Former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, has declared that his travails in the country stemmed from his people-oriented posture and the fact that he is not a ‘boot licker.’

Insisting that the powers that be persecuted him for his independent-mindedness, he said he was treated differently from other past governors of his era because he chose to improve a lot of his people and the Niger Delta region instead of bootlicking.

Ibori, who was a special guest at the late Prof. Peter Ekeh’s memorial symposium and day of tributes at Uvwiamuge-Agbarho in Delta State, said: “I refused to be a boot licker, maybe that is why I am on a different path today. If I had followed the path of other governors, maybe things would have been different.”

Ibori eulogised the late Ekeh, saying although he did not interact with him directly, he had ‘interrogated’ his writings and works and found them very profound and inspiring.

He said he was delighted that President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Olorogun Moses Taiga had united all social clubs in Urhobo land, adding: “It does not matter how many social clubs are in Urhobo land, as long as their agenda focus on the yearnings of the people.

The tribute was organised by the Urhobo Historical Society (UHS) and UPU in honour of the late professor of political science.

Former Minister of Information Prof. Sam Oyyovbaire chaired the programme, while Prof. Sunny Awhefeada anchored it.

Professors G.G. Darah, Andrew Edevbie, Abednego Ekoko, Dr. Aruegodore Oyiborhoro, Reverend Father Oghenejode Abaka, Chief Goodie Ibru, and Chief Johnson Barovbe, among others, attended the event.

The guest lecturer, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, who spoke on Social Reality, Statehood And Citizenship In Africa Through The Lens of Peter Ekeh, said: “If you passed through Prof. Ekeh, you will never be the same.”

Darah described Ekeh as a visionary like Mukoro Mowoe, who made profound contributions to civilisation, saying: “Anybody who does not use his natural talent to advance the cause of history is wasting his time.”

He said the UHS, which Ekeh founded, is now a global university, adding: “Ekeh conquered the world and built a new civilisation for the Urhobo nation.”

The late Prof. Ekeh was known worldwide for his seminal work: Colonialism And The Two Publics In Africa: A Theoretical Statement was published in 1975 and is one of the most cited works in African political and sociological studies.

His other authoritative publications are Social Exchange Theory: The Two Traditions; Federal Character and Federalism In Nigeria and Nigeria Since Independence: The First Twenty-Five Years.

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