Awhefeada: The Bridge Builder Between The Academia And The Urhobo Nation

By Moses Darah

Prof. Sunny Ijirhevwe Awhefeada stands today as one of the most articulate voices of the Urhobo nation. He is a scholar, cultural advocate, and public intellectual whose influence continues to shape the academia, social and political consciousness of Delta State. From the classroom to the civic space, Awhefeada has consistently demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, and the advancement of Urhobo interests within the broader Delta and Nigerian federation.

In 2022, Awhefeada played a crucial role in one of the most strategic political initiatives to emerge from Delta Central in recent years. He served as the Secretary of the Delta Central 2023 (DC-23) Search Committee, the team that championed the continuity of the rotational agenda designed to ensure fairness and inclusion in the state’s leadership structure. Their efforts contributed to ending the evil plans in some quarters to short-change the people of Urhobo by ending the rotational arrangement.

The committee, chaired by Prof. Nyerhovwo Johnbull Tonukari, worked tirelessly to consult across the three senatorial districts of Delta State, seeking consensus and harmony in pursuit of the governorship. As Secretary, Awhefeada’s sharp intellect, organisational acumen, and sense of fairness helped steer the screening and selection process. The committee eventually shortlisted Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, among three aspirants chosen to represent Delta Central in the PDP Governorship Primary Election, a decision grounded in merit and strategic foresight. That decision would later shape the political trajectory of Delta State, culminating in Oborevwori’s emergence as Governor.

Observers across and beyond Delta Central praised the DC-23 team for its discipline, inclusiveness, and foresight, virtues that reflect the kind of leadership Awhefeada has always embodied: thoughtful, principled, and people-centred.

Today, Awhefeada is offering himself for service as Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Urhobo people. His aspiration is not merely a quest for office but a call to strengthen the interface between the Urhobo nation, the Delta State Government, and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

As an intellectual who is deeply rooted in his culture and conscious of the dynamics of modern governance, Awhefeada understands that genuine progress comes through dialogue and collaboration. His vision is to make the UPU’s communication machinery more responsive, strategic, and inclusive, giving voice to Urhobo concerns while promoting understanding and partnership with the government and other ethnic nationalities.

As the Ogbiroro of Effurun-Otor Kingdom, Olorogun Awhefeada combines traditional legitimacy with scholarly gravitas. His title is a recognition of his contributions to education, youth development, and community advancement. Those who know him describe him as a bridge between generations, one who speaks to elders in the language of tradition and inspires youths with the energy of modern ideas.

Awhefeada’s record of community service and contributions to Urhoboland stands as proof of his lifelong devotion to education and cultural advancement. For over two decades, he has not only taught but also inspired generations of Urhobo youths as a mentor and role model, instilling in them the values of hard work, discipline, and excellence. His commitment to nurturing the next generation is evident in his scholarship awards to students of Orhoera Secondary School, Ugono-Orogun, and Eni Grammar School, Evwreni, gestures that continue to open doors of opportunity for young Urhobos.

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A passionate advocate for education and culture, Awhefeada has chaired four Urhobo scholarship committees. He coordinated the First Sen. Pius Ewherido Urhobo Language Competition in 2012, an initiative aimed at promoting the Urhobo language and culture through excellence. His sustained engagement in community development and cultural advocacy has earned him visibility and respect across Urhoboland and beyond.

A consummate organiser, Awhefeada also served as Secretary of the Planning Committee for the UPU @ 90 Celebration, a landmark event that commemorated the Union’s rich legacy and achievements. In addition, he is a member of the UPU Urhobo State Creation Committee, where he continues to contribute his intellect and experience to the collective vision of greater political and administrative empowerment for the Urhobo people.

In his role as Vice Chairman of the Urhobo Studies Association (USA), Awhefeada has been instrumental in several landmark achievements, including the development of the Urhobo Language Curriculum and Scheme of Work for primary and secondary schools, as well as the organisation of training workshops for teachers of the Urhobo language, literature and culture.

Many believe that under his stewardship, the UPU’s engagement with Urhobos at home and in the diaspora, as well as with government at all levels, will assume renewed depth and direction. His capacity for clear communication, diplomacy, and strategic thinking is an asset that will help ensure Urhobo interests are effectively articulated and advanced within the larger Delta and Nigerian project.

Beyond civic service, Awhefeada is a distinguished academic, Professor of English and Literary Studies and Dean of the Postgraduate School at Delta State University, Abraka. His writings, which span literature, culture, and social commentary, reveal a deep affection for the Urhobo language, history, and worldview. Through his columns, essays, and lectures, he has persistently championed cultural renaissance and the preservation of Urhobo values amid Nigeria’s rapidly changing society.

A revered teacher and mentor, he has inspired generations of students and scholars to see education as a tool for service rather than self-interest. His intellectual and civic contributions continue to enrich the academic and cultural life of Delta State and the Niger Delta region at large.

As the Urhobo Progress Union prepares for its next phase of leadership, many agree that figures like Awhefeada represent a new kind of leadership, one rooted in intellect, service, and strategic engagement. His emergence signals a renewed commitment to dialogue, accountability, and visionary planning within the UPU.

In him, the Urhobo nation finds a thinker and a doer, a man who believes that progress lies not in confrontation but in constructive collaboration. His journey from academia to advocacy is proof of how knowledge can bridge government and the governed, heritage and modernity, aspiration and achievement.

As one Urhobo elder aptly remarked, “Awhefeada embodies the Urhobo ideal: courage, wisdom, and service. His voice speaks truth with grace, and his hands work for unity.”

Indeed, in an era that demands both vision and balance, Prof. Sunny Awhefeada stands ready to bridge the academia and the Urhobo nation with intellect, integrity, and unwavering dedication.