Okpe Union Inaugurates New Board of Trustees

The Okpe Union has inaugurated a new Board of Trustees (BoT) at its national headquarters in Lagos, marking a historic milestone for the nation’s oldest registered ethnic union.

The event took place at Okpe House, 65 Moshalashi Street, Obalende, Ikoyi, and drew top leaders, including the President General, Prof. Igho Natufe.

Addressing attendees, Prof. Natufe said the inauguration followed a Federal High Court ruling, which validated the authority of the legitimate Okpe Union leadership to appoint new trustees. “The Trustees we are appointing today will fill a missing page in the governance structure of the Okpe Union,” he said, describing the event as a new chapter in the Union’s history.

Those inaugurated include Dr. (Mrs.) Rose Atarhe-Abuh as Chairperson, Barrister Felix Orere as Secretary, and members Mr. Bernard Adibor, Ms. Dora Omuvwie, Mr. Patrick Akpotor, Mrs. Florence Oseragbaje, Mrs. Mary Johnson, Hon. Patrick Ovwile, Chief Remi Rita Onomakpome, Rev. Frank Ojogwa Ekejija, and Dr. Evans Igho Akpo.

Prof. Natufe commended Okpe nationals in Nigeria and the Diaspora for their strategic advice and financial support, noting their role in sustaining the Union’s advocacy for good governance and rule of law.

He emphasized that the Union remains committed to unity, cultural pride, and socio-economic advancement of the Okpe people.

Dr. Atarhe-Abuh, in her acceptance speech, described the inauguration as a defining chapter for the Union. “We do so with a firm resolve to discharge our duties with integrity, diligence, and fairness.

Together, we shall strengthen the Union, promote transparency, and ensure our initiatives reflect the aspirations of the Okpe people,” she said.

She also pledged to collaborate closely with the National Executive Council and stakeholders, urging all members to remain actively engaged in the Union’s progress.

The inauguration follows the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja ruling (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/395), which vacated an earlier order obtained by an illegal faction and empowered the legitimate leadership to appoint new trustees.

This ruling reinforced a previous Lagos High Court judgment declaring the leadership appointed by HRM Orhue I, Orodje of Kingdom in 2020 as illegal.