*He Was A Stabilizing Factor In Urhobo Nation – Olorogun Taiga
By Ovie Okpare
The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide has described the passage of renowned Nigerian medical doctor and former Chairman of the Forum of Presidents-General of Urhobo Kingdoms, Dr. Peter Claver Obakponovwe, as huge loss to Urhobo Nation and Nigerian in general.
Obakponovwe, founder of Ufor Hospital and former First Deputy President-General of UPU, passed on Wednesday. He was aged 78.
A graduate of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (UI) late Chief (Dr.) Obakponovwe was a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons; and a Fellow of the International College of Surgeons.
UPU, the apex socio-cultural body of Urhobo people worldwide, while reacting to the death of the world certified surgeon, said Obakponovwe was a stabilizing factor in Urhoboland.
The President-General of UPU, Olorogun Moses Taiga, in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the body, said worked for the unity and peace of Urhoboland all through his lifetime.
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The statement made available to NIGER DELTA TODAY (NDT) Online on Thursday was titled “Dr. PC Obakponovwe was a True Patriot, Stabilizing Factor.”
Olorogun Taiga stated that Urhobo people are saddened by his death and condoled with his family, people of Agbon Kingdom, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and global medical field where he exemplified high level of professionalism.
He added that the PC Obakponovwe “is at the top of the long list of heroes and legends in UrhoboLand, Delta State, and Nigeria.”
“The news of the death of Chief (Dr.) Peter Claver Obakponovwe (JP), B, BS, FRCS (ED), FICS, former First Deputy President-General of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), on Wednesday, August 19, 2021, came as a rude shock to the National Executive Council of UPU and indeed the Urhobo Nation.
“Chief (Dr.) Peter Obakponovwe was a true Urhobo patriot. He devoted his life to the service of the Urhobo Nation and her people. His passion for Urhobo unity was unpretentious. For many years, as Founder and Chairman of the Forum of Presidents-General of Urhobo Kingdoms, Dr. Obakponovwe was a stabilizing factor in the Urhobo Nation as he ensured that there was unity and stability in the leadership of UPU. He contributed to the peace and security of Urhoboland.
“Dr. Obakponovwe was a consummate physician, community leader, and administrator. He was one of the pioneers of private medical practice in Urhobo land. He enjoyed fame in the Urhobo hinterland and beyond as one of the finest Urhobo surgeons that ever lived and owner of a thriving hospital in Ughelli, which he established in 1978 after leaving the government’s employment, where he was a Consultant Surgeon. His love of his medical practice and the physician-patient covenant were legendary.
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“He served his native Okpara Community as President-General and was a President-General of Agbon Kingdom. In both services, Obakponovwe was exemplary and selfless. He deployed his resources for the improvement of his people and the development of the land.
“The UPU and Urhobo Nation have lost a great man, a true Urhobo patriot, and leader. His death has left a gaping hole in Urhobo land. He is at the top of the long list of heroes and legends in Urhobo Land, Delta State, and Nigeria.
“The President-General, Olorogun (Dr.) Moses O. Taiga, JP, on behalf of the National Executive Council of UPU and the Urhobo Nation, commiserates with his family, Okpara Community, and the Agbon Kingdom on the irreplaceable loss of this legendary Urhobo man. He will be sorely missed”, the statement added.
