Forum confers outstanding awards on Urhobo sons, daughters

The Urhobo Leadership Forum, Abuja (ULFA), on Saturday, celebrated and conferred awards of excellence to five deserving sons and daughters of Urhobo extraction who have distinguished themselves in various areas of endeavour, including academics, business and fashion.

With support drawn from the umbrella body, the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) at home and abroad, including Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, among others, the forum said that the awardees were carefully chosen based on their dedication and contributions to the upliftment of the Urhobo Kingdom.

A young lawyer, Nyerhovwo Umukoro, was honoured for his academic brilliance, which saw him breaking numerous academic records in Nigeria and abroad. Mudiaga Enajemo of Mudi Africa Fame was recognised for blazing the trail and breaking borders in clothes design for prominent personalities at home and abroad.

One of the three posthumous awards went to the pioneer President of ULFA, Fred Brume. Brume, a scholar, banker, administrator, businessman, politician, Servant of God and the people, as well as member of Redeemed Christian Church of God, was recognised for his dedication to the Urhobo cause.

Sadik Daba, the legendary versatile actor of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) drama series, Cock Crow at Dawn fame, was also recognised. Rachael Oniga, though born in Ebute Meta in Lagos but of Urhobo origin, was also posthumously celebrated for her versatility that shone through in her performances in Yoruba, English, and Urhobo movies, breaking down cultural and linguistic barriers.