By Foster Akpore
The 2025 Ebor-Orogun Day celebration, held on Tuesday, December 30, in Ebor-Orogun, Orogun Kingdom, Delta State, climaxed with the conferment of awards on prominent sons, daughters, and groups of the community in recognition of their contributions to development, peace, and philanthropy.
The event, organised by the Ebor-Orogun Development Association, also featured the formal launch of the ₦60 million Okarorho Royal Palace project and attracted traditional rulers, professionals, political leaders, and indigenes from across the country and the diaspora.
Among those honoured was Chief Barr. Benson Ndakara, the Onoharigho of Orogun Kingdom and President General Emeritus, who received the Philanthropist Award for his sustained support for community development. He was commended for facilitating the construction of a Corps Members’ Lodge, his major financial interventions in EDA projects, his role in the construction of the Ebor–Aragba Road, and his consistent efforts at peace building within the kingdom.
Also honoured with the Philanthropist Award was His Eminence Ambassador Barr. (Chief) O.M.Anuku, the Adjerese of Orogun Kingdom and Chairman of the 2025 Ebor-Orogun Day celebration. He was recognised for his generous support for development initiatives, advisory role within the Association, and his advocacy for peace, which has earned him both local and international recognition.
The Chairman of the Lagos Branch of the Association, Wilson Oliseyenum Edi, also received the Philanthropist Award for his scholarships to indigent children, sponsorship of extra-moral classes, consistent financial support for EDA programmes, and his role in fostering unity within the community.
The Dedicated Service Award was presented to Cecilia Onobrakpor, a former Chairlady of the EDA Lagos Branch, in recognition of her longstanding motherly support for the Association, including providing free accommodation for corps members, mobilising members, and supporting the establishment of the EDA Abraka Branch.
In the leadership category, Obaro Watemi, President General of the Ebor-Orogun Development Association, received the Leadership Excellence Award for his disciplined, peace-driven, and reform-oriented leadership, which has strengthened unity and stability within the community.
An Award of Recognition was also conferred on Dennis Orogun, a former Chairman of the Lagos Branch of the Association, for his fatherly role, mentorship, and continued advisory support to the EDA and the Ebor Sons and Daughters Association.
Other award recipients, whose citations were acknowledged collectively, included Lucky Eyonobor, Kenneth Ohwofasah, Peter Ufuoma, Richard Sadjini, Edi Rufus, Valentine Obedeke, and the ADU Lagos Branch, all of whom were recognised for their support and contributions to the growth of the Ebor-Orogun community.
Organisers said the awards were meant to celebrate service, inspire collective responsibility, and reinforce the spirit of unity that defined the 2025 Ebor-Orogun Day, noting that the recognition of both individuals and groups reflected the community’s shared commitment to progress and cultural preservation.