The Urhobo Immortals Musicians Association under the eagis of Ukoko R’ IBUINE R’ Urhobo RIBEDIBEDE, has inaugurated a new executive to pilot the affairs for the next four years.
The inaugural ceremony was held in an enlarged meeting of Urhobo Musicians at Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Those inaugurated to promote the Urhobo culture and tradition through music are, Evang. Samuel Ibuje as president, Chief Julius Emogbeyitere as Vice president, Lady Rume Otaovotoma as Lady, Monday Edafe as Financial Secretary, Sylvester Ojoba as Treasurer.
Others are, Oghenevwede Urhobowin as Speaker, and Jacob Akporedafe as Assistant Speaker, Idoghor Ejovwoke as Organizer, Chief Johnson Idama as Disciplinary Committee Chairman amongst others.
Speaking at the event, the out gone president, Chief Dr. Jonathan Onokere said, “As we are handing over to a new executive, it is my pleasure that they should run an inclusive government that would be void of division.
“During my time as the president of the group, we laid the foundation of our permanent Secretariat along Oviri-Ogor road and we also did the remembrance of our late music maestro, Chief Omokormokor Osuokpa whose wife is here with us and we were the first executive to present awards to deserving persons.
“And as at today that we are leaving the office, we handed huge amount of cash to the incoming exco to hit the ground running.
“I am encouraging them to do above what we did during my tenure, they should endeavor to complete our secretariat .”
On his part, the President of the group, Evang Samuel Ibuje held that the new executive will run an open door policy in other to ensure that the Urhobo culture and tradition is promoted through music.
He said, “The Ukoko R’ IBUINE R’ Urhobo RIBEDIBEDE, is a group aimed to promote the Urhobo culture and tradition through Urhobo songs and to help each other.
“I want appeal for more support from our leaders and my executive, it is not a one man affair or but a collective responsibility, where ideas are shared to promote the Urhobo culture.”
On his part, the Grand Patron of the group, a Professor of Urhobo music, Chief Diamond Icheghe called for unity of purpose among members of the newly inaugurated executive.
Prof Icheghe, known as the ‘King of Oyegheyeghe’ in the music world said, “This body has been in existence for over three decades and as the Grand Patron, i want all to join hands together and make it formidable.
“I called on all Urhobo musicians that are yet to identify with this group in other to use our traditional music to preserve our culture.”
Also, another prominent Urhobo musician, Dr Nathaniel Oruma, urged new executive them to unify and seek ideas from leaders and anything they want to do.
Dr Nathaniel Oruma who the BoT chairman of the organization called for unity among members and as leaders, we will assist them to an enviable height.”
