TWENTY YEARS OF MORE GROWTH AND RECOGNITION OF THE OKPE NATION
BEING A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HRM, ORHUE I, THE ORODJE OF OKPE KINGDOM, AND TO ALL OKPE NATIONALS FROM THE OKPE UNION (WORLDWIDE).
On behalf of the National Executive Council of the Okpe Union, its Board of Trustees and members of the branches of the Okpe Union the world over, we express our warm felicitations to HRM Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, and all Okpe nationals on the twentieth anniversary of his coronation being commemorated between the 13th to 22nd of November, 2026.
TWENTY YEARS OF CONSOLIDATION AFTER OVER EIGHTY YEARS OF THE RESTORATION OF THE OKPE MONARCHY.
Since the restoration of the Okpe Monarchy on the 1st of January, 1945, after an interregnum of over one hundred and fifty years, the Orodje Institution has gradually re-established itself as one of the most important centres of administrative stability in Nigeria, contributing to the socio-economic and political evolution of the country and, most importantly, to inter-ethnic relations in the then Midwest Region (later known as Bendel State) and now Delta State. The occupants of the Orodje Stool during the Midwest and Bendel eras were positioned as Deputies to the numero uno of the Region, the Oba of Benin. At the creation of Delta State, the transited Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Orhoro I became the Pioneer Chairman of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers.
In sustenance of the legacy of the Okpe Nation being the rallying centre for the unity of the various ethnic nationalities of the Delta area, it is heartwarming that the Delta State Government recognized and appointed HRM Orhue I as the Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers. With this position, HRM Orhue I have contributed to the peaceful coexistence and security of our dear Delta State.
TWO DECADES OF UPLIFTMENT OF THE OKPE NATION
Back home in the Okpe Nation, there has been notable and sustained upliftment of the infrastructural landscape of the Okpe Kingdom since 2006 when HRM Orhue I ascended the throne of the forefathers of the Okpe Nation. The Okpe Nation has moved from the highest political position of Deputy Governorship she ever attained in the 2nd Republic to the Governorship of Delta State currently, after the position of House of Assembly speakership had been occupied consecutively by two Okpe sons during the reign of HRM Orhue l.
HRM Orhue l played a crucial role in ensuring that the Okpe Language was officially recognised by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC). This paved the way for the official recognition by the Delta State Ministry of Basic Education of the Okpe Language as the Local Language to be taught in the Primary and Junior Secondary Schools of the two Local Government Areas of the Okpe Kingdom.
Looking forward, the restoration of the Sapele Constituency 2 and the Okpe Constituency 2 for the House of Assembly is a welcome Development under the reign of HRM Orhue I.
It is our hope that the Sapele Federal Constituency which made the Okpe Nation to have been represented by two members in the House of Representatives at the Federal Level (Sapele and Okpe Federal Constituencies between 1979 and 1993) would be restored soon. It is also our hope that all Okpe nationals would work towards the restoration of the recognition of the Okpe Nation as a distinct ethnic nationality as it was in the Midwest Region and Bendel State to pave the way for its rightful status under the DESOPADEC Law. The absence of this recognition has short changed Okpe from attaining a fair quantum of infrastructural projects, bursary allocation to Okpe Students and such offices as exclusive DESOPADEC Commissioner, Exclusive Executive Director in DESOPADEC and other development agencies despite the distinctiveness and size of the Okpe Nation.
AS WE CELEBRATE THE CONTINUOUS RISE OF THE OKPE NATION UNDER THE REIGN OF HRM, ORHUE I
As we roll out our drums to celebrate the Twentieth Coronation Anniversary of HRM Orhue I as the Orodje of the Okpe Kingdom, let us take steps to reflect on the historical position of the Okpe Union. The Okpe Union played a pivotal role in the restoration of the Okpe Monarchy and has been leading the agitation for the recognition of the Okpe Nation as a distinct ethnic nationality in the comity of Ethnic Nationalities of Nigeria and Delta State. The Okpe Union will continue to work collaboratively with the Orodje institution, the Udogun Okpe and various Okpe organisations and stakeholders of the Okpe Nation to promote the Okpe Ethnic Nationality as a bridge for a united Delta State in which the people’s welfare should be the focus of the government.
Long live the Okpe Nation!
Long live the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom!
Long live the Okpe Union!
SIGNED:
PROF. O. IGHO NATUFE,
PRESIDENT GENERAL,
OKPE UNION (WORLDWIDE).
BARR. KINGSLEY E. AKPEDERIN,
GENERAL SECRETARY, OKPE UNION (WORLDWIDE).
BARR. VICTOR ORUNO,
NATIONAL PUBLICITY SECRETARY
OKPE UNION (WORLDWIDE).