Founding Principal of Urhobo College and one of the first two beneficiaries of the UPU scholarship during the Second World War. A graduate of Durham University, he became the first Urhobo university graduate and later served as Urhobo’s first Senator during Nigeria’s First Republic. His leadership laid the academic and moral foundations of the College and firmly established its motto, Aut Optimum Aut Nihil, as the guiding philosophy of the institution.

A distinguished academic of the University of Ibadan, Professor Okpako was a pupil of Urhobo College during its pioneering years and later described its founding Principal as “the most learned man” who influenced him.

A first-class Mining Engineering graduate of Imperial College London, he became the first Black African to attain top management status within the Shell Petroleum Development Company, exemplifying global professional excellence rooted in Urhobo College’s strong educational foundation.

Prof. Johnson A. Ekpere is a retired Professor of Agricultural Extension Administration at the University of Ibadan and a distinguished Extension Agronomist. He has extensive professional experience across the United States and Africa, with expertise in agricultural technology transfer, science and innovation management, project administration, and consultancy.

He received his early education at CMS School, Warri and Urhobo College, Effurun. He holds a BSc in Crop Science and an MSc in Agricultural Extension from Michigan State University, as well as a PhD in Agricultural Extension Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA.