Sad Day for Opokuma as King William joins his Ancestors

The Opuokun of Opokuma Clan, King William Ogionwo, retired professor of Sociology and Social Psychology, erstwhile Secretary to Government of the first civilian administration of RiversState of Nigeria under Governor Melford Okilo died this morning in Port Harcourt after a brief illness. Born on 8^th September 1937, King Ogionwo was crowned the paramount ruler of Opokuma Clan on the 11^th of August 2007 after a meritorious professional life in academia and the public service. His unexpected death has thrown the whole Opokuma community into mourning.

The late Professor William Waripamo Ogionwo was born in Igbainwari Town, Opokuma in the present day Kolokuma -Opokuma Local Area of Bayelsa State. The late King distinguished himself in academics. He was a holder of two PhD degrees from the universities of Lund, Sweden and Leeds, England respectively. On leaving Europe, he went to the University of Ibadan to teach sociology and social psychology when he had the unique reputation of being the only staff of the university to hold two PhD degrees and from very from reputable academic institutions in Europe.

He was a very prolific academic - publishing scholarly papers in well-respected academic journals all over the world. He also authored several books, prominent among which are: Innovative behavior and personal attitudes : a case study of social change in Nigeria; Migrant families in an African City- A case Study of Port Harcourt; An introduction to sociological studies (jointly with Otite Onigu,) and Agricultural modernization: The adoption of agricultural innovations among cocoa, oilpalm [sic], rice and rubber farmers in S Nigeria.The title, Innovative behavior and personal attitudes is a very popular reference materials for sociology researchers, scholars and students all over the world.

Apart from academics, he made his mark in the public service by becoming the first Secretary to Government {SG} of the initial civilian administration of the Rivers State of Nigeria under late Chief Melford Obiene Okilo, the Governor at that time. In recognition of his services to the nation, he was awarded the national honour, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006.

On August 11, 2007, he was crowned Opuokun of Opokuma and a became a member of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council as HM King Prof. William Waripamo Ogionwo, Ibedaowei of Opokuma Clan. He will be sorely missed by his peers in the council. At his coronation, he espoused the philosophy of servant king to emphasise his mission to serve his people and be a catalyst for development in the clan.

He is the father of several children and grand children. It was only on Boxing Day December 26 2009 that one of his sons, Prince Douye Olamire Ogionwo married Ochuwa Itsemehekhone, the second daughter of Vice Admiral Okhai Akhigbe rtd. His death is a big blow to his immediate family and all sons and daughters of Opokuma at home and in the diaspora.