Urhobo News

• BACKS CALLS FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN OKPE KINGDOM
• SEEKS DIALOGUE OVER CRACKS IN COMMUNITY’S FOUNDATION

Renowned education consultant, Dr Evans Igho Akpo, Friday emphasized the critical role of transformational leadership in bringing about institutional and social change in Nigeria.

He also called for the rediscovery of the collaborative spirit that once made Okpe kingdom a model in regional governance.

‘’There is an urge for a strategic repositioning of leadership values, practices, and unity among the Okpe people’’

Akpo spoke in Lagos while delivering a paper entitled ‘’Transformative leadership for Okpe Nation: Shaping a future-ready community.

He identified the specific challenges and opportunities facing the Okpe Nation today.

‘’The Okpe Nation today faces a complex interplay of challenges and opportunities across various fronts, all of which underscore the urgent need for transformative leadership to chart a prosperous and sustainable future.

Akpo, an Associate Dean, Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas, spoke at the 95th founders’ day celebration of the Okpe Union.

‘’Although Rwanda’s tragedy is of a different magnitude, there are unsettling parallels within the Okpe Kingdom. Beneath the surface lie silent struggles and a gradual erosion of cultural values: unity, honor, and communal strength that once defined the people. These issues often go unnoticed, unspoken, and unresolved. There is an urgent need to confront these realities through open and honest dialogue, to address the cracks in the community’s foundation and work toward healing and renewal’’.

The Okpe Union North America General Secretary emphasized arbitrary boundaries, imposed structures and how they influence the way we identify, divide, and engage with each other.

With poverty, inequality, uneven access to basic necessities, environmental degradation and unemployment especially among the youth as major challenges in Okpe Nation and the Niger Delta, Akpo said the situation required increased budgetary allocations for education, investing in modern resources, fostering public-private partnerships and diaspora engagement.

‘Education in Okpe Nation faces issues like inadequate funding and infrastructure, a shortage of qualified teachers, and outdated curricula. Engaging youth is challenging due to limited opportunities and disconnect from cultural heritage. Infrastructure deficiencies in roads, power, water, sanitation, and communication hinder development. Globalization threatens Okpe language and traditions, requiring efforts to preserve cultural identity.

He called for decisive action against inadequate educational infrastructure, lack of learning resources and scarcity of tertiary institutions in Okpe Kingdom.

The world class scholar advised political leaders in Delta State to champion curriculum reform to integrate vocational skills, critical thinking, digital literacy, and the preservation of Okpe language and culture

‘’The Okpe people’s strong cultural identity and traditions can foster unity, pride, and economic opportunities like cultural tourism. Initiatives such as the “No Okpe Girl Left Behind” mission and the Ehensiri Foundation’s work in promoting the Okpe language showcase the potential of human capital, which can be further enhanced by engaging the diaspora. Natural resources in the region offer economic development possibilities, if managed sustainably for the benefit of the Okpe people. Global connectivity and technology can improve education, communication, and business opportunities while preserving culture online’’.

Particularly, Akpo advised Okpe indigenes in Nigeria and abroad to learn to forgive those who openly opposed them.

‘’As Okpe people, we must remember the wisdom of our fathers: whether Orhue, Orhorho, Evreke, and Esezi. Our houses may differ in names, faces, and challenges, but like every loving father with many children, unity and tactful affection are keys to keeping the family together. As we reflect on our journey, let us learn to forgive, not just those who openly opposed us, but even those who, in silence or distance, subtly undermined the cause we believe in so deeply. Forgiveness is our highest position, and it is the true strength of leadership’’.

The former Dean of Graduate, Professional and Online Programs at Warner Pacific University in Portland, Oregon noted that language was a critical component of ethnic identity.

‘’The Okpe Union provides a platform for collaboration and resource sharing. Increased global awareness of indigenous rights offers opportunities for partnerships in cultural preservation. Language is a critical component of ethnic identity’’

He also made fresh case for transformational leadership in Nigeria and positioning of monarchs as catalysts for cultural revitalization, ethical governance, youth empowerment, and socioeconomic development.

‘’In a rapidly evolving world—driven by technological innovation and artificial intelligence— leaders are increasingly expected to respond with agility and efficiency. The pace of change demands adaptive leadership that embraces innovation, leverages digital tools, and fosters resilience in navigating complex challenges’’.

The education consultant to institutions and organizations said the myriad of problems bedeviling the kingdom are consequences of failure to practice transformational leadership.

‘’The question here applies to transformational leadership: How can we achieve systemic change in Okpe without undermining heritage? Can traditional legitimacy be blended with forward-thinking governance? What models of leadership best serve the evolving needs of the people? These reflections aim to spark deeper dialogue—not merely about leadership titles or ceremonial functions—but about impact, legacy, and the future being shaped.

He urged leaders to adopt a future-ready stance.

‘’A compelling vision for the future of the Okpe Nation must be aspirational and grounded in its core values and traditions. This vision, to be effective, should be transformational in nature’’.

The US don stressed the need for ethical role models.

‘’Inspirational motivation is evident when leaders communicate a shared vision that inspires commitment and unity among followers. This form of leadership is vital in promoting team spirit and a collective sense of purpose. In the Okpe context, a leader might ask, “Can we be one and find better ways to resolve our differences? Let us focus on what makes us stronger and brings out the best in us.” Such language rallies followers around a common identity and long-term goals

Akpo noted that the success of the regeneration of the kingdom would depend to a great extent on how effectively followers challenge assumptions and consider new perspectives.

‘’Transformational leaders stimulate creativity and innovation by encouraging followers to challenge assumptions and consider new perspectives. In the Okpe Nation, intellectual stimulation might involve posing critical questions such as: Who are we as a people? What role do we play in national development? This kind of leadership promotes problem-solving and innovative thinking, encouraging Okpe people to find unique, culturally rooted solutions to social and communal challenges.

He called for a shift in mindset and the development of individuals through mentorship.

‘’One of the foundational elements of transformative action in the Okpe context is the mindset of the average Okpe man and woman. Before external changes can be realized, there must first be a transformation in thinking. Unity must not only be embraced internally but also expressed deliberately and consistently. The belief that “Okpe is one” must be a shared conviction, intentionally nurtured and communicated across all spheres of the community.

According to him, Okpe can chart a path towards sustainable progress only through mindset rooted in cultural identity, mutual respect, and shared vision.

‘’It is essential to recognize the inherent value and goodness within the Okpe people. In a world often dominated by narratives of division and negativity, it is easy to overlook the many quiet acts of empathy, resilience, and community spirit that define the collective character. Recognizing and nurturing this goodness is not a form of naive optimism; rather, it is a pragmatic step toward cultivating understanding, collaboration, and a more cohesive society. By focusing on the positive threads within shared experiences, the best in each individual and the community at large can be empowered, thus lighting the way toward a more harmonious and thriving Okpe nation’’.

He advised government to engage the youth as future leaders.

In addition, Akpo called for the integration of diaspora talents into national development plans.

‘’The Okpe Nation requires the collective effort and commitment of its entire people, guided by transformative leadership principles. One key tenet of transformational leadership is a call to action in our culture, a call to ethics and morals.

Dr Akpo earned his doctorate in Executive Educational Leadership from Houston Christian University in Texas. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Webster University in St Louis, Missouri.