ORODJE OF OKPE KINGDOM SUB-PALACE FOUNDATION LAYING CEREMONY SAPELE: History fulfilled
“History books say that kings and dukes and generals start wars. Don’t believe it. We start them, you and I. Every time we turn away, keep quiet, stay out of it, behave ourselves.”― Jennifer Donnelly, Stepsister. For those who knows the people of Okpe Kingdom, an ethnic nationality in the Urhobo land, they knew it is an ethnic nationality that have all the human and natural resources like others with two local government areas namely, Okpe and Sapele. From time immemorial history have always beckon on this noble people who I most cases referred to as the chosen ones. We the people of Okpe were created by God from day one, love, peace, unity and leadership were part of their blessings hence today, there is nowhere you will go in the kingdom that one will not come across thousands of visitors such as Ibos, Yorubas, Hausas, Itsekiri, Ijaws, Urhobos, Benins, foreign nationals and many more. With their ancestral home, Orerokpe which also serves as the head quarter of Okpe Local Government Area, there are so many towns and cities in this blessed kingdom that even the best friend will lay claim to it not to talk of designated enemies. With four ruling houses representing the founders of the kingdom, as at today the kingdom has so many towns and still growing with abundant land and mineral resources.
Growing up in one of the best communities, Okuetolor, my late father, Esivwenughwu Oghojimi always tell us story of Okpe Kingdom. In one occasion, he said that the Okpe Kingdom has a plan to build a sub Palace at Sapele, Aghalokpe and Jeddo outside Orerokpe. According to him, if the Orodje visits the areas he should have a place to relax and since then I have been having this thought in my heart. So, when the news broke out that on the 24th January 2026, the sub-palace in Sapele will be inaugurated, I knew that this is another history being fulfilled by the people of this great kingdom. On this very day, several activities in the kingdom were shut down including markets. The journey from Orerokpe to Sapele took several hours because of the motorcade and people from all works of life standing along the roads to catch a glimpse of His Royal Majesty while the King waves to all and sundry, himself being a man that loves humanity. Accompanied by members of Udogun-in Council and community chairmen including the spiritual head of the Kingdom, the shouts of Umogu! Umogu!! Umogu!! rented the air before arriving at Amukpe in Sapele local Government Area of Delta State. The respected President General of Okpe Union Worldwide, Chief Godwin Atose and his executives were noticeable among the crowds.
At Amukpe the number of those waiting to join the King has increased tremendously with dancers and drummer boys leading the crowd. Even though it is not a school day, school children with their neat clothes began to do what they knew best and at Okirighwre, and Amuogodo it has become like an Olympic carnival. Why would it not be a carnival, seeing the King who loves others more than himself. The king was driven round the entire Sapele, his own community without any molestation. The security personnel were on ground but extremely polite, discipline and friendly. A military officer once told me in Lagos then that the most peaceful people on earth are kings and since then I have no reason doubting him. The crowd is still increasing. People from all works of life including the Hausas, Yorubas, Ibos, Ijaws, Itsekiri, Benins, Ishans, Esakos, Ghanians to mention but a few have team up with the people of Okpe Kingdom to welcome the Orodje to his home, Sapele, which is one of the local government areas that made up Okpe Kingdom. On arrival at the venue of the foundation laying ceremony, it appears that Manchester City stadium have been relocated to the venue to cater for all manner of visitors and invited guests.
Shortly after the necessary formalities the foundation of Okpe Kingdom Sub-Palace, Sapele was laid by Orhue 1, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom to the Glory of God. “THE SUB PALACE IS THE SYMBOL OF MY AUTHORITY IN SAPELE” —-Orodje of Okpe Kingdom. The press was not left out including the popular Delta Rainbow Television. With the conclusion the entire Okpe Kingdom was thrown into absolute jubilation. Immediately after the foundation ceremony, while on six hours’ journey, there was a debate on who owns Sapele. A man who introduces himself as Urodemi Tuoyo in the passenger bus said, “Please those claiming that Sapele is not an Okpe Town should be ignore by all sons and daughters of Itsekiri. Sapele is Okpe and Okpe is Sapele. During the Warri crises, many of those you call leaders in Itsekiri today were smuggled to Ukraine and other European countries only for poor children to die in the avoidable war. We Itsekiri are wiser now”. Also, Orighomisan Joe said, “Sapele belongs to Okpe. Itsekiri should go home and develop their ancestral home rather than dragging other people’s land”.
Joseph Esivwenughwu is the former Chairman of Okuetolor Community Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State Nigeria.
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