Homage To Igbi 11: Ogunu Community Blazes The Trail

By Ambrose Ologide

The people of the ancient Agbarha Warri community of Ogunu in Warri South Local Government Area blazed the trail in the just concluded homage paying activities by the seven communities in Agbarha Warri Kingdom to HRM Kingsley Orereh Igbi 11 the Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom.

The community led by its Deputy Unuovwodo ( traditional representative of the Ovie of Agbarha Warri ), High Chief Sir Sylvester Udi ( JP) danced and sang praises of the Agbarha Warri monarch from the Ogunu/ Okurode ( Ekurede Urhobo) Road by Elf Junction to the temporary palace of Igbi 11 in Stephen Edugbo Estate Ogunu.

The colourful procession was comprised of youths, eghweya ( mothers in Ogunu ) Emete ( female indigenes) among others.

Ogunu which concluded the week long homage paying activities by Agbarha Warri communities to HRM Igbi 11, stormed the temporary palace of the traditional ruler in the community in their numbers as the people featured all the female dance groups of Igbe R’ Oyegheyeghe founded by the biological father of the Deputy Unuovwodo of the community, late Paul Eghere Udi ( of blessed memory), Igbe R’ Eghweya ( mothers in Ogunu) and Igbe R’ Emete ( female indigenes) who made separate presentations of beautiful large size glass coated photograph of Igbi 11 .

However, it was the mothers in Ogunu dance group that stole the show as they did a match past that was supported by trumpeters and drummers to the applause of the traditional ruler and others present at the very impressive occasion.

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Ogunu, the host community of Federal Government College, Gulf Course, SPDC and other scores of multinational companies, also distinguished itself from the other six Agbarha Warri communities by making a superlative presentation of a sizeable bull ( native cow ) a giant ram, African and foreign foodstuffs, beautiful glass coated portrait pictures of Igbi 11 and a huge sum of money to the Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom at the historic event.

The Deputy Unuovwodo of the community, High Chief Sir Sylvester Udi ( JP) who spoke to our correspondent in an exclusive media chat, explained that the people of Ogunu were so prepared because they are host to the Agbarha Warri monarch and that they were also glad for his emergence as the Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom just as he pointed out that Igbi 11 was from the Ogunu/ Ukpokiti Ruling House of the ancient Urhobo Kingdom of Agbarha Warri.

“So nothing will be too much for us to do to express our joy over his emergence as the Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom,” he added.

High point of the colourful event was the presentation of the said items and huge sum of money to an elated traditional ruler who prayed for his joyous subjects.

High Chief Pa Jonathan Ashimo Ayiwe Okpako R’ Ovwodo of Agbarha Warri Kingdom ( the most eldest man in Agbarha Warri Kingdom and a resident of Ogunu community where he maternally hails from) High Chief Johnson Edjenavwo the Okpako R’ Ovwodo of Ogunu Community, (most eldest male in Ogunu Community) Prince Hope Esharegharan ( the Chairman of Ogunu Community ) and his executives, Chief Friday Ofuya – Eribregbe (the Otota of Ogunu Community ) ,Bishop Dr Michael Udi ( JP ) were among distinguished indigenes of Ogunu Community that graced the occasion.

While a galaxy of respected Agbarha Warri chiefs from the other six communities , including the All Progressive Congress Party ( APC ) member representing Warri South Constituency 11 at the Delta State House of Assembly, High Chief Honourable Benson Obireh ( who is also the Deputy Unuovwodo of Agbarha Warri community of Otovwodo), Edo State born business mogul and MD/ CEO of Lee Engineering were also spotted at the epoch making event.