Okpe Union a social cultural group of the Okpe people in Delta State has elected the new National Executive Council (NEC) members that will stir the affairs of the Union in the next four years.
The election which held at the Okpe Union regional headquarters in Lagos, witnessed delegates across the country and beyond as all covid-19 protocols were strictly adhered to.
Chairman of the electoral committee Mr. John Akeragha alongside other members of the committee who relled out the procedures of the election, updated the Congress on each of the offices viaed for.
Other positions where all unopposed except the office of the national Youth coordinator and 3rd Deputy President General which were keenly contested between the immediate past national youth coordinator Mary Pender and Pastor Edward Agba, between Dr. Mrs. Beauty Biokoro and Dr. Lucky Akpere for the 3rd deputy president general.
At the end of the polls, the Chairman of the electoral committee announced the results and various positions where Professor Igho Natufe, a Nigerian-born Sovietologist and a specialist in International Relations and Soviet/ Russian Foreign Policy, was elected President General of the Union.
Engineer Francis Redemi as 1st Deputy President General, Mr. Omamurhomu Ayaruja as 2nd Deputy President General, Dr. Lucky Akpere as 3rd Deputy President General and Mr. Bernard Adibor as 4th Deputy President General.
Akpederin Kingsley Esq. as General Secretary, Madam Patience Ikokoyo as Asst. General Secretary, Mr. Freeborn Adibor (National Organizing Secretary) Comrade Faith Ukpevweru (Asst. Nat. Organising Officer) Mrs. Mercy Ovwile (National Treasurer) Arch. Patrick Redemi (National Financial Secretary)
Others officers elected at the General Assembly were Mrs. Atarhe Abuh (National Publicity Secretary) Erakpotobor Emmanuel (National Legal Adviser) Madam Dinna Erhiurhoro (Nat. Women Coordinator) Comrade Mary Pender (National Youths Coordinator) Mrs. Mary Arejomo Ogunnde (National Director of Welfare) Mr. Roland Ogbatemuru (National Provost) and Mr. Pius Unuayefe (National Traditional Orator)
In his acceptance speech through his 1st Deputy President General Engineer Francis Redemi, Professor Igho Natufe, congratulated all the contestants, elders, delegates and observers that contributed to the success of the national elections.
He said with the calibre of elected personnel as members of NEC, he assured that a new dawn has arrived Okpe Kingdom.
Professor Natufe who told the people that his executive immediate and foremost priority was to focus on Okpe reconciliation, unity and progress as the Union grapple with the challenges of youth and women empowerment in Okpeland.
The President General state very clearly and categorically that there was no division in the 91-year-old Union as, in fulfilment of the Mandate, the Union Constitution have been reviewed to meet the needs and aspirations for the Okpe Nation and Okpe Kingdom in the 21st Century.
The Nigerian-born Sovietologist and a specialist in International Relations and Soviet/ Russian Foreign Policy Prof. Natufe called on all Okpe nationals at home and in the Diaspora to contribute their advice and knowledge to this historic imperative vis-à-vis the delivery of their 4-Year Agenda.
According to him, ” I hereby provide a sketch of our agenda for the next four years. The task begins from building blocks for unity and development in Okpeland.”
Details of the agenda below:
BUILDING BLOCKS FOR UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT
We recognize the imperative of unity within a society for it to move forward meaningfully by providing a conducive environment for its citizens to progress and develop. Our immediate action is to strive to reconcile contending views on this front in the Okpe Nation. This will be revealed after due consultation with all stakeholders in Okpeland. Our focus shall be on the following, inter alia:
Strive to align Okpe Union with the aspirations and consciousness of the Okpe man and woman, especially in the territory of the Okpe Kingdom.
Liaise with Local Government Councils in Okpe Nation, District and community leaders on key issues affecting Okpe.
Liaise with youth and women organizations in crafting developmental strategies for the Okpe Nation.
Liaise with appropriate authorities to recognize Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality in DESOPADEC.
Enhance an appreciation of Okpe Identity by agitating for the teaching of Okpe Language, Okpe History and Culture in all educational institutions in Okpeland.
Liaise with all religious places of worship in Okpe land for the use of Okpe Language in their sermons.
Revive the Institute for Okpe Studies that was established by the OKPE VOICE INTERNATONAL.
Host an International Conference on Okpe Society in collaboration with the Institute for Okpe Studies in 2022.
Liaise with appropriate authorities for the naming and recognition of the Airport at Osubi as OSUBI AIRPORT.
Notwithstanding being the most populous ethnic nationality in Delta State, we lack behind several ethnic groups in educational attainment.
In recognition of the value of education in the development of a society, we are launching a ONE BILLION NAIRA OKPE SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND for the education of Okpe nationals in post secondary institutions.
We shall establish a data base of Okpe nationals (teachers and students) in all post-secondary educational institutions in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.
Facilitate the establishment of a post-secondary educational institution in Okpe Nation.
To facilitate growth and development in Okpeland, we shall construct strategic alliances with domestic stakeholders and foreign partners in attracting and retaining investments in Okpeland. This will be achieved via consultation and collaboration with the two Local Government Councils (Okpe and Sapele LGCs) and chambers of commerce and industry in Okpe Nation.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Nigeria is a federation of ethnic nationalities. Okpe is one of the more than 350 ethnic nationalities that constitute this federation. Like all the other components of the Nigerian federation, there are opportunities and challenges that we must grapple with to move Okpe forward and firmly establish Okpe Union as a powerful voice for the Okpe Nation in the various communities of ethnic nationalities in Delta State and in Nigeria, including the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination.
Okpe Union shall be an active participant in these organizations by promoting and defending Okpe interests as a distinct ethnic nationality. These interests shall be pursued at all fora, domestic and international, with inputs from all stakeholders in Okpeland and Okpe in the Diaspora. Towards this end, we shall establish and maintain strategic relationships with all ethnic organizations in Delta State and in Nigeria on the principles of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect of the rights of each ethnic nationality to define and determine its own socio-economic and political development.
Our contribution to Nigerian development shall be influenced by the tenets of federalism. As a component of the Nigerian federation of ethnic nationalities, we endorse the call for restructuring the Nigerian federal system in accordance with the notion of federalism
A New Dawn In Okpe Kingdom As Prof. Natufe, Akpederin Others Elected As New National Executive Members Of Okpe Union Worldwide
Okpe Union a social cultural group of the Okpe people in Delta State has elected the new National Executive Council (NEC) members that will stir the affairs of the Union in the next four years.
The election which held at the Okpe Union regional headquarters in Lagos, witnessed delegates across the country and beyond as all covid-19 protocols were strictly adhered to.
Chairman of the electoral committee Mr. John Akeragha alongside other members of the committee who relled out the procedures of the election, updated the Congress on each of the offices viaed for.
Other positions where all unopposed except the office of the national Youth coordinator and 3rd Deputy President General which were keenly contested between the immediate past national youth coordinator Mary Pender and Pastor Edward Agba, between Dr. Mrs. Beauty Biokoro and Dr. Lucky Akpere for the 3rd deputy president general.
At the end of the polls, the Chairman of the electoral committee announced the results and various positions where Professor Igho Natufe, a Nigerian-born Sovietologist and a specialist in International Relations and Soviet/ Russian Foreign Policy, was elected President General of the Union.
Engineer Francis Redemi as 1st Deputy President General, Mr. Omamurhomu Ayaruja as 2nd Deputy President General, Dr. Lucky Akpere as 3rd Deputy President General and Mr. Bernard Adibor as 4th Deputy President General.
Akpederin Kingsley Esq. as General Secretary, Madam Patience Ikokoyo as Asst. General Secretary, Mr. Freeborn Adibor (National Organizing Secretary) Comrade Faith Ukpevweru (Asst. Nat. Organising Officer) Mrs. Mercy Ovwile (National Treasurer) Arch. Patrick Redemi (National Financial Secretary)
Others officers elected at the General Assembly were Mrs. Atarhe Abuh (National Publicity Secretary) Erakpotobor Emmanuel (National Legal Adviser) Madam Dinna Erhiurhoro (Nat. Women Coordinator) Comrade Mary Pender (National Youths Coordinator) Mrs. Mary Arejomo Ogunnde (National Director of Welfare) Mr. Roland Ogbatemuru (National Provost) and Mr. Pius Unuayefe (National Traditional Orator)
In his acceptance speech through his 1st Deputy President General Engineer Francis Redemi, Professor Igho Natufe, congratulated all the contestants, elders, delegates and observers that contributed to the success of the national elections.
He said with the calibre of elected personnel as members of NEC, he assured that a new dawn has arrived Okpe Kingdom.
Professor Natufe who told the people that his executive immediate and foremost priority was to focus on Okpe reconciliation, unity and progress as the Union grapple with the challenges of youth and women empowerment in Okpeland.
The President General state very clearly and categorically that there was no division in the 91-year-old Union as, in fulfilment of the Mandate, the Union Constitution have been reviewed to meet the needs and aspirations for the Okpe Nation and Okpe Kingdom in the 21st Century.
The Nigerian-born Sovietologist and a specialist in International Relations and Soviet/ Russian Foreign Policy Prof. Natufe called on all Okpe nationals at home and in the Diaspora to contribute their advice and knowledge to this historic imperative vis-à-vis the delivery of their 4-Year Agenda.
According to him, ” I hereby provide a sketch of our agenda for the next four years. The task begins from building blocks for unity and development in Okpeland.”
Details of the agenda below:
BUILDING BLOCKS FOR UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT
We recognize the imperative of unity within a society for it to move forward meaningfully by providing a conducive environment for its citizens to progress and develop. Our immediate action is to strive to reconcile contending views on this front in the Okpe Nation. This will be revealed after due consultation with all stakeholders in Okpeland. Our focus shall be on the following, inter alia:
Strive to align Okpe Union with the aspirations and consciousness of the Okpe man and woman, especially in the territory of the Okpe Kingdom.
Liaise with Local Government Councils in Okpe Nation, District and community leaders on key issues affecting Okpe.
Liaise with youth and women organizations in crafting developmental strategies for the Okpe Nation.
Liaise with appropriate authorities to recognize Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality in DESOPADEC.
Enhance an appreciation of Okpe Identity by agitating for the teaching of Okpe Language, Okpe History and Culture in all educational institutions in Okpeland.
Liaise with all religious places of worship in Okpe land for the use of Okpe Language in their sermons.
Revive the Institute for Okpe Studies that was established by the OKPE VOICE INTERNATONAL.
Host an International Conference on Okpe Society in collaboration with the Institute for Okpe Studies in 2022.
Liaise with appropriate authorities for the naming and recognition of the Airport at Osubi as OSUBI AIRPORT.
Notwithstanding being the most populous ethnic nationality in Delta State, we lack behind several ethnic groups in educational attainment.
In recognition of the value of education in the development of a society, we are launching a ONE BILLION NAIRA OKPE SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND for the education of Okpe nationals in post secondary institutions.
We shall establish a data base of Okpe nationals (teachers and students) in all post-secondary educational institutions in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.
Facilitate the establishment of a post-secondary educational institution in Okpe Nation.
To facilitate growth and development in Okpeland, we shall construct strategic alliances with domestic stakeholders and foreign partners in attracting and retaining investments in Okpeland. This will be achieved via consultation and collaboration with the two Local Government Councils (Okpe and Sapele LGCs) and chambers of commerce and industry in Okpe Nation.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Nigeria is a federation of ethnic nationalities. Okpe is one of the more than 350 ethnic nationalities that constitute this federation. Like all the other components of the Nigerian federation, there are opportunities and challenges that we must grapple with to move Okpe forward and firmly establish Okpe Union as a powerful voice for the Okpe Nation in the various communities of ethnic nationalities in Delta State and in Nigeria, including the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination.
Okpe Union shall be an active participant in these organizations by promoting and defending Okpe interests as a distinct ethnic nationality. These interests shall be pursued at all fora, domestic and international, with inputs from all stakeholders in Okpeland and Okpe in the Diaspora. Towards this end, we shall establish and maintain strategic relationships with all ethnic organizations in Delta State and in Nigeria on the principles of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect of the rights of each ethnic nationality to define and determine its own socio-economic and political development.
Our contribution to Nigerian development shall be influenced by the tenets of federalism. As a component of the Nigerian federation of ethnic nationalities, we endorse the call for restructuring the Nigerian federal system in accordance with the notion of federalism. In due course, after consulting with stakeholders in Okpe Nation and Okpe in the Diaspora, we shall announce the Okpe positions on key elements of the debate on restructuring.
Thank you all for your attention.
God bless Okpe Kingdom.
God bless the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.
God bless Okpe Union.
. In due course, after consulting with stakeholders in Okpe Nation and Okpe in the Diaspora, we shall announce the Okpe positions on key elements of the debate on restructuring.
Thank you all for your attention.
God bless Okpe Kingdom.
God bless the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.
God bless Okpe Union.