Uniben Don Calls For A Blend Of Modernity With Africa’s Culture As Atlanticnewsonline Editor’s Father Is Crowned “Okpala Ebo”

By Winnie Kodilonye

A Professor of Agriculture at the University of Benin, Victor Azubuike Okonji, has advocated cultural dynamism as a way of blending our valuable old cultural activities with life’s current realities being promoted by the new generation known as the Genzi.

He posited that we cannot isolate the past from the present or the future. According to him, “we need to blend same and tag along.”

Okonji spoke to our reporter on the sideline at the official coronation of Mr. John Oshanugor, step father and uncle to the Editor-in-Chief of ATLANTICNEWSONLINE, Mr. Frank Oshanugor at Ubulu-Uku, Delta State on Saturday.

Harping on the relevance of culture, the University Don said, “No doubt, culture is the way of life of a people and it is our duty to impact our culture on the on-coming generation including the Genzi. A celebration like the coronation of the oldest man as the Okpala Ebo would remind them of what our culture supposed to be.

“In other words, we are all in Genzi generation and we can pass same on to them. We can modify it as much as we want. We are in a new era and we must flow by blending the past with the new era together.”

The professor did not fail to express his joy even as he paid homage to the celebrant. According to him, “it is a thing of joy because we are celebrating life and not death. We have seen many deaths in recent time. When you see someone celebrating old age, we should be happy. Being the eldest is worth celebrating,” he remarked.

The 94-year-old Mr. John Oshanugor who was crowned as the Okpala Ebo of the Umu Obi Usifo Royal Family of Ubulu-Uku had assumed the position by virtue of his age as the oldest among the living within the Usifo Royal lineage.

The colorful ceremony which attracted hundreds of guests from far and near including those in the Disapora was a remarkable occasion that would not be forgotten in a hurry.

In line with Ubulu-Uku culture and tradition, a lot of activities associated with it had taken place prior and during the event. These included paying of homage to the celebrant with tubas of yam, kegs of palm wine, plates of colanut and other things by members of the Umu Obi Usifo Royal lineage.

There was enough to eat and drink at the event under a very clement weather that appeared after two days of turbulent rainfall that destroyed some houses and economic trees in the community.

Commenting on the event, a chieftaincy title holder and Catholic Knight from the community, Sir Chris Okolie described the event as awesome and a good way of promoting the Ubulu-Uku culture and tradition.

The Principal of St. Anthony’s Model College, Ubulu-Uku, Mr. Igabari described the event as colorful with evidence of joy and happiness everywhere. He added that he had known the celebrant for over 12 years since he retired from service and returned home, stressing that both of them have been close neighbors.

The principal recalled how his College had benefitted from the Oshanugor family, pointing out how Charles Oshanugor living in United States of America had supported the College.

Said he: “Through his son who lives in Houston Texas, St. Anthony’s College received tremendous support in the area of providing seats for students. Recently, the

same son of Mr. Oshanugor provided large quantity of note books for students of the college. May God bless the family,” he concluded.

The National President of Ubulu-Uku Development Council, Mr. Henry Okwudishu who led his executive team to pay homage, while describing Oshanugor as a very

good man, noted that to attain such height was no mean achievement as old age could not be bought with money.

The celebrant ‘s fourth son, Mr. Charles Oshanugor who runs a private security company in Houston Texas, United States of America remarked that the coronation ceremony was a rare achievement in the life of his nonagenarian father.

While wishing his father long life on the Okpala throne, he would not hesitate to express the hope that his father would preside over the affairs of the Umuobi Usifo Royal Family with love, honesty, justice and so on.