By:
PROF. O. IGHO NATUFE
PRESIDENT GENERAL
OKPE UNION (WORLDWIDE)

On December 26, 2024, a mighty heart stopped beating in Mereje, the heart of the Generalissimo of Okpe Identity, Rev. Dr. Charles Ereraina Osume. As we join the Osume Family and friends to mourn his passing, we must at the same time celebrate his Life for the legacies he has bequeathed us.

Mereje has blessed Okpe Nation with illustrious children, including Mr. Thomas O. Ake, the Founding President of the Okpe Union and Rev. Dr. Osume who exemplified the true characteristics of a patriotic Okpe son as evidenced in his commitment to the promotion and defence of Okpe interests globally. A Founding Member of the Okpe Union of North America, as well as a Founding Member of the Okpe Voice, Rev. Dr. Osume demonstrated his leadership skills and influenced scores of fellow Okpe nationals on issues affecting Okpe Nation. It is a glorious coincidence that we are eulogizing Rev. Dr. Osume today, less than two months to the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of Okpe Union in 1930.

His quiet disposition is loaded with persuasively powerful thoughts, logic and reason. A consummate peace-maker, Rev. Dr. Osume was always guided by truth and justice in resolving conflicts. He believed in speaking truth to power.

When Okpe Voice established the Institute of Okpe Studies in 2008, Rev. Dr. Osume was the logical choice as the Founding Director. And when the Institute metamorphosed to the Centre for Okpe Studies in 2024, he played a pivotal role in the appointment of the leadership of the Centre. He served Okpe Nation without asking for what Okpe Nation can do for him. He was constantly challenging himself on what he can do for Okpe Nation as demonstrated by his series of selfless services to Okpe Nation.

Thanks to his tireless and selfless services, he led the Okpe Christian Assembly (OCA) in producing an Okpe Language Bible, to ensure that Okpe Nationals can communicate with God via the Bible in Okpe Language. The Okpe Union shall collaborate with the OCA in actualizing the dreams of Rev. Dr. Osume and the OCA. Towards this end, the DPG of Okpe Union’s Home Region, Dr. Lucky Akpere shall liaise with Exegete Dr. A. Nathaniel Agbikimi of the OCA to map out the modalities of the collaboration.

Rev. Dr. Osume also laid a solid foundation for the study and research in Okpe History when he published his seminal book entitled The Okpe People, a book which established beyond doubts that Okpe is a distinct ethnic nationality and not a “clan” of any other nationality anywhere in the world. I was honoured when in 2005 he asked me to write the Forward to The Okpe People. I can declare very proudly that we all grew out of the pages of The Okpe People. It was gratifying when in early September 2024, Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Osume asked Okpe Union to acquire 1,600 copies of The Okpe People, which we promptly agreed to. This acquisition makes Okpe Union the custodian of The Okpe People, a responsibility which we cherish greatly. In honour of Rev. Dr. Osume, the National Executive Council of the Okpe Union has decided to give a copy of the book to each participant at the 95th Anniversary of the Okpe Union at its Annual General Assembly on May 15 – 18, 2025.

This tribute will be incomplete without saluting the gallantry of Mrs. Florence Osume. She stood by and supported Rev. Dr. Osume for almost six decades of their marriage through the rigours of life in Nigeria, the harsh wintery years in the Canadian cities of Winnipeg and Waterloo, in the provinces of Manitoba and Ontario, respectively, and the warmth of Dallas, Texas, USA. Her immense contribution to the propagation of Okpe Identity must be recognized. We salute you, our dear wife, Florence. We thank you and your children, Nathan and Joy, for allowing us to share Rev. Dr. Osume with you. We also salute the Osume Family for inviting us to participate in the funeral services of Rev. Dr. Osume.

We pray to God to grant Mrs. Florence Osume, Nathan, Joy and the entire Osume family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. We pray for his transition to be smooth and peaceful. We give thanks to God for the successful life of Rev. Dr. Charles Ereraina Osume. May God bless his soul.