Although Olorogun Johnson Modika Barovbe has passed on, his good deeds will forever be in the hearts of those he left behind.
“He was an Urhobo patriot, a visionary leader, a strategist and great unifier.”
The aforementioned qualities were the testimonies of those who spoke on a Day of Tributes, Part 1 held at The Haven Event Centre, Ikeja GRA, Lagos on Tuesday, February 15th 2022 in loving memory of High Chief Johnson Modika Barovbe (Tosogbe of badagry, Okunna of Agbon and Ahwotu of Urhoboland).
The state of the art hall was fully adorned with large colourful banners detailing the life and times of Olorogun Johnson Barovbe. It was filled to the brim with people from all walks of life who came to pay their tribute to the great Urhobo philanthropist.
Urhobo leaders present were Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) President General (Worldwide) Olorogun Moses Taiga, Olorogun Goodie Ibru, President of Urhobo Social Club Olorogun Jacob Diedjomahor, former Delta State Commissioner of Education and Lecturer in University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Hope Eghagha, Olorogun (Prof) Joe Abugu (SAN), Osu Re’ Urhobo of Lagos, Olorogun Vincent Ahwi and President of UPU, Apapa Branch, Mr Ovie Oghenekaro among other personalities.
Equally present were members of Urhobo Social Club Lagos, representatives of Urhobo Progress Union Lagos branch, Ovu Development Union (ODU) Lagos Branch, Urhobo Foundation, Urhobo Global Webinar Group, Urhobo Economic & Investment Group, Urhobo Youth Foundation Forum, Westminster College Lagos, Westminster Nursery And Primary School Lagos, Association of Inner Okukpe Estate Resident and Ariomaghwa Ladies Association UK among others including hundreds of people that joined virtually via Zoom.
Speaking during the event, UPU President-General (Worldwide) Olorogun Moses Taiga said the demise of Olorogun Johnson Barovbe has created a great vacuum in Urhoboland, Nigeria and the world. He described Barovbe as a bridge-builder, a philanthropist, a unifier and a man of peace. He revealed that Olorogun Barovbe was a brother and friend who drew him closer to different Urhobo associations.
“I (Olorogun Moses Taiga), Olorugun Johnson Barovbe and Olorogun Goodie Ibru are the three musketeers. He had left two of us behind. He lived a fulfilled life. God should grant him peaceful rest in heaven,” he prayed.
Olorogun Goodie Ibru said the Barovbe’s family and that of the Ibrus have close family ties for over 5 decades. He described Olorogun Barovbe as a great Nigerian and Urhobo patriot who believed very strongly in Urhobo unity.
“Olorogun Barovbe played an important part in my life. I am greatly indebted to him. In spite of all his achievements, he was very humble. He is very interested in Urhobo affairs, especially UPU where we both served as members of the Board Of Trustee (BOT). He introduced me to the Urhobo Historical Society. He also introduced me as a friend to Urhobo Social Club in Lagos. Urhobo nation will miss him. We pray he rests in the bosom of the Almighty God and God will console the wife and the children that he left behind,” he prayed.
The wife of Olorogun Johnson Barovbe, Mrs. (Barr.) Margret Barovbe in her tribute titled, “A Tribute To My God-Given Husband, Chief Johnson Modika Barovbe“, said her husband’s ability to make everyone feel comfortable, secure and loved was his greatest strength. She recalled that her husband stood by the family all through, adding that he was always there to support and help them to navigate through life challenges.
“My husband was a God-fearing man. He is a man of the people who believed in putting smiles on people’s faces by giving freely and generously. My beloved husband, rest in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ until we meet to part no more. Goodnight,” she stated.
A former Commissioner for Education in Delta State, the convener of Urhobo Renaissance Society (URS) and lecturer in the University of Lagos, Prof Hope Eghagha described Chief Barovbe as kind-hearted and a peacemaker who believed in sharing, while Olorogun (Prof) Joe Abugu, SAN said Olorogun Barovbe concern in his last discussion with him was how to launch Urhobo community in Lagos so as to ensure that Urhobo in Lagos, particularly the elites speak in one voice.
Speaking on behalf of Urhobo Social Club Lagos (USCL), the President of USCL, Olorogun Jacob Diedjomahor lamented that the departure of Olorogun Barovbe has left a great vacuum in their hearts, stressing that the Urhobo nation and Nigeria, in general, will miss his patriotism, contributions and wise counsel.
“It is our sincere prayer that God gives your wife, the children and the entire family the strength to go through this trying time and the fortitude to bear the loss.
Others who paid tribute to Olorogun Johnson Barovbe were his children, Mudiaga, Ufuoma, Ena Oyoma, Ovie, Rugba and grandchildren.
Former President of Urhobo Social Club Lagos, Olorogun Simeon Ohwofa, Emmanuel Okotete, Dr Benson Uwheru, Urhobo Historical Society, Olorogun Wilson Okpubigho, Olorogun and Mrs Omah Odoh –Tadafe, Prince Austin Enajemo-Isire, Olorogun Clement Awhana, Olorogun Miranda Mosheshe, Oghenekevwe Laba, Ejiro Akowien, Eric Onobrakpeya, and host of others were present to pay tribute to their leader, Olorogun Johnson Modika Barovbe. ADIEU DADDY.
