Tejiri Ebikeme/Francis Sadhere
The town of Uzere Community was recently agog with activities as the family of the late monarch of Uzere Kingdom, HRH Ogrih Onolelamewhor I, remembered their father who joined his ancestors 68 years ago.
As one of the kings who brought education to the community as far back as 1937, the family took it upon themselves to distribute exercise books, school uniforms, bags and shoes to all the pupils in the three primary schools in the community.
Since the death of the monarch in 1945 parents in the community had no need to worry about school materials and uniforms and no child in the community had reason to say they do not want to go to school. Parents also do not need to think about how to provide these basic needs for their children who are of school age.
In October 14 this year, the late king was remembered by his family, and as usual pupils of the community took turn to dance around the community to honour their late monarch who brought the first primary school to the community. The ceremony was very colourful as pupils were dressed in their different school uniforms.
Speaking on the significance of the remembrance, the senior son of the late Uzere Monarch, Prince Stephen Ogrih said that the family had been providing these basic school materials for the children since the death of their father, noting that the project was started by their late father to encourage parents to send their children to school.
Prince Ogrih said; “Ogrih was my father and was a very good king. His reign was very peaceful and even the government recognized him as a good king. During his reign the community was peaceful and there was no fighting in the community. Because he did not go to school he took it upon himself and said he must bring a school to his community. He did not want his children to go to Ughelli to school. So he brought a government school to the community. Because of this the people said that they were going to remember him every year and the children and pupils would dance throughout that day. Today the children have danced round the community. This year, we have bought books and shoes for them. We have sewn school uniforms for them. He reigned for twenty years and he impacted the lives of his subjects during these times.”
The 86 years old Prince Ogrih advised leaders in the country to love their subjects if they want their subjects to respect them in return. He said the late king was a very humble monarch who ruled with great care and lover for his subjects and this earned him the love of his people.
The Headmistress of UzerePrimary School, Mrs Arouriwo Ewenede, who spoke to our correspondent has this to say about the celebration; “today is a very happy day for us teachers and pupils because we are remembering the king that brought education to Uzere Kingdom. If not for him, we will not have known what would have happened to this village by now. We thank God for making an instrument of change to Uzere kingdom. We are happy to remember him today for the good work he did for our community.”
Mrs. Ewenede said that she could not thank the family of the late monarch with mere words, adding that it was only God that can bless them and give them the strength to continue doing what they are doing for the children of the community.
Also speaking to our correspondent, the Headmistress of Ogrih Primary School, Mrs. Bibian Aladha, said that education cannot be mentioned in the community without special reference to His Majesty, Ogrih I, who opened the door of education to the community.
She also thanked the entire family of Ogrih for not relenting in their effort in maintaining the legacy left behind by their father, adding that the entire primary schools in the community were grateful for the family’s magnanimity towards the sewing of school uniforms, provision of books, school bags and school shoes to the children.
Mrs. Aladha also thanked Hon. Sam Ogrih, who she said had made it possible through motivation, to wake the pupils from their educational slumber which had led to the increase of the population of the schools.
She said; “We sincerely give kudos to the entire family of Ogrih who had not relented in their effort in maintaining the legacy left behind. No wonder the entire Uzere Kingdom deemed it fit to name a school after our father HRM Ogrih I; Ogrih Primary School.”
On his part, the Assistant Headmaster of Eni Primary School, Mr. Samson Orete commended the Ogrih family for providing learning materials to the pupils every year, emphasizing that the gesture had relieved parents from the burden of buying learning materials for their children.
Speaking to one of the pupils, Ajiri Odomero, he said he was very happy for the gifts, noting that his mother was a very poor woman who could not buy text books and uniforms for him.
He said that with the new uniform, bag, sandals and the books given to him, he can now go to school without bothering his parents for anything that had to do with his education.
