The Oba of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, The Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom, has charged the newly installed Okobaro R’Urhobos in Ikorodu, Lagos, Chief (Sir) Philip Edemete, to be a good ambassador of his Palace and entire people of the kingdom.
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Chief Edemete, a retired Accountant, who worked with the United African Company (UAC) as well as the famous Ibru Organisation in Lagos, was recently installed as the Okobaro R’Urhobo representing all sons and daughters of Urhobos in Ikorodu, Lagos, at a ceremony held at the Oba Palace in Ikorodu.

The historic event, which was attended by people from all walks of life, marked the beginning of a new era for the Urhobos, the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, whom the Royal Father described as very peaceful and accommodating people.

“From this moment, you are the eye and ear of the Palace.

“Anywhere you see two people fighting within the kingdom, your primary responsibility as a member of my Palace is to play the role of a peacemaker. You have to be a good ambassador of the Palace and the entire people of Ikorodu kingdom,” Oba Shotobi charged the Okobaro.
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Going down memory lane, the Royal Father informed the crowd of his long relationship with the Urhobos, saying: “My wife is from Warri, in Delta State. We had our marriage ceremony at Marine Road in Warri. We have been married for 49 years now, and I enjoyed every aspect of my relationship with my in-laws. Whenever I was on vacation then, we usually travelled through Benin City to Sapele to Warri, and from there, my father-in-law would take me to Ughelli to eat starch and head of fish. My father-in-law treated me as his son. After spending some days with them in Warri and Ughelli, we would continue with the vacation, going through Patani to Port Harcourt, Aba to Enugu, back to Onitsha and finally to Benin City. Travelling by road then was very smooth and enjoyable,” the Oba stated.

Meanwhile, members of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Lagos chapter, have commended Oba of Ikorodu over the installation of Chief Edemete as the Okobaro R’Urhobo R’Ikorodu.

Speaking at the occasion, the President of UPU, Ikeja Lagos, Chief Fidelis Odia, (the Omoyoma of Abraka Kingdom), thanked the Royal Father for his show of love for the Urhobos in the kingdom saying: “The Oba has demonstrated that he is a true Roya Father for all the people residing in Ikorodu.

At a reception in honour of the Okobaro, the immediate past President of UPU, Ikorodu branch, Chief Christopher Obriki (the Evwogho of Oghara Kingdom) described the installation of Chief Edemete as the Okobaro R’Urhobo R’Ikorodu as unique.
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Obriki recalled how the UPU, under his leadership, started the process by writing a letter to the Oba intimating him of their desire to meet with him. “Our letter got immediate attention of the Oba who responded within 24 hours inviting the Urhobos for a visit to his Palace. Then, we were not known in the kingdom.

“On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, the Urhobos in Ikorodu, under the aegis of Urhobo Progress Union, Ikorodu sub-branch, paid the historic visit to the Ayangburen of Ikorodu in his Palace. It was at that meeting the Oba asked us to produce one of our own on whom he would confer an honorary chieftaincy title, and relate with as leader of Urhobo people in Ikorodu.

He demanded that such person must be a man of substance and impeccable character whom the Urhobos can be proud of. On December 26, 2022, at a gathering of Urhobo people resident in Ikorodu, High Chief Edemete was presented to the public as the Okobaro R’Urhobo in Ikorodu (designate),” Chief Obriki stated.

Some other dignitaries at the occasion include Chief Samuel Otiko, the President of UPU, Abeokuta, Chief Joseph Odia, Mr Peter Akpona and current chairman of UPU, Ikorodu, Julius Owanrieta.
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