The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has expressed deep shock and sadness on the demise of prominent Nigerian scholar and founder of Urhobo Historical Society (UHS), Professor Peter Ekeh.
Ekeh, a professor of African American Studies, who hailed from Okpara Inland of Agbon Kingdom, Ethope East Local Government Area of Delta State, reportedly passed on on Tuesday at the age of 83.
The renowned scholar lectured at the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, before joining the State University of New York, Buffalo, as head of African-American Studies.
Senator Omo-Agege commiserated with the people of Okpara Inland of Agbon Kingdom in particular as well as Ethope East Local Government Area of Delta State, the state government, the academic community over the unfortunate incident.
The Delta Central lawmaker described Professor Ekeh as a shinning light of the Urhobos and a national and international scholar who made immense contributions to the development of education in Nigeria as a lecturer at University of Ibadan and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
According to him, the popular scholar would also be remembered for pioneering books detailing Urhobo history and other rich research works in Africa.
“I received with rude shock, the unfortunate news of the demise of elder statesman, Professor Peter Ekeh and my condolences go to the family, the people of Ethiope East, the Urhobos in general, Delta State Government and the academic community.
“Without question, he distinguished himself in his services to the nation as a scholar in top notch higher institutions before joining the State University of New York, Buffalo, as head of African-American Studies.
“As an Urhobo patriot and historian par excellence, he published many works on Urhobo history and he is also the brain behind Urhobowadoo.org – an internet warehouse for Urhobo history and other key issues.
“He will be greatly missed not only by the Urhobos but also by scholars within and outside the country”, he said.
While praying to the Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest, the Deputy President of the Senate called on Nigerians to remember his family in their prayers at these trying moments.
