Tribute To An Icon

The 18th century English Ballad, George Bernard Shaw wrote; ‘Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I get to hold for a moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before turning it over to future generations’.

A lot of creative ink has been spent in evaluating and sometimes comparing the existence of human beings on planet earth with the chemical bye-product called candle. Celebrated song writers and singers have held the world spell bound with timeless songs depicting the sojourn of man on earth as a candle in the wind. Thus, the most illustrious of such breath taking songs was the rendition by Sir Elton John, the English pop icon in honour of the deceased Lady Diana, Princess of Wales.

Talking about my Senator, P.A.E, Me Senator, the bones shall rise again, in the past is surreal, almost unbelievable.

God blessed him with many gifts. He was a hard worker and recognized his opportunities. He had an abundant gift of diligence. He was a remarkably urbane, cosmopolitan, public-spirited and new-age politician; he had a mind that was well attuned to the Winston Churchill dictum that “The price of greatness is responsibility”. He had a moderated view about life and he was far removed from the prevailing haughtiness and vacuous hedonism that rudely characterise our political firmament.

He had an uncommon zeal for touching lives as evident in the massive life-enhancing projects which he delivered to his constituency. His electrifying and magnetising aura gives smiles to faces, inspires hope and raises human dignity.

He had sincerity and integrity ingrained in his human nature, as such, he was a great man in line with Anatole France’s observation that “the first virtue of all great men is that they are sincere; they eradicate hypocrisy from their hearts.” As an epitome of simplicity, he admirably brings grace, simplicity and humility to bear on his endeavours, life and philanthropic works.

He had no supercilious air around him nor was he a slave to wealth; and as a man of deep-seated sense of purpose he continually seeks ways of advancing the common good and making life really good for the low members of the society in the tradition of progressive politics.

He had an incredible capacity for lifelong friendships that cut across age religion, tribe or race. He was focused and gave his all to whatever he set out to do and did not do many things at the same time. As a legislator he legislated to the highest professional standards. As a leader he set us on the path of truth, honesty, dignity, integrity and hard work. He was a friend with whom you could discuss anything under the sun and crack any joke. He loved jokes and a hearty laugh and forever told stories.

He lived life to the fullest and on his terms. Giving, and sharing, were religion to him. His time, his knowledge and his all, life to him was about sharing and he indeed shared. His presence, large heart, energy, legendary status belied his lithe frame.

As you take your place in the bosom of the Almighty whom you faithfully served in truth, in words and in deed, while on this mortal plane, continually plead for us, intercede for us with the Almighty and reconcile us to Him. Rest in Peace in Paradise for you have earned it. As you rest in Heaven, you live forever in our hearts and history that validates and vindicates your life.

Senator Pius Ewherido: Where Is The Uloho! By Sunny Awhefeada

SUNDAY 30th June did not begin as an ominous day. However, by the time the day drew its curtains, it had become ominous and tragic as it went with Senator Pius Ewherido, who until that black Sunday represented the Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

Senator Ewherido’s death is a devastating blow, which diminished all of humanity. Ewherido to his Urhobo people was akin to an only palm fruit that must not be lost in the fire. He was an Uloho (Iroko), which provided shelter and succor to all and sundry. To Deltans, he was a voice of courage with a regenerative vision. He carried with him a redemptive charisma for a people and state in search of new and alternative political possibilities. He was an apostle of a new value system.

Where now is Ewherido, who gave scholarship to over two hundred students? Where now is Ewherido, who gave jobs to the jobless? Where now is Ewherido who built roads and bridges, where the people had given up? Where now is Ewherido, who built schools and health centres in remote and almost forgotten parts of Urhoboland? Where now is Ewherido, who gave economic empowerment to two hundred women and numberless youth? Where now is Ewherido, who almost singlehandedly sponsored the project to get Urhobo language into WAEC/NECO examination syllabus? Where now is Ewherido, who brought light and water to places that had given up on electricity and pipe-borne water? Where now is Ewherido, who mourned with the bereaved and danced with celebrants? Where now is Ewherido, who bestrode Delta State like a colossus? Where now is Ewherido, who in less than two years in the Senate sponsored four Bills and over ten motions, a feat some twenty Senators could not achieve in twelve years?

Born fifty years ago as Pius Akporokena Ewherido, he was popularly called Gogorogo. He attended primary and secondary schools in the defunct Bendel State, before going to read Philosophy at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he finished as the best graduating student in his class. He later read Law at the University of Benin and was called to the Nigerian Bar. He burst on to the political stage in 1998 and for eight years he bestrode the Delta State Legislature like a colossus.

Senator Pius Ewherido was neither a run-off the mill politician, nor a political hustler. He never believed in the politics of the stomach. Ewherido’s politics was motivated by ideals and not hunger, greed and personal aggrandizement. He was until his last days a refined politician who saw politics as a means of getting power for the good of the people. He was first an Urhobo, but he had dreamt of a pan-Delta platform through which he could have launched the state onto the path of progress. When he made a go at the governorship in 2006, he came up with a development blueprint that awed everybody who cared to study it. While the other contenders were busy mouthing promises and devising schemes, Ewherido toiled for many nights trying to evolve a blueprint that would have been the equivalent of a Marshall Plan for Delta State.

The intrigues, which robbed him of the governorship ticket during the primary election have now become common knowledge. After that fiasco, he retreated with uncommon dignity to Ewu and went back to his business. He took everything with philosophical calmn. He read books, worked on his farm, took time to think and reconfigured his political future. His education in Philosophy came handy for him during this period. I remember spending many hours with him during which we discussed the politics of ancient Rome. At intervals he would dash into his well-stocked study and bring out one book after the other. We talked about the many troubles with Nigerian and the lackluster governance that became the lot of Delta State. He gave hints of attempts by the powers that be to woo him to the corridors of power and how he resisted each attempt. He talked about principles; he talked about a viable opposition platform and how the generality of Deltans will be disappointed were he to yield to the advances of those in power. He kept his cool and bid his time.

The opportune moment came with the October 2010 Supreme Court ruling, which ordered a re-run for the Delta State governorship election. An alliance between him and the leading opposition figure Chief Great Ogboru came to be. Ewherido proved to be a political game changer. He revived his intimidating political structures across the state and the result was the Ilalaja (pineapple revolution), which shook the Delta State to her very roots. Ewherido rode to the Senate on the crest of the Ilalaja wind of change. Although, a first timer in a Senate of political denizens, although he was a lone party Senator, Ewherido stood tall in tandem with his appellation gogorogo! Each time he spoke his voice and opinion were golden. He brought an uncommon intellectual insight into his legislative responsibilities while he was in the Senate. He was oratorical and spoke with the same courage the Roman Senators he studied in his Philosophy course spoke. He once told me that he painstakingly researched almost everything that came to the floor of the Senate.

It was not too long before the Urhobo people saw in him a redeemer figure. In a landscape full of wily, crafty and selfish politrickcians, Ewherido stood out to be counted as different. He soon became a beacon of hope and the Urhobo people and Deltans began investing their political hope in him. When he was first approached for the governorship race last year he did shrug it off. However, pressure upon pressure came and he yielded after he discovered that the party that he helped stabilized for a remarkable outing in two elections in 2011 had suddenly become hostile and cannot even guarantee him a return ticket to the Senate.

He was one politician who put the people above every other consideration. It was for this that he became an unparalleled mobiliser of people. The fact that his moniker, Gogogoro, is well acknowledged in every home in Delta State attests to his rating in the public space. He always thought of the people. His ultimate vision was pan-Deltan.

His passing shook the State, but the loss is more telling on his immediate constituents, the Urhobo people. Folks who are old enough to know say that the tremor and cold occasioned by Ewherido’s death were only comparable to those of Chiefs Mukoro Mowoe and Samuel Jereton Mariere in 1948 and 1971 respectively. The Urhobo nation will now have to brace up to the anxiety of political orphanage as her political wagon has plunged into a blind alley. The people are unsure of the present crop of politrickcians who are used to horse-trading.

However, as painful and as irreparable as the death of Ewherido is, the people should pray and be consoled that God will bring another who is greater than him and who will bring them succor. The gloom shall not be long. Senator Ewherido, unknowingly consoled the Urhobo people about his imminent passing on. On the 27th of April 2013, he stood before his constituents to render a report of his two-year sojourn in the Senate at Uvwiamughe-Agbarho. The event was attended by over twenty thousand people. He appealed to the celebratory crowd to join him in singing his favourite song: ‘‘Owan bruduu/ owawan ghogho/ fiki ri Jesu Olori oko/ Oke sua avwanre tu uleruru/ We ju udu owanwan toto’’. Translated into English the song reads: ‘‘Let not your heart be troubled/ You all should rejoice/ Because Jesus the Leader is in the boat/ He will lead us to the shore/ Let your heart be at rest.’’

Senator Ewherido did several encores and the crowd followed suit. Nobody had the inkling that he was giving his last address to the Urhobo people and telling them to remain strong and face the future without him with fortitude. He took his exit two months and three days later.

Senator Ewherido led a distinguished life. He was distinguished not because he was a Senator, but because of the choices he made in life. He distinguished himself as a university scholar endowed with a formidable intellect, a philanthropist, a legislator and a lover of humanity in which he had faith. He was a profound thinker, a master strategist and a great mixer. He was a charismatic leader and his followership was intimidating. He loved his wife and love of his life Doye, and their six children. Ewherido had consoled the Urhobo people and indeed all Deltans with the song referred to above. It is well. I am still unable to come to terms with his death, because we spoke on phone the Tuesday and Wednesday preceding his passage. And how difficult it is to say my farewell? I am shuddering with cold. Farewell Distinguished Senator Pius Akporokena Ewherido. Farewell Gogorogo…It is well. Akpokedefaooooo…..

Dr. Awhefeada teaches literature at the Delta State University, Abraka.

An Icon Takes a Bow

On Friday 19th of July, 2013, the body of a gentleman, legal luminary and a pioneer in many respects, Senator Akpor Pius Ewherido (KSM) would in Ewhu, in Delta State be laid to rest even as his spirit lives on. 

Born on May 4, 1963, into the family of Joseph Ewherido, a retired school principal and administrator and his wife, Paulina, Senator Ewherido is t

he third in a family of eight children, all males. His parents, who were and still are staunch Catholics, brought him up in the strict Christian teachings and Catholic tradition. He started his primary school at St. Paul’s, Ughelli and finished in RCM Primary School, Ozoro, all in Delta State. For his secondary education, he attended Notre Dame College, Ozoro also in Delta State. Thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) where he studied philosophy and emerged the best graduating student in his class. After his youth service in Ogun State University, Ago Iwoye, he went into business and was a successful businessman in Warri, Delta State. After a while he enrolled in University of Benin to study law. He was subsequently called to the bar after law school.

Senator Ewherido cut his teeth in politics when he joined the United Nigeria Congress Party in 1997 during the Sani Abacha era. After the botched transition programme, he continued running his businesses. In 1998, he joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He contested and won the Ughelli South Constituency election to the Delta State House of Assembly in 1999. His colleagues, who noticed his leadership qualities in those early days, elected him deputy speaker which was the highest position zoned to Delta Central in the house. For over a year, he also acted as speaker of the house. His distinguished, vibrant, sterling and robust leadership are still reference points, almost six years after he left the house. He brought recognition, acceptance, dignity and prestige to the office of the deputy speaker and was perhaps the most visible state assembly deputy speaker in his time.

Senator Ewherido was not just a leader in the house; he was a lawmaker par excellent. In his eight years in the house he moved over 40 motions that were adopted and sponsored and co- sponsored eight bills among which are:

1) Law Prohibiting Harmful, Cruel and Discriminatory Practices Against Females and Widows
2) Prohibition of Female Circumcision and Genital Mutilation
3) A Law to Make Policy Provisions for Employment of Indigenes in Delta State and for Other Matters Connected Therewith.
4) A law to Make Provisions for the Establishment of Delta State Blood Transfusion Databank and Other Incidental matters, 2006
5) A law to Make Provisions for the Amendment of Legal officers (Harmonisation of salaries with magistrates) Law in 1996 and for other matters connected therewith
6) Employment of Legislative Aides, Employment Protection for Deltans in Junior Staff category in Establishments in Delta State, 1999.
7) A Law to Provide for the Grant of Bursary and Award of Scholarship to Students of Delta State Origin in Educational Institutions and Matters Connected thereto

In his time in the house, over 10 roads were constructed in his Ughelli South Constituency, over 20 towns and villages were provided with electricity, over 15 towns and villages were provided potable drinking water, a lot of primary and secondary schools were given face lift in the local government, among many other projects. It was mainly in appreciation of his performance that he was overwhelmingly voted back to the house in 2003. Other accolades also came in appreciation of his performance and contributions. His paternal people honoured him with the chieftaincy title of Otemunoruemu of Ewhu Kingdom, while his maternal kiths and kins bestowed on him the title of Adjerese of Effurun-Otor Kingdom. His maternal people in Enwhe, Isoko South also conferred on him the title of Aruore of Enwhe. Recently the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM Ovie R.L. Ogbon Ogoni Oghoro 1 on his 96th birthday and 25th coronation anniversary honoured him with title of Eje Urhobo Yovwi of Olomu Kingdom.

Ewherido contested the PDP governorship primaries in 2006. Dissatisfied with the conduct of the primaries, he withdrew from active politics in 2007 after his tenure in the house ended. In 2010 he switched camp to the Democratic People’s Party. He contested and won the DPP Delta Central Senatorial primaries before going to win the main election in 2011. Since 2011, even as a lone DPP senator, Ewherido has been giving the people of Delta Central vibrant and effective representation, drawing from his experience as a state legislator. In less than two years in the senate, he has sponsored four bills. They are:

1) A Bill for an Act to make provisions creating the offence of Corporate Manslaughter and matters incidental thereto.
2) A Bill for an Act to Establish the Welding Standards Regulatory Council of Nigeria.
3) A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of The Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for Devolution of more responsibilities to States And Public Sector Accountability (by the creation of the office of Auditor General of the Federation as distinct from The Office of The Auditor General of The Federal government of Nigeria).
4) A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to streamline the jurisdiction of the appellate courts for quick dispensation of justice and for matters incidental thereto.

Majority of the bills Ewherido has sponsored since his days in the state assembly are people- oriented which lends credence to his humanist disposition. Ewherido is a man of the people, a thoroughbred grass root politician. He has also co-sponsored 12 motions so far in the senate. He has attracted developmental projects, scholarships, job opportunities, training locally and abroad among others to his constituents and constituency.

Fondly called Gogorogo by friends and admirers, Ewherido is a man of enormous intelligence, great vision and penetrative thinking. He has by utterances and deeds proven his selflessness over the years as a leader. A lover of sports, he was into taekwondo, table tennis and lawn tennis in his younger days and he is still an ardent long tennis player and football follower. He is a Real Madrid fan of 23 years.

Like his father, Senator Ewherido is a devout Catholic, a family man to the core and a lover of children. A Knight of St. Mulumba, and married to Doye Ewherido (nee Bozimo) and they are blessed with six children.

As you take your place in the bosom of the Almighty whom you faithfully served in truth, in words and in deed, while on this mortal plane, continually plead for us, intercede for us with the Almighty and reconcile us to Him. Rest in Peace in Paradise for you have earned it. As you rest in Heaven, you live forever in our hearts and history that validates and vindicates your life.