UHS mourns Chief Barovbe’s demise, says news shocking, sad

The Urhobo Historical Society (UHS) has described the death of a renowned educationist, Chief Johnson Barovbe, as shocking and sad.

Urhobo Historical Society in a statement signed by the President, Dr Aruegodore Oyiborhoro said that Chief Barovbe was one of the earliest prominent Urhobo sons to identify with the Urhobo Historical Society, adding that his death was a huge loss to the Urhobo nation.

According to Dr Oyiborhoro, “on behalf of the Editorial and Management Committee (EMC) and the Board of Trustees, Endowment Fund of the Urhobo Historical Society (UHS), I express my sadness at the shocking news of the passing of our icon, pillar, mentor and leader, Chief Johnson Barovbe. Chief Barovbe was one of the earliest prominent Urhobo sons to identify with the Urhobo Historical Society, and one of the closest associates of our founding president the late Prof. Peter Ekeh.

Chief Barovbe was one of the Urhobo leaders instrumental to the relocation of the Urhobo Historical Society conferences to Urhoboland in 2004. Until his passing a few days ago, he coordinated the activities of the Society in Nigeria from his Lagos base and played a huge role in the just held conference of November this year.

The Society will miss his leadership, support, wisdom and counsel. We wish him to rest in the bosom of the most high God till the last day when we meet again. We also pray that the Almighty God consoles his family at this moment of grief, but we are also thankful to God for Chief Barovbe’s purposeful and fulfilled life of selfless service to his family, the Urhobo people and country.