<p><em><strong>Dr. Otive Igbuzor, a Pharmacist, Human Rights Activist, Policy Analyst, Development Expert and author is Chief of Staff to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo Agege. In a lecture he delivered on November 23, 2019 at a book launch organised by Afrikanwatch in Ughelli , he emphasized, in perspectives, the past, present and future of the Orogun people in Delta State</strong></em></p>



<p>Let me start by
expressing my gratitude to the Africanwatch for inviting me to deliver this
lecture and for considering me to be part of the awardees for this event. The
topic, the Future of the Orogun People is very timely because we are living in
an era of change and transformation. In the last fifty years, there have been
tremendous changes in all spheres of human endeavour. Politically, democracy is
being established in all parts of the globe and even traditional and community
organisations are being challenged to imbibe democratic tenets and ethos. ;
There is huge economic transformation across the world, and we are experiencing
the greatest amount of wealth ever known in history. The irony is that we are
also experiencing the greatest number of poor people ever known in history.
Culturally, there are huge changes taking place and cultural practices handed
over by past generations are being jettisoned. A typical example is Female
Genital Mutilation otherwise called circumcision in Urhoboland. Socially, the
conduct of persons is changing, and interpersonal relations are improving.
Equally, oppressive tendencies are being challenged every day. Indeed, in the
last fifty years, there have been tremendous changes in all spheres of human
endeavour. ;</p>



<p>The topic of the
lecture is relevant because there is a branch of Social Science that studies
the future called Futurology. Futurology is the study of postulating possible,
probable and preferable futures and the world views and myths that underlie
them. ; In this paper, we look at future of Orogun by looking at Orogun
Past, Orogun Present and Orogun Future. As Carl Sagan once famously put it,
“you have to know the past to understand the present.” ; History is
important because it helps us to understand why our societies is the way they
are. In addition, understanding the past and the present help us to identify
laws and trends that can help us postulate about the future. ;</p>



<p>The history of Orogun
is essentially derived from centuries of oral tradition. As Otite has argued,
reconstruction of history from oral form presents its own problems especially
as competing versions claim authenticity. ;  ;According to tradition,
Orogun along with others like Ogor, Ughele and Agbarha descended from a common
ancestor, Oghwoghwa, who migrated from Benin as a result of the hostility of a
reigning Oba in the middle of the 14th century. Some traditions insist that
Orogun was a female and sister of Ughele. Others argue that Orogun was a man
and son of Efe, the brother of Amai, Abbi and Umukwata (Ukuani) who married
Oliara (Oriarha), a daughter of Oghwoghwa. I hope that the new book that is
being launched today will settle this controversy. ; ;Orogun is divided into
five quarters made up of the male descendants of Orogun namely Umusu, Unukpo,
Ogwa, Emonu and Imodje. ; Orogun settlements include Imodje, Orhokpokpo,
Ekridjerhue, Oko-Idiovwa, Oko Eduviere, Ugono, Emonu, Sanubi, Onyobru,
Ovara-Umusu, Ovara-Unukpo, Orhomuru, Igbuku, Eboh, Arhagba, Obodoeti, Idjerhe,
Erhobaro, Ozuaka and Obiogo. ;</p>



<p>In the past, Orogun
people were predominantly practicing African Traditional Religion. The people
are known to practice totemism of worshiping Iguana (Ogborigbo). The annual
Erose-Efe festival attracts participation from all and sundry. ;
Politically, the Orogun ; people although considered to be the ‘Sokoto’ of
Ughelli North because of the large number of votes that it returns during
elections, the clan has not witnessed a lot of government presence or
appointment. In the recent past, only three persons have occupied significant
political positions namely Olorogun Lucky Oghene Omoru (Commissioner for
Finance in former Bendel State); Chief Demas Akpore (Deputy Governor in the
Second Republic) and Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege (Secretary to Delta State
Government). Economically, there are no significant companies or institutions
in Orogun clan. There is no single bank in the entire clan. Socially, there are
few people in the upper class that can mentor and empower others. There
are ; little or no changes in the political and cultural organisation with
the practice of gerontocracy in traditional governance. Orogun clan is one of the
few clans in Urhoboland without a king or Ovie.</p>



<p>At the moment, the
religious colouration of the Orogun people has changed tremendously. Although,
there are no statistics, one can safely say from observation that majority of
the Orogun people today are Christians. In the last twenty years, there have
been a lot of spiritual exercises through the Orogun Day of Prayer which is one
of the first groups of people to dedicate one day to prayer every year. There
are several Christian denominations that have set up altars and praying for the
progress of Orogun People. The Orogun National Christian Association (ONCA) has
been organising crusades and medical outreaches to villages in the clan. The
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN)
and various Christian denominations are active in Orogun clan. Politically,
Orogun is taking its proper place in the scheme of things. With the election of
His Excellency, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as the Senator of the Urhobo people and
subsequently as the Deputy President of the Senate, an Orogun son is occupying
a position, the 6th in the country and for the first time by a Deltan.
Economically, small scale enterprises are beginning to spring up especially
fish farms and agricultural enterprises. In the recent past, training in
computer and entrepreneurship is being organised for Orogun people and we will
reap the benefits in the near future. The seed of significant institutions
coming to Orogun clan is being sown by the Obarisi of Urhobo land with the
planned establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun. This has the
potential to change the landscape and political economy of Orogun people. ;</p>



<p>Looking at the past
history of Orogun and the present opportunities, the future of Orogun is bright
spiritually, politically, economically and socially. In the future, the Orogun
people will reap from the spiritual foundations that are being laid today.
Charlatans and fake prophets are not likely to thrive in Orogun clan. In the future,
there will be prayer cities and camps in Orogun clan. The political future of
Orogun is bright. With an indisputable political leader that is focused on
delivering dividends of democracy in the person of the Obarisi of Urhoboland,
Orogun will witness huge infrastructural development. The Federal ;
Polytechnic, Orogun will attract investors to Orogun clan. But for us to reap
the benefits of this political opportunity, all the positive attributes that
Orogun people are known for must be put to play. Unity of Orogun people is
critical. The concept of mmadu a gharu nwane n’ogu must be operationalised. We
must learn from errors of the past and avoid betrayals of our brothers and
sisters. More importantly, we must forgive those who have wronged us in the past
and forge a new unity with common purpose. We must imbibe the idea that
politics is service and not an avenue for personal enrichment. Economically, we
need to individually and collectively prepare to reap the benefits of revival
of economic activities that will happen in Orogun clan. Only those that are
prepared and well positioned will reap the economic benefits. We need to
revisit the issue of gerontocracy and consider the possibility of an Ovie for
Orogun kingdom. If you do not do it now, your children or grandchildren will do
it. If Jesus tarries, there is no way we will carry gerontocracy into the 22nd
century. ; I advise Orogun people to be strategic in all spiritual,
political, economic and social considerations. ;</p>



<p>The Orogun people have
some unique characteristics of courage, resilience and brotherly support. In
the past, they were practicing African Traditional Religion but today majority
of them are Christians. In the past, the Orogun people were marginalised in
politics and governance. ; The marginalisation was so serious that we had
to go to Aboh to reverse the ‘curse’ purportedly placed on Orogun people that
had ; prevented them from developing. But today, every curse is already
broken and Orogun people are preparing to take off. Economic revival is on the
horizon and our people must prepare and position themselves to enjoy a bright
future. I am confident of the future of Orogun. The foundation has been laid.
Spiritually, politically, economically and socially, the Orogun People have a
bright future.</p>



<p>God bless Orogun Kingdom. God bless Orogun People. <em>mmadu a gharu nwane n’ogu </em></p>

Globacom OpenLife Nigeria reports that in a piece titled “Sieving Light From Invisible Waves: Glo…
The Plans To End Corruption In Nigeria From Q1 2026 OpenLife Nigeria reports that efforts…
Serving God OpenLife Nigeria reports that the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of…
Universal Access To Clean Water And Sanitation OpenLife Nigeria reports that Governor of Lagos State,…
Detty December OpenLife Nigeria reports that Mr. Gbenga Onitilo, Managing Director of Travelden, a subsidiary…
What Nigerians Should Expect In 2027 OpenLife Nigeria reports that the Presiding Bishop of the…
This website uses cookies.