Chief Johnson Barovbe has died. Confirming the passing in a tribute, Dr Aruegodore Oyiborhoro, who is the president of the Urhobo Historical Society (UHS), said the sad event occurred a few days ago.
On behalf of the Editorial and Management Committee (EMC) and the Board of Trustees, Endowment Fund of the Urhobo Historical Society, I express my sadness at the shocking news of the passing of our icon, pillar, mentor and leader, Chief Johnson Barovbe, Dr Oyiborhoro said in the tribute.
He added that 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 UHS will miss his leadership, support, wisdom and counsel. We wish him 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”.