A Report
from:
The Urhobo Voice
A Newspaper Covering Events in
Urhoboland and
Offering Diverse Perspectives on Urhobo History and Culture
_______________________________________________________
March 21,
2005
Benedict Etedjere Onokpasa,
Foremost Scholar of Urhobo Language, Laid to Rest
By
Okpa Anagbo
Pa Onokpasa, who
died at the age of 76, was a pioneer Urhobo educationist and researcher
of
Urhobo Language, having been trained at
Onokpasa became
the first scholar to standardise the Urhobo Language into grammatical
form,
with the following publications to his credit: Modern Urhobo Readers
I-IV
(1963); Urhobo Poems (1962); Hero of Sharpville (1962), among
others.
As a
public-spirited person, desirous to leave his foot-print in the sands
of time,
Onokpasa in 1964 founded and became the principal of
In his funeral oration,
Rev. Fr. Albert Onokpasa described his father as well-travelled,
accomplished
and fulfilled man. He said he was a disciplinarian, principled and
lover of
high standards. “As an industrious man, Onokpasa planted all the
numerous fruit
trees that formed the large acres around his compound. He does not
believe in
mediocrity and laziness and hence ensured that his children are well
molded
after his industrious character.
“As an
agriculturist, he farmed successfully and was rewarded bountifully in
his labour.”
The cleric said
his father was a leader, who commanded respect in coordinating his
numerous
engagements and affairs. “As a great motivator, Onokpasa inspired the
younger
generation to be dedicated and work hard. He inculcated the spirit of
honesty,
accountability and transparency in young people whom he taught at his
school.
He was a stimulant to the educational appetite, growth and development
of
everyone that he came across. He was a gem, an astute elder, a
pacesetter, a
goal-getter, a man of truth, honesty, righteousness and fairness.”
In a chat with The
Urhobo Voice, Rev. Fr. Albert Onokpasa said his father’s death
caused
confusion and bewilderment in his family, but that they had to quickly
recover
from the shock when they realised that life is a reality of birth and
death,
and of womb and tomb.
Professor Omafune
Onoge said the late Onokpasa was a man of dignity, honesty and hard
work. He
said that Urhobo has lost one of the best men who pioneered private
sector
education in the country. He prayed his soul to have eternal rest in
peace.
Dignitaries
present included Prof. Abednigo Ekoko of
Others included His Lordship, Bishop
of Warri
Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Richard Burke, his auxiliary, Most Rev. John
Afareha,
including monsignors and priests, as well as Chief Patrick Gbinije, Okpagha
of Okpe Kingdom; Mrs. Felicia Aziza (wife of General Aziza), among
others.