Saturday, 6th October, 2012, was the day, and Delta Hotels, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was the venue, where a book titled: “OPOBO EXERPTS,” written by Gibson N.S. Ogolo, was launched.
While addressing guests at the event, the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Dagogo Eli Legg-Jack, emphasised that the Author has expressed his wealth of experience in the book, trying to keep a legacy for the people, even at the age of 70.
He opined that the book will help not just the people of Opobo, but those outside, to know what is happening in the kingdom, believing that Elder Gibson Sokari Ogolo will do more for the people of Opobo, before he will be called by the Almighty God.
The book launcher, Engr. Richend Hart, commended the effort of Gibson, whom he described as a brother and mentor, having challenged them in the family, to be what they are today, urging everyone in the kingdom to read the book, as to know what next to write on.
Meanwhile, Warisenibo Evans Jack Ogolo, stressed the need to preserve history, recalling that he came to know about Jaja of Opobo through stories, called on Opobo/Nkoro Local Government to open a library at the council, where books about the kingdom would be preserved for the generation yet unborn.
Responding to newsmen at the end of the event, Elder Sokari Ogolo, the author, said he was inspired to look at Opobo as an Ancient kingdom, adding that people only know Opobo on history, hence the need for them to know Opobo and what they can achieve, their developmental effort and resilience.
The former Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, disclosed that he tends to look at the human capital development in Opodo kingdom, having done a scratch surface on few professors and educated men in Opobo, with their names only written on the book and wished to do more on their biography.
He maintained that the book was not purely history, but more sociological, having talked about institutions and how they have impacted on the people.
Other dignities at the event include: Hon. Justice Boma Diepiri, book reviewer, Mr. Celestine Ogolo, General Manager, Tide Newspaper and presenter of citation on the Author, Gibson N.S. Ogolo and Dr. Minimah Francis.
Others are Senibo Hebron Kelefini Ogolo, Secretary, Chief Ogolo War Canoe House, Senibo Simeon R. Ogolo, Pepple W.F. and Boma Ogolo.
All the dignitaries at the occasion, commended the strides of Elder Gibson Ogolo, the first Sole Administrator and Chief Executive of Andoni/Opobo LGA and former Director General, Rivers State Ministry of Information and Culture.
By Blaise Elumezie
