News From Nigeria
Begin golf training for 50 girls
Business mogul, Felix Aganbi, on Saturday expressed commitment to promoting girl-child education across Nigeria.
“All the young women, young kids out there, join us on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area”
He also urged parents in Nigeria and abroad to allow their daughters to attend the one day Canaan Land golf training and tournament in Koko, Delta State.
“The golf training and tournament will introduce girls to golf in a social and engaging environment. It will also help them build confidence, learn vital skills, and connect with others in a friendly community” Aganbi said in a statement issued Saturday morning.
Scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Canaanland Golf and Country Club, Koko, the event celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments of women as well as raise awareness for accelerated gender parity.
“A series of tests focusing on building foundation skills for some girls in preparation for the golf training took place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Cannan Land Golf Course, Koko” Aganbi said.
Tagged “The Biggest Giving Day of the Year” the event, according to Aganbi is projected to entrench attitude of excellence and develop young, highly quality golfers in terms of their golf quality and personal character,
“Open to girls in years 8-16, the training and tournament provide high quality coaching to assist the girl child in pursuing excellence in the sport of golf”
He listed technical skill development, comprehensive fitness and mental conditioning as key features of the training.
The statement emphasized the well-being of women and girls in Nigeria.
“The girls will learn the basics of golf grip, stance, posture alignment, golf rules and etiquette. They will also be taken for an 18-hole playing lesson”
It also highlighted the efforts of Akogate and Canaanland Club to help children and women obtain enough skills”
‘”The training and tournament will broaden opportunities for girls in Nigeria to realize their potential through education”
In particular, Aganbi invited young girls from Koko, Abigborodo, Asaba, Oghara, Mosogar, Jesse, Sapele, Warri, Ughelli and Benin to the training.
‘”Canaanland Country Club shall continue to encourage the education of females, improve the economic position of women and enhance their participation in matters relating to both the family and the society.
“It is also to join hands with the government in making our state a better place to live, campaign for the dismantling of systemic barriers and push for the power of reciprocity and abundant giving”
The girls will be taught techniques like chipping, putting and driving to give them a complete picture of the game. Our aim is to deliver great learning experiences which in turn encourages the girls to forge a lifelong love affair with the game’”
Driven by Sir Alfred and Mrs Warami Temile, Aganbi said the club would continue to provide necessary assistance for the general development of people, especially those who live in the rural areas.
“The March 8, 2026 training will celebrate women’s achievements, reinforce commitment to gender equality and rally for change”.
“Lunch will be served by Kashogi Restaurant during the International Women’s Day girl-child training session” the statement added.
The First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Golf Classic, scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Canaanland Golf and Country Club, Koko, has been cancelled” a statement by the Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Group, Hon Felix Aganbi, said.
“This is to ensure all parties are on the same page”
The statement expressed the commitment of Akogate Group and Canaanland Golf Club to improving the lives of Nigerian women and girls.
“We are currently working to get approval for the event” the statement said.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank our attendees for their understanding and continued support” the statement added.
If an individual can steal from the government willy-nilly and we find out many years later, and only after the fact, it means we have no checks and balances. Due to lack of checks and balances, the nation has become a prison where everyone is trying to escape.
Why was it easy for a former South-South governor to use state money for his campaign? What was the role of the members of the State House of Assembly? The primary responsibility of the members is to have oversight duties. They failed in this primary duty and the state is shortchanged.
This could have been prevented. Due to our military past, we have developed a culture of absolute power for the executive branch of government. The legislators see their roles as that of onlookers. They have a responsibility to devise checks and balances that will prevent executive lawlessness.
Finding out someone stole money only after they left office is a sign of timidity and lack of prerequisite for their positions. No one should have absolute power in a democracy. Executive arrogance, legislative incompetence and citizen apathy have become the standard practice in Nigeria.
It is difficult to prosecute such a person in a country with a rickety judicial system like Nigeria. The thieves have become the law and the nation is one big prison where all the inmates plan to escape.
The role of democracy is to develop checks and balances that will prevent such occurrences. Democracy demands preemptive and proactive measures to prevent such occurrences.
Nigeria is still practicing military dictatorship. Wherever power resides in Nigeria, it is always absolute. It is not placed under check and scrutiny.
From local associations in the village to the highest places in Nigeria, those who have power become absolute and behave recklessly.
Just look at what the police and soldiers do at check points. They have absolute powers. Any person in uniform can order a person into an unmarked vehicle and that is the last we see of that person. This is a clear and present danger.
It is our duty to safeguard public safety by subjecting these actions to scrutiny and interrogations that are needed in a democracy.
Our failure here is due to years of military dictatorship and outright brigandage. That is the micro representation of Nigeria. Those complaining about the stealing now will not be different if they are given those positions. The reason is that the probability that they will get away with the abuse of office is one hundred percent.
A former governor in North-West made an allusion to this fact in his interaction with his most strident critic in Kaduna. After one abrasive criticism from this man, the ex-governor decided to invite him. He sent a cab driver to pick him up, asked the taxi driver to wait and take him back home. After the meeting, he gave the journalist about one hundred thousand (this figure may not be accurate) and fifty thousand for the taxi drive. The critic was told to give the driver 50,000. The Journalist was full of praise and ebullience. The journalist left. He gave the taxi driver N5, 000 and kept the rest of the money. After they exited the gate, the security stopped them to say the governor has one last discussion. When they arrived back, the governor asked the taxi driver how much was given to him by the journalist. The driver said he received only N5, 000.
This is our conundrum. The governor only wanted to make a point but people praised him for his wisdom.
I am not fooled. If the governor actually was interested in solving the problem, he would give the driver his money directly in the presence of the journalist. That would have been better news but he decided to entrap the journalist.
Wherever power resides in Nigeria, it is absolute. Nobody questions it. This behavior is antithetical to democratic norms. This is a carry-over from military dictatorship. We only knew late head of state stole money after he died. What about a former head of state from the North Central? How come no one talks about him? No one does because his power is absolute.
Democracy has to do with checks and balances at all level. Everyone in a democracy is a servant of the law. The opposite is true in Nigeria. Everyone is a servant of those who rule in Nigeria.
Those who hold power must be interrogated. The people in power in Nigeria are like kings and manors. Elected officials are not responsive to those who elected them. They behave as if they got to their present position through a coup. They are arrogant and distant from those who elected or rigged elections for them. They have no sense of justice and anything they say is considered the law by the oppressed. They bellow orders to Nigerians.
Where leaders of advanced democracies would tip toe around thorny issues, the Nigerian governor will come with a bulldozer and loudspeakers to intimidate the citizens. There is no intellectual application in finding solutions to problems because they consider themselves the law. The undeserving voters have surrendered and they just watch as those they elected violate and brutalize them.
If someone challenges these absolute monarchs, they pass an edict to make the illegal legal. They have supporters who they whip into emotional frenzy and use as an army of thugs to intimidate those who think otherwise.
No one personifies this arrogance than the governors in Nigeria. These people are dictators who have no understanding or respect for the rule of law.
Now let me settle on the whipping boy, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. This is not because he is the worst; it is because he has the enviable position of being the governor of Lagos State which is a microcosm of Nigeria. Any action in Lagos State is under the microscope. If not for the seriousness of what he does, this man gives me comedy relief.
Apart from his demolition crusade in Lagos, there are things he does that are so funny and outright absurd. He has been sitting on the Supreme Court Judgement that told the people of Magodo to vacate and leave the place for the real owners. This man actually told those who won the case on national television that he is looking for alternative place so that they will leave the oppressors to enjoy their stolen land on Magodo. This is wrong. This people should vacate the place as ruled by the Supreme Court.
The governor refusing to surrender Magodo to those who won is a gross and severe violation of the law that he should be cited for contempt of the Supreme Court.
The time to negotiate with the original owner was before the court made a ruling. Any negotiation after the court ruling is a violation of the court order and continued abuse of his powers. You don’t mediate after a ruling has been made by the Supreme Court. He must be called to order on this.
Sanwo- Olu never stops to tickle me. There was the case where he saw a soldier going the opposite way in a one-way street. This was a comedy of errors and was very hilarious to watch. Sanwo-Olu confronted the man, arrested him and put him in one of the convoy cars for violating the law. The soldier immediately protested and told Sanwo-Olu that he is a soldier and as such that one way rule does not apply to him. The governor told him he doesn’t care, nobody is above the law. He is right with this statement.
Let us scrutinize what happened there. The soldier believes he has a right to violate traffic law. Sanwo-Olu believes he has a right to arrest and detain this man because the man violated the law. Both are wrong. Sanwo-Olu does not have the power to arrest any citizen. He is not the DA or the police. He, like any other citizen, can only make a complaint to the appropriate authorities. The soldier is wrong for violating the law. No one is exempted from the law.
In a democracy, that soldier can sue Sanwo- Olu for wrongful detention and imprisonment. If that car moves from that location with the soldier still inside, the governor will be arraigned for kidnapping.
This is the level of idiocy of those in power in Nigeria. Their horizon is very narrow and they have egos that are unchecked. They have no respect for the rule of law because they think the law doesn’t apply to them and their followers agree.
Nigeria is a big theatre of the absurd. We need to restructure so that we can get away from this big tent of idiocy.
Any time I watch the robust debate of parliaments in other countries, I whip for Nigeria. In the midst of all the killings and centrifugal forces tearing the nation apart, why is the National Assembly so quiet?
Since the inception of this democratic order, there is no quotable quote from any of these Senators or representatives. There is no debate. The president is now the one that makes laws and no one is asking any questions.
Democracy requires vigilance and continuous interrogation of the status quo. Democracy dies when the citizens fall asleep. We must wake up to keep our democracy alive. Everyone has a role to play. Democracy is not a spectator’s sport. Everyone must be a participant. Any attempt to shirk this responsibility of citizenship is an invitation to tyranny.
Another election time is upon us and we are being inundated with an election by automatic ticket. There is no democracy if people are automatically selected. Democracy means the voters have to re-evaluate those they elected periodically. Any deviation from this is an assault on the will of the people. Any deviation from this is not a democracy but a bad omen that will truncate the rights of the people to choose.
DR AUSTIN ORETTE WRITES FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS
President General of Okpe Union (Worldwide), Prof. Igho Natufe, has urged the Delta State Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori to uplift Okpe Nation and recognize Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality; just as his predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa did for his Ika and Ndokwa people.
‘’It is gratifying to have one of your own as the Governor of any state, especially for us in Okpe Nation. We are elated; and pray for his success. Fundamentally, we hope that he will uplift Okpe Nation and recognize Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality; just as his predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa did for his Ika and Ndokwa people. By doing this, Okpe Nation will become an equal partner with other ethnic nationalities in Delta State to benefit from the Governor’s MORE/RENEWED HOPE agenda. A recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality will allow us to be included as a direct participant and stakeholder in DESOPADEC’’
The illustrious son of Okpe Kingdom in Delta State, Nigerian-born Sovietologist, alumnus of the Peoples Friendship University, specialist in International Relations and Soviet/Russian Foreign Policy also echoed the place of democratic tenets in Okpe Kingdom.
‘’We firmly believe that the observance of democratic tenets is fundamental for the growth and development of any system, whether monarchical or otherwise. Our position that Okpe Kingdom is not an absolute monarchy derives from the founding principles of the Okpe Kingdom by the four princely brothers – Orhue, Orhorho, Evbreke, and Esezi. Even though they were the great grandchildren of Oba Ozolua of Benin Kingdom (reign: 1481 – 1504), they established a democratic principle of electing an Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.
The former Professor of Political Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana (1978-1980), the University of Benin, Benin-City (1980-1989), and Senior Advisor to the Government of Canada (1970-1978, 1989-2011), spoke in Lagos.
He said the choice of the first Orodje of Okpe Kingdom was a marked deviation from the Benin tradition where the first son is crown king.
‘’In choosing the first Orodje of Okpe, the four Brothers settled on the youngest via a unique democratic formula. The eldest, Prince Orhue was too old and proposed that the youngest, Esezi ascend the Throne. This was because the two middle brothers, Orhorho and Evbreke were too quarrelsome. In a unique display of a novel democratic practice, the brothers decided to crown their youngest brother, who ascended the Throne as Esezi I, the first Orodje of Okpe Kingdom. It was a democratic experiment in contradiction to the absolute monarchical system of the Benin Kingdom. The four princely Brothers all agreed that the Orodjeship would rotate among the four Ruling Houses. The election of an Orodje is undertaken in two stages. Firstly, delegates from the particular Ruling House whose turn it is to produce an Orodje will vote for their candidates. The second stage is at the Udogun Okpe (Okpe Traditional Council) to ratify the election. On the other hand, it is incongruous to have an “absolute monarchy” in a democratic republican polity’’
The Professor of International Relations at the Institute of Africa, Russian Academy of Sciences (2013-2015 and 2018-2025), Director, Ukraine-Africa Centre, Institute of World History, said it was contradictory for a monarchy to coexist with a republican system in the bowels of the same polity.
‘’This contradiction is exacerbated when a monarch attempts to rule a polity in which he possesses no defined constitutional authority to rule. When Nigeria became a Republic on October 1, 1963 it retained a House of Chiefs in each of the then four federating regions, in an attempt to replicate the British House of Lords, as the upper house in each of the regions. This gave the chiefs, who were traditional rulers in their respective domains, a constitutional role as parliamentarians. Thus, they saw themselves as both parliamentarians in the House of Chiefs and as monarchs in their respective kingdoms. This admixture was a conceptual blunder infused into the political system by the Nigerian political leaders in 1963. This blunder has been aggravated by the continuous failures of succeeding political leaders to resolve the contradiction resolutely by deciding on this crucial issue: Remain a Federal Republic of Nigeria and abolish traditional rulership or declare the country a United Kingdoms of Nigeria. In the former, traditional rulers will be extinguished as their existence contravenes the dictat of a Republic, while the latter recognizes their constitutional role as heads of states of their respective kingdoms’’.
Even as a head of state of a given kingdom, if we were in a United Kingdom of Nigeria, the role of a Monarch, like the Orodje of Okpe, according to Natufe will be defined by whether the system is a constitutional monarchy (like the United Kingdom) or an absolute monarchy (like Saudi Arabia).
‘’If Okpe Nation were a constitutional monarchy the Orodje would reign but cannot rule. Conversely, if Okpe Nation were an absolute monarchy the Orodje will possess and exercise an unquestioned political and legislative power and authority to reign and rule as he pleases in accordance to the mediaeval concept of the divine right of kings, whose pronouncements are considered law, final and binding on all citizens. Constitutionally speaking, Nigeria is not a monarchy. Therefore, it is severely injurious to the political system to speak of monarchies in the polity. This injury is exemplified by the way several political leaders have used and abused traditional rulers across the country since 1960’’.
He stressed the main thrust of Okpe Union’s ideological construct.
‘’The main thrust of Okpe Union’s ideological construct is to promote, propagate, and defend the interests of the Okpe Nation in a multi-ethnic Delta State and in Nigeria. Towards this end, we consider it existential for the Government of Delta State to recognize Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality, a distinction which was extinguished by the British Colonial Government by wrongly classifying Okpe as Urhobo. Phrased differently, we are demanding the rights of Okpe Nation to self-determination. Fighting for freedom, the liberation of a people, a Nation, is a noble but risky venture which only a conscious minority is called upon by History to undertake. Historically, not all enslaved peoples want or understand freedom. Harriet Tubman, one of America’s most revered abolitionists of the 19th and early 20th centuries risked her life so that Black Americans could be free. Her “underground railway” project led to the freedom of millions of Black Americans, and defined the self-determination movement of Black Americans in the 20th century. The Okpe Union is playing a similar role in Okpe Nation’.
Natufe paid tribute to the following founding fathers that had the foresight to establish Okpe Union and served in the first National Executive Council of the Union.
‘’It gave me great joy to preside over the 95th Anniversary Celebrations of the Okpe Union on May 15 – 16, 2025, at Obalende, Lagos. For those who may not know, Okpe Union is the oldest ethnic organization in Nigeria. We paid tribute to the following founding fathers that had the foresight to establish Okpe Union and served in the first National Executive Council of the Union: Thomas O. Ake of Mereje Town: President, M. A. Ero of Ughoton: Vice President, Inspector Odeghe (later known as Chief Odeghe) of Oha: General Secretary, J. K. Ogodo of Sapele: Auditor, Uweriavwe Ake of Mereje Town: Treasurer, J. U. Igberiewe of Okuokpokpor: Assistant Treasurer, J. E. Uwerhievwe of Esubi: Member, Uko of Jeddo: Member and J. E. Ewhiewhie: Member’’.
The renowned political scientist commended Okpe Union members across Nigeria and in the Diaspora who made the 95th Anniversary a huge success
‘’I do not have sufficient words to thank all our members across Nigeria and in the Diaspora who made the 95th Anniversary a huge success, considering that they graciously provided the resources as their altruistic contributions to the growth and development of the Okpe Nation. Members of the National Planning Committee and the Local Planning Committee were marvelous. They are the pillars of the Okpe Union that did the heavy lifting’’.
Natufe spoke on the landmark achievements of the Union in 2025 and expectations in 2026.
‘’Keeping the Union focused on our goals and objectives. The celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Okpe Union definitely was the highlight of 2025. We registered new branches and members across Nigeria and the Diaspora. In 2026, we shall intensify our sensitization and outreach programme to various Okpe organizations and leaders (traditional and political) in pursuit of the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. We shall, simultaneously, intensify our advocacy for the renaming of Okpe LGA and Sapele LGA to Okpe East LGA and Okpe West LGA, respectively’’.
He called for true federalism in the country.
‘’Okpe Union strongly supports the restructuring of Nigeria’s federalism. We are working collaboratively with other ethnic nationalities in different national organizations across Nigeria to affect this restructuring. For example, we actively participated in the drafting of an Executive Bill on the subject which was submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as a submission to the Federal House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee. We are working with other ethnic nationalities and national organizations to ensure the success of these initiatives in 2026’’.
He also spoke on bursar award, sensitization and outreach programmes to various Okpe organizations and leaders (traditional and political) in pursuit of the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality.
‘’The motive is simple: we initiated a bursary programme for Okpe students in higher institutions as part of our efforts to actualize the vision of the Founding Fathers of the Okpe Union and to provide less privileged but talented Okpe nationals with higher education. The 2025 Bursary was awarded to 12 (twelve) Okpe sons and daughters, in line with the vision of the Founding Fathers of the Okpe Union to establish a base for human capital and economic development of the Okpe Nation. Recall that the Founding Fathers offered scholarships to FOUR Okpe sons to study overseas in their individual field of endeavor. This laudable policy initiative of our Founding Fathers should not and must not be allowed to die due mainly to the present economic hardship in Nigeria today. Hence, for the past three years, the Okpe Union has limited the award to Bursary in the meantime’’.
Currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratepol Consultants INC and author of Soviet Policy in Africa: From Lenin to Brezhnev and Russian Foreign Policy in Search of Influence, Natufe emphasized the need to defend Okpe national interests and territorial integrity.
‘’We do not want to recast any distortion of facts regarding Okpe Identity that emanated from some media houses in the past year. We have moved forward beyond that. We are in a democratic political system where freedom of speech is highly recognized. But be rest assured that we are vigilant in reviewing all publications regarding Okpe Nation and we remain resolute in defending Okpe national interests and territorial integrity’’.
President General of Okpe Union Worldwide, Professor Igho Natufe, recently held an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos on a wide range of issues.
The illustrious son of Okpe Kingdom in Delta State, Nigerian-born Sovietologist, alumnus of the Peoples Friendship University, specialist in International Relations and Soviet/Russian Foreign Policy says he will not rest until he gets a distinct nationality for the Okpe Nation.
The former Professor of Political Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana (1978-1980), the University of Benin, Benin-City (1980-1989), and Senior Advisor to the Government of Canada (1970-1978, 1989-2011), knows where the problems of the Okpe Nation lie and how to keep solving them.
The Professor of International Relations at the Institute of Africa, Russian Academy of Sciences (2013-2015 and 2018-2025), Director, Ukraine-Africa Centre, Institute of World History, echoes the place of democratic tenets in Okpe Kingdom.
Currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Stratepol Consultants INC and author of Soviet Policy in Africa: From Lenin to Brezhnev and Russian Foreign Policy in Search of Influence, Natufe underscores the main thrust of Okpe Union’s ideological construct.
What does it feel like having a son of Okpe Kingdom as governor of Delta State, in the person of His Excellency Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori?
It is gratifying to have one of your own as the Governor of any state, especially for us in Okpe Nation. We are elated; and pray for his success. Fundamentally, we hope that he will uplift Okpe Nation and recognize Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality; just as his predecessor, H.E. Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa did for his Ika and Ndokwa people. By doing this, Okpe Nation will become an equal partner with other ethnic nationalities in Delta State to benefit from the Governor’s MORE/RENEWED HOPE agenda. A recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality will allow us to be included as a direct participant and stakeholder in DESOPADEC, for example.
The Okpe Union talks of the defense of democratic tenets and good governance in Okpe Nation. Realizing that Okpe is a kingdom, with a Monarch, what is the place of democratic tenets in the kingdom? And what does Okpe Kingdom is not an absolute monarchy imply?
The first part of your question: “what is the place of democratic tenets in the Kingdom?” suggests that democracy is alien in a kingdom. We do not subscribe to this thinking. We firmly believe that the observance of democratic tenets is fundamental for the growth and development of any system, whether monarchical or otherwise. Our position that Okpe Kingdom is not an absolute monarchy derives from the founding principles of the Okpe Kingdom by the four princely brothers – Orhue, Orhorho, Evbreke, and Esezi. Even though they were the great grandchildren of Oba Ozolua of Benin Kingdom (reign: 1481 – 1504), they established a democratic principle of electing an Orodje of Okpe Kingdom. The choice of the first Orodje of Okpe Kingdom was a marked deviation from the Benin tradition where the first son is crown king. In choosing the first Orodje of Okpe, the four Brothers settled on the youngest via a unique democratic formula. The eldest, Prince Orhue was too old and proposed that the youngest, Esezi ascend the Throne. This was because the two middle brothers, Orhorho and Evbreke were too quarrelsome. In a unique display of a novel democratic practice, the brothers decided to crown their youngest brother, who ascended the Throne as Esezi I, the first Orodje of Okpe Kingdom. It was a democratic experiment in contradiction to the absolute monarchical system of the Benin Kingdom. The four princely Brothers all agreed that the Orodjeship would rotate among the four Ruling Houses. The election of an Orodje is undertaken in two stages. Firstly, delegates from the particular Ruling House whose turn it is to produce an Orodje will vote for their candidates. The second stage is at the Udogun Okpe (Okpe Traditional Council) to ratify the election. On the other hand, it is incongruous to have an “absolute monarchy” in a democratic republican polity. It is contradictory for a monarchy to coexist with a republican system in the bowel of the same polity. This contradiction is exacerbated when a monarch attempts to rule a polity in which he possesses no defined constitutional authority to rule. When Nigeria became a Republic on October 1, 1963 it retained a House of Chiefs in each of the then four federating regions, in an attempt to replicate the British House of Lords, as the upper house in each of the regions. This gave the chiefs, who were traditional rulers in their respective domains, a constitutional role as parliamentarians. Thus, they saw themselves as both parliamentarians in the House of Chiefs and as monarchs in their respective kingdoms. This admixture was a conceptual blunder infused into the political system by the Nigerian political leaders in 1963. This blunder has been aggravated by the continuous failures of succeeding political leaders to resolve the contradiction resolutely by deciding on this crucial issue: Remain a Federal Republic of Nigeria and abolish traditional rulership OR declare the country a United Kingdoms of Nigeria. In the former, traditional rulers will be extinguished as their existence contravenes the diktat of a Republic, while the latter recognizes their constitutional role as heads of states of their respective kingdoms. Even as a head of state of a given kingdom, if we were in a United Kingdoms of Nigeria, the role of a Monarch, like the Orodje of Okpe, will be defined by whether the system is a constitutional monarchy (like the United Kingdom) or an absolute monarchy (like Saudi Arabia). If Okpe Nation were a constitutional monarchy the Orodje would reign but cannot rule. Conversely, if Okpe Nation were an absolute monarchy the Orodje will possess and exercise an unquestioned political and legislative power and authority to reign and rule as he pleases in accordance to the mediaeval concept of the divine right of kings, whose pronouncements are considered law, final and binding on all citizens. Constitutionally speaking, Nigeria is not a monarchy. Therefore, it is severely injurious to the political system to speak of monarchies in the polity. This injury is exemplified by the way several political leaders have used and abused traditional rulers across the country since 1960.
As the President – General, Okpe Union that is the mouthpiece of Okpe Nation, what is the ideological construct of the Union?
The main thrust of Okpe Union’s ideological construct is to promote, propagate, and defend the interests of the Okpe Nation in a multi-ethnic Delta State and in Nigeria. Towards this end, we consider it existential for the Government of Delta State to recognize Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality, a distinction which was extinguished by the British Colonial Government by wrongly classifying Okpe as Urhobo. Phrased differently, we are demanding the rights of Okpe Nation to self-determination. Fighting for freedom, the liberation of a people, a Nation, is a noble but risky venture which only a conscious minority is called upon by History to undertake. Historically, not all enslaved peoples want or understand freedom. Harriet Tubman, one of America’s most revered abolitionists of the 19th and early 20th centuries risked her life so that Black Americans can be free. Her “underground railway” project led to the freedom of millions of Black Americans, and defined the self-determination movement of Black Americans in the 20th century. The Okpe Union is playing a similar role in Okpe Nation.
2025 is said to be a landmark year for the Okpe Nation, with the commemoration of the 95th Anniversary of the Union on May 16. What does it portend to you as President- General?
It gave me great joy to preside over the 95th Anniversary Celebrations of the Okpe Union on May 15 – 16, 2025, at Obalende, Lagos. For those who may not know, Okpe Union is the oldest ethnic organization in Nigeria. We paid tribute to the following founding fathers who had the foresight to establish Okpe Union and served in the first National Executive Council of the Union: Thomas O. Ake of Mereje Town: President. M. A. Ero of Ughoton: Vice President. Inspector Odeghe (later known as Chief Odeghe) of Oha: General Secretary. J. K. Ogodo of Sapele: Auditor. Uweriavwe Ake of Mereje Town: Treasurer. J. U. Igberiewe of Okuokpokpor: Assistant Treasurer. J. E. Uwerhievwe of Esubi: Member. Uko of Jeddo: Member and J. E. Ewhiewhie: Member.
What is our message to those who made the anniversary a successful one?
I do not have sufficient words to thank all our members across Nigeria and in the Diaspora who made the 95th Anniversary a huge success, considering that they graciously provided the resources as their altruistic contributions to the growth and development of the Okpe Nation. Members of the National Planning Committee and the Local Planning Committee were marvelous. They are the pillars of the Okpe Union that did the heavy lifting.
In your capacity as PG of the Okpe Union (Worldwide), what would you say were the landmark achievements of the Union in 2025, and what are your projections, and expectations in 2026?
Keeping the Union focused on our goals and objectives. The celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Okpe Union definitely was the highlight of 2025. We registered new branches and members across Nigeria and the Diaspora. In 2026, we shall intensify our sensitization and outreach programme to various Okpe organizations and leaders (traditional and political) in pursuit of the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. We shall, simultaneously, intensify our advocacy for the renaming of Okpe LGA and Sapele LGA to Okpe East LGA and Okpe West LGA, respectively.
On the issue of political restructuring of Nigeria, what is the position of the Okpe Union, and what measures is the Union putting in place to firm up its position in 2026.
Okpe Union strongly supports the restructuring of Nigeria’s federalism. We are working collaboratively with other ethnic nationalities in different national organizations across Nigeria to affect this restructuring. For example, we actively participated in the drafting of an Executive Bill on the subject which was submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as a submission to the Federal House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee. We are working with other ethnic nationalities and national organizations to ensure the success of these initiatives in 2026.
On the issue of Okpe identity and visibility, what measures do you have in place to consolidate on what the Union had achieved in 2025?
As stated above, we shall intensify our sensitization and outreach programme to various Okpe organizations and leaders (traditional and political) in pursuit of the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality.
The Okpe Union floated a bursary programme for Okpe students in higher institutions. What is the motive behind this, and what has been the size of the beneficiaries?
The motive is simple: we initiated a bursary programme for Okpe students in higher institutions as part of our efforts to actualize the vision of the Founding Fathers of the Okpe Union and to provide less privileged but talented Okpe nationals with higher education. The 2025 Bursary was awarded to 12 (twelve) Okpe sons and daughters, in line with the vision of the Founding Fathers of the Okpe Union to establish a base for human capital and economic development of the Okpe Nation. Recall that the Founding Fathers offered scholarships to FOUR Okpe sons to study overseas in their individual field of endeavor. This laudable policy initiative of our Founding Fathers should not and must not be allowed to die due mainly to the present economic hardship in pervading in Nigeria today. Hence, for the past three years, the Okpe Union has limited the award to Bursary in the meantime.
What is the relationship between the Okpe Union and the Media? There was once an allegation that some media organizations were engaged in deliberate distortion of facts regarding Okpe identity. What is your view about this?
We do not want to recast any distortion of facts regarding Okpe Identity that emanated from some media houses in the past year. We have moved forward beyond that. We are in a democratic political system where freedom of speech is highly recognized. But be rest assured that we are vigilant in reviewing all publications regarding Okpe Nation and we remain resolute in defending Okpe national interests and territorial integrity.
The Alema of Warri Kingdom, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, on Saturday urged the Orodje of Okpe to restrict his authority and confine his activities to the said 510 acres granted in the judgement of Chief Ayomanor V. Ginuwa 11 JELR81222 (W.A.C.A).
“I sincerely hope that the said proposed foundation laying ceremony of the sub-palace by the Orodje of Okpe is within the said 510 acres granted to the Okpes in the judgement of Chief Ayomanor V. Ginuwa 11 JELR81222 (W.A.C.A), as anything outside this will be far reaching and would be an invitation to communal crisis by the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom and this will be resisted by every legal means possible”
In response to the foundation laying ceremony of the sub-palace in Sapele Town by the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Uduaghan said that the issue of the ownership of Sapele by the Itsekiri Nation has been corroborated by the Intelligence Report of the Colonial Authority as far back as 1930 on the Okpe Sobo Clan wherein they listed all Okpe villages, sub-clans and communities.
“The Intelligence Report by L.E.A. Fellows listed the notable Okpe villages to be Amukpe, Elume, Orerokpe and Gbukurusu”
Uduaghan who is the administrator of Ugbekoko, Utonyatsere, Ajimele, Aji Dore, Irakpa and other notable Itsekiri communities within Sapele under the over lordship of the Olu of Warri, Atuwatse 111 said the judgement in Chief Ayomanor V. Ginuwa 11 JELR81222 (W.A.C.A) that the Okpe often rely on to claim the ownership of Sapele does not confer ownership of Sapele on the Okpes.
‘”The judgement in Chief Ayomanor V. Ginuwa 11 JELR81222 (W.A.C.A) did not grant the ownership of Sapele to the Okpes; rather it granted 510 acres of land to the Okpes. The area of land granted is well known”
“Sapele is not the exclusive town of the Okpe people. Sapele from the time immemorial belongs to the Itsekiri people” he added.
DELTA SOUTH: ORETTE THROWS HAT IN THE RING
. Family medicine physician in Houston, Texas, Dr Austin Orette, on Friday made up his mind to run for the 2027 National Assembly election in Delta South Senatorial District.
‘’Our politics should be a battle of ideas that will move our people and our nation forward. Great nations utilize ideas to empower the people. The people are equipped with the necessary knowledge to push the frontiers of progress. For every child that is not educated, there is an idea that was not implemented. For every youth that is unemployed, there is an idea that was never implemented. For every elderly person living in poverty, it represents an idea that was never taken. The lack of electricity in the country is as a result of lack of ideas. No modern society can function without electrical power. I would like to participate in the contest of ideas that will solve our perennial problems. I am humbly asking the citizens of Delta-South to join me in this quest. I will represent them well and be the guild post for their aspiration. Let us begin to ask the questions that will define us as a people’’.
In a strongly worded statement, Orette assured individuals and organizations working vigorously for his senatorial ambition that he will contest in 2027.
‘’I am running because I want to use my skills to create opportunities for my people’’.
The renowned medical expert stated unequivocally that the touted senatorial ambition was to create enlightened citizenry who will use their knowledge to solve the prevailing problems in the country, particularly Delta South Senatorial District.
‘’The leadership in Nigeria has always seen the people as the problem. I see the people as solutions. If the people are appropriately equipped, they will provide solutions to the myriads of problems’’
Orette asserted that the people have a stake in their country.
‘’The people will reject the current office holders. They will be made to understand through my pronouncements that the present leaders are doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results’’.
He reasoned that by focusing on education, health care, legal reforms and active citizenship, concrete development could be achieved in the country.
‘’My town hall meeting is to reintroduce myself to the people. We have to make people acquire skills for the jobs of tomorrow. What is happening now is underemployment. The present crop of leaders doesn’t know how to utilize labour so we have a lot of unemployment issues. We will teach the youth how to be job creators by assisting them to set up businesses’’.
Dr. Austin Orette graduated from the University of Nigeria in 1985 and completed his residency in Family Medicine at the Memorial Hermann Health System between 1992 and 1995.
He is also a frequent contributor of opinion pieces to various Nigerian publications.
His writings often focus on Nigerian politics, national security, democracy, and ethnic relations.
At EUC homes exuding excellence in realtors & customer service is a goal.
The climax of the EUC homes weekly recruitment sessions yesterday the 16th of January 2026, became more intense and exciting as consultants were recognized and rewarded for their efforts.
Mr Peter Ifeanyi was rewarded with 1,000,000 (cash) for his direct sales commission.
The Chairman/CEO of EUC Homes, Chief Uche Ben Odunzeh, joined by the Executive Director, Mr. Bankole Omotayo, encouraged the consultants to remain focused and steadfast. They assured everyone that the cash reward initiative would continue, and every qualified consultant would be duly rewarded.
The Awardee Mr Peter Ifeanyi appreciates EUC homes for the commitment in meeting clients’ demands. He further Thanks the management for EUC homes for maintaining the words (30% structured commission), and further urged fellow consultants to remain committed and focused at EUC homes.
The CEO EUC homes maintained that the goal is to groom realtors that will deliver excellence in the industry and encourage hard working.
EUC Homes remains undeterred in her penchant to excellence and will continue to live up to expectations. The satisfaction of clients remains our priority.
. Contract validates Juilius Berger’s expertise – MD
Amidst fanfare and excitement, Delta state Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori flagged off the Otovwodo flyover in Ughelli North area of Delta state early in the week saying that the project is a permanent solution to the chronic traffic congestion at one of the state’s busiest junctions.
According to the governor, the project aligns with his administration’s infrastructure renewal agenda, focusing on durable road construction, prudent resource use, and improved connectivity across urban and rural areas.
He said rapid population growth in the local government has overstretched Ughelli’s road network, particularly at the Otovwodo Junction along the East–West Road, turning it into a notorious traffic bottleneck that costs commuters several productive hours daily, adding that he had personally experienced the gridlock at the junction.
Before now, he said as an interim measure, his administration constructed alternative routes, including Uduere, Okogbe, Oru, and Edo streets, as well as Royal Avenue linking Agbarha-Otor Road to ease traffic ahead of the flyover.
The Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in the company, describing the contract as a validation of its technical expertise and partnership with Delta State.
We sincerely thank you for the confidence reposed in us by awarding this significant contract to Julius Berger. We do not take this trust for granted. We see this award not just as a contract, but as a validation of our technical expertise and a testament to the strong partnership between our company and this great State, the Managing Director said.
He commended the governor’s vision and commitment to infrastructure development under his administration‘s M.O.R.E. Agenda of Delta State – the BIG HEART, adding that Julius Berger is privileged to be the partner of choice in this collective journey towards progress and prosperity.
Lubasch continued, having started with the construction of landmark roads and flyovers in Warri, we are eager to continue this transformation here in Ughelli. The project features a 15-span flyover designed as a 2-lane dual carriageway, complete with a connecting road network, a roundabout, specific drainage systems, and modern solar street lighting.
The Julius Berger Chief Executive did not mince words in saying that, at Julius Berger, we deliver our projects to the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency. Our teams work diligently to ensure timely completion while minimizing disruption to daily life in the area, even as he asked for the full cooperation of the good people of Delta State and the host community throughout the construction period, saying that, your support is vital to help us achieve success and deliver a project that will serve generations to come.
The Otovwodo Flyover project in Ughelli, Delta State, is a significant infrastructure development initiative aimed at alleviating traffic congestion at one of the state’s busiest junctions. The project, valued at ₦39.3 billion, is expected to be completed within 12 months and includes a multispan reinforced concrete bridge with dual carriageways, roundabouts and associated road works. It is designed to improve connectivity across urban and rural areas, reduce travel time, enhance safety, and boost economic activities in the region.
The event which assumed the semblance of a carnival that seized the entire expanded area of the project had in attendance, royal fathers, community leaders, members of the state executive council, as well as members of the state Assembly, the Senate and Federal House of Representatives representing constituencies in Delta state. Apart from the Managing Director who led Team Julius Berger to the flagoff ceremony, the Regional Manager, Region South and East, Engr Friedrich Wieser and the Project Manager, Engr. Thomas Haug, among others, witnessed the event.
Two established families in the Niger Delta Region on Thursday heaped praise on the Late Chief Executive Officer of Oghene Ochuko Motors, Chief Veronica Ikpeerha Ebireri.
They described her as a woman of great personal integrity, courage, good character and wealth.
‘’History has been good to Chief Veronica Ikpeerha Ebireri. The Niger Delta people, regardless of their orientation, think highly of her’’
The families of Ebireri and Umukoro spoke at the 25th remembrance of the persistent and methodical entrepreneur in Okpara Waterside, Ethiope East Local Government Area.
They applauded Veronica Ebireri for creating positive change and supportive space, leading by example, caring for the poor and offering sound counsel and teaching.
The tribute of the Okpe and Agbon families was read to the press by a prominent Nigerian journalist, political communication expert and strategist, Henry Ovie Ebireri.
The families commended Veronica Ebireri for lavishing inexhaustible love on the brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren.
‘’Chief Veronica Ikpeerha Ebireri was a kindhearted woman and moral leader. She gave hope for the future to many people’’
Tall, beautiful, energetic and generous, Veronica Ebireri was praised for drilling honesty, hard work and empathy into the children
‘’Words cannot express the joy we feel in our hearts as we recall your life of exemplary dedication to humanity and business’’.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ikpeerha Sawmills and Oghene Ochuko Motors was an influential trader, a leader of great stature and significance and a woman of humble origins.
‘’Hard work, humility, discipline and honesty brought her fame and fortune’’
The honest woman, employer of labour and meticulous achiever, according to the families, impacted in people’s lives at her own discomfort and sponsored many to higher institutions in Nigeria and abroad.
‘’Your impact on our lives is immeasurable. We continue to be grateful for the love you showered upon us. We continue to benefit immensely from your hard work, honesty, love, foresight and deep sense of humour which you shared with us. Continue to rest in perfect peace’’ the families said.
The families expressed profound gratitude to all for the unalloyed support, words of comfort and expression of love following her transition on March 10, 2001
Similarly, the Ajamikarawa, Egbeku, Igbimidaka-Elume, Eku, Okpara Waterside and Kokori families also celebrated the late Sapele lawyer, public administrator and businessman, Barrister Victor Okpako Ebireri for his firmness and good actions.
The former staff of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) died on Wednesday, November 7, 2012.
They described Victor Okpako Ebireri as a great motivator, caring father, dependable friend, lovely brother and exemplary leader.
The families highlighted Okpako Ebireri’s open mindedness, love for clearness and precision, self-control and serenity.
They also stressed his generous nature, sympathy, model of friendship and reverence for others’ individuality.
‘’Victor Okpako Ebireri was polished, grave, funny, thoughtful and intelligent’’
Particularly, the families praised his honesty and bravery.
Born on February 4, 1972, Victor Okpako Ebireri attended Okotie-Eboh Grammar School, Sapele, Mater Dei College, Ashaka, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and the Nigerian Law School.