Professor Natufe decries marginalization of Okpe Kingdom, seeks restoration of Sapele Port

President General of the Okpe Union Worldwide, Professor Igho Natufe, has expressed concern that Okpe and Sapele are receiving less than they deserve, citing marginalization and neglect by successive governments.

He urged President Bola Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, to pay attention to the demands of the Okpe people.

Natufe laments the underdevelopment of Okpe Nation, highlighting disparities in infrastructure, education, and economic opportunities compared to other ethnic nationalities in Delta State.

He urges Okpe leaders to articulate and promote the interests of the Okpe Nation, ensuring visible and sustained growth and development ².

The Okpe Union President General also calls for the restoration of Sapele port, citing its potential to boost the local economy and reduce dependence on Lagos ports.

He emphasizes the need for recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality, which would entitle them to exclusive representation in government agencies and development commissions.

The British colonial administration’s decision to administer the Okpe people under the Urhobo umbrella led to the gradual erosion of Okpe ethnicity.

The move was a grave error that assumed a “truth” of its own over time, with the outside world and even some Okpe people referring to the Okpe as “Urhobo.”

Despite the challenges posed by colonialism, the Okpe Union, established on May 16, 1930, in Lagos, played a significant role in preserving Okpe’s identity.

The union championed the fight for the restoration of the Okpe Monarchy and succeeded in getting the British colonial regime to approve the coronation of the second Orodje of the Okpe Kingdom, Esezi II, on January 1, 1945.

The Okpe people have continued to struggle for recognition as a distinct ethnic nationality. In the 1990s, the Delta State government established a policy recognizing five ethnic groups in the state, including Anioma, Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri, and Urhobo. Unfortunately, the Okpe people were not recognized as a distinct ethnic nationality, and their identity was subsumed under the Urhobo.

In 2007, the James Ibori government established the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Law, which recognized Ndokwa as an ethnic nationality. The law also provided for the inclusion of other ethnic nationalities on the commission’s board.

However, the Okpe people were not recognized as a distinct ethnic nationality until later.

The Okpe Union, led by Professor Natufe, has continued to demand recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality.

Natufe argued that the Okpe people have a distinct language, culture, and history that sets them apart from other ethnic groups in Delta State.

He calls for the amendment of the DESOPADEC Law to recognize Okpe ethnic nationality and provide for additional slots for the Okpe Nation.

The marginalization of the Okpe Kingdom is a historical issue that requires urgent attention.

The Okpe people deserve recognition as a distinct ethnic nationality, and their contributions to the development of Delta State should be acknowledged.

The Delta State government must take concrete steps to address the concerns of the Okpe people and provide them with the recognition they deserve.

The Okpe Kingdom has faced marginalization and neglect for decades, with their identity subsumed under the Urhobo.

The Okpe Union played a significant role in preserving the Okpe identity and championing the fight for the restoration of the Okpe Monarchy.

The Okpe people have continued to struggle for recognition as a distinct ethnic nationality, with recent developments including the recognition of other ethnic nationalities in Delta State.

The Okpe Union demands recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality, with calls for the amendment of the DESOPADEC Law to provide for additional slots for the Okpe Nation.