A Pan Okpe socio-cultural and advocacy group in Delta Central, Okpe People’s Forum (OPF) has inaugurated new executive members to steer it’s leadership for the next two years.
The event which took place in Sapele, administrative headquarters of Sapele LGA of the state had in attendance dignitaries from all walks of life including Chairman Board of Trustee, AVM Frank Ajobena (rtd) and Lt.Col Moses Abeke Babuba (rtd), Chairman of the Electoral Committee and other members of the Association.
Members of the newly inaugurated exco are Igho Akeregha – President, Bridget Emakpor- Vice President, Edward Agba- Secretary, Samuel Ohwerhoye – Financial Secretary, Faith Ukpevweru – Treasurer, Austin Azu – Public Relations Officer and Ovwe Edesiri -Auditor
A statement by Austin Azu, Public Relations Officer of OPF made available to the media disclosed that while administering oath of office on the new executive members, Ajobena enjoined them to see their new positions as trust and pursue the vision and mission of the Forum vigorously to meet the expectations of the Okpe people and their mandate.
He also admonished the new officers to hit the ground running and come up with activities that will not only be beneficial to members but also the development of Okpe Kingdom at large.
The Chairman of the electoral committee, Lt Col Moses Abeke Babuba (rtd) who disclosed how the new executive members emerged for the various offices, advised them to focus on their responsibilities to justify the confidence reposed in them.
In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated President, Comrade Igho Akeregha promised to direct the affairs of the group with fear of God and deploy his wealth of experience spanning over 3 three decades and cutting across diverse areas of human endeavour including the media and social advocacy in advancing and achieving the aims and objectives of the OPF.
Akeregha, a renowned Journalist, Public Affairs Analyst and member of many professional groups including the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, sought the support of all members in the restoration and projection of the Okpe identity as a catalyst in the overall development of the Okpe people in all spheres of life.
“We shall collaborate with other ethnic groups as equals to promote the values, culture, language to facilitate the development of our people”, Akeregha said.
While stressing that the Okpe are now better prepared to compete with other ethnic nationalities at the national and sub national levels, he charged Okpe families to begin the process by speaking the language to their children, relatives and friends.
Akeregha further appealed that all public and private schools in Okpe Kingdom should be encouraged to adopt the teaching and learning of Okpe language in schools and also incorporate it in the school syllabus. He similarly appealed to religious places of worship to communicate to their faithfuls in the Okpe language.
While paying glowing tributes on His Royal Majesty, General Felix Mujakperuo, Orhue 1, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, for his exemplary leadership and peaceful reign, he promised that the OPF will work closely with the Palace, other Okpe groups and eminent Okpe sons and daughters to attract the needed developments to the kingdom.
The President also used the event to appeal to well meaning individuals in and outside the kingdom to invest in the area adding that the Okpe people are very peaceful and hospitable making the Kingdom a destination for all investors.
Earlier, the outgone President, Prof. Kenneth Eni who rendered his Exco stewardship, admonished the new leaders to explore the human resources within and outside the kingdom to advance the core objectives of OPF for the actualization of Okpe identity and development.
Prof. Eni who served the group for two terms, linked some of his successful achievements to transparency, accountability, sacrifice, financial prudence, tolerance among others.
In the same vein, a member of OPF, Mr Philip Mebradu who delivered a brief lecture on the Okpe Identity, Unity and Development reminded all about the administrative structure of the kingdom and pointing out the various ways development can be spread across the kingdom through investments.
He explained that Okpe Kingdom can be rapidly developed by building industries to process the abundant agricultural products in the area.
“Okpe sons and daughters should be encouraged to embark on productive investments in the different aspects of agriculture, such as fish and animal farming, including pigs, goats and cattle rearing.
Other areas of focus are cultivation of crops like maize, potatoes, cassava, sugarcane, palm tree and rubber, which are of robust economic significance, Mebradu said.
Highlight of the event was a minute silence observed in honour of a late member, Professor Ovaborhene Idamoyibo who was abducted and subsequently died after release by his abductors.