Very few would remember the name Utuoyo Omare today in the modern-day Sapele in Delta State. but over 100 years after he was interred, at the Sapele Prisons quarters, his family had cause to exhume his corpse.
According to the head of the family, Mr. Erhisivbenoja Sunday Akoko, who spoke to journalists at the event, the purpose was to bring his body home, give him deserved recognition, and a befitting burial.
“He was one of the early dwellers who actually fought to make this land what it is today. You see, he was buried by the white men then, and since government has sold off the land, we are properly relocating him to his personal home” he added.
In his own words, Dr. Henry Olorunshola, a former University of Benin don, who happens to be a great grandchild of Omare, said “the corpse was exhumed to give a befitting burial to a man who worked so hard for his family and the entire people of Sapele land”.
According to him, “It will be unjust to leave out great father in a strange land; so, we decided to bring him home to his personal compound”.
On his part, the former Chairman of Sapele Local Government, Hon. Godwin Atose, who is a great grandchild of Omare, said “Our great father was one man that will be highly remembered. He was one of those who fought for this land and what we are doing today is just to immortalize him”.
Omare’s remains which was moved into a new white coffins by pall bearers amidst displays and blaring of ambulance siren were taken through market road down to his house where he was said to have lived and died, before he was committed to mother earth again, amidst canon shots and entertainment.
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