Sad! Urhobowood Founder, Orekereke Is Dead

By Daniel Dafe

Founder of Urhobowood, Lordmayor Chief (Dr.) Orekereke Udusan is dead.

Akpobome Rufus Ibebe who broke the news on Thursday afternoon, said: “This morning, the news of the death of a man whom I have worked closely with to the point that he moved from the freindship zone and became a brother, Dr. Orekereke Udusan Joseph to me as a rude shock and surprise.”

He added: “The news left me devasted while bringing so much pains to me.

“As one of his close confidants, I know how much and long he fought hard to remain alive.

“In the face of this storm, he never gave up. He believed he would make it out alive. He believed he would overcome the cancer. He was certain this sickness would not kill him. He was certain he would come out of this alive and thank God through an elaborate Thanksgiving. Why this happened is what I can’t explain.

“The news was too hard to believe even when it came from a reliable and dependable source. I thought it was a dream but it is painful that it has been confirmed that indeed, Dr. Orekereke has joined his ancestors. He has slept never to wake up again.

“An iroko in the Urhobo film industry as well as a great promoter of the Urhobo Arts and Culture has fallen.

“It’s painful that he departed at this moment when he is needed most. It even more painful that he departed when his dreams for the Urhobo Arts and Culture has not materialized.”

Recall that a few days ago, an appeal for funds to foot the medical bills of Orekereke who was down with blood cancer was made by Akpobome.

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Family members, friends, well-wishers and members of the Urhobo ethnic nation have since taken to social media to eulogize and mourn the late Urhobo icon.

Throughout his remarkable life, Chief Joseph Orekereke consistently laundered the image and heritage of Urhobo nation through culture and performing arts, a passion that birthed Urhobowood International as a veritable platform for propagating the Urhobo brand and identity.

Chief Orekereke led an exemplary life and left behind a legacy of service, hard work and excellence.

He was a trailblazer who left indelible imprints in entertainment, talent discovery and management, business, and more particularly, Urhobo cultural exposition and development.