Tribute, Profile of Delta's Oldest Politician, Iwarah who Died @110 Years

Pastor ( Chief) Solomon John Iwarah who died at the age of 110 years was a native of Eku in Ethiope East LGA of Delta State. Until his death he was the oldest man in Ikregwa street and old Sapele road quarter of Eku. 

He retired as a senior Police officer and then ventured into different businesses such as hotel, showbiz, transportation, agriculture etc. 

He was a politician of old and present. In the early 1979 he was a member ot the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and also the chairman of the party in Ethiope LGA, also a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) before his death.

He was a retired pastor with the spirit and life bible church.
He died 30th October 2023 and was survived by so many children amongst whom is Iwarah Paul of the Delta State  Ministry of Health Asaba. Burial arrangement will be announced later by the family.

Tribute:
A man full of initiatives, a maverick, and handsome (even in old age) son of Eku has fallen. 

When we had no ideas what an outside amphitheater was, he had a plan. 

When we didn’t know how we could watch a film, he hatched a plan.

When we were wondering when we were going to be able to see a movie in a theatre, he implemented his plan and provided a perfect serene atmosphere for us. A outdoor movie theater was born in his compound.

Who didn’t know of “West End” in Eku in the late 1960s to 80s? That was where it was happening, the west side of town along Sapele road. The tainted windows, the open style living room upstairs with colored lights seen from the road by passersby.

To ensure he can collect money from movie goers, first it was just a simple wall and then this had to be raised, which was then followed by cementing broken glass pieces on top to deter the cheats who will jump over into the compound. Alas a few mean-spirited young men continued to find ways around to get in without paying. He remained resilient providing these opportunities to many of us who would otherwise have been deprived of such to resort to stories of movie houses from contemporaries in Warri and Sapele.  Chinese movies epitomized by Bruce Lee’s “enter the dragon” were the sets to die for.  He was just a man trying to make a living providing entertainment, yet some of us were bent on cheating him.

To this illustrious son of Eku, we are thankful for your life and family as we say goodbye.

Our prayers are with the family and friends you left behind.

RIP Chief Iwarah.

- Andrew Batey, MD