President General of Okpe Union, Prof Igho Natufe, on Saturday says Okpe Union is crafting a pathway to the redemption of the Okpe Nation.
‘’We are certain of victory in crafting a pathway to the redemption of the Okpe Nation, no matter how tedious and painful the struggle might be. But first, we need to sensitize fellow Okpe nationals on the imperative of retrieving our independence in accordance with the historical foundation of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality’’.
Natufe expressed this optimism on Saturday in Lagos during the 94th anniversary of Okpe Union.
‘’This distinctiveness informs us that Okpe is Okpe, and not a “clan” of any other ethnic nationality in Nigeria or anywhere in the world. As stated elsewhere, “When a people do not know who they are, or equivocate about their identity and seek coverage under the identity of a different ethnic group or a nation, then they are as good as lost in the wilderness”.
Addressing a gathering of Okpe Union members in Nigeria and the Diaspora, Natufe called for unified efforts from Okpe sons and daughters towards building Okpe Nation.
‘’We, Okpe are not lost. We have forever extinguished the sarcastic saying that “Okpe a mẹ rhen”, (“Okpe are asleep,”), a sarcasm which has hurt the consciousness of the Okpe in so many ways. We proudly declare that Okpe i rhọ-mọn nẹ (Okpe have awakened).It was on the basis of this historical fact that we sought the recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality in our letter to the (then) Governor of Delta State, H.E. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa in June 2021. We have decided to re-submit the letter to his successor, H.E. Okakuro Sheriff Oborevwori in due course’’.
He urged Okpe sons and daughters to support the Okpe Union so that it can stand up to the challenges facing the country and be in a position to represent Okpe interest well in the comity of Nigeria’s, indeed the world’s ethnic nationalities.
The renowned academic, essayist and human rights activist reiterated that with the strong support of the people, victory is assured.
‘’The drive for greater Okpe identity is crucial and timely. One cannot be born an Okpe man and become non-Okpe in his life time, except by choice of an insignificant few who live outside the homeland or indeed outside the Country. I am yet to see one though. We must therefore defend who we are and pass a better nation to our successors. The Okpe Union and the Okpe People’s Forum must collaborate to lead the way”.
He also emphasized the total commitment of the Okpe Nation in constructing a democratic structure anchored on the recognition of the independence of indigenous ethnic nationalities and the Rule of Law in the polity.
‘’We firmly believe that all indigenous ethnic nationalities, irrespective of their population size and territorial vastness are equal partners in ensuring the survival, growth and development of Nigeria. We also firmly believe that the oppression or subjugation of one indigenous ethnic nationality is an assault on the sovereignty of all indigenous ethnic nationalities. This solidarity underlines the commitment of the Okpe Nation in constructing a democratic structure anchored on the recognition of the independence of indigenous ethnic nationalities and the Rule of Law in the polity, jointly shared by all ethnic nationalities that constitute the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is in the spirit of this solidarity that we join the Ijaw Nation in celebrating the 56th Boro Day in honour of late Major Isaac Adaka Boro, whose gallantry in 1966 placed the plight of Nigeria’s minority ethnic nationalities on the national agenda’’.
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