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A Profile of
At the age of 23 years, HRH Ogurime-Rime, Okpara 1, then known as Chamberlain O. Orovwuje, ascended the throne as the Ovie of Agbon Kingdom. Now 66 years in August 2001, the Ovie is today the longest reigning monarch in Urhoboland.
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Fresh
from St. Thomas College, Ibusa, the famous Teachers' Training College
of colonial times, the young king did not find it easy at the early stages
of his reign. However, he moved on with intelligence to unite Agbon, appointing
his highest titled chiefs from rival Uhwokori, from which a claimant to
the Agbon throne had emerged. Thus, the late Chief Obodo Manuwa emerged
as the holder of the envied and exalted title of Otota for Ogurime-Rime,
Okpara I. Chief Patrick Bolokor, also from Ukwokori, now occupies this
important position.
In
a brief speech on Sunday, August 12, 2001, while presenting certificates
to Ekakuro and Ehovwore of his kingdom, the
Ovie of Agbon was full of thanks and praises to some key personalities
in Agbon, who made his transition from a young student teacher to a king
less difficult.
His
Royal Highness said he would forever be grateful to Chief Otite Ijedia,
for his early morning visits and tutelage, which continued for over a five-year
period. Chief M. G. Ejaife was also specially mentioned for his closeness
and wonderful efforts during the early struggle for the throne. Chief T.
E. A. Salubi was at the time the most resourceful person to him in the
area of traditional governance of the Urhobo people, before and during
the colonial era.
According
to His Royal Highness, with these nationally and internationally great
and experienced people around him, he felt sure and secure in his position.
He quoted Chief Otite Ijedia, who was a Warrant Chief appointed in the
twenties by the Colonial Office in London, as telling him: "Support and
subsistence from the people will come to you in relays. Like a relay race,
you will have a group of people coming to support you and ensure your success
and well being. Before long this group will be tired and fed up and will
abandon you. As they are doing this, another group will take over. This
situation will continue until the first group, realizing that the institution
of the Ovie is ours and cannot be abandoned, will come back. This circle
will continue throughout your life time." This and other wise counsels,
the Ovie said, had manifested themselves over and over again.
His
Royal Highness said Chief T. E. A. Salubi, then the Commissioner for Labour
for Nigeria in the 1950s, equipped him with many documents relating to
the administration of Nigeria in general, and Urhoboland in particular.
These covered the pre-colonial and colonial eras.
Chief
(Senator) McNeal Gabriel Ejaife, the first Urhobo graduate and founding
principal of Urhobo College, spent most weekends in Agbon with him, providing
him both intellectual development and grooming in social behaviours and
decorum.
HRH
Ogurime-Rime Okpara I was thus superbly handled by great men. He has turned
out to be one of the most intelligent, responsible, and respected kings
in the whole of Delta State, and indeed Nigeria. He has been severally
called to serve both at the Federal Government level, such as being a member
of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Coal Corporation, Enugu, and at
the state level, as Chairman of Bendel State Hospital Board.
Agbon
Kingdom has one of the most respected chieftiancy institutions. Membership
of the Agbon Council of Chiefs is highly restricted. Until 2001, no citizen
of Agbon Kingdom has been awarded a chieftiancy title. The only exception
now is Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs.) Nkoyo Ibori.
Agbon
Chieftiancy titles are made under and comply with Part III of the Traditional
Rulers, Council and Chiefs Law, 1998 (Laws of Nigeria). Once conferred
with their titles, all chiefs of Agbon Kingdom are gazetted by the Delta
State Government. Thereafter, certificates are issued.
On
August 12, 2001, HRH Ogurime-Rime, Okpara 1 J.P., Ovie of Agbon, presented
certificates to more than 30 of his chiefs. The brief ceremony took place
in the Ovie's palace at Okpara Inland, in Ethiope East LGA, Delta State.
Below
are the Chieftaincy titles in Agbon Kingdom categorized in the order of
awards:
(1)
Ohovwore 3rd
rank
Any
of these three titles may be conferred men. Women may only receive the
3rd
rank and, in especial cases, an honorary title.
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(2)
Okakuro (Olorogun) 2nd
rank
(3)
Honourary Title Holders 1st
and highest rank