News From Nigeria
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE CHAIRPERSON, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, OKPE UNION, MRS ATARHE ABUH AT THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON SUNDAY, 22ND MARCH, 2026, AT OKPE HOUSE, 65 MOSHALASHI STREET, OBALENDE, IKOYI, LAGOS STATE
Distinguished elders, esteemed members of the National Executive Council, respected leaders of our great Union, and cherished members of the Okpe Union across the globe,
I stand before you today with a deep sense of honour, humility, and responsibility, following the successful inauguration of our Board of Trustees at this meeting today Sunday, the 22nd of March, 2026, held here at Okpe House, 65 Moshalashi Street, Obalende, Ikoyi, Lagos.
This moment is not merely ceremonial; it is a defining chapter in the continued growth and strengthening of the Okpe Union. I am profoundly grateful for the confidence reposed in me and my fellow members of the Board of Trustees. Your trust is both inspiring and humbling, and we do not take it for granted.
I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to all members of the Okpe Union worldwide. Your unwavering support, encouragement, and commitment to the ideals of our Union have made this day possible. Whether at home or in the diaspora, your dedication to preserving our heritage, fostering unity, and advancing the welfare of the Okpe people remains the bedrock of our collective success.
On behalf of my colleagues on the Board of Trustees, I hereby formally accept this appointment. We do so with a full understanding of the responsibilities entrusted to us and with a firm resolve to discharge our duties with integrity, diligence, and fairness. We are committed to upholding the constitution of the Okpe Union and safeguarding its values for present and future generations.
We recognise that the progress of our Union depends on collaboration and mutual respect among all its organs. In this regard, we pledge to work harmoniously with the National Executive Council and all Stakeholders. Together, we shall strive to strengthen the structures of our Union, promote transparency and accountability, and ensure that our programmes and initiatives truly reflect the aspirations of the Okpe people.
At a time when unity and purposeful leadership are most needed, we must rise above individual differences and focus on our shared vision. The Okpe Union must continue to serve as a beacon of hope, cultural pride, and socio-economic advancement for our people. We are determined to contribute meaningfully towards this noble cause.
Let me also acknowledge the efforts of those who have served before us. Their dedication and sacrifices have laid a solid foundation upon which we now build. We are inspired by their legacy and committed to sustaining and surpassing the standards they have set.
As we move forward, I call upon every member of the Okpe Union to remain actively engaged and supportive. The strength of our Union lies in our unity, and together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
In conclusion, I once again thank you for this great honour. I assure you that we shall serve with utmost sincerity and in the best interest of the Okpe people at all times.
May our Union continue to flourish, and may we remain united in purpose and progress.
Thank you, and God bless the Okpe Union.
Long live the Orodje of Okpe
Long live Okpe Kingdom
Long live Nigeria
On n behalf of the President General of the Okpe Union, and the National Executive Council of the Okpe Union, I welcome you all, to the General Meeting of the Okpe Union known historically as the General Assembly. We are especially appreciative of all you delegate who have travelled from far and near to represent your various branches. May God continue to reward your sacrifices for the Okpe Union bequeathed to us by our forefathers who founded the Okpe Union at this spot, under the Legendary Mango Tree, 95 (ninety-five years) ago.
So as not to bore you with too much verbosity, we shall leave historical tales for tomorrow, the 16th of May 2025 when we shall be celebrating the 95TH FOUNDERS DAY Anniversary of the founding of the Okpe Union. There are indeed so many tasks before the General Assembly today. Firstly there is the appointment of Trustees to replace the former trustees of the union all of whom have transited to the land of our ancestors. We believe they, together with other of our ancestors, especially those who led good lives are in communion with us and that they shall never abandon us. Amen. Also, there is a session for Constitutional Amendment as the fundamental document that governs the union requires occasional tinkering to achieve a better governance code.
Finally, we shall have the National Elections as the tenure of the National Executive Council led by Prof. Igho Natufe, elected on the 15th of May 2021 winds down today. The Election Session shall be coordinated by the five-man Electoral Committee earlier constituted by the National Congress of the Okpe Union. It is headed by the Chairman of the Okpe Union, Abuja Branch. The Electoral Committee is independent and shall have, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Okpe Union, complete freedom to conduct the election. We believe it shall deliver successfully on its mandate.
Summary of the Score Card of the outgoing National Executive Council
As the outgoing National Executive Council of the Okpe Union led by Prof. Igho Natufe was elected on the 15th of May 2021, it is not difficult to appreciate that it was elected to one of the most difficult periods in the annals of the union. The occupant of the Okpe Stool, Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe had a couple of months earlier (on the 3rd of October 2020) purportedly dissolved the democratically elected NEC of the Okpe Union and imposed his own Executive Committee against the norms, conventions and the constitution of the Union. Being an organization of the Okpe people who must protect the integrity and dignity of the Okpe Palace and monarchy, the new leadership needed to walk through the very tight rope of ensuring that nothing was done to undermine the Okpe palace. All Okpe nationals are conscious of the fact that it was the Okpe Union that agitated for and ensured that the Okpe Monarchy was restored in 1945 after an interregnum that spanned over one hundred and fifty years. It was indeed therefore a very delicate path for the outgoing leadership. It is with soberness that we acknowledge that despite the fact that after having to reluctantly approach the courts including the Federal High Court, Lagos, and Abuja, all the courts gave judgement in favour of the autonomy of the Okpe Union as they declared as unlawful, the actions of our reverred monarch. We have sent emissaries to the HRM, Orhue I, Orodje of Okpe, so the the Union leadership would come to publicly apologise and pay homage so that the Okpe Nation can be truly united once more. Though the initial response from Umogu was not positive, it is our hope that as God has a way of touching those whom He has put in special positions, we believe a positive response is not far away.
Highlight of Some Achievements during the Outgoing Tenure
Apart from the reestablishing of the autonomy of the Okpe Union by securing the landmark Judgement and Ruling of the Federal High Court, Lagos and Abuja respectively, we highlight below some of the achievements of the outgoing National Leadership in the undoubtedly very turbulent period.
The Union contributed financially and morally to the success of the Okpe Cultural Day events of the National Association of Okpe Students in various Higher Institutions.
The Union sponsored and secured a number of jobs for some deserving Okpe Youths.
The union submitted proposed projects and administrative advice to all levels of Government since the last General Elections in the country and Delta State during the tenure.
The union ensured that the Okpe Union continuously featured in national and local discourse which has enabled the Okpe Nation to be respected in the comity of ethnic nationalities.
Once again, we welcome you to Okpe House, Obalende, Lagos, the founding ground of the Okpe Union. May the deliberations, resolutions and outcome of the National Elections today be successful and bring about a renaissance of the Okpe Union and the Okpe Nation. Amen.
Barrister Kingsley Ehensiri Akpederin, General Secretary, Okpe Union.