Olorogun Felix Ibru

By Zik Gbemre

Regardless of the fact that we have written severally to the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on the subject matter, but without response, we still consider it necessary to reiterate this call because of its importance and necessity to the image of Delta State and for posterity sake.

It is on that note that we once again render our advice to Governor Okowa, on the need for the Delta State Government to immortalize Olorogun (Senator) Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru, CON, by naming the Delta State University after him. We find it unfair, inappropriate and not good enough to note that all that the Delta State Government could do was to have the Delta State Secretariat Complex in Asaba, and the Senate building of the Delta State University, Abraka, named after Felix Ibru. And like we have asked before, why name just a building in the Delta State University after Felix Ibru instead of naming the whole institution after him? For someone who had established the said University, and was also the first elected Executive Governor of Delta State, Olorogun (Senator) Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru deserves nothing less than having his name and legacy immortalized by naming the ‘entire’ Delta State University after him.

There is no better way to honour the contribution and good memory of such an exceptional man like Olorogun (Senator) Felix Ibru, other than to name the Delta State University after him. And it will not take the Delta State Government anything to do this. Others like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Ambros Ali, etc, have higher Institutions they founded named after them to properly immortalize their names and legacies. Why should that of Delta State hero be different? Why should the Delta State Government deny the people of having one of their exceptional personality, in person of Olorogun (Senator) Felix Ovuodoroye Ibru, of having his name immortalized like others who founded higher Institutions in their States? Renaming the Delta State Secretariat and a supposed Senate building in the Delta State University don’t make the expected impact, or do justice to having the name of Felix Ibru immortalized in the annals of history.

This is the same person who was also the one that designed the Master Plans of the major cities in Delta State, including the State Capital Asaba, because he was an exceptional Architect as well. He surely deserved having his name immortalized by naming the ‘entire’ Delta State University after him.

One begins to wonder why Governor Okowa appears not willing to name the Delta State University after Felix Ibru? For me, and many well-meaning Deltans, it is long overdue. This would be the best parting gift the Delta State Government would give the Ibru Family and Deltans. And there is no better time to do this than now. We reiterate that the best honour for Olorogun (Senator) Felix Ibru is to name the Delta State University after him, at least for posterity sake.

Zik Gbemre.

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