By Kingsley Abavo
Ogbewe, Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Council Area of Delta State, Nigeria went agog recently when the Ugolor family celebrated the Matriarch of the family, Mrs. Agnes Akora Ugolor who turned eighty.
Rev. David Ugolor, second son of the chief celebrant, and the Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and his siblings were joined by friends and family members from various parts of the country to mark the event.
Edo State Governor, comrade Adams Oshiomhole was represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria at the event.
Other dignitaries included, former labor leader of Edo State, comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin; former member, DESOPADEC, Hon. Henry Ofa; Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Dr. Otive Igbuzor; Chief William Ibori; representatives of the Oghara Traditional Council, members of the media, among others.
According to Rev. Ugolor, the children had cause to celebrate their mother at this time having toiled through thick and thin all alone to raise them following the death of their father, Mr. Akora Ugolor.
“Though we may not be having the best, but when we look back, 20, 30 years ago, there is something to celebrate about that woman.”
“The story of Mama Akora is no way different from that of biblical Hannah. After a long period of childlessness in marriage, she eventually was blessed with three sons and a daughter; all doing well in their various callings in life,” Ugolor noted.
Part of the highlights of the occasion was the former launching of Agnes Ugolor Micro Credit Enterprise Centre, a humanitarian initiative immortalizing his beloved mother.
To jumpstart the program, Rev Ugolor awarded N30, 000 each to three most needy members of the community to help them in their various trades/occupations as part of his contribution to national development.
“This is just one of many good things to come from the Ugolor family to the world, as their only little way of showing gratitude to God,” Rev Ugolor remarked while making the presentation.
Those who received the award were Queen Johnson, Rita Ajibor and Christiana Adolor.
According to him, the Centre will “on an annual basis and in its first few years identify three critically needy widows in Oghara Kingdom irrespective of religion, tribe or political backgrounds to be endowed with the sum of N30, 000 by Mama Agnes Ugolor to support their occupations or trade.”
Kevbe child prodigy dancer dazzles audience
The arena of the well-attended event was electrifying when 14-year old child prodigy dancer, Kevbe Ekaje, a junior Secondary School II student of Orefe secondary school, Oghara and his Ambassadors group stormed the stage to entertain the audience.
Kevbe, smallest and youngest of the 10- member ‘Ambassadors Dance Group’ was the center of attraction constantly drawing loud ovation and applause from every corner of the arena with his rather tantalizing and mystical A – 1 performance.
His shortcoming of being on the clutches as a physically challenged person was notwithstanding.
Kevbe, who spoke with our reporter, disclosed that it all started about two years ago in the local Winners Chapel Church.
No wonder therefore, he attributed to God what pundits have described as a divine gift that has the potentiality of taking him to greater heights in the entertainment world in the no distant future.
The dancers turned and twisted at the speed of light and at some points indulging in acts that made spectators fear for little Kevbe because of his physical disability. Yet, they were simply magnetic, marvelous, incredible and a sight to behold.
Under ‘Blacky,’ a musician and dancer with the entertainment group; Infinite Flight, members of the Ambassadors, Happy, Monday, ‘Tega, Mavis, Kevin, Prince, Wisdom, Mitchell, Destiny, and Kevbe, all below 20 years of age were groomed.
This was after they got the approval and spiritual anointing of their local church pastor when they mooted the idea of forming a choreography dance group, Kevbe said.
In Oghara, and its environ, Infinite Flight hitherto occupied the number one spot in show biz, he added.
Kevbe says he dreams to take his dance prowess to greater heights in future as he adores the late legend Michael Jackson, who undisputedly had incredible dance steps.
The eye catching and courageous dancer who disclosed that he was handicapped from birth says he however does not feel any inconvenience when performing especially some of the acts that obviously seems dangerous for his age and physical state.
Apart from the anointing of the pastor of their local church, Kevbe has the approval and support of his parents especially the mother, he said.
After watching little Kevbe and his group perform; some of the acts seemingly out of this world, one cannot help but nod his head in agreement that certainly he is the affirmation of the saying; there is ability in disability.
