Okpe Union Holds Annual General Conference, As Orodje, Oborevwori, Obule, Others Sue For Peace

By Daniel Dafe, Abraka

Okpe Union on Saturday, April 24, 2021, held her Annual General Conference/Convention with theme: ’Repositioning Okpe Union for the Unity and Development of Okpe Kingdom.

The conference took place at Udogun Hall, Orerokpe, Delta State, and had in attendance delegates from branches of the union across the nation.

Dignitaries present at the programme include HRM His Royal Majesty, Major General F.A. Mujakperuo mni, CFR, Rtd, Orhue 1, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom and top members of the traditional council of chiefs.

This year’s event chaired by Okakuro (Prof.) Sam Oyovbaire, was graced by an array of Okpe political and religious leaders such as Chief Charles Obule; Member representing Sapele, Okpe and Uvwie Constituency, Rt. Hon. Efe Afe, represented by Okakuro Isaac Itiebu; Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; Chairman, Okpe Local Government Area, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa; Chairman, Sapele Local Government Area, Hon. (Chief) Eugene Inoaghan; Commissioner for Agriculture, Delta State, Hon. Julius Egbedi; Archbishop Godday Iboyi and a host of others.

Speaking during the occasion, the Orodje of Okpe clarified that the interim executive came on board to save the Union from a collapse, saying that it was the National Executive that was dissolved, not the union.

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He frowned at the many rumours flying around to mislead the public on the true position of things, adding that the Union has been successfully moved from Lagos to Orerokpe.

Furthermore, he commended the interim executive for rising up to the challenge to stabilise the union, as he sued for peace, stating that if the dissident group comes to him seeking for forgiveness he would embrace them.
Delivering his speech, Prof. Oyovbaire stressed that Okpe Union was one and not divided, adding that there was no faction and that the group that failed to identify with the present interim National Executive Committee are dissidents.

In his address, the Interim President General, Professor Emurobome Idolor, said ”the present executive is a child of circumstance of Udogun-Okpe declaration born on the 3rd of October, 2020 with terms of reference to harmonise the factionalised administration of the Union in view of the needed unity to tackle profound challenges in the political system and socio-economic progress of the kingdom.”

Idolor disclosed that in 2022, elections will be conducted for those who will continue the administration of the Union.

Continuing, he said that the interim executive visited all branches of the union in Nigeria and overseas, some through zoom meetings and others by indirect consultations, noting that they have 80 percent cooperation of all branches including Ghana, Britain and the USA.

He added: ”This conference is also designed to put in place the Board of Trustees of the Union which at the moment, all earlier appointed members have meritoriously served and passed on.”

The day’s lecture was delivered by Pharm. Barr. William Etubiebi.

During his lecture, he urged the leaders of the Union to come up with four committees (security, political educational and agro-chemical committees) which he said if done will help the kingdom remain relevant despite the challenges in the nation.

Furthermore, he suggested that Okpe House in Lagos be sold and the proceeds used to build a befitting Okpe House in Orerokpe.

Meanwhile, in their separate remarks, Efe Afe, Oborevwori, Egbedi and Obule preached peace and unity, saying that some persons are bent on bringing down Okpe Kingdom and must be stopped.

Afe noted that Okpe Union has a key role to play in the emerging political order and prayed that in the 2023 Okpe Union conference, an Okpe governor will be in the programme as Special Guest of Honour, saying that he is fully in support of the Idolor-led executive.

While Obule said that Okpe governorship was achievable in 2023 and urged all to support the monarch to achieve this, Egbedi urged Okpe kingdom to embrace farming, stressing that the era of oil was past.

On his part, Oborevwori urged sons and daughters of Okpe Kingdom to maintain sustainable peace and attract rapid development to their homeland.

He commended the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, for his leadership styles, prayers and wise counsels, saying his reign has brought peace, tranquility and development to Okpe land.

According to him, “It is not an accident that the conference held in Orerokpe.”

”Every socio-cultural organization has its roots firmly planted in their homeland. Okpe Union should not be an exception. Again, I wish to commend our royal father, Orhue 1, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Ekakuro Okpe and leaders for this laudable initiative. The relocation of the Okpe Union headquarters to our ancestral home, Orerokpe, is a good omen that will continue to attract our people home”, the Speaker said.