Chamberlin
Orovwuje (1933- 2012)
By Samuel
Akpobome Orovwuje
Chamberlin Oyibocha Orovwuje a scion of the Orovwuje dynasty of Okpara
Inland, His Royal Highness, Ogurime- Rime, Okpara 1, and King (Ovie) of Agbon
Kingdom (The Agbon Kingdom is made of sub clan of Okpara, Kokori, Eku, Ovu,
Igun, Orhuakpor) in Ethiope East Local Government of Delta State who joined his
ancestors in June 2012 aged 77 years. He ascended the throne in 1958 from the
famous Saint Thomas College, Ibusa at the age of 23 years as the King of Agbon
Kingdom.
The Monarch until his transition to glory was the longest reigning
monarch in Urhoboland and indeed Delta State. In short, he was on the throne
for 54 years. It is on record that his kingdom was the most peaceful which is a
clear testimony of his democratic and purposeful leadership.
His leadership traits were seen beyond the traditional- political
institution through his appointment to Government establishments as a Board
member of the Nigerian Coal Corporation, Enugu, Eastern Nigeria and the
Chairman Bendel Hospitals Management Board by Brigadier Samuel Osaigbovo
Ogbemudia. He also served as a non Executive Director for many years with the
defunct Bendel Glass Company Limitedd Ughelli, Nigeria.
It is instructive to note also that the late Ovie was exposed early in
life to political and parliamentary governance with his appointment as a
member of the Western Regional House of Chiefs and by extension with the
creation of the Mid – West region, he served as a pioneer member of the Mid-
Western House of Chiefs. What is more, at the larger community level, he was
the Chairman Ukoko r Ivie r urhobo (Committee of Urhobo Kings) and a
member of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria
(TROMPCON) and also Chairman Delta State Traditional Rulers Council.
In local government administration, his contribution to western
Urhobo council through his constant dialogue with the then resident are also
worthy of note particularly in the area of rural electrification. It is on good
account that the Ovie influence the Bendel Rural Electrification to his kingdom
and he was also instrumental to the citing of the local government at Isiokolo.
My first real encounter with the Ovie was at the age of 10 when my
father (Late Chief Esiemua Orovwuje) asks me to live with him preparatory to
entering secondary school then. My memory of the Ovie is that he was a
disciplinarian and highly principled man with a large heart that accommodate
all shade of opinions particularly from his chiefs and subjects alike. When the
history of the Urhoboland and indeed Nigeria in the last 60 years is written, a
greater part of our fortune in justice, tolerance, peace and patriotism were
shaped by this unassuming man but a great leader of his people. Drawing
inspiration from the late American President, Thomas Jefferson who once
said, I have no ambition to govern men... It is a painful and thankless
office could be true of the life and time of Ogurime- Rime, Okpara 1
who chose to serve humanity not office. In one of my personal engagement with
him, he told me that he was publicity shy. Indeed, he did not need the press to
govern his people rather he chose the path of honesty, equity and fairness in
his administration.
His passing to glory will indeed create new challenges in local
administration and chieftaincy matters in Agbon kingdom in particular and Delta
State in general.
By Samuel
Orovwuje
Founder,
Humanitarian
Care for Displaced Persons,
Lagos.
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