By: Barr. Kingsley Ehensiri Akpederin
WELCOME ADDRESS DELIVERED TO THE DELEGATES FROM BRANCHES OF THE OKPE UNION BY THE GENERAL SECRETARY, OKPE UNION, BARR. KINGSLEY EHENSIRI AKPEDERIN, ON THE OCCASION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOLDEN AT THE REGISTERED OFFICE OF THE OKPE UNION, OKPE HOUSE, NO. 65, MOSHALASHI STREET, OBALENDE, IKOYI, LAGOS ON THE 15TH OF MAY 2025.
On 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 delegates 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 who 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 into 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 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 organisation of the Okpe people which 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 is 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 and declared as unlawful, the actions of our reverred monarch. We have sent emissaries to the HRM, Orhue I, so 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 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.
1. Contributed financially and morally to the success of the Okpe Cultural Day events of the National Association of Okpe Students in various Higher Institutions.
2. Sponsored and secured a number of jobs for some deserving Okpe Youths.
3. 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.
4. 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 Ele today be successful and bring about a renaissance of the Okpe Union and the Okpe Nation. Amen.
Barr. Kingsley Ehensiri Akpederin is the
General Secretary of Okpe Union.
