The Okpe Union has inaugurated a new
board of trustees (BoT).
The event was held on Sunday at the
Okpe Union headquarters in Lagos, the nation’s commercial capital.
Top Okpe leaders, including the
President General of Okpe Union, Prof Igho Natufe, attended the inauguration.
“We are gathered here today, at the
National Headquarters and Registered Office of the Okpe Union, No. 65,
Moshalashi Street, Obalende, Ikoyi, Lagos State, to appoint new Trustees for
the Incorporated Trustees of Okpe Union, as ordered by the Federal High Court,
Lagos. On behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union, it
is my profound pleasure to welcome you all to this historic event, which opens
a new page in the glorious History of the Okpe Union; the oldest registered
Ethnic Union in Nigeria. The Trustees we are appointing today will fill the
missing page in the governance structure of the Okpe Union” President General
of Okpe Union, Prof Igho Natufe said during the inauguration.
Those inaugurated include Dr. (Mrs.)
Rose Atarhe-Abuh as Chairperson and Barrister Felix Orere as secretary.
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 were also inaugurated as members of the Okpe Union Board of
Trustees.
Natufe commended Okpe nationals,
including those not formally members of the Okpe Union, in Nigeria and the
Diaspora, for their strategic advice and selfless financial contributions which
have sustained the union in its advocacy for good governance and the rule of
law in Okpe Nation.
“Together, we are a united force for
the growth and development of the Okpe Nation. And together with other
indigenous ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, we will define the restructuring of
Nigeria’s federalism where each ethnic nationality exercises its sovereignty in
a truly Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He said ‘’On April 30, 2024, the
Federal High of Nigeria sitting in Abuja (Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/395) vacated its
earlier order which was surreptitiously obtained by the illegal group of the
Okpe Union and ordered the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to expunge their
names from the CAC’s records.
“The order granted us, the
legitimate Okpe Union, the authority to appoint new Trustees for the Okpe
Union. The ruling of the Federal High Court Abuja is consistent with the
earlier judgement of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos (Suit No.
FHC/L/CS/603/2022), which had declared the leadership appointed by HRM, Orhue
l, Orodje of Kingdom, on October 3, 2020, as illegal on January 19, 2023.”
While the judgement of the Federal
High Court Lagos had already nullified and voided the illegal group’s Board of Trustees,
the ruling of the Federal High Court Abuja pointedly paved the path for the
legitimate leadership of the Okpe Union to appoint new Trustees for Okpe Union.
On October 27, 2025, the National
Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union filed a motion before the Honourable
Justice Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, praying the Honourable Court
to grant Okpe Union leave to appoint new Trustees for the Incorporated Trustees
of the Okpe Union.
At the Federal High Court of Nigeria
in the Lagos Judicial Division on Wednesday, the 14th day of January, 2026
before his lordship Hon. Justice Y. Bogoro, via Suit No. FHC/L/MISC/1153/2025,
leave was granted to the Okpe Union “to convene a meeting and appoint new
Trustees for the Incorporated Trustees of Okpe Union in line with the
Provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020” and for “the
Corporate Affairs Commission to register the Trustees to be appointed by the
Applicant upon satisfaction with the Provision of the Companies and Allied
Matters Act”.
In her acceptance speech, Dr
Atarhe-Abuh described the inauguration of the Board of Trustees as a defining
chapter in the continued growth and strengthening of the Okpe Union.
“I stand before you today with a
deep sense of honour, humility, and responsibility, following the successful
inauguration of our Board of Trustees at this meeting today Sunday, the 22nd of
March, 2026, held here at Okpe House, 65 Moshalashi Street, Obalende, Ikoyi,
Lagos. This moment is not merely ceremonial; it is a defining chapter in the
continued growth and strengthening of the Okpe Union. I am profoundly grateful
for the confidence reposed in me and my fellow members of the Board of
Trustees. Your trust is both inspiring and humbling, and we do not take it for
granted.”
She expressed her appreciation to
all members of the Okpe Union worldwide.
“Your unwavering support,
encouragement, and commitment to the ideals of our Union have made this day
possible. Your dedication to preserving our heritage, fostering unity and
advancing the welfare of the Okpe people remains the bedrock of our collective
success.”
The BOT Chairperson promised to
discharge her duties with integrity, diligence, and fairness
“On behalf of my colleagues on the
Board of Trustees, I hereby formally accept this appointment. We do so with a
full understanding of the responsibilities entrusted to us and with a firm
resolve to discharge our duties with integrity, diligence, and fairness. We are
committed to upholding the constitution of the Okpe Union and safeguarding its
values for present and future generations.”
She also pledged to work
harmoniously with the National Executive Council and all Stakeholders.
“We recognize that the progress of
our Union depends on collaboration and mutual respect among all its organs. In
this regard, we pledge to work harmoniously with the National Executive Council
and all Stakeholders. Together, we shall strive to strengthen the structures of
our Union, promote transparency and accountability, and ensure that our
programmes and initiatives truly reflect the aspirations of the Okpe people.”
Her words: ‘’At a time when unity
and purposeful leadership are most needed, we must rise above individual
differences and focus on our shared vision. The Okpe Union must continue to
serve as a beacon of hope, cultural pride, and socio-economic advancement for
our people. We are determined to contribute meaningfully towards this noble
cause. Let me also acknowledge the efforts of those who have served before us.
Their dedication and sacrifices have laid a solid foundation upon which we now
build. We are inspired by their legacy and committed to sustaining and
surpassing the standards they have set’’.
She called upon every member of the
Okpe Union to remain actively engaged and supportive.
“The strength of our Union lies in
our unity, and together, there is no limit to what we can achieve. I assure you
that we shall serve with utmost sincerity and in the best interest of the Okpe
people at all times” she added.