Ogolo’s Work On Opobo: ‘A Collector’s Item’

Professor of Political Science at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Alafuro Epelle, says a history book written by Celestine Ogolo is a collector’s item.
Epelle made the commendation during the public presentation of the book , Opobo Kingdom: 150  Years After: The Socio-Economic Dynamics in Port Harcourt last Monday.
The university teacher who doubled as the book reviewer during the presentation said the publication is a challenge to all Niger Delta communities to document and reflect on their history.
He described the book as enthralling, filled with facts, adding that “ every page makes sense.”
The book has six chapters with an epilogue and prologue coloured with reviews from prominent university researchers, including Prof. Ben Nannen.
In the words of Prof. Epelle, “ the book is timely and Ogolo is like the modern day Elijah crying for the betterment of Opobo.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has urged communities to document their history in order to educate younger minds against aculturisation.
State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim gave the charge during the public presentation of the book.
Pastor Nsirim who spoke through his Special Assistant on media, Pastor Ibim Amieyeofori said documenting histories of different communities is imperative to achieve peace and harmony amongst the people.
He lauded Ogolo for the effort in writing the compendium and urged him not to relent in updating the book in the future.
Chairman of the occasion and former Senator representing South East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Alabo Adawari MacPepple described the book as timely, considering the fact that Opobo is celebrating its sequin-centenary on 25th of December.
Alabo MacPepple said the book is detailed and easy to read, while praising the author for presenting factual and unique aspect of Opobo history  for future generation.
The former Senate Chief Whip observed that one unique aspect of the book is that it went beyond history but as well proffer solutions to the development challenges in Opobo.
Delivering a lecture on “Opobo in 2070”, Amaopusenibo Bobo Brown said Opobo had in the past 50 years failed to evolve a blueprint in order to meet current changes.
Brown said the failure to plan has held the Kingdom back despite some relative achievements, adding that, “ structurally, in terms of individual progress, Opobo has made progress, but Opobo is poorer today than in 1970.”
The former National President of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations(NIPR) opined that one of the greatest lessons of 170 was the capapcity for timely action, as he recalled that Opobo’s founding fathers were thoughtful in order to have built a Kingdom which became prominent at the time.
In the same vein, the General Manager of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Ernest Chinwo said Ogolo has set a record with his publication.
In his words, “ I have read the book and I am impressed because he has blazed a trail.”
Chinwo opined that time has come for communities to begin telling their stories,” anytime we fail to tell our stories, others will.”
Similarly, General Manager of Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation, Sir. Sampson Fiberesima commended Ogolo for the effort he made in writing the book.
He pointed out that in the era when book reading and writing have become rare, there’s is need to wake up people’s interest in literary works.
Fiberesima expressed hope that upcoming generation will have lot to learn from the publication, and thanked Ogolo for leaving a legacy.