By Young Erhuirhobo
LAGOS NOVEMBER 18TH (URHOBOTODAY)-In 1948, in the ancient kingdom of Evwreni in the present day Ughelli North LGA of Delta state, trees were flapping against each other, birds were singing, bees were chirping, the sky was sunny and warm, children were playing in the open field, men were sipping palm wine under orange trees and the women were fetching drinking water from wells.
Suddenly, a miraculous news broke out that a young eagle’s feather was just added to the hat of Papa Olotu of Evwreni. A young handsome man was just born. It was really a jubilating moment in the entire neighborhood that a man of great destiny and bright future was again born in Evwreni. This was how Evang. S. O. Olotu was heralded into the black race seventy years ago in the land of Evwreni.
Without doubt, Evang. Solomon. O. Olotu is a household name to Evwreni people, to his church, God’s Grace Ministry Inc. and to the entire Warri people. He is a man of many parts to many people. Evang. S. O. Olotu is like that proverbial elephant described by the three blind men. To the first blind man who torched the elephant’s tusk, the elephant was such a long animal. To the second blind man who torched its ear, the elephant was such a wide animal while the last blind man that torched its smooth body, the elephant was such a huge animal. These set of three persons, even though they were blind, described the elephant from the perspective they knew and felt it.
In fact, the above fictitious literary narrative fits the description of his iconic personality. Olotu to his immediate family, he is a lovely and caring husband and father. To his Evwreni people, Olotu is a saviour and peacemaker. To his business associates and company staff, he is a man of integrity, to GGM founder and other members of the church, he is a kind and generous brother. And to the Urhobo people and the general public, Olotu is a big shading tree that protects people from the scorching sun.
In the late 80s, Olotu was already making waves as one of the richest men in Evwreni after the likes of late Chief Mukoro Mowoe, first and founding President General of UPU, late Chief Jabin Obahor, former CBN Director of Currency Operations and late Chief Samuel Mariere, former Governor of Mid-Western state. All these were great sons of Evwreni Kingdom.
Truly, as the name depicts, Evwreni is a land of elephants. However, other remarkable virtues of Olotu which are not easily found in so many Urhobo rich men of today that made his name to become gold in the hearts of Urhobo people are the virtues of humility, generosity and philantropy. We are not just saying this in order to clap and praise the man. Every Evwreni average man or woman can attest to this by having one or two things to say about the fine legacies of Olotu.
For instance, in 2001, Olotu through his construction company, S. O. Olotu and Sons Nigeria Ltd influenced Niger Development Development Commission (NDDC) road projects to both Evwreni and Unenurhie communities. These road projects were luckily awarded to his company. Today, those road projects are still standing tall in the entire Evwreni Kingdom after many years of construction. What about thousands of Evwreni indigenes and other Urhobo youths he had elevated them from zeros to heroes? He provided employment opportunities for so many people in his company, other companies and in the government.
He did leave the education of his people behind. Olotu had provided scholarship to indigent children at both the basic and higher education levels across Urhobo land and other parts of the country. Till this day, he is still giving scholarships to students at the higher institutions. As a shining star, he continues to provide comfort to the less privileged and the physically challenged persons in his Evwreni home town, Warri and its environs.
In religion, Olotu is an ardent Christian to the core. He is an ordained Evangelist in God’s Grace Ministry Inc. Worldwide. He has vigorously pursued the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ with different methods in order to win more souls into the kingdom of Jesus Christ. He had single-handedly sponsored crusades, revival programmes and even built towers of worship in different communities. He had generously and handsomely given much to the development of the church as the God of St. Daniel Dikeji Imeyerijesu has also blessed the work of his hands. The Solomon of our time in many occasions has built houses, bought cars and even opened different business outfits for new converts and old members of the church in order to show his practical love to God’s people. Because of his enormous contributions to the development of humanity and the society, Olotu received many awards from different associations within Nigeria and abroad.
Finally, as the Evwreni business doyen celebrate his 70th birthday, the entire Evwreni Kingdom is agog and lively, singing the praises of this great philantropist and also praying for him in every corner of the community.
Among such people that spoke to this correspondent during a media tour in the area were Evang. Stanley Ayovwe, a staunch member of God’s Grace Ministry Inc., Evwreni Branch and also APC Secretary, Evwreni Ward (08). Hear what he said about the celebrant: “In fact, words are not enough to describe this our father. God has blessed him and he has also blessed so many people through his over-flowing wealth. The only prayer I have for him is that, God should bless him with good health and long life to enable him enjoy the fruits of his labour. On behalf of my family, I wish him many happy returns in Jesus name.”
For Mr. Amos Edjedi, aka “Simba the sailor”, an aged blind man from birth, a member of GGM in Unenurhie Branch, “Evang. S. O. Olotu is a saviour to me and my family. His love and care to me is unquantifiable. His wealth shall continually be like water in the ocean that never dries in Jesus name!” Others in the community that also spoke in the same vein concerning the good virtues of this quintessential leader per excellence prayed that God would add more fruitful years to Evang. S. O. Olotu and to also bless his wives and children. Great Evangelist, more years to your years and more grease to your elbows in Jesus name!
Young Erhiurhoro; Kjc is a reporter and a member of the Urhobo Historical Society.