SUNNY KPIKPI KOTOR: THE VOICE THAT ECHOED BEYOND THE MICROPHONE Prof. Darah Celebrates Late Government Orator as a Master of Language and Public Engagement

 

By Wilson Macaulay

The late Hon. Sunny Kpikpi Kotor, popularly known as SKK, has been described as an extraordinary orator whose commanding voice, linguistic brilliance, and magnetic stage presence made him one of Delta State's most recognizable public figures. 

This tribute was contained in a heartfelt reflection by renowned scholar and National Chairman of the St. Vincent's College Old Students Association (SVCOSA), Prof. G. G. Darah.

Prof. Darah noted in his tribute that late Sunday Kpikpi Kotor, an alumnus of St. Vincent's College, Okwagbe, embodied the enduring values of the institution, including academic excellence, creativity, resilience, and an unwavering determination to succeed.

 According to him, these virtues are captured in the school's motto, "Nil Desperandum" (Never Despair), a philosophy that Sunday Kotor lived by throughout his remarkable public life.

Recalling Kotor's years as Government Orator (Otota), Prof. Darah described him as a master communicator who effortlessly blended English, Urhobo, Pidgin English, and several Nigerian languages to captivate audiences at political rallies, cultural gatherings, and government events. 

He said Sunday Kpikpi Kotor possessed an exceptional memory for names, titles, traditional appellations, and personalities, making every event he anchored both memorable and engaging.

"Kotor and the microphone were like Siamese twins," Darah remarked, adding that the late orator's booming voice, witty expressions, and captivating storytelling skills earned him admiration across ethnic and political divides. His famous chants and humorous interactions with audiences, particularly women party supporters, often transformed ordinary gatherings into unforgettable spectacles.

The respected academic further situated Sunday Kpikpi Kotor within a long tradition of celebrated orators, comparing his verbal artistry to great historical communicators such as St. Augustine of Hippo, Aesop of Ethiopia, Bilal Ibn Rabah, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Chief Adegoke Adelabu. 

According to Darah, Kotor's gift of speech transcended entertainment, serving as a powerful instrument for social mobilization, political communication, and cultural preservation.

Prof. Darah observed that Kotor's self-styled sobriquet, "Ilehweri", meaning "the irresistible love charm," reflected the magnetic influence he wielded through the spoken word. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life, regardless of language or background, made him a unique figure in Delta State's public sphere.

Lamenting his passing, Darah said it would be difficult to imagine future government events without the resonant voice of Sunday Kpikpi Kotor energizing the crowd. He described the late orator's death as a reminder of the uncertainty of human existence, citing the Urhobo proverb, "Obaro akpo, okuku" — meaning that the future remains hidden and unknowable.

The SVCOSA Chairman concluded his tribute with a solemn reflection on mortality, invoking the Latin phrase, "Memento homo, quia pulvis es et in pulverem reverteris" — "Remember, man, that you are dust and unto dust you shall return." He urged all who mourn the late orator to embrace lives of honesty, humility, and integrity.

As tributes continue to pour in from across Delta State and beyond, Sunny Kpikpi Kotor is being remembered not merely as an event compere or government orator, but as a cultural icon whose voice, charisma, and mastery of language left an indelible mark on the hearts of many. His legacy, admirers say, will continue to resonate long after the microphone has fallen silent.