From Henry Atuyota (The New Diplomat’s Niger Delta Bureau)
- His death very devastating, Says Oyovbaire
- We’ve lost another intellectual Iroko – Darah
- I’ve heard much about him- HRM Ararile
Death has dealt yet another devastating blow to the Urhobo nation following the exit of an eminent professor of economics development, Prof. Bright Ukori Ekuerhare in the early hours of Monday, March 15, 2021.
Although the details of his death still remain sketchy, condolence messages have overtaken the social media with sympathizers paying their respects and tributes since the news of the demise of the renowned intellectual and Urhobo nationalist was made public.
Responding to the news of the demise of the erudite professor, Prof. Sam. Oyovbaire who was a close friend of late Ekuerhare said his death was devastating to him. Oyovbaire recalled their relationship began in 1972.
Oyovbaire described the late professor of economics and development studies as a very bright intellectual who deployed his knowledge to the development of the society and mankind.
He said: “The news is very devastating to me. We have been friends back down to 1972. I was in the Ahmadu Bello University, from abroad. A year after, he joined the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ibadan. And so, we have been very close friends since 1972.
“Bright, as we normally called him was very bright. When he was about 70, we observed some shortcoming in his health. I know this day will come but I never really knew when it will come. So, it is so devastating to me. We were very close and subsequently, one of my sons got married to one of her daughters. So, the two families have been very close. I pray that God in His wisdom will continue to keep us close in his absence.
“Talking about Bright now, so many things come to my head now, but I just pray for the repose of his soul and for God to help his wife who has been very caring and all his children.”
Also, reacting to the news of the death of the frontline economist, Prof. G.G. Darah described it as yet another loss of an intellectual and iroko to the Urhobo nation. According to him, it is a major loss again, adding that it is like the intellectual resources are being depleted.
He further described the late erudite professor as one of the most distinguished and respected scholars in the field of political economy, saying that he was a great patriot and nationalist.
He said: ” I just heard now, that is a major loss again. Its like the intellectual irokos are just falling off and intellectual resources are being depleted.
“With the death of Prof. Bright Ekuerhare, the Urhobo academia and the Niger Delta has lost another eminent scholar and radical nationalist.
“Ekuerhare was among the leading scholars of political economy in Nigeria. His academic career inspired the Urhobo people and the entire Niger Delta to understand and articulate the issues of resource control and the necessity for the political and economic autonomy for our region.
“Ekuerhare was the leader and coordinator of the Urhobo Study Group facilitated by the Guardian Newspaper publisher, Dr. Alex Uruemu Ibru. The think-tank produced policy document to support Urhobo activists and organizations in the struggle for equity, federalism and environmental justice.”
Prof. Darah recalled that the death of Prof. Ekuerhare is coming on the heels of other eminent scholar-activists in recent times.
Recall that Ekuerhare’s death followed that of other eminent Urhobo scholar-activists in recent years especially Professors Onigu Otite, Peter Ekeh, Odemerho and David Okpako among others.
Speaking briefly on his personality and academic exploits, Prof. Darah said that late Ekuerhare lived up to his name, Bright, adding that he never discriminated against anyone as he treated everyone as colleagues.
He added: “He was very amiable and lived up to his name, he was very bright. He treated all of us as his children and colleagues. He never discriminated, he was humble, welcoming and inspiring.
“He was dean in Ambrose Alli University before he came here (DELSU). He delivered the first inaugural lecture of the University.
“Urhobo will miss him, Delta will miss him and Nigeria will miss him. May His Soul Rest in perfect peace.”
Also commenting on the death of the academic titan, the royal father of Abraka Kingdom, HRM Lucky Ararile, said although he neither saw Prof. Ekuerhare nor met him when he was alive, I heard much about him. May his soul rest in peace.
