Ewherido: As Urhobos lose an uncommon gem

The above remark was made by late Senator Akporokena Pius Ewherido on April 28, 2013, at the Urhobo Progressive Union Centre, Agbarho, Delta State, during his mid-term stewardship to his people at the Delta Central Senatorial District. The lawmaker had gathered his people who stood by him on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), an opposition party on whose back the late Ewherido rode to the Senate as the only elected DPP candidate in the upper legislative chamber, to roll out his achievements in less than two years in the Senate.

The Philosophy graduate of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and Law graduate of the University of Benin had delivered some dividends of democracy to his senatorial district and had gone to roll them out to his people, with a promise to do more.

To mention a few, Ewherido’s achievements revolved around more than 14 sponsored bills, many of which are on second reading at the Senate. He was said to have completed projects in education and infrastructure, among others. In two years, he had awarded over 200 scholarships to students from the senatorial district at various schools and had instituted the annual Urhobo language competition among youths which maiden edition held in December 2012. However, his intention to do more was cut short as he allegedly collapsed in his house in Abuja while receiving a phone call on April 30, 2013. There, the long and lofty dreams of Olorogun Ewherido, father of six lovely children, consummate lover of the downtrodden and exceptional lawmaker to do more for his people at other various capacities were aborted.

Born on May 4, 1963 in Ewu, Delta State to Joseph and Pauline Ewherido in an atmosphere of Catholicism, Pius Ewherido, the third male out of eight children who are all males, was described as courageous, forthright and single-minded in his 50-year sojourn on earth. He started his education at St Paul Primary School, Ughelli, rounded off his primary education at RCM Primary, Ozoro and headed for Notre Dame College also in Ozoro, Delta State for his secondary education. He did his youth service (NYSC ) at Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye before he left for Warri, where he engaged in audio-visual business. Unsatisfied with his academic feat, young Ewherido proceeded to the University of Benin to study Law and was thereafter called to the bar after Law School.

His political journey began in 1997 during the twilight of the Abacha era as he joined the United Nigeria Congress Party. In 1998, the budding politician took another bold step in search of political relevance as he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he contested in 1999 and won the Ughelli South Constituency election to the Delta State House of Assembly. He spent eight years in the house and, at a time, was deputy Speaker and later acting speaker for six months, a period which, till date, is still being referred to as memorable.

He was said to have moved over 40 motions that were adopted, besides sponsoring and co-sponsoring no fewer than eight bills. Little wonder then that at his sudden demise, there was an avalanche of encomiums from the nooks and crannies of the country, especially his colleagues and former colleagues at the Senate and state House of Assembly. To his widow, Doye, the demise of her only heartthrob, whom she called “Paye,” was not only unspeakable but a terrible blow. She described him as “courageous, fearless and a non-quitter, a blazing star, kind, compassionate and one never to run away from responsibility.” What would Doye miss about her husband, everything but mostly his warmth, love, vivacity, generosity, contentment and lowly lifestyle.

Oghenero is the first son of the deceased. “We are sad at your going away so suddenly. I will miss your jokes, laughter, smiles and the praise I get from you when I do something right,” the young disclosed but pledging solemnly “Don’t worry about us and Mum, we will not disgrace you; we will do all in our power so that you will be proud of us.”

At Ewherido’s Requiem Mass last Friday at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Warri, Delta State, it was, like the elder brother of the deceased, Reverend Father Tony Ovayero Ewherido observed, a celebration of a life full of great achievements and well spent. The church auditorium and premises were filled with families, supporters, colleagues and friends of the deceased from all walks of life. Eminent personalities like Senator David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekwremadu, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and his wife, Roli, Adams Oshiomhole, Victor Ochei, Festus Keyamo, Ovie Omo-Agege among others were in attendance. In their tributes, Senate President David Mark and Ekweremadu described the deceased as a gentleman, humble Nigerian, a distinguished representative of his people and legislative storehouse.

Expressing shock over the demise of Ewheredo, who was also gunning for the top seat at Asaba come 2015, Governor Uduaghan described him as a friend, political contemporary and fellow struggler wanting to serve Nigeria. “He was a young articulate, ebullient and dynamic politician with an uncompromising vision to impact society positively,’’ Uduaghan noted in his condolence letter to the Ewheridos.

Senator Pius Ewherido may have gone, but the dream, the footprints on the sand of time and the minds of the common man whom the resourceful senator represents will remain a reference point for a long time.