<\/p>\n
By: Prof. O. Igho Natufe, President General, Okp\u1eb9 Union (World Wide)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
January 1, 2026.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Introduction:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fellow Okpe Citizens I greet you all. Ekpako m\u1eb9, mi di ghw\u1eb9n. I bring you fraternal greetings from the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okp\u1eb9 Union.<\/p>\n
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It gives me profound joy and a sense of civic responsibility to issue this *NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO OKPE NATION* on behalf of the NEC and the world wide membership of the Okp\u1eb9 Union.<\/p>\n
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First and foremost, we give thanks to God for his blessings and guidance as we successfully navigated our paths in our respective endeavours throughout the year 2025. Second, we pray for God\u2019s continued blessings and guidance in the New Year, 2026 and beyond.<\/p>\n
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While we pray for ourselves, our families and neighbours, we also pray to God to grant us the will to forge a strong unity of purpose as a People to work collaboratively in our pursuit of the growth and development of Okp\u1eb9 Nation, a task which is fundamental to the ideological construct of the Okp\u1eb9 Union. As the mouthpiece of the Okp\u1eb9 Nation, Okp\u1eb9 Union shall remain steadfast on its historical mission of facilitating the independence of Okp\u1eb9 Nation, which is to struggle for the recognition of Okp\u1eb9 as a distinct ethnic nationality, and not an appendage of any other ethnic nationality.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
*The Year 2025*<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
2025 has been a landmark year for the Okp\u1eb9 Nation. One defined by unity, resilience, and purposeful remembrance. Most notably, we proudly commemorated the 95th Anniversary of the establishment of the Okp\u1eb9 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 Okp\u1eb9 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.<\/p>\n
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We extend our heartfelt appreciation to every member whose dedication, sacrifice, and collaboration made the 95th Anniversary, as well as all the other efforts and activities of the Union, a success. Your efforts, seen and unseen, contributed immensely to this feat and to the continued growth and relevance of the Okp\u1eb9 Union. Members across Nigeria and in the Diaspora worked tirelessly in rendering their altruistic services to the Okp\u1eb9 Union and Okp\u1eb9 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 Okp\u1eb9 nationals, non-members of the Union, in support of our activities since 2021.<\/p>\n
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Okp\u1eb9 Union was actively involved in numerous activities throughout 2025. These engagements spread across invitational meetings, celebrations and call to action. Okp\u1eb9 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\u2019s federalism. As a stakeholder in TRG, Okp\u1eb9 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.<\/p>\n
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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, Okp\u1eb9 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 Okp\u1eb9 Nation and an unwavering advocate of Okp\u1eb9 Identity in March 2025. Overall, Okp\u1eb9 Union performed admirably in 2025, 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 Okp\u1eb9 Identity. In this regard, we commend the South West Region for the following initiatives:<\/p>\n
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1. Okpe Cultural Troupe: The Region has started practising Okpe cultural songs\/ Dances, which we are encouraging our young ones to emulate, imbibe and participate in; overtime this project may be displayed to the public and or during the centenary celebration of the Founders Day on May 16th 2030.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
2. Bursary Award to Okp\u1eb9 Students: This is for Okp\u1eb9 in higher educational institutions.<\/p>\n
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Plans are in place for other Branches to emulate the South West Region. We are also working on plans to open new branches of the Union in 2026.<\/p>\n
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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\u2019s 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 Okp\u1eb9 Nation.<\/p>\n
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During the preceding year, the Union was compelled by several factors to address pressing issues affecting the Okp\u1eb9 people in the media. Some of these media engagements clarified deliberate distortion of facts regarding Okp\u1eb9 Identity. The Union was very active in the media space, either in the social media or mainstream media. These media visibility has positioned the Okp\u1eb9 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.<\/p>\n
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OKPE UNION AND OKPE KINGDOM<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
While we reiterate our profound reverence for the Okp\u1eb9 Throne, we remain resolute in our defence of democratic tenets and good governance in Okp\u1eb9 Nation. We also reiterate our firm view that Okp\u1eb9 Kingdom is not an absolute monarchy where a monarch\u2019s pronouncements are considered \u201cfinal\u201d even when they violate basic democratic norms. We recognize that to toe the path of *TRUTH* is a difficult choice that only a small minority with sound social consciousness can embark on. *TRUTH* can be suppressed, but can never be imprisoned.<\/p>\n
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*INTERNAL DYNAMICS*<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The interference\/usurpation of the role of Okp\u1eb9 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. The recent anti-Okp\u1eb9 Identity role of HRM Orhue l, the Orodje of Okp\u1eb9 Kingdom and some of his chiefs, is a challenge which we are destined by History to overcome for the interest of the Okp\u1eb9 Nation. The Okp\u1eb9 Identity project is a task that is crucial to the entire Okp\u1eb9 people.<\/p>\n
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*OKPE UNION AND EXTERNAL IRRITANTS*<\/p>\n
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Some elements of the Itsekiri and Urhobo nationalities continue to constitute irritants to the Okp\u1eb9 Nation. The Urhobo via their nefarious WADO activities claim Okp\u1eb9 territories. We vehemently reject this as Okp\u1eb9 is not Urhobo and neither are we an appendage of any ethnic nationality.<\/p>\n
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*THE MENACE BY SOME ITSEKIRIS*<\/p>\n
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The menace by some Itsekiris is more troubling to the Okp\u1eb9 Nation. Recalling that we opened our doors to welcome Itsekiri fleeing from their civil war and offered them shelter, it now seems that our hospitality has become a curse; just as the Hausas in the north and indigenous nationalities in central Nigeria are experiencing with the Fulanis. The Itsekiri civil war, known as the \u201cNana war\u201d of 1894 forced scores of Itsekiris to flee their lands and *\u201dran for refuge to Sapele where they were granted refuge by the Okp\u1eb9 people\u201d*, the owners of Sapele. This was the judgement of the West African Court of Appeal (WACA), Holden at Lagos, Nigeria, on April 30th 1943, before their Honours: Sir Donald Kingdon, Chief Justice of Nigeria \u2013 President; Sir Philip Bertis Petrides, Chief Justice, Gold Coast (now Ghana), and George Graham Paul, Chief Justice, Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As a nationality that prides itself as a respecter of the rule of law and court judgements, one would expect the Itsekiri Nation to honour the 1943 WACA judgement and desist from all their bogus claims on Okp\u1eb9 territories. They illegally renamed the sections they were allowed to reside as refugees with Itsekiri names. For example, they changed *Etamua* to \u201cOgunaja\u201d, *Amua Ogodo* to \u201cAja Ogodo\u201d, and a part of Amuokpe to \u201cAja-Sagay\u201d, etc. Speaking on behalf of the Itsekiri Nation, one Prince Nosa had the audacity to declare that:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
*\u201dSapele is a local govt NOT a community. Within Sapele local govts, there are dozens of Okpe and Itsekiri communities. Itsekiri communities in Sapele local govt include Obotie, Ugbekoko, Aworun, Enaso, Adaka, Ajojiguo, Ugbosien, UtonIyatsere, Ogunaja and many others\u201d*.<\/p>\n
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This is a blatant demonstration of reckless expansionism by some Itsekiris. The settler equates himself to the indigenes. The Okp\u1eb9 Union demands that Itsekiri leadership call to order these Itsekiri elements who denigrate the sovereignty of the Okp\u1eb9 Nation over its territories. The case of the Itsekiri threat in Sapele should be of serious concern to all Okp\u1eb9 people.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The bogus claims by some Itsekiris to indigenous communities in Okpeland especially in the areas that were constituted into the Sapele Okp\u1eb9 Sobo Forest Reserve during the Colonial Era when the Okp\u1eb9 Nation was created under the Urhobo Division, led to the setting up of a Delta State Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the Okp\u1eb9 Sobo Forest Reserve in 2020 by the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Administration. From the published Record of Proceedings of the Commission of Enquiry, the claims by the Itsekiris of Abigborodo, Obotie and others to indigenous communities in Okp\u1eb9 land were rubbished. In the turn of the New Year, the Okp\u1eb9 Union shall comprehensively bring out the contents of those revealing proceedings to the public so that once and for all, the false claims of these impostors who know the Itsekiri Communities especially in Warri North Local Government Area they hail from would be in the public domain. For the records, the Itsekiris and the Okp\u1eb9s do not have any land boundaries. The territorial boundary between Okp\u1eb9 land and Itsekiriland is the stretch of the Hole in the Wall Creek, the tributary that extends into between Sapele and Abigborodo (boundary between Sapele LGA and Warri North LGA)over which the Emmanuel Uduaghan Administration constructed a bridge, to Obotie-Ugbukurusu, to Ikeresan, to Elume River, to Erogho water side, and finally to the water boundary between Ughoton and Omadino (the boundary between Okpe LGA and Warri South LGA) over which the James Ibori Administration constructed the Ughoton-Omadino Bridge.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We call on the Okp\u1eb9 Traditional Council and political leaders, especially the chairmen of the Sapele Local Government Council (LGC) and the Okp\u1eb9 Local Government Council (LGC) and our representatives in the Delta State House of Assembly to stand up to their responsibilities as the defenders of Okp\u1eb9 sovereignty. We simultaneously call on Okp\u1eb9 political leaders, specifically Okakuro Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Okakuro Senator Ede Dafinone, Hon. Ben Etanabene, Ekakuro James Augoye and Perkins Umukoro to begin to articulate and promote Okp\u1eb9 interests in their respective portfolios. To start with, the appellation\u201d Sapele Okp\u1eb9 Community\u201d should be changed. It has no conceptual difference with the other ethnic communities in Sapele, for instance, the Sapele Ndigbo Community, the Sapele Yoruba Community, the Sapele Itsekiri Community, etc. It is passive. A more positive name, for example, *Sapele Indigenes Association* should be considered as it connotes a definitive and positive meaning.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
*PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE*<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The policy of peaceful coexistence continues to define the cornerstone of Okp\u1eb9 Union\u2019s relationship with other ethnic nationalities. However, let it be known that, by any legitimate means possible, we will strongly defend the territories of the Okp\u1eb9 Nation against intrusions by any ethnic nationality on our sovereignty. While non-Okp\u1eb9 nationals are welcome in Okp\u1eb9 villages and towns; they must not forget that they are guests and not owners of Okp\u1eb9 land. Unlike other nationalities, some elements in the Itsekiri Nation do not seem to understand this fundamental principle of residency outside their ancestral lands. Interestingly, these Itsekiri elements will not dare to claim ownership of Ajoki, Ekehuan and Ologbo in Benin Kingdom.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
*2026 AND BEYOND*<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We look forward to 2026 and beyond with optimism for the future of Okp\u1eb9 Nation. We shall refine our strategic approach to better position us and our Okp\u1eb9 stakeholders in the pursuit of the recognition of Okp\u1eb9 as a distinct ethnic nationality in Delta State. This objective remains an existential challenge of the Okp\u1eb9 Nation whichOkp\u1eb9 Union was established to attain. We shall intensify our collaboration with internal and external forces for a better appreciation of the benefits of Okp\u1eb9 Identity to all parties, including the Urhobo. The two local government councils in Okp\u1eb9 Nation, Sapele LGC and Okp\u1eb9 LGC, shall be encouraged to play a pivotal role in the Redemption of the Okp\u1eb9 Nation.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We shall continue to encourage the use of Okp\u1eb9 Language in worship and the translation of Church sermons using the Okp\u1eb9 language, to enhance the Okp\u1eb9 identity and development strategy of Okp\u1eb9 Nation. We shall continue to intensify our strategic collaboration with other Okp\u1eb9 organizations, as well as with other ethnic nationalities in Delta State and Nigeria, in the realization of this noble historical imperative.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Despite the schism between the palace and Okp\u1eb9 Union, the Union appeals to the entire Okp\u1eb9 people for cooperation and unity to enhance economic development of Okp\u1eb9 Nation.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Stay tuned for further information, including NEC\u2019s programme for the celebration of Okp\u1eb9 Union\u2019s Founders\u2019 (96 Years) Day on May 16, 2026.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On behalf of the Okp\u1eb9 Union I wish you and your families a Prosperous New Year, 2026.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Prof. O. Igho Natufe<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
President General, Okp\u1eb9 Union (World Wide)<\/p>\n
ighonatufe@okpeunionng.ne<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By: Prof. O. Igho Natufe, President General, Okp\u1eb9 Union (World Wide) January 1, 2026. Introduction: Fellow Okpe Citizens I greet you all. Ekpako m\u1eb9, mi di ghw\u1eb9n. I bring you fraternal greetings from the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okp\u1eb9 Union. It gives me profound joy and a sense<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6236,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18823","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-opinion-and-columns"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deepstrataenergy.com\/phmundial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18823","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deepstrataenergy.com\/phmundial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deepstrataenergy.com\/phmundial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deepstrataenergy.com\/phmundial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deepstrataenergy.com\/phmundial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18823"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/deepstrataenergy.com\/phmundial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18823\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deepstrataenergy.com\/phmundial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deepstrataenergy.com\/phmundial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18823"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deepstrataenergy.com\/phmundial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18823"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deepstrataenergy.com\/phmundial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18823"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}