Our dear Professor Philip Igbafe, I write this tribute on behalf of the Governing Board of Benson Idahosa University (BIU) Centre for Edo Studies to which you belonged. The news of your demise got to us as a very rude shock and has been very devastating too. The BIU Centre for Edo Studies was set up to encourage the study of the Ẹdo language, history and culture; to reawaken the consciousness of the Edo people especially the younger generations to use the language with absolute pride and delight; to revive the valuable cultural heritage of the Ancient Benin Kingdom amongst other things. A viable Governing Board for the Centre was inaugurated on Wednesday 29th November 2017 headed by the then Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Engr. Dr. G. O. Isibor with a clear mandate to make the Centre come alive speedily.
Since its inauguration, the Centre has organized seminars, workshops and other interactive and sensitization programmes on the Edo language. It has also published qualitative and well-edited Edo books for the primary and secondary levels. In addition, it has produced a variety of other valuable materials and reprints that are very useful for the research and study of Edo language, history and culture. Most of these efforts are credited to our late honourable and indefatigable member Prof. Philip Igbafe in his various capacities.
Prof. Igbafe was the head of the Board’s committee on history and culture, research, development and publicity. Specifically, he led members of his committee to commence research and publication of materials on some culturally- marked events and places in Benin Kingdom. He took great interest in this research and was always ready to talk about it whenever he had the opportunity to do so.
Prof. Igbafe was a rare gem who was always ready to stand for the truth and tell it to you, even in the face of any form of threat, oppression or intimidation. He hated injustice, detested lies, eye – service and other such negative aspects of human behaviour. He was always ready to defend the helpless and was committed to their welfare. He never failed to commend hard work and diligence.
I had the opportunity to work with him very closely as the pioneer Director of the Centre during my sabbatical leave in BIU. Like a good, responsible and committed father that he was to all, he provided me with the needed support, guidance, encouragement, leading, teaching and necessary materials to facilitate and enhance my work. He was ever ready to listen to my suggestions, explanation, discussions hear my complaints and do the needful.
Prof. Igbafe was a very dedicated, dependable, highly respected, cool and calculated member of the Centre’s Board whose positive impact will never be forgotten. He was always there to advice, lead, fix things, plan properly, mentor and was ever ready/eager to serve in spite of his advancement in age and even at short notices. He was a very good record keeper too. He loved the BIU Centre for Ẹdo Studies and greatly admired my passion and zeal to make the Centre work despite all odds. I wonder if the vacuum created by his demise will ever be filled completely.
Prof. Igbafe, was looking forward to a Centre that would be a beehive of research and all other activities that would showcase Ẹdo to the world in a few years time from the Benson Idahosa University in Benin City. This is also in line with the hopes and aspiration of all the other members of the Governing Board of the Centre.
The Centre needed his close guidance, expertise, awesome leadership skills, great encouragement, research drive, push and mentorship to realise its laudable dreams. Since it pleased the Almighty God to call him home, we are not in a position to question our Maker. There is no doubt that the Centre will really miss him. Sleep on our beloved and highly cherished father, Prof. P. A. Igbafe (Professor Emeritus) MFR. Rest in Perfect Peace, Amen.
Prof. (Mrs.) E. M. Omoregbe
Director, BIU Centre for Ẹdo Studies.