo Historical Society when it was only an idea. Professor Isaac James Mowoe paid tribute to each of these three patriotic Urhobos. Following the citation of his work for UHS, each of them received a plaque from Urhobo Historical Society. Professor Isaac Mowoe was assisted by four women � Dr. Helen Ekeh, Dr. Rose Aziza, Mrs. Felicia Emesiru-Akusu, and Ms Mejero Uwejeya -- in reading the citation, and the handing over of the plaques to the three distinguished recipients.
(i) Chief S. S. Obruche, a London-based Urhobo leader, made
early contact with Urhobo Historical Society. It was he who introduced
Urhobo
Historical Society to the Urhobo community in the
(ii) Chief D. A. Obiomah, leader and scholar of Agbassa-Warri,
was generous in handing over his publications to UHS for reproduction
in our
web site at the early stages of our organization. Since then, he has
stayed
close to the affairs of the Society, defending it against attacks from
hostile
forces. He served as our Special Guest of Honour during our Third
Annual
Conference in 2002. We salute Chief D. A. Obiomah for his outstanding
contribution to the work of UHS, exhibiting the fortitude of his
forebears,
Chief Ogegede and Chief Ometan in fighting for justice and fair play
for his
people.
(iii) Chief D. O. Dafinone was the earliest Urhobo leader to
make contact with UHS when the Society was barely off the ground. He
attended
our very first Annual Conference in very elementary circumstances,
giving an
inspirational keynote address. He helped the society in formulating
some of its
early principles of operation. Moreover, he has been a generous
benefactor of
the Society. For Chief D. O. Dafinone�s patronage and important
contributions,
UHS is grateful.
Each of the recipients made statements that moved the audience. The ceremony formally ended with their valuable speeches. But there was still plenty to eat and drink, there were informal conversations to be had, and there was dancing late into the night. It was a glorious night.
DECLARATION
Urhobo Historical Society was founded in 1999. Its supreme mission is to promote Urhobo history and culture. Ultimately, if we realize our supreme goal, we intend to bring our mission directly to every district of Urhoboland. It is the eventual mission of Urhobo Historical Society to empower Urhobos to value their history, to understand that precious history can be nearby, not necessary in faraway lands. We believe that Urhobos will be the best students, and even critics, of their own history and culture. Urhobo Historical Society will seek to engage our youth in the exploration of our culture and history.
In order to achieve these important, if difficult, goals, Urhobo Historical Society has established two institutions. First, it has the modern equipment of web sites that should help to record our history and culture. Urhobo Historical Society seeks to employ the medium of the internet and its web sites for recording our history and culture and their various elements, including such themes as British colonial records on Urhoboland, short stories in Urhobo, Urhobo names, etc, etc.
Our second institution for realizing our goals is our Annual Conference. Where others may rightfully use this venue for annual merry-making, we seek to use our Annual Conferences as venues for taking stock of Urhobo history and culture. We seek to include in our Annual Conferences all grades of Urhobos and other students of Urhobo culture and history. We particularly want to include women and the youth in our Annual Conferences. No area of Urhobo history and culture will be off-bounds as we use these annual conventions for expanding our knowledge of Urhobo history and culture.
In order to realize the goals of our Annual Conferences, we plead with those whom we invite to our Annual Conferences not to seek to involve Urhobo Historical Society in partisan politics, whether in their Urhobo dimensions or of national trappings. We implore those whom we invite to leave partisan politics at the doorsteps of our convention halls.
We seek assistance for realizing the goals of Urhobo Historical Society. We believe that our goals belong to all Urhobos and that our specialty is service to Urhobo destiny. In these efforts, everyone can help. Those who record the histories of their hometowns or families are contributing in important ways. Those who supply intellectual resources are in service of our history and culture. Those teachers who can recruit young ones for the study of our people and places are engaged in the business of Urhobo Historical Society. Those who have the financial resources to sponsor our web sites and Annual Conferences are helping in major ways. We encourage all to foster Urhobo history and culture. That is the business of Urhobo Historical Society.