December 17, 2011
Olorogun Felix Ibru
Sheraton Club Secretariat
Ikeja, Lagos
Nigeria
Dear Olorogun Felix Ibru:
On this solemn day of funeral services for your fallen brother, we in Urhobo Historical Society wish to express our sorrow to the Ibru family for the loss of Alex Ibru. He was a star among those who contributed to building up a tradition of meaningful journalism on the African continent and in Nigeria. We believe his legacy deserves to be preserved. Urhobo Historical Society hopes to help in the chronicling of Alex’s contributions to Nigeria’s culture and values of disciplined journalism.
We are aware that because of his national fame, Alex Ibru’s special contributions to Urhoboland may be minimized. Urhobo Historical Society wishes to draw attention to his patriotic disposition towards his people and his native Urhoboland. In this regard, we would like to highlight two major achievements of the late Alex Ibru. Professor Bright Ekuerhare of Delta State University at Abraka has assured us that Alex Ibru was the man who suggested the idea in the 1990s of an Urhobo think-tank that would study and analyze Urhobo political and social problems in a thoughtful manner. It was on those grounds that the late Andy Akporugo and Professor Ekuerhare established Urhobo Study Group which did so much for the Urhobo people. Alex Ibru did his best to fund and sponsor the valuable work of Urhobo Study Group.
We would also want to draw attention to Alex Ibru’s thoughtful siting of the The Ibru Centre on the lands of his ancestors at Agbarha-Otor. There are few places like The Ibru Centre on the African continent. It provides a resort for reflection and contemplation and for sober gatherings. We recall with great satisfaction that a Thanksgiving Service of Urhobo Historical Society was hosted by Mr. Goodie Ibru, Alex’s immediate elder brother, at The Ibru Centre in November 2004 . In the same religious vein in which he founded and built The Ibru Centre, we understand that Alex Ibru made substantial contributions to other religious vocations in Urhoboland. It is fitting that the Ibru Centre is now Alex Ibru’s final resting place. We salute Alex for his unsung patriotic disposition towards the Urhobo people.
We are aware that the occasion of Alex’s death must have created a very difficult time for you. Your loss of another younger brother, Bernard Ibru, was not long ago. As the youngest of the Ibru siblings, Urhobo traditions would have wished that Alex survived his elders. But God, in Whom Alex had supreme trust, knows what is best. On our part, we believe that you will be comforted that Alex has left behind some wonderful children. We pray that they will continue their father’s excellent work on earth and that they will strengthen the Ibru legacy of service to Nigeria and to their native Urhoboland.
Urhobo Historical Society salutes you and your siblings for the good name that you have given the Urhobo image and for your service to the Urhobo people and Urhoboland.
Sincerely,
Professor Peter Ekeh
Chairman
Urhobo Historical Society
Editorial and Management Committee Members: Joseph Asagba, Ph.D..; Onoawarie Edevbie, M.A., M.Sc.; Peter P. Ekeh, Ph.D.; Edirin Erhiaganoma, M.Sc. Joseph E. Inikori, Ph.D.; Isaac James Mowoe, Ph.D., J.D.; Francis Odemerho, Ph.D.; Omokere E. Odje, Ph.D.; Emmanuel Ojameruaye, Ph.D.; Aruegodore Oyiborhoro, Ed.D.; Ufuoma Scott, LLB; Ajovi Scott-Emuakpor, M.D., Ph.D. Executive: Peter Ekeh, Chair and Editor; Isaac Mowoe, Deputy Chair; Andrew Edevbie, Secretary.
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