Late Chief. Dr. Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete's Legacy Lives on through OERAF's Community Development Projects ~ Truth Reporters

By Kennedy Atevure & Stanley Azeza

There is an African proverb that states; “The delicacy that would turn out sumptuous is perceived while it’s still being cooked”. The Executive Director, Olotu & Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete Foundation (OERAF), Dr Otemu Olotu Akpodiete Ph.D (JP) has continued to show his love and commitment to the people of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

To mark, honor and remember the passing of his late grandfather, Chief Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete, Ph.D. OERAF coordinated a string of people-beneficial events to honor the late patriarch.

The events which took place in April 2025 included a memorial lecture on essence and benefits of health insurance in Nigeria. Speaking at the event held at both Okparabe, Ughelli South LGA and Otor-Udu, Udu LGA, Dr. Olotu noted that health insurance is very vital to every family in the society. He further commended the Delta state government led by His Excellency, Rt Hon (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, for brining this good initiative to Deltans and for ensuring its affordability. As with just seven thousands Naira, one can get enrolled in the scheme unlike that of the federal government, that can cost about forty thousand per person.

The Director General (DG) of the Delta State Contributory health commission, Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta ably represented by Mr. Emmanuel Akpofure, thanked the sponsor Dr Akpodiete for being the first person across Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency to register indigents for the scheme, as over 400 persons were enrolled in the program.

There was also a high key stakeholders memorial lecture on conflict resolution and security/ safety of communities in Nigeria. The event which took place at the popular Ughelli Kingdom Hall, witnessed lectures from several brilliant security experts and relevant government functionalities. 

Presenting his brief opening speech, the Executive Director of Olotu and Rowland Ekuogbe Akpodiete Foundation, SPY CSP Olotu Otemu Akpodiete Ph.D (JP) revealed that over the years, the foundation has been touching lives and rendering community impact services across board through security and peacekeeping initiatives and incentives. He maintained that his late grand father was a great community leader per excellence and until his death, he was the spoke person (Otota) of the great Ughelli Kingdom, “which is why as we celebrate his remembrance, I decided to use this opportunity to impact more lives."

On his part, the guest speaker of the event, Mr Sylvester Obose, CSS, MNIIS stated that the training focuses on the definition, causes and dynamics of conflicts. He further said that the goal was to increase participants knowledge of the concept and study of conflict prevention, response and resolution. He concluded that the safety and security of the community is of paramount importance.

Both members of Delta State Advisory Council, Olorogun Major Patrick Egone(Rtd) and Chief Emmanuel Ogbonene presented new security communication gadgets to various communities including Erhuwarien in Ughelli South and Ekredjebo in Ughelli North and Ughelli Kingdom VGN.

Also in commemoration of the anniversary of his grandfather, the late Chief Ekuogbe Rowland, OERAF held a memorial lecture on the benefits of debate competitions for students in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. The event which took place on April 10th, 2025 attracted participants and dignitaries from all works of life.

In his opening remarks on the day, Dr. Olotu Akpodiete encouraged the students to take their academic activities extremely serious, assuring that his foundation would continue to provide support for quality education in Nigeria.

Olorogun Dr. Chris Oharisi, Chairman of the Board of Governing Council at Delta State College of Health Science and Technology, Ofuoma-Ughelli, who chaired the occasion, advised the students to be patriotic, optimistic and dedicated to their studies. He reiterated that quality education is the sure path for an Honorable and impactful citizen’s life to society. He emphasized the importance of debate to students, stressing that it helps them excel in public speaking.

On his part, Mr. Samson Obor, Principal of Government College, Ughelli thanked the organizers (OERAF) for their good work and encouraged the students to take their studies seriously. 

During her speech about the life of the late Chief Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete, Barrister (Mrs.) Agboka Akpodiete-Omale highlighted his integrity and commitment to philanthropy. She praised him as a great disciplinarian, dedicated community leader, and a lawyer  known for his generosity. She concluded that by participating in debate competitions, students can develop a wide range of skills that benefit them academically, personally, and professionally.

The Executive Director of Olotu and Rowland Ekuogbe Akpodiete Foundation (OERAF) Dr Olotu Otemu Akpodiete Ph.D (JP) also during the honoring of his late grandfather gave out soft grants to thirty (30) women of Otor-Ihwreko Community, Ughelli. Dr. Olotu during the presentation noted that he would continue to use his foundation to better the lives of humanity.

Chief Dr Linda Ikpuri, Member, Warri South Properties and Investment Board, who was the guest speaker encouraged the market women to always put every grant  given to them to judicious use. She emphasized that whenever one is given this kind of opportunity and fails to judiciously utilize it for the purpose for which it was given; such opportunity rarely comes round again. 

Earlier while speaking about late chief Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete Ph.D biography, Barrister (Mrs) Agboka Akpodiete-Omale, stressed that the legal icon is a very straightforward man who is also a great Philanthropist. He was a straightforward lawyer by profession, a community leader, and generous philanthropist. 

Barr. Agboka stated further that because of the good life which their late father and grandfather lived; one can see it in the blood line of his biological children, grandchildren  and great grandchildren as well. These were virtues he didn’t take lightly and instilled in his family.

Chief Dr. Linda Ikpuri, in her closing remarks, expressed satisfaction with the great job that Olotu and Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete Foundation is doing, assuring that she would collaborate with OERAF to build a better society.

Olotu & Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete Foundation (OERAF) rounded up the remembrance of late Chief Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete, Ph.D., with a novelty match at Ughelli Public Field on April 11, 2025.

Speaking shortly after the match, Dr. Olotu Otemu Akpodiete appealed to the Ughelli North Local Government Council Vice Chairman's representative for the council to upgrade the field to a mini stadium. He stressed that Ughelli Public Field has been in existence long before the state government built the Ughelli Township Stadium, but remains under utilized till date.

The novelty match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, thrilled everyone who watched it. The team of the children of late Chief Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete, Ph.D., scored the first goal, which was equalized by the grandchildren's team through a penalty kick.

Dignitaries present during the novelty match included Hon. Chief (Mrs.) Meg Atano, Ughelli North Local Government Council Vice Chairman, ably represented by Pst. (Mrs.) Rita Nyewhoema; Evang. Nicholas Evwienure; Mrs Efe Akpodiete -Minabowan Barr. Agboka Akpodiete-Omale; Hon . Felix Uloho, Chief Grace Akpodiete; and Mr. Kennedy Otega (Big Daddy), among others.

Other highlights of the event included the presentation of cash prizes to both teams and a group photograph with light refreshments. Other family members present during the ceremony were; Chief Mrs  Grace Akpodiete, Mrs Elohor Esakpaide, Captain Oghenevwegba Akpodiete, Bishop Owhorode Akpodiete, Bar. Agboka Akpodiete-Omale, Mrs Aduviekeya Umoru, Ms. Ese Akpodiete, Ogheneogaga Akpodiete, Ayerode Akpodiete, Mr. Uremu Akpobasa and Esther Akpodiete.