By Jaro Egbo
On an unusually memorable day, August 23rd, the pristine ancient kingdom of Ughelli experienced a seismic change, a celestial and cosmic happenstance. In the well-appointed castle of the celebrated legendary Industrialist and traditional prime minister (Otota) of the Ughelli people, Chief Deruviesa Govina Uloho and his wife, Mrs Onokokakpo Uloho, a child was born who was christened Augustine Oghenevwogaga. On the same day but 10 kilometres and 19 years apart, at the Ighwreovie village, in a mud-spattered homestead with a corrugated roof belonging to Omiregwa Moses Egbo and his wife Erienta, another son was born, also named Augustine Ejaromedoghene Omovudu. Aside from both being named Augustine, there was also a spiritual correlation between Oghenevwogaga (Power belongs to God) and Ejamedoghene (May God have mercy on me), celebrating the unparalleled supremacy of Osonobrughre, the almighty God.
Despite the age and privilege disparity, with one being the son of Ughelli Kingdom’s most celebrated personality and the other the son of a peasant farmer and a Zikist apparatchik, the younger Augustine lost his dad in 1975 at age 6, while the prince of the Uloho royal family would lose his famous father in 1976. In the words of Shakespeare, “heaven themselves blaze forth the death of princes at the passing of the senior Augustine father.
The older Augustine followed the footsteps of his father in business and politics embedded in Ughelli irredentism, the younger Augustine would later become a qualified lawyer with a hunger for public service. Both older and younger Augustine would later name their sons Oghenetejiri.
Finally, in the year 2000, fate and the quest for public service brought them together at the Ughelli Hall for election into the Ughelli Descendant Union (UDU) Executive Committee. The older Augustine would emerge as President General, while the younger Augustine became the Legal Adviser. This regime was adjudged the golden era of the kingdom. The meeting of minds would later birth a special relationship of mentorship and fathering. Thus, when the Ughelli Political Forum was formed, he was the unanimous choice of the Ughelli political class to shepherd the Ughelli political interest as Chairman, while I emerged as the National Secretary at his behest and guidance.
In 2005, the then Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, wanted the Urhobo people to speak with one voice, leading to the formation of the behemoth Urhobo Political Forum (UPF) after several months of negotiations. The irascible and irrepressible Chief Ighoyota Amori JP became National Chairman, while I emerged as National Secretary against protests from various political juggernauts and potentates. My emergence at that relatively young age was a testament to the older Augustine’s political acumen and legendary persuasive skills, honed under the tutelage of his illustrious father, the Eteriwhrowhro.
For the next two decades, the Osiorigho bestrode the Ughelli and Urhobo political firmament as a colossus, serving as Vice President of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) during Late Gen Aziza’s tenure. His country home doubled as the political headquarters and arbitration centre for settling communal and political disputes, handling our differences with aplomb and papal benediction Despite our several falling-outs, the mother of the home, Chief (Mrs.) Clara Uloho was always available to mediate between Father Augustine and the recalcitrant son, Augustine.
While he faced his health challenges in the last 5 years with regal bearing and grace, he still found time to send morning prayers to his family and associates. When I received a call from him 2 days before his passing, he never betrayed any reason, appearing as someone waiting at the departure gate with a first-class ticket to higher glory. Thus, it was shattering news when I received an early call from his son Oberhirhi that my big daddy had gone the way of all mortals. Our plan of celebrating the 75 birthday celebration has come to nought
We celebrate his glorious life, his selfless service, and his gift of reconciliation as a peacemaker. He has run his race to the glory of God.
Osiorigho Big Daddy Akpo ke defa
− Olorogun Jaro Egbo KSC
Campmoses Vineyard
Abovwe Ughelli
