Second Announcement of Ninth Conference of Urhobo Historical Society, November 13-16, 2014

NINTH 2014 ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND GENERAL MEETINGS

Second Announcement

Urhobo Historical Society's

Ninth Annual Conference & General Meetings

November 13 - 16, 2014

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UHS General Meeting: Ishaka Hotel, Refinery Road, Effurun, Delta State
Thursday, November 13, 2014, 2:00 p.m

General Meeting of Board of Trustees of Urhobo Historical Society Endowment Fund:

UHS Headquarters, 3 Ekeh Street, (Opposite Catholic Church), Okpara Inland, Ethiope East LGA, Delta State

Friday, November 14, 2014, 11:00 a.m.

Plenary Sessions of UHS 2014 Annual Conference: Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State

Saturday, November 15, 2014

UHS Thanksgiving Ceremonies in Olomu Communities

Sunday, November 16, 2014

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The Editorial & Management Committee of Urhobo Historical Society cordially invites all Urhobo sons and daughters, as well as friends, scholars, and students of Urhobo history and culture, to participate in our Ninth Annual Conference and Annual General Meetings, which will be held on November 13 - 16, 2014.

Venues:

Ishaka Hotel, Refinery Road, Effurun, Delta State, Thursday, November 13, 2014, starting at 2:00 p.m

UHS Headquarters, 3 Ekeh Street, (Opposite Catholic Church), Okpara Inland, Ethiope East LGA, Delta State, Friday, November 14, 2014, 11:00 a.m.

Conference Hall, Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State, Saturday, November 15, 2014, starting at 9:00 a.m.

Olomu Communities (Visits to Ovwor, Agbon & Ogoni and Ecumenical Thanksgiving Mass at Okpare), starting at 9:00 a.m.

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AGENDA

Conference Theme: Bringing UHS Back to Urhoboland

THURSDAY, November 13, 2014

Venue: Ishaka Hotel, Refinery Road, Effurun, Delta State

2:00 p.m. -- 4:00 p.m.

Annual General Meeting

Chairman: Professor P. Ekeh, UHS President

Secretary: Onoawarie Edevbie, UHS Secretary

Information on UHS�s new Headquarters at Okpara Inland will be provided. In addition, the concept of Urhobo Historical Society Endowment Fund will be discussed. Future opportunities for participation in UHS projects and affairs will be discussed. Full agenda will be presented at this meeting.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Venue: UHS Headquarters: No. 3 Ekeh Street (Opposite Catholic Church), Okpara Inland, Ethiope East LGA

11:00 a.m. � 4:00 p.m.

Meeting of Board of Trustees of Urhobo Historical Society Endowment Fund

Chairman: Olorogun Moses Taiga, Chairman, Board of Trustees

Secretary: Atete Ighoyivwi, Secretary of Board of Trustees

Only Members of the Board of Trustees may attend.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2014

Venue: Conference Center, Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State

09:00 --10: 30 a.m.

A Symposium:

The Spirit of Community Service and Development & Underdevelopment of Urhoboland

Chairman:

Professor Vremudia Diejomaoh, former Director-General, NISER & Retired Deputy Director-General, International Labour Organisation, Geneva.

Panelists:

HRM Avwake I, Ovie r' Umiaghwa-Avwraka (Air Vice Marshall Lucky Ochuko Ararile (Rtd.))

Dr. Ramsey O. Mowoe, retired Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja.

Professor Andrew Onokerhoraye, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin

10:30 --11:45 a.m.

A Symposium:

Challenges of Personal Insecurities in Urhoboland. What Are The Solutions?

Chairman:

Dr. Peter C. Obakponovwe, Chairman of Urhobo Presidents-General.

Panelists:

Chief T. Onoge, Second Deputy President-General of Urhobo Progress Union

Capt. Newman Akpore

12:00 noon -- 1:50 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies:

Chairman: HRM Major Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), Orhueh I, Orodje r' Okpe

Chief Guest of Honour: His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State of Nigeria

Special Guest of Honour: His Excellency Felix Ibru, CON, first Civilian Governor of Delta State & former President-General of Urhobo Progress Union

Guest of Honour: Chief Senator Emmanuel Edesiri Aguariavwodo

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Chairman�s Opening Address;

Welcome Address by Professor Peter Ekeh, UHS President;

Address on UHS Endowment Fund by Olorogun Moses Taiga, Chairman, Board of Trustees of UHS Endowment Fund;

Address by Special Guest of Honour Olorogun Felix Ibru;

Remarks by Other Dignitaries;

Closing Remarks by the Governor of Delta State.

02:00 -- 03:45 p.m.

Launching of Urhobo Historical Society Endowment Fund

Chairman: Chief E. K. Clark

Special Guest of Honour: HRM N. Achebe, CFR, MNi, Obi of Onitsha

Chief Launcher: Chief Osiebe Okotie

Supporting Launchers

Donors from the Audience

All Donors will be acknowledged and honoured in the pages of publications and other platforms of Urhobo Historical Socity.

04:00 -- 05:30 p.m.

Luncheon Lecture:

�Impact of Climate Change on Urhoboland & Western Niger Delta.�

By Professor Albert Owena Aweto, Department of Geography, University of Ibadan

Chairman:

Chief Dr. Stephen Oru, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs

Lunch will be served. Donations in support of the Luncheon lecture will be greatly appreciated.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014

Venue: Olomu Towns (Ovwor, Agbon, Ogoni, Oviri, Okpe & Okpare)

09:00 --11: 00 a.m.

Remembering High Chief Ovedje Osadjere & Laying of Wreaths at the Grave Sites of Olomu�s Ihworode and Other Historic Dignitaries

Urhobo Progress Union, led by its President-General, along with members of Urhobo Historical Society, will honour distinguished citizens of Olomu and Urhobo history.

1. Salutation to the Memory of High Chief Ovedje Osadjere for his premier leadership of Urhobo abd Isoko people during early British Colonial Times.

2. Honouring (& Laying of Wreaths at the grave sites of) three other Olomu Kings:

a. Ohworode Consin Mosheshe;

b. Ohworode Okorodudu Iroghe;

c. Ohworode David Gbeke Ohwovoriole.

3. Honouring Some Important Women of Olomu History:

a. Chief (Mrs.) Erebranovwe Mowoe (nee Eghwrudje of Oviri) (Mukoro Mowoe's First Wife);

b. Matriarch Omotogor Ibru of Ovwor.

11:30 a.m. � 12:00 noon

Procession from Ohworode�s Palace at Ogoni to Venue of Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at Okpare

Delegations & Visitors from Urhoboland & Isoko are expected to attend.

12:00 noon -- 01:00 p.m.

Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at Etako Primary School (Opposite Anglican Church), Okpare, Olomu

Officiating Priests:

The Reverend Father Jude Obiunu, Chaplain, PTI & Faculty, DELSU;

Reverend David Edjere, Anglican Communion, Ekiugbo-Ughelli;

Rev. Dickson Madoghwe, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Ibadan.

1:00 -- 2:00 p.m.

Addresses:

Welcome Address by Olomu Spokesman;

Responses by Representatives of Visiting Delegations

2:00 -- 3:00 p.m.

Urhobo & UHS Service Awards:

1. UHS Distinguished Service Award

Recipient:

Maj.-General David Akpode Ejoor (Rtd)

2. David Dafinone & Michael Ibru Business and Professional Award

Recipient:

Olorogun Moses Oghenerume Taiga

3. UHS Golden Service Award

Recipients:

(a) Chief Philip A. Ewetuya (Posthumous)

(b) Chief John A. Ofotokun

4. UHS Life-Time Service Award

Recipients:

(a) Rt. Reverend Omasheho Vincent Muoghere, Retired Bishop of Ughelli Diocese, Anglican Communion.

(b) Very Rev. Msgr Peter Nyowheoma, Retired Rector, Holy Martyrs of Uganda (Catholic) Seminary, Effurun.

(c) Professor Bruce Obomeyoma Onobrakpeya, World-famed artist.

(d) Professor David T. Okpako, world-class pharmacologist & Udje devotee.

(e) Professor Philip A. Kuale, illustrious former Vice-Chancellor of University of Ekpoma, Edo State.

3:00 -- 4:00 p.m.

Launching of UHS Book: Olomu and Development of Urhoboland and Western Niger Delta. Ancient and Modern Versions.

Chairman:
His Excellency Professor Amos Agbe Utuama, Deputy Governor of Delta State

Reviewer:
Professor Sam Aghalino, Department of History, University of Ilorin.

Chief Launcher:

Olorogun John Oguma, Udu r� Olomu

Signed:

Isaac James Mowoe, Ph.D., J.D.
Chair
Conference and Communique Committee
Email: biss.1@hotmail.com

Chief J. M. Barovbe, JP, BA (Hons), MBA.
Coordinator
Conference Organizing Committee in Nigeria
Email: westminstercollegelagos@hotmail.com
Phones: 08035667964 and 08023368440

October 14, 2014

About Urhobo Historical Society & Its Conferences

Established in August 1999, Urhobo Historical Society provides a forum for the publication of works in Urhobo history and culture. URHOBO WAADO, Web site of Urhobo Historical Society, also highlights issues of oil pollution and environmental degradation in Nigeria's Niger Delta. Besides its defence of Urhobo interests in general, Urhobo Historical Society has provided a valuable documentation of Urhobo history and culture hitherto unknown in cyberspace. Our main web site waado.org has emerged as an important reference point for Urhobo history and culture. Our publication of British "Treaties of Protection" in the Western Niger Delta in the 1880s and 1890s has compelled an opportunity for a fresh re-examination of the history of Warri City and of the Western Niger Delta. Through its web sites, Urhobo Historical Society has also become a strong voice in defence of Niger Delta interests.

Urhobo Historical Society also propagates its mission of "Serving Urhobo History and Culture" through its Annual Conferences. The first two Annual Conferences of the Society were held in North America. We held our First Annual Conference and Meeting in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, on November 3-5, 2000 . Senator David O. Dafinone was the Keynote Speaker. Our Second Annual Conference and Meeting took place in Persipanny, New Jersey, USA, on November 2-4, 2001. Its scope was limited as a result of the disruptions in international travel, after the attack in New York on September 11, 2001, which prevented Nigerian participants from travelling to North America.

Our Third Annual Conference was held in London on November 1-3, 2002. Chief D. A. Obiomah was our Special Guest of Honour in the Third Annual Conference and Meeting; Professor David Okpako gave its keynote address; and Olorogun Felix Ibru, first civilian Governor of Delta State, presided over the opening ceremonies. Our Fourth Annual Conference was also held in London, October 31 - November 2, 2003. Deacon Gamaliel Onosode and Governor James Ibori were the Conference's Special Guests of Honour; Olorogun Moses Taiga, represented by Chief Godwin Ogbetuo, was the scheduled Chair of the Opening Ceremony; and the Very Reverend Prof. Samuel Erivwo delivered the Fourth Annual Conference's keynote address.

Our Fifth Annual Conference was held at Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Ibru Centre, Agbarha-Otor, and Niger Delta Cultural Centre, Agbarha-Otor. It was the first convention of Urhobo Historical Society held in Urhoboland. Attendance was international, with Urhobos in North America and Europe registering a strong presence. It was coordinated by a formidable team of Urhobo leaders, led by Chief Johnson Ukueku, Dr. T. E A. Salubi, and Chief Johnson Barovbe. The Opening Ceremonies were presided over by General D. E. Obada (rtd), representing Justice V. E. Ovie-Whiskey (rtd). Senator David Dafinone was recognized as Chief Patron. Olorogun Moses Taiga was the Conference's Special Guest of Honour. A book, Warri City & British Colonial Rule in Western Niger Delta, edited by Peter Ekeh and published by Urhobo Historical Society, was launched. Chief E. K. Clark served as Chairman of the launching ceremony, Professor F. M. A. Ukoli reviewed the book, and Olorogun Moses Taiga was the its Chief Launcher. A second book, Where Gods and Mortals Meet: Continuity & Renewal in Urhobo Art, edited by Perkins Foss, was also launched. Chief Johnson Ukueku presided at this ceremony, and Mr. Goodie Ibru, represented by Samson Okuesa, served as the Chief Launcher. A central event of each of the Society's Annual Conferences is the keynote address. Professor Omafume Onoge delivered the Fifth Annual Conference's keynote address. This conference added a new theme to the Society's conventions: an Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service. It was held at the Ibru Centre, Agbarha-Otor, and was presided over by Monseigneur Anthony Erhueh of the Catholic Cathedral, Warri City, and the Very Reverend Professor Samuel Erivwo of the Anglican (Communion) Cathedral, Warri City, with a large attendance.

The Sixth Annual Conference of Urhobo Historical Society was an expansive undertaking. Presided by retired Justice Akpiroro, its opening ceremony featured an Isoko delegation whose leader, Chief James Otobo, addressed the gathering on difficulties in Urhobo-Isoko relations. Professor Obaro Ikime gave the conference's keynote address on Isoko-Urhobo relations. A twelve-month calendar featuring Urhobo cultural themes and episodes from past UHS conferences was launched, with Simeon Ohwofa as its chief launcher. Also launched was a second book from UHS, Studies in Urhobo Culture. It was reviewed by Dr. Hope Eghagha of the University of Lagos. Olorogun Oskar Ibru served as its chief launcher. On Sunday, November 6, 2005, following a moving open-air Ecumenical Church Service at Sapele Athletic Club, there was a memorable Women's Forum that featured traditional Urhobo brides. Olorogun Moses Taiga was recognized as the Conference's Chief Patron.

The Society's Seventh Annual Conference was especially productive. The Opening Ceremony was presided over by Chief Johnson Ukueku. The presence of His Majesty Orhueh I Orodje of Okpe added an exceptional royal colour which had been absent from our previous Conferences. UHS launched its third major book: History of the Urhobo People of Niger Delta at a packed gathering. Two leading experts on the geography and agriculture of Urhoboland, Professor Albert Aweto and Professor Malachy Akoroda, both of the University of Ibadan, delivered two lectures on the rainforests of Urhoboland and on cassava farming in the region of Urhoboland. At the Thanksgiving Session on Sunday, November 5, 2006, an Ecumenical Service was conducted by Rev. Fr. Jude Obiunu at Agbarho.

The Eight Conference of the Society, held on November 26-29, 2009, had its own distinctions. First, it featured the publication of a major book by Urhobo Historical Society, namely, T.E.A. Salubi: Witness to British Colonial Rule in Urhoboland and Nigeria, edited by Peter P. Ekeh. Second, an important lecture on "Fish and Fisheries of Urhoboland: An Investment Option" was given by Solomon Ovie, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Water & Fisheries Research, NIFFER, New Bussa, Nigeria. Third, a penetrating symposium on �Scope of the Personal Security Crisis in Urhoboland� was chaired by Dr. Peter Obakponovwe, with participation from several �presidents-General� of Urhobo communities, including prominently Chief Tuesday Onoge of Uvwie. Fourth, the Thanksgiving ceremonies at Ovu on November 29, 2009, were splendid. (See �A Photo Gallery of 8th UHS Annual Conference.�) The President-General of Urhobo Progress Union, Olorogun Felix Ibru, led a large entourage of the UPU chieftains who honoured three past Presidents-General of the Union: Chief Omohwovo Okoro, Chief John Okpodu, and Chief T. E. A. Salubi by laying wreaths on their graves. In addition, the UPU also recognized the memories of the wives of two past Presidents-General who hailed from Ovu: Mrs. Mary Mowoe and Mrs. Okumagba. Sixth, several UHS awards were given at Ovu to individuals for important services to Urhobo causes. Two of these were awarded to two distinguished Urhobo chieftains in their 90�s. Chief L. U. Ighomrore of Uvwie negotiated the grant of land to Urhobo College and also served as the Bursar of Urhobo College. Chief Gordon Mukoro of Ujevwe was a long-term under-secretary of UPU under the Presidency of Chief T. E. A. Salubi.

Book Fair

UHS displays its book publications at its Conferences. This year we will feature our latest book publication: Olomu and Development of Urhoboland and Western Niger Delta. Ancient and Modern Versions, edited by Peter Ekeh, Onoawarie Edevbie, and Peter Ishaka.

In addition, copies of the following previous UHS book publications may be available for purchase:

(a) Warri City & British Colonial Rule in Western Niger Delta, edited by Peter Ekeh

(b) Studies in Urhobo Culture, edited by Peter Ekeh

(d) T. E. A. Salubi: Witness to British Colonial Rule in Urhoboland & Nigeria, edited by Peter Ekeh

We strongly urge publishers and sellers of any types of books on Urhobo history and culture to participate in a book fair at the venues of the Conference. Space will be made available at all three designated venues of the Conference for the display and sale of any type of publication on Urhobo, including those on Urhobo's twenty-two cultural units. We would like to publish information on participants and their book products in the Web sites of Urhobo Historical Society. We recommend that participants should provide such information in electronic formats (e.g., computer disks) to UHS Secretary, Mr. Andrew Edevbie, at the venues of the Conference.

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