Every year, I have made it a tradition to pen a tribute to someone I revere as a father, a brother, an iconic leader, and a living legend. Someone who almost single-handedly redefined the place of Oghara Kingdom in the political lexicon of Delta State, and indeed, Nigeria.
Today, I proudly declare that I am a son of Oghara Kingdom — whether at home in Nigeria or in the diaspora. His Excellency Chief James Onanefe Ibori’s enduring legacy as a former governor of Delta State and a frontline political leader in Nigeria will forever remain etched in the sands of time
It is this legacy that, each time I reflect on it, fills me with deep confidence and pride.
Chief James Ibori came to us as a pathfinder. He gave us light, showed us the path, and provided the blueprint for greatness.
Born on August 4th, 1958, Ibori lived and was schooled in Oghara. Driven by the zeal to excel, he proceeded to the University of Benin, where he studied Economics and Statistics. With this academic foundation, the stage was set for an iconic leader.
In 1999, Ibori contested and won the Delta State gubernatorial election. As a democratically elected governor, he hit the ground running and set out to work. By the time he completed his tenure in 2007, Chief Ibori’s enduring legacy in human capacity development, educational advancement, socio-political integration, infrastructure development, and the overall transformation of the state was evident in every part of Delta.
Indeed, one can rightly say that His Excellency laid the foundation for the rapid development of modern Delta State.
In education, he established three Polytechnics in Otefe, Ozoro, and Ogwashi-Uku, and a College of Education in Mosogar, funding them adequately. He expanded the Delta State University with campuses in Asaba and Oleh. He founded the Western Delta University (WDU) in Oghara and built the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, to advance the training of healthcare professionals.
In infrastructure, he constructed roads and bridges that connected Deltans — especially upland and riverine communities. He completed the Osubi Airport project and laid the foundation for the Asaba International Airport before leaving office.
The list of projects initiated and completed under the James Onanefe Ibori administration is extensive. Time and space may not permit a full account. But his leadership style explains the massive reception and respect he commands across Delta State to this day.
As he clocks 68 years today, our prayer is that God grants him good health, long life, and continued grace to serve humanity.
Congratulations, Odidigborigbo of Africa!
Hon. Comrade Edafe Ofotokun, a grassroots politician, social commentator, and founder of Bola Tinubu/ Sheriff Oborevwori Grassroot Ambassadors ( BOTSOGA) wrote from Oghara, Delta State.
