MAY 16, 2025

Greetings. All Protocols observed.

THE LEGACY

I am deeply honoured and privileged to welcome you to the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Okpe Union. Exactly 95 years ago on approximately this same venue, a group of young Okpe nationals, mostly cooks and stewards here in Lagos, had the consciousness to found the Okpe Union as the mouthpiece of the Okpe ethnic nationality. The following were elected into the first National Executive Council of the Okpe Union:

Thomas O. Ake of Mereje Town: President.

1. A. Ero of Ughoton: Vice President.

Inspector Odeghe (later known as Chief Odeghe) of Oha: General Secretary

1. K. Ogodo of Sapele: Auditor.

Uweriavwe Ake of Mereje Town: Treasurer.

1. U. Igberiewe of Okuokpokpor: Assistant Treasurer.
2. E. Uwerhievwe of Esubi: Member.

Uko of Jeddo: Member.

1. E. Ewhiewhie: Member.

(See, Dr. (Prince) Isaac Sunday Mebitaghan, JP.,  A Brief History of Okpe Kingdom, New Era Publications, Benin City, Nigeria, 2001.)

Let us stand up and observe a 60 second silence in memory of the Founding Fathers of the Okpe Union.

We are gathered here today, at the same spot and on the same day of the Founding of Okpe Union. The young Okpe nationals who bequeathed us Okpe Union had the vision to establish a vehicle for the articulation, promotion and defense of Okpe national interests in a multi-ethnic Nigerian mosaic. We are proud to be the beneficiaries of the trust placed on our shoulders to be the mouth piece of the Okpe Nation.

The restoration of the Okpe monarchy was made possible by the Okpe Union. Following the assassination of HRM Esezi l in 1779 (reign: 1770-1779), Okpe Nation experienced an interregnum for 166 years before a new monarch was crowned on January 1, 1945, thanks to the Okpe Union. It is instructive to note that, there were then several Okpe leaders who voiced serious trepidation about the restoration of the Okpe monarchy, fearing that it could lead to another dictatorship like the reign of Esezi l. It was only after this trepidation was addressed in 1942 that the leaders of Okpe Union continued with their advocacy for the restoration of the Okpe monarchy. Since January 1, 1945, there has been three Orodjes of Okpe Kingdom: HRM Esezi ll (1945-1966), HRM Orhorho l (1972-2004), and HRM Orhue l (since 2006). While the reigns of HRM Esezi ll and HRM Orhorho l ushered in a period of democratic development, peace and harmony in their relationships with Okpe Union, the reign of HRM Orhue l has been drifting systematically towards the dictatorship like that of HRM Esezi l.

CONTENDING TRENDS IN OKPE POLITY

There are two contending trends in contemporary Okpe polity. Okpe Union represents the first trend that agitates for the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality and not a sub-group of any other ethnic nationality in Nigeria. The second trend, currently championed by HRM Orhue l (after he opted to abandon his earlier position), regards Okpe as Urhobo. While we are here today in Okpe House, Obalende, Lagos, the officially recognized Registered Office and headquarters of the Okpe Union, celebrating the 95th Anniversary Celebrations of the Okpe Union, a pack of renegades are said to be in Udogun Hall, the Palace of Okpe Kingdom, claiming to be celebrating the 95th Anniversary of the Okpe Union, but are in reality, according to their own posters, celebrating Okpe as “the largest Urhobo Ethnic Nationality”.  This is a reflection of the current position of HRM Orhue l, which, for selfish reasons reverted to the British colonial policy that classified “Okpe as Urhobo”, in order to secure the support of the Urhobos in his aspiration to be the Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council. He gave this as the reason that he wanted the Arc. Ralph Karieren-led National Executive Council of the Okpe Union in 2010 to retract a statement published by the Okpe Union that Okpe was a distinct Ethnic Nationality. The union then had published that position so as to prepare the ground for a demand for the Delta State Government to recognize Okpe as a distinct Ethnic Nationality under the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC). But that dream was truncated as HRM Orhue I got the then Unu Okpe to sign a counter publication in the Vanguard Newspapers to the effect that Okpe was Urhobo. To put it bluntly, this position is a betrayal of Okpe Identity, and a betrayal of the Okpe Nation.

Okpe Union will continue its advocacy of Okpe Identity, irrespective of the internal and external hostile forces. We count on the resilience and steadfastness of our members across the several branches in Nigeria and in the Diaspora as well as various Okpe groups which identify with the struggle for the recognition of Okpe as a distinct Ethnic Nationality and language. The panic that enveloped the Palace in the past couple of days regarding the listing of our Keynote Speaker demonstrates the hollowness of the renegades.

HIGHLIHT OF ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE NEC IN 2021-2025

Notwithstanding the destabilization policy by HRM Orhue l and the renegades since 2021, we have made significant progress in the execution of several of our projects.

We have brought to the forefront a positive profile of the Okpe ethnic nationality in several fora in Nigeria.

We have reestablished the autonomy of the Okpe Union by securing the landmark Judgement and Ruling of the Federal High Court, Lagos and the Federal High Court, Abuja, respectively.

We contributed financially and morally to the success of the Okpe Cultural Day events of the National Association of Okpe Students in various Higher Institutions.

We sponsored and secured a number of jobs for nine deserving Okpe Youths.

We ensured that the Okpe Nation continuously featured in national and local discourse which has enabled the Okpe Nation to be respected in the comity of ethnic nationalities.

We submitted proposed projects and presented administrative advice to all levels of Government since the last General Elections in the country and Delta State during the tenure.

We ensured the celebration of worthy heroes of the Okpe Union and the Okpe Nation as exemplified, in particular, in the burial ceremony of the Late Okpe hero, Rev. Dr. Charles E. Osume of Mereje, who contributed in no small measure to Okpe consciousness and identity in his written works, and actions while he was alive.

BUILDING A STRONGER OKPE NATION

Okpe Union shall continue to strive for a stronger Okpe Nation. Frequently referred to as the largest mono-ethnic nationality in Delta State, it is however regrettable that Okpe is arguably the less educated ethnic nationality in Delta State. Okpe Union shall continue to explore ways and means to curtail the educational deficits of Okpe nationals, in national and foreign educational institutions.

Towards this end, the following shall be pursued vigorously:-

The teaching of Okpe Language in all primary and post primary educational institutions in Okpe Nation including the privately owned schools as the Mother Tongue Policy of the Government of the country does not differentiate between public and private schools.

The use of Okpe Language in all places of worship in Okpe Nation shall be encouraged.

Attract investments to the Okpe Nation.

Liaise with local, state and federal governments for the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality so that the shortchanging of the Okpe Nation in DESOPADEC/NDDC Projects, Bursary Slots etc, would be a thing of the past.

Organize empowerment programmes for Okpe youths and women.

It is our hope that all stakeholders of the Okpe Nation shall realize that the Okpe Union means well with all these view points and projections. The Unity of Okpe can enable her to overcome many of the seemingly difficult issues. With an open mind, the Newly Sworn National Executive Council which I am once again privileged to head for the next four years promises to foster collaboration and cooperation in the Okpe Nation.

ON THE STATE OF THE NIGERIAN NATION

The Okpe Union joins other stakeholders of the Nigerian State to reiterate the call for a better structure for Nigerian federalism which reflects a devolution of legislative and governmental powers in favour of the component units. We therefore support the calls for state police to help stem the security menace which most areas of the country currently witness.

Okpe is one of the more than 400 indigenous ethnic nationalities that constitute the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These indigenous ethnic nationalities, including Okpe, are the core federating units of Nigeria. Thus, like other indigenous ethnic nationalities, Okpe has a voice in determining the future of Nigeria. As the umbrella socio-economic and non-partisan organization of the Okpe Nation, Okpe Union is in close collaboration with other indigenous ethnic nationalities and national organizations, including the Movement for National Reformation (MNR) in crafting a new path for the restoration of federalism and good governance in Nigeria.

As a framework for a restructured federal Nigeria, we propose the following: –

The creation of homogeneous federating states for the 15 most populous ethnic nationalities that have contiguous boundaries, respectively. These federating units will be 15 homogeneous ethnic-based states for the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Kanuri, Ibibio, Okpe, Tiv, etc.

The creation of a maximum of 15 heterogeneous (multi-ethnic) federating states for the other ethnic nationalities. An ethnic nationality occupying a defined contiguous boundary in a heterogeneous state shall constitute an autonomous region with due constitutional jurisdictions. It shall also have concurrent jurisdiction with the heterogeneous state over natural resources discovered in its territory; but shall exercise exclusive jurisdiction over primary and secondary education, culture, language, and traditional institutions, etc.

The Okpe Union calls for the proposed National Population Census to be conducted by employing best technology to avoid a repeat of the past where the outcomes were so politicized that many of the exercises did not command the confidence of many parts of the country and Nigerians as to their credibility.

We call on all politicians and those who have been given the opportunity to occupy various political leadership positions all over the country to remember that their primary responsibility is to ensure the welfare of the citizens and stability of the Nigerian polity. They should therefore face this role squarely rather than being distracted or fixated on the next round of elections. There is no basis for the electorate to consider re-electing incumbents who do not deliver on the promises they have made to their constituents which constitute a social contract. It is with good governance which in turn translates to the improved well-being of the people that increases the confidence the people would have in the democratic process which we must acknowledge, has not been very high amongst the people of Nigeria in recent times.

Lastly, we admonish the National Assembly not to wait until close to the next General Elections before embarking on whatever electoral reforms for the polity. In time past, whenever the tinkering of the Electoral Act is delayed and brought too close to another round of General Elections, political interests have created tensions which influence the review and amendment processes that the outcomes usually do not reflect the desire of the electorate for a template that ensures credibility of the Electoral Process. The Okpe Union therefore calls on the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to work in synergy to ensure a timeous review of our Electoral Laws and regulations to ensure that the votes of Nigerians in all parts of the country truly count.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Long live Delta State!

Long live the Okpe Nation!

Long live the Okpe Union!

Long live the Orodje of Okpe

Prof. O. Igho Natufe,

President General, Okpe Union (Worldwide).