Urhobo People Of Nigeria

28/07/2026

Urhobo Royal Ema Dancer

28/07/2026

The Urhobo Babe- MS Banks Celebrates her Mother 50th Birthday.

28/07/2026

Live from London

Urhobo Historical Society brings the world together for its 14th International Conference & General Meeting — culture, unity and legacy on full display.

Catch every moment — subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow across all social platforms.

14/07/2026

Uvwie Artist

EMMANUEL ONOKPUVIE

13/07/2026

The UGIU Lagos President, Olorogun Alice Ighomore, and Executives
salute our Royal Majesty,
Dr. Emmanuel Sideso Abe 1, OON, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, on the successful Limestone Ground-Breaking Ceremony
of the Police Command in Effurun,
Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State.

Long live the King!
Long live Uvwie Kingdom!
*Uvwie ooo!!!

08/07/2026

The Orogun Princess and the Ibrus: Royalty in Windsor

Windsor’s Grandest Afternoon: Royalty, Legacy, and Purpose Converge on the Polo Field

The Urhobo royalty The Orogun Princess and the Ibrus commanded quiet reverence at this year’s Access Bank UK Polo Day, an occasion that once again transformed the storied lawns of Windsor into a meeting point of continents, cultures, and causes.

Beneath the crisp English sky, business leaders, philanthropists, and royalty gathered not merely for sport, but for something far weightier: a shared commitment to education for vulnerable children across Nigeria and other underserved communities. It was philanthropy at its most refined understated, elegant, and unmistakably purposeful.

The presence of Urhobo nobility lent the day a particular gravitas, a reminder that heritage and humanitarianism are, when carried with the right grace, inseparable. Amid the rhythm of galloping hooves and the hush of tailored conversation, Windsor bore witness to a rare alchemy one where legacy met philanthropy, and tradition rode boldly into modern relevance.

28/06/2026

The Urhobo Man

A handshake across history. A moment preserved in time.

This photograph captures a moment from many years ago as I shook hands with General Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, with my late father, Brigadier General Dominic Obukadata Oneya, standing proudly behind me.

Looking back today, history often reminds us that leaders are rarely remembered in simple black-and-white terms. Time has a way of reopening conversations, challenging long-held narratives, and encouraging us to examine the complexities of leadership, sovereignty, and Africa's place in the world.

Many Africans have since revisited the legacies of figures such as General Muammar Gaddafi, General Sani Abacha, and General Abdourahamane Tchiani (Mai Nasara) of Niger. While each remains controversial and their records continue to be debated, many also believe they represented a strong commitment to African sovereignty, self-determination, and reducing external dependence.

Whether history ultimately vindicates or critiques them, one lesson remains clear: Africa's future will be determined by Africans who place the continent's interests first while embracing accountability, justice, unity, and sustainable development.

For me, this photograph is also deeply personal. It reminds me of the unique opportunities I had through my father, whose service to Nigeria brought me into the presence of remarkable personalities who shaped our continent's story.

Photographs capture moments. History gives them meaning. Wisdom lies in studying both with an open mind.

May Africa continue to rise—strong, united, sovereign, and prosperous.

14/06/2026

The Urhobo Man

Chief John Mononia Agbatutu - The Ochuko of Agbarho Kingdom.

07/04/2026

07/04/2026

*Happy Easter and Resurrection Sunday..* 🧚🏽‍♂️🧚🏽‍♂️

For us with African Church roots very early this morning it is...

*Obomane oo Obomane Uchin 'irenre ....Jesu Bomane* ....
( He is Risen He is Risen from the grave today).

An expose on a central figure on the foundation of Christianity in Uvwie who is also our grandfather ( my maternal) is shared below 👇👇 as a part of the Easter Bundle delight..

May the blessings of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ rest upon us all...Amen

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

*A HERO OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IN UVWIE KINGDOM AND THE URHOBO NATION* - BE INSPIRED

The history of **Pa Amofoye Emakpor (often written as Omofoye Emakpo)** is closely connected with the **early spread of Christianity in Urhoboland and the founding of the first African-led church congregation in Effurun, Uvwie Kingdom**. His life represents one of the earliest examples of indigenous Christian leadership among the Urhobo people in the early twentieth century.

*Early Life and Background*

Pa Amofoye Emakpor was an Urhobo Christian pioneer from Erovie Quarters Effurun in present-day Uvwie Kingdom, Delta State, Nigeria**.

He lived through the late 19th and early 20th centuries—a time when Christianity was spreading across the Niger Delta through European missions such as the **Church Missionary Society** and the **Niger Delta Pastorate**.

Unlike many converts who simply joined missionary churches, Pa Amofoye became an **active evangelist and community organiser**, helping to plant Christian congregations among the Urhobo people.

*Role in the Spread of Christianity in Urhoboland*

Before establishing the church in Effurun, Pa Amofoye Emakpor was involved in **missionary outreach across several Urhobo communities**. Historical records indicate that he helped plant or support early congregations in areas such as:

* Oguname
* Oghara
* Ikwewhu
* Ovwodokpokpo
* Ekrerhavwen
* Uvwiama (Agbarho area)

These activities were connected to the early Christian expansion in the Western Niger Delta during the colonial period.

Through these efforts, he gained a reputation as a **grassroots Christian organiser and evangelist** among the Urhobo people.

Conflict with Mission Authorities

A major turning point in his life occurred around **1915–1916**.

At the time, the church in Effurun area had contributed money to the Niger Delta Pastorate with the expectation that a **church teacher or catechist would be posted to their congregation**. When this promise was not fulfilled, Pa Amofoye challenged the mission leadership.

He even **took legal action against the church authorities** to recover the funds collected from members. The court ruled in his favour and the money was refunded.

This episode illustrates his determination to protect the interests of local converts and to ensure that indigenous Christians were treated fairly.

*Establishment of St Peter African Church, Effurun*

Following the dispute with the mission authorities, Pa Amofoye and his followers **severed their ties with the Niger Delta Pastorate around 1915**.

They then aligned themselves with the **African Church Mission**, a denomination that emerged in Nigeria as an **African-controlled alternative to European missionary dominance*.

Through this movement he helped establish what became known as:

**St Peter African Church Effurun**

*HIS WALK OF FAITH*

Of particular interest is the story of his walk of faith in God.

In the introduction of the Christian faith to a wholly traditional society as Uvwie, he encountered fierce opposition. The most notable of these was his de-mystification of an aspect of *the festival of IRUKPERI* - celebrated every 25th year in Uvwie. This is the festival at the heart of the movement as people from Effurun Otor to Uvwie.

This festival takes a full year of preparation where all domestic needs of the family are gathered and stored as farming is not allowed during the period of celebrations. At the end of this festival whatever that is left is prepared and left at the door of every home / family for the deity to consume. During the time of the visitation of the deity all persons must leave home/towns to their farm settlement/houses to stay.

Omofoye now as a Christian refused to go to his farm house. He stayed behind alone even when his family left for his farm house to await the said deity.

What he witnessed was rather an organized arrangement of leaders and elders of the kingdom of the various quarters exchange the eating assignment.. Erovie Quarter leaders exchanged with Jakpa Quarter while Alaka Quarter exchanged with Ogbe Quarters...

He heard their voices from within his home and recognizing some of them could not resist the urge to engage... So he came out of his house and confronted them with a call for them all to stop the deceit.

His actions were considered sacrilegious and was invited to the Kingdom Council for atonement. He refused and necessary sanctions were imposed.

The consequence of the sanction "by the understanding" was that all his children died one after the other. .. He also being a carpenter had at the death of every child, constructed a coffin.. put the dead child into it and dug the grave, carried the dead child into the church for a burial mass which he then officiated as the priest, after which he buried.

This he did till the last child died and was buried. He has become "accursed" as no woman was willing to be with him for fear of losing their children... But still his faith was sure... *"Fastened to the Rock which cannot move".*

To appease the deity, his two younger sisters became " *Ireren " priestesses to the deity* . This they claimed was to protect their only brother whose genealogy is about to be cut off.

Anyways, this festival was never celebrated again in Uvwie since the so-called sacred component of the deity has been broken.

Years passed by and he continued in his work of church and school planting across the Urhobo Nation ... *and then God in his set time* honored his faith with 8 children in his much later years... He was so far in age that his children had to address him as "Ebaba" (Grandfather).. with a life span of about 122 years (estimated) in 1980 when he passed into Glory.......one of the sisters also came back to join him in church.

This church is widely regarded in local tradition as **the earliest organized African Church congregation in Effurun and one of the first in Uvwie territory**.

The founding of the church represented:

* Indigenous leadership in Christianity
* Religious independence from foreign control
* The localization of Christian worship among the Urhobo people

Legacy in Uvwie Kingdom

Pa Amofoye Emakpor’s work had lasting influence in **Uvwie religious and social history**:

1. **Introduction of indigenous church leadership** in Effurun.
2. **Foundation of one of the earliest churches in Uvwie Kingdom.**
3. Inspiration for later Christian movements in the region.
4. Contribution to the broader history of **African-initiated churches in the Niger Delta and Nigeria**.

His story is often remembered as an example of how **ordinary local leaders shaped the spread of Christianity in Urhoboland**, not just foreign missionaries.

✅ **Historical significance**

Pa Amofoye Emakpor is remembered as:

* A **pioneer Urhobo Christian leader**
* A **founder of St Peter African Church Effurun**
* One of the **early indigenous champions of African-controlled Christianity in the Niger Delta**

*Conclusion: A Life That Still Speaks**

The life of Pa Amofoye Emakpor is more than history—it is a message.

A message of:

* Courage in the face of opposition
* Faith in the midst of loss
* Truth in the presence of deception
* Endurance through suffering

His story reminds us that the spread of Christianity in Africa was not only the work of foreign missionaries—but also of **brave indigenous men and women who paid the price for truth**.

**Be inspired.**

By Prince Randolph ErumaGborie

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