The Life And Times Of Chief (Sir) Richard Obademu Vwavware Ekabo alias Odjughu (1928-2019)

By Moses Darah

When the history of the ancient Christian religious institution, the Roman Catholic Church would be rewritten, Esaba Town in Ughievwen Clan, just like Bethlehem of Judea where Jesus Christ was born, will feature. After mentioning great theologian of the early Church like St. Augustine, to one of the greatest figures of the modern age, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the remarkable story of the largest church on earth with over a billion members worldwide would include Chief (Sir) Richard Obademu Vwavware Ekabo for making unique sacrifices to the Catholic Church.

In this short piece, I would present my encounter with the Okpako Orere and Head Christians of Esaba. Firstly, as a young boy in the early 80’s, my elder sister, Regina and I woke up early that morning and wore our best outfits in anticipation of the arrival of Sir Bademu en route Otutuama to St Patrick Catholic Church, Okwagbe for a combined Catholic Mass. My parents also of the Catholic faith, allowed us to join the largest Catholic family in the Island of Otutuama, Esaba, Ophorigbala and Ighwrogun to Okwagbe because all the outstations were without priests. After the mass, the venue was rowdy, thus, I held my elder sister because we lost touch with the Vwavware and we left for Otutuama on our own without them. Unfortunately, we took the wrong road and were heading towards PB Djeba’s area through Inland. As a smart and vigilant Otutuama boy, I soon realised the serious ‘okpetu’ we had brought on ourselves. We started asking questions. One Joseph Ofigho who later became my landlord as a student of St. Vincent College, Okwagbe led us to the right road. The Vwavware arrived Otutuama without us and enquired from our parents if we have reached home. They returned to Okwagbe in search of us. We soon met them at Ada Aladja bridge were Ofigho handed us to our father. Then, there were no kidnappers.

We relocated from Otutuama to Esaba in the early 80s and became his parishioners at St Joseph Catholic Church, Esaba as the Head Christian. We later journeyed with the Vwavware family to the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Warri for the ordination of Reverend Fathers by Bishop Borke.

Sir Bademu was so committed to the Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic faith flows through his veins and his DNA too. Despite the cultural impediment and negative attitudes in allowing black children take the oath of celibacy, it was not surprising that his first son, Christopher Vwavware Ekabo would be ordained as Catholic Reverend Father in 1998. Just before the ordination, they relocated from Esaba to Ughelli.

In 2012, we traveled to Benin City for the ordination of his son, Job Vwavware Ekabo as a Catholic Priest. These two remarkable sacrifices deserved an award in the World Guinness Book of Records. Just like Elkanah and Hannah as recorded in 1 Samuel 1, he prayed for these children, and the Lord answered his prayer and gave them to him and he decided to give them as sacrifice to the Lord. They will belong to the Lord all their lives.

Apart from his occupation as a trained and practising nurse, he was also a known cassava farmer and fisherman in Esaba. He ventured into rubber farming and planted a rubber plantation in Okpa Ehoro Wetland of Esaba.

Sir Bademu was not a fan of alcoholic drinks. His best daily drink was Coke, a beverage product of the Coca-Cola Company even at 91. On several occasions, he rejected other brands in the absence of Coke.

Sir Bademu was a historian who would narrate correctly past events during my several visits to the family in Ughelli. He would mention my father’s name, Eveso and Egomarho, my mother. His Quarters, Ibeghe has a history of longevity with Muayor Gbatanire, Dolor and Mitini as Ekpako Orere at various times. He succeeded his brother Pa Kenken Vwavware as the Okpako Orere of Esaba. He lived a selfless life of honesty, holiness and righteousness which were the hallmarks of ancient Christians, unlike the current generation of Christians that have abandoned the Word of God for money. In Matthew 19:23, Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven”.

The name, Sir Richard Bademu Vwavware Ekabo alias Odjughu would feature among the Urhobo Christians who worked faithfully in the vineyard of the Lord to write their names in the Book of Life. The likes of Agori Iweh, Oghoro Ibiabo of Ubogo, Voranye of Egini, Ogwe, Robert Morhirhi, Baba Idoh of Okwagbe, Kila of Oginibo, Aganbi of Eku, Uyo of Obubu, Abi of Owhrode, Iyede of Emadadja and Monsignor Erhue of Okpara are in heaven too.

The news of demise of the respected Chief Ekabo of Ughievwen kingdom filtered into town from Port Harcourt that Papa Fada has gone to be with Jesus Christ in heaven. The burial ceremony would be great as all the churches in Delta and Edo States are expected to pay their last respect to the departed Saint.