36 GOVERNORS TODAY ABAVO CHRONICLE ABEJUKOKO VANGUARD ABEOKUTA NEWS ABIA REPORTERS ABIA SUN ABIGBORODO SUN ABIRIBA NEWS QUALITY REPRESENTATION RABIU KWANKWASO RAMADAN NEWS RAUF AREGBESOLA RECLAMATION TIMES REGIONAL NEWS YORUBA THISDAY YORUBA TRIBUNE YUSUF DANTALIE ZAMBIA NEWS ZAMFARA DAILY PROGRESS zipowei zipowei ochonogor
MEDIA PROFESSIONALS PRAISE ABDULRARAQ TASK KWARA CENTRAL PEOPLE ON 2027

MEDIA PROFESSIONALS PRAISE ABDULRARAQ, TASK KWARA CENTRAL PEOPLE ON 2027

 

The Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRaraq, has been lauded for developing a new moral climate, unlocking new energies in a people who had lost faith in government’s ability to meet key challenges and bringing about political and economic reorganization in the state.

‘’History will record the administration of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as the most important and far-reaching in Kwara State’’

They also applauded him for unifying the people, improving farmers’ condition, reducing unemployment, giving strength to organized labour, establishing decent working conditions and switching the people from an ox-cart to an airplane.

‘’The more enduring achievements of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq lay in the economic and social fields. He accomplished a fantastic series of reforms. He provided infrastructure, delivered the dividends of democracy and gave new status to the people”

The commendation came from media professionals in Nigeria.

At a press conference in Lagos, the Nigerian Media Professionals emphasized the governor’s great depth of feeling concerning the destiny of the state, the intelligent state management, governor’s penchant for solving problems, inexhaustible drive and energy and his passion for the life and needs of the good people of Kwara State.

The position of the group was presented to newsmen by the Chairman of the Nigerian Media Professional Group, Daniel Okeme, on Wednesday.

The professionals challenged critics of the present administration.

‘’Nothing like it has ever happened in the history of Kwara State’’

Particularly, they praised AbdulRaraq for his largeness of vision and transformation in the finance, health, education, sports, housing and tourism sectors.

‘’This is the most joyous period in the life of Kwara State. It is a rebirth after a dark age’’

The prominent media professionals  stressed on human capital development, ideas and programs, dedication to public service, courage and capacity to condense complex problems into simple and telling statements’’

They urged the wonderful people of Kwara Central to make AbdulRaraq a senator in 2027.

‘’AbdulRazaq has the qualities which the senate position requires. He is moderate and practical in approach. He is brilliant, competent, efficient and more honourable in money matters. He will continue to work for the interest of the good people of Kwara State’’

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ENGR. AGIDANI OLOCHE: EXCELLENT TEAM LEADER

ENGR. AGIDANI OLOCHE: EXCELLENT TEAM LEADER

 

In Obagaji, a dusty market town in Benue South, the generator at the primary healthcare centre used to die every evening. For years, deliveries happened by torchlight, vaccines lost their potency, and nurses sent patients away after sundown.

That changed two years ago when a quiet man from Idoma land walked in with engineers, solar panels, and a promise to make the clinic run 24 hours a day.

Today, the centre runs on solar power. Babies are delivered at night. Vaccines stay cold. And the nurses no longer pack up at 5 p.m.

That man is Engr. Agidani Oloche, and for people across Otukpo, Obagaji, and beyond, he has become a name whispered in the same breath as “results.”

Oloche is not new to building things. Before his name started appearing on political posters, he spent years managing energy and construction projects across Nigeria. He is the kind of engineer who reads blueprints at night and shows up on site before the workers arrive.

That background now shapes how he approaches public service. “I don’t believe in politics of noise. My work should speak for me,” he tells a group of elders in Otukpo during a recent town hall. The crowd nods, many of them remembering when he fixed their transformer in two weeks after NEPA had ignored it for months.

In Benue South, where federal presence has often felt distant, Oloche’s model of leadership feels different. He doesn’t wait for budget cycles or party primaries to act. He identifies a problem, mobilizes resources, and fixes it.

His interventions have been deliberate and visible. In Otukpo and Obagaji, he facilitated the renovation of police stations that had become unfit for use. For communities dealing with insecurity, better facilities mean faster response and safer officers.

In healthcare, the Obagaji Primary Healthcare Centre is now his calling card. By installing solar-powered systems, he ensured the clinic could run maternity wards, store vaccines, and handle emergencies without interruption. Other communities are already asking him to replicate the model in their own towns.

On the economic front, Oloche has pushed small but critical projects: rehabilitating access roads that connect farmers to markets, supporting rural energy solutions that cut dependence on the national grid, and providing direct support to market women and traders who can’t afford to wait for government bureaucracy.

“Engr. Oloche is one of us,” says Mrs. Grace Adah, a trader in Obagaji. “When our transformer broke down, he fixed it in two weeks. When our clinic had no light, he brought solar. That is why we are following him.”

What makes Oloche stand out in the race for the Benue South Senatorial seat is his appeal across generations. To the elders, he represents discipline, technical competence, and a focus on tangible projects. To the youth, he speaks the language of energy, technology, and jobs.

Benue South has long complained of neglect despite its agricultural and mineral wealth. The zone has produced senators and ministers, but many communities still lack basic infrastructure. Oloche’s entry into the 2027 race is being framed as an attempt to bring technical expertise into politics and close that gap.

If elected, he says his Senate agenda will focus on four things: decentralized power and better roads to unlock agriculture, increased federal security presence for Idoma land, youth employment through technical training linked to real projects, and expanding the solar-powered clinic model to rural areas across the zone.

With the 2027 elections approaching, Oloche’s campaign is gaining traction among voters tired of empty promises. His supporters describe him as “a tested leader, a development expert, a voice committed to a better Benue South.”

In a political climate where handouts often overshadow plans, his story is different. It’s a story of an engineer who fixed a transformer, lit up a clinic, and now wants to fix a zone.

Whether that translates into votes will be decided at the polls. But in the markets of Otukpo and the wards of Obagaji, the verdict is already clear: when Agidani Oloche says he will do something, the lights usually come on.

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AKPOTI –UDUAGHAN TO KOGI JUDGE: WELLDONE

AKPOTI –UDUAGHAN TO KOGI JUDGE: WELLDONE

AKPOTI –UDUAGHAN TO KOGI JUDGE: WELLDONE

  • HEADS TO APPEAL COURT

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Friday instructed her legal team to file an appeal to overturn the High Court decision awarding N1billion to former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

‘’We are appealing the judgement. I don’t have N1billion. We will drag this matter to Supreme Court’’

The Kogi Central Representative accused the court of ignoring the evidence presented by her legal team.

The Kogi State government in 2022 called for the arrest of Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The government in different national newspapers accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of sponsoring terrorism and orchestrating the July 2022 Kuje Prison break and the Owo Church massacre.

Reacting to allegations of terrorism, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was out of the country when the Kuje Prison break and the Owo Church massacre took place.

‘’I was never connected to Safiyu at that time ’’.

She recounted how Bello prompted the security agents to arrest her.

‘’Yahaya Bello accused me of sponsoring terrorism because he wants me out of the ballot. He took the reports to the DSS. He was a constant visitor to DSS, telling them to arrest me.  The person Yahaya Bello hangs around with is the sponsor of terrorism, not me. Safiyu was a close ally of Yahaya Bello. He was told to carry out a bad task against me. He said he wasn’t going to do it. The young man refused to mobilize people to hurt me’’

She recalled the Arise Television interview.

‘’I shared these pictures with Arise Television presenters. I didn’t know Safiyu. Safiyu was a close associate of Yahaya Bello. If anybody should be questioned about terrorism, it should be Yahaya Bello. If anybody is guilty of terrorism, it should be Yahaya Bello. He is the one who knows how I am involved’’

She advised the former Kogi State governor to file more defamation charges against her.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who is still consulting on her political future emphasized violence and high rate of missing people in Kogi State.

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CULTURAL IMPERIALISM AND SCHOOL OWNERS IN NIGERIA BY DR AUSTIN ORETTE STUDENTS

STUDENTS, CULTURAL IMPERIALISM AND SCHOOL OWNERS IN NIGERIA BY DR AUSTIN ORETTE

I am in receipt of a letter that asked parents to pay for an excursion to England. I was very perturbed because this goes beyond the mandate of the school. These kids barely know the geography of Nigeria, and you want to export them to another culture for indoctrination and cultural imperialism.

What is London for the Nigerian child? Are we still under colonialism? This program has nothing to improve the child except to give them a false sense of elitism which has destroyed Nigeria.

In these tough economic times, you are asking parents to cough out so much money for the vanity project of indulgent children and nouveaux rich parents who want vicarious existence through their children. I weep for my country.

Nigeria used to be a place where the children of the rich and poor went to the same school without anyone being subjected to any form of alienation. It is becoming very clear that the Nigerian educational system has been bastardized by actions like these.

We send our children to learn and have a better understanding of themselves and the world, but you are teaching them a sense of entitlement. As someone who has travelled around the world, there is nothing any of those kids will gain from this stupid enterprise than egotism that alienates them from their mates. Even if I can afford it, it does not make any economic sense. I will never participate in this hubris you mistake for education. It appears your school has substituted foreign cultures for education.

Teach the Nigerian child how to be Nigerian. Education is supposed to start from the home. It appears a large percentage of the parents are people who came into so much money without a modicum of common sense. This is the reason why they consider it a thing of dignity when their child is being culturally miseducated. This trend where everything foreign is romanticized must stop. We should never raise our children to feel inferior to anyone.

The moral decadence that has become prevalent in Nigeria is due to this wrong education of the Nigerian child and his parents. They employ maids for their children; drive them to school in expensive limousines. At the end, the child grows up entitled and does not have any sense of service or allegiance to his community, as he is trained from childhood that the world owes him a living.

We must teach our children how to serve. Service to others is the rent we pay for the space we occupy. If parents must take their children overseas, that should be done in their private time not under the pretext of education.

A good education will be an excursion to the numerous slums in Lagos and let the children produce an assignment about creating sustainable neighborhoods that are livable.

If you don’t stop this practice, I will make a formal protest to the Ministry of Education and your school and other schools that are introducing this odious culture should be sanctioned.

The Nigerian child must be trained to think instead of making him a consumer of foreign cultures that have disdain for our way of life.

I used to complain of wayward parents who have destroyed Nigeria until I found out that the Nigerian schools are becoming incubating chambers for producing wayward and dysfunctional children who will perpetuate the vicious cycle in the Nigerian decay.

 DR AUSTIN ORETTE WRITES FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS

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HELP UPLIFT OKPE NATION PROF IGHO NATUFE PLEADS WITH OBOREVWORI

HELP UPLIFT OKPE NATION, PROF IGHO NATUFE PLEADS WITH OBOREVWORI

 

  • PRAISES OKPE UNION FOUNDING FATHERS

 

  • LISTS PRIORITIES

 

  • INTENSIFIES ADVOCACY FOR RENAMING OF OKPE AND SAPELE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

 

  • CALLS FOR TRUE FEDERALISM AND RESTRUCTURING IN NIGERIA

 

 

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’’.

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PROF IGHO NATUFE URGES OBOREVWORI TO EMULATE OKOWA

PROF IGHO NATUFE URGES OBOREVWORI TO EMULATE OKOWA

 

  • CHARGES POLITICIANS TO DEFEND OKPE NATIONAL INTERESTS, TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

 

  • SAYS CHOICE OF FIRST ORODJE WAS A MARKED DEVIATION FROM THE BENIN TRADITION

 

  • CONDEMNS BLUNDER INFUSED INTO THE SYSTEM BY POLITICAL LEADERS IN 1963

 

  • INTENSIFIES ADVOCACY FOR RENAMING OF OKPE AND SAPELE LGAS

 

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.

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UDUAGHAN WARNS ORODJE AGAINST COMMUNAL CRISIS

UDUAGHAN WARNS ORODJE AGAINST COMMUNAL CRISIS

 

  • URGES HIM TO CONFINE HIS ACTIVITIES TO 510 ACRES GRANTED IN THE W.A.C.A JUDGEMENT

 

  • REFUTES OKPE’S CLAIM OVER SAPELE

 

  • INSISTS SAPELE NOT EXCLUSIVE TOWN OF OKPE PEOPLE

 

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.

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DELTA SOUTH: ORETTE THROWS HAT IN THE RING

 DELTA SOUTH: ORETTE THROWS HAT IN THE RING

 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.

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NIGER DELTA FAMILIES PRAISE VERONICA IKPEERHA EBIRERI

NIGER DELTA FAMILIES PRAISE VERONICA IKPEERHA EBIRERI

 

  • CALL HER ROLE MODEL

 

  • DESCRIBE VICTOR OKPAKO EBIRERI AS AN EXEMPLARY LEADER

 

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.

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OKPE UNION FUMES OVER ANTI-OKPẸ IDENTITY ROLE OF DELTA MONARCH

OKPE UNION FUMES OVER ANTI-OKPẸ IDENTITY ROLE OF DELTA MONARCH

 

  • WARNS MISCHIEVOUS ELEMENTS

 

‘’The recent anti-Okpẹ Identity role of HRM Orhue l, the Orodje of Okpẹ Kingdom and some of his chiefs, is a challenge which we are destined by history to overcome for the interest of the Okpẹ Nation’’ says President General of Okpe Union Worldwide, Prof Igho Natufe.

 

Prof Natufe made this remark in Lagos on Thursday.

 

He said the union would not relent in its effort to ensure that the Okpẹ Identity project was achieved.

 

‘’The interference/usurpation of the role of Okpẹ Union as a registered body with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a socio-cultural cum a pressure group has limited our effectiveness, given that much financial resources have been diverted towards our court cases with the renegade group. This role amongst others is being threatened by the traditional leaders maybe for political reasons, as they now want to dictate who emerge the leaders of the Union’’.

 

In a New Year address to the public, Natufe observed that court cases had posed a cog in the wheel of progress of the union.

 

‘’Another major activity of the year 2025 is the progress recorded in ongoing court cases, which have continued to yield positive outcomes for the Union. This reflects the Union’s determination and commitment to protecting its interests through legal intervention. We shall continue our legal actions against the contemnors as a just and legal avenue to the restoration of democracy and good governance in Okpẹ Nation’’.

 

He told Nigerians to have a change of attitude in dealing with matters affecting the Okpe people.

 

‘’During the preceding year, the Union was compelled by several factors to address pressing issues affecting the Okpẹ people in the media. Some of these media engagements clarified deliberate distortion of facts regarding Okpẹ Identity. The Union was very active in the media space, either in the social media or mainstream media. These media visibility has positioned the Okpẹ Union as a strategic group among ethnic nationalities in Nigeria capable of championing and protecting the collective interests of the people at home and in the Diaspora’’.

 

 The president general also spoke on the large turn-out during the 95th anniversary of the Okpe Union in Lagos.

 

‘’2025 has been a landmark year for the Okpẹ Nation. One defined by unity, resilience, and purposeful remembrance. Most notably, we proudly commemorated the 95th Anniversary of the establishment of the Okpẹ Union on May 16, a historic milestone that honoured our roots, reaffirmed our identity, and strengthened our collective resolve as a people. Held at the registered national headquarters of the Okpẹ Union in Obalende, Lagos, the Anniversary was attended by members from all branches in Nigeria and from the Diaspora. I thank God for making it possible for me to physically attend this august celebration and to preside over it. The positive vibes at the event were electric and guided by our ancestors’’.

 

 He applauded members across Nigeria and in the Diaspora for rendering altruistic services to the Okpẹ Union and Okpẹ Nation.

 

‘’In the face of endogenous and exogenous challenges and distractions, our members remained resolute.  Mention must also be made of the invaluable financial and moral support we enjoyed from several Okpẹ nationals, non-members of the Union, in support of our activities since 2021’’.

 

 Natufe expressed delight at the numerous activities of the Okpe Union throughout 2025.

 

‘’Okpẹ Union continues to play critical roles in both the Movement for National Reformation (MNR) and The Rebirth Group (TRG); both national organizations that are actively engaged in the restructuring of Nigeria’s federalism. As a stakeholder in TRG, Okpẹ Union participated in its maiden symposium in Ibadan, in May 2024. Subsequently, in 2025, we participated in TRG Symposia on political restructuring of Nigeria, in Enugu, Gombe, and Port Harcourt, in July, October and December, respectively’’.

 

He said Okpẹ Union performed admirably in 2025.

 

‘’The Union took part in several social and community engagements, including funerals, weddings, and other important events. These representations were carried out by members of the NEC, Okpẹ Union branches and in some cases, both organs. We participated in the burial ceremonies of our brother and mentor, Rev. Dr. Charles E. Osume, an illustrious son of Okpẹ Nation and an unwavering advocate of Okpẹ Identity in March 2025. Overall, , demonstrating commitment, progress, and strong visibility across various engagements. Our branches have solidified their positions while some have engaged in initiatives geared towards the growth and promotion of Okpẹ Identity’’.

 

 Particularly, he gave Okpe Union, South-West Region a pat on the back for encouraging the young ones to participate in Okpe cultural dances and awarding bursary to Okpẹ Students in higher educational institutions.

 

 The former university professor of political science urged other Branches to emulate the South-West Region.

 

‘’We are also working on plans to open new branches of the Union in 2026’’.

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