For the past years, every 4th of August (except last year’s), had resounded in Oghara, Ethiope-West LGA of Delta State as Chief James Onanefe Ibori’s political followers would mark his birthday. Remarkably,Ibori was not even in Nigeria then. So, with his return last year, the plan for a massive celebration when Ibori would attain age 60 on 4th August 2018, began – though Ibori had never publicly marked a birthday. Since Ibori’s return, various communities have organized receptions to thank him for uplifting them during his tenure as Governor, an office he left 11 years ago. This week Monday, 20 heavyweight personalities led by Prof Sam Oyevwaire, representing the entire state visited him at Oghara to condole him over his uncle’s death. Come August 11th the town of Ugiri-Amai in Ndokwa LGA will be hosting him.
Since Ibori’s return to Nigeria, his Oghara hometown has been a Mecca of sort with political power seekers from all over Nigeria besieging the man they could not destroy for solution to their enquiries. Traditional rulers, political and religious leaders are united in paying homage to the maverick political tactician whose contacts and reach defy ordinary classification. Knowing the place of friendship and human relationship, Ibori has visited Amassoma, the hometown of the former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieseigha, of blessed memory where he wept by the grave side of his friend and assured the family of his shoulders whenever they needed one.
On the 4th August Ibori became 60 years old and God-willing still strong to lead his people who look up to him daily for guidance. The man has returned home to reunite with his people and political family. The enthusiastic reception in February last year said it all. Here was a man who has never set foot on Nigeria’s soil for over six years. He returned without notice only for news of his return to spread like wild fire in the peak of the harmattan season, attracting thousands of Deltans to Oghara to see their hero. It is certain Ibori is the greatest political force ever to rise from Delta State. He is a phenomenon with indescribable or ineffable sense of value in the heart of the people.Put him on the ballot, either for governor again or for president, the South-South will catch fire. He does not pretend to be a saint yet he has followers across all political parties.
Back home in Delta State, Ibori has been honoured with a chieftaincy title of the ‘Ezi-Oyi Anioma’, meaning, ‘a true friend of Anioma’. He has also be honoured as the Tiemwei (Pillar) of the Kabowei kingdom in Patani Local Government Area by the Pere of Kabowei Kingdom, Erebelu Shedrack, Aduwo III, the Omovudu of the Urhobo nation
This is saying happy 60th birthday to the Odidigborigbo of Africa.
