Okpe Kingdom is one of the 24 kingdoms in the Urhobo Nation of Delta State. It is the largest of the Urhobo polities with over 1 80 towns and settlements. It is also the most populous ethnic nationality group in Urhobo and Delta State with two local government Councils namely: Okpe and Sapele. Oral tradition holds that the ancestors of the Okpe people migrated from Benin in antiquity and as a people are historically the descendants of four princely brothers namely; ORHUE, ORHORO, EVWREKE and ESEZI. The first settlement after an historic migration was at Orerokpe which is the ancestral capital city of Okpe Kingdom. The descendants of four brothers later founded other settlements, towns and villages that currently dot the landscape of the Okpe kingdom. The land of Okpe stretches from River Ethiope in the North to present day Uvwie Local Government Area in the South at Erere stream just before the flyover at Effurun. The kingdom shares common boundaries with their close neighbours of Agbarho, Agbon, Idjerhe, Oghara, Itsekiri and Uvwie.
There are 13 Districts in Okpe Kingdom. These are Aghalokpe, Amukpe, Arhagba, Elume, Mereje 1, Mereje II, Oha, Orerokpe, Ozue, Sapele, Ugborhen, Ughoton and Ugolo. Okpe dialect is part of the cluster of Urhobo language. It has certain characteristics and peculiarities which distinguish it clearly from other Urhobo dialects and which buttress the Okpe claim for its uniqueness and distinctiveness from the Urhobo confederacy.
- Three major features, among others, distinguish the Ascension to the Ancient Throne of Okpe People of Delta State by HRM, Orhue 1, CFR, mni, Orodje of Okpe. First is the Orodje’s uninterrupted rites of Ascension. It is common knowledge that Okpe People experienced a very prolonged interregnum in history until the first modem monarch, HRM, Esezi II, OBE was crowned and gazetted in 1945; and when the Royal Pot broke in 1966, we had the experience of a Regency administration of six years until 1972 when our revered King, HRM, Orhoro 1, MFR ascended the Throne. While the glorious and mythical absence of HRM, Orhoro 1, occurred in 2004, and the coronation of HRM, Orhue 1, was celebrated two years later, it was in 2004 that He effectively Ascended the Throne and was duly gazetted. The continuity of modern Okpe monarchy is, thus, remarkable.
Second, the modem Royal Palace had been built at the Adane-Okpe with the locational symbolism of the Four Princely Foundation or Ruling Houses of Okpe Kingdom. Third is the tremendous embodiment of modem norms and values undergirded by the richness of Okpe tradition and culture, the high-worth profile of education and expertise, professional attainment, national outreach and global exposure, which HRM, Orhue I, has brought upon the Throne and service of the Okpe People. The personality and regime of HRM, Orhue I demonstrate the intricate and complex blend of Okpe traditional and global modernity.
- The Royal Palace and Edion Hall
The Royal Palace and Edion Hall have been undergoing renovation and modernization in the past eight to ten years. The Palace Gate and Pavilion, and the Parkway and Car Park had been turned around several times for beautification. There has been constant up-grading of all facets and facilities, in the Udogun Hall and the conference and meeting rooms, the walkways and landscaping of the Palace Ground, Royal Reception, Living Apartment and Quarters, offices of staff and of the Otota-Okpe as well as the general atmosphere of the Palace have all been touched with elements of decoration and supervised upkeeps. HRM has transformed the Edion Hall by demolishing the old rusty building and replaced it with the present magnificent Hall/Event Centre to host multi-purpose activities; and for which the appreciable contributions of DESOPADEC and Okpe Traditional Council are warmly acknowledged. It is hardly known or appreciated that the Royal Palace Grounds are only about 40 percent presently developed which allows huge land available for HRM to look ahead for future expansion and transformation.
- On Administration
In addition to the inherent authority of the Orodje in the traditional administration of Okpe Kingdom, there are the institutions of Okpe Supreme Council of Chiefs, (Udogun-Okpe), Okpe Traditional Council, and the Districts whose Heads are appointed by the Orodje. HRM, Orhue I, increased the Districts in recent times from 12 to 13 for a much more effective administration. In the same vein, HRM has been tackling the menace of criminality and community disputes in Okpe Kingdom through various structures and mechanisms which include: (i) control and harnessing of youth excesses by strengthening community executive committees and active vigilante systems; (ii) effective liaison with the two Local Government Councils of Sapele and Okpe, the State Government, and the three arms of security agencies in the kingdom – Army, Police, and SSS in Sapele and Okpe Local Government Areas; (iii) establishment of Udogun Education committee composed of chiefs and primary education stakeholders, and which holds monthly meetings to discuss and act on the challenges of the primary and secondary schools in the 13 Districts of the Kingdom in Sapele and Okpe Local Government Areas.
Through these ways and methods, HRM, Orhue I, has kept successful hold on the affairs of the kingdom particularly of the challenges posed by community conflicts such as in Ugborhen, Ekokor and! Eroghor, Amukpe and Sapele, Aghalokpe, and even in Orerokpe. The menace of violent criminal conduct like armed robbery, youth excesses, petroleum pipeline vandalization, kidnapping, and cattle herdsmen have been highly minimized and even eliminated under the outstanding watch and traditional authority of HRM, Orhue 1. Outside the emergent upsurge of cultism, particularly among the youthful population, Okpe Kingdom enjoys relative peace, stability and harmony within the communities in the two Local Government Areas, by Okpe indigenes, residents and non-indigenes; for corporate and business activities, and with neighbouring communities and kingdoms.
It is remarkable that HRM, Orhue I has established for the kingdom the system of budgeting and accountability in the activities of the Udogun-Okpe and Okpe Traditional Council. This is a mark of modernity and good government. Similarly, HRM, Orhue I, has established for the kingdom through the Okpe Chieftaincy Committee, a relatively rigorous process of being conferred with Okpe Traditional Chieftaincy Title, that is, Okakuro (Male) or Ohovwore (Female). The purpose is largely to ensure a good measure of integrity by holders of the title which is a rare privilege of H RM.
- Izu-Okpe (The Queen)
Her Royal Highness, Wife of the Orodje is traditionally, the “Mother of the Okpe People” – Izu-Okpe. On the official installation and coronation of HRM, Orhue I, in 2006, Izu-Okpe, Queen Doris Mujakperuo, embarked upon two significant annual events, previously unknown in Okpe Kingdom, namely: (i) Izu-Okpe Annual Children Party which she organizes during the Christmas and New Year Yuletide. The event attracts children even outside the kingdom – Okpe and non-Okpe, as well as children of families resident in Sapele and Okpe LGAs – and adorned with carnival festivities. It has become an institution which children in the kingdom look towards, with enthusiasm and happy expectations, and which generates unity, integration, peace and consciousness of the Okpe kingdom in the minds of our children, (ii) Izu-Okpe organizes, with assistance of the Okpe Palace Ladies, Annual Visits to Orphanage Homes, General Hospitals in Orerokpe and Sapele and the Leprosarium at Jeddo in the Kingdom at which places she demonstrates the values of love and care. She hands out various gift items in the name of Okpe Kingdom and HRM, Orhue I, the Orodje.
- Institutional Values and Infrastructure
The national and global personality of HRM, Orhue I, CFR, mni, resonates throughout Okpe Kingdom and beyond. He stands out in the comity of traditional rulers in Urhobo land, Delta State, the South-South zone, and in national venues of roll-call. He helps the State Government and fellow traditional rulers in settlement of disputes and inter- community conflicts. In all this, HRM brings his professional credentials and experience as a lawyer and Army General (Rtd) to bear upon deliberations, discourses, and settlement of disputes and conflicts. For Okpe Kingdom, HRM, Orhue I, venerates enormous impact of love and respect across over the 180 Okpe communities including large and complex urban and semi-urban communities of Sapele, Orerokpe, Okuokoko and Osubi, Amukpe, Jeddo-Ugbokodo-Ughoton, Mereje, Egborode, Adeje, among the others.
The State Government has been very helpful in the consolidation and expansion process of development of Okpe Kingdom which has been of major interest to HRM.
Sapele: While the completion of the Sapele modern market anc Sports Stadium has been bogged by challenges of revenue, the continuous rehabilitation of roads in Sapele Township with street lights is commendable. The market and stadium are critical to the development of the Sapele metropolis.
Orerokpe Secondary School: When Baptist High School, Orerokpe was handed over to the Baptist Mission, there was no Governmen Secondary school in the ancestral city of the Kingdom; and most parents and guardians could not afford payment of the exorbitan school fees and other charges of the private secondary school. HRA took it as a challenge, and appealed, together with fellow sons an daughters in and around Government, to the immediate past Governo of the State, His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan ti establish a public secondary school in Orerokpe. The Governo graciously granted the request; hence, we now have the co educational secondary institution, named: as Orerokpe Seconder School. His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori in 2025 relocated two faculties of the Southern Delta University to Orerokpe and immediately commenced the construction of the University Campus. Today the influence of the University Campus as brought tremendous development to Orerokpe Town.
Orerokpe City Roods: A few years ago, the majority of the roads and streets in Orerokpe were in deplorable conditions; and the failed roads added to the low level of social and economic activities of the people. HRM, Orhue I, took it as a major challenge and appealed to the Governor, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Arthur Okowa. The Governor responded, and within his first year in office, he undertook repairs and reconstruction of the roads. His Excellency Sheriff Oborevwori as continued with the the tempo he met and he has progressively turned most of the roads in Orerokpe Town to very beautiful roads.
Livelihoods in Orerokpe has, thus, eased up relatively today. In addition, the Oha to Orerokpe road together with the Oho bridge has been completed.
Modern Market, Orerokpe: As a prelude to the massive attention for development of Orerokpe City in the Urban Renewal Programme of the State Government within the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, the State Government in response to the yearning of H RM, Orhue I, and the Okpe People, has completed the Orerokpe Modern Market. Since completed, the local economy and socio-cultural activities of Orerokpe has grown with inflow of capital and resources from Effurun metropolis affecting the environs of Orerokpe tremendously. The Orerokpe-Oviri-Arhagba road is nearing completion.
Other Points of Physical infrastructure
Outside of Orerokpe and Sapele, the glow of the Orodje’s personality has drawn concerns of the State Government to many other Okpe Communities. These include, among others, Jeddo to Ughoton Road; Deghele to Elume Road; Okuabude to Okwetolor to Okobia to Arhagba with spurs to Okwegume and Okuovwisi; and Opuraja to Kpokpogri to Okwuvo Road.
- Conclusion
Okpe People and communities are hugely blessed by the Ascension to the Okpe Throne by HRM, Orhue I, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom and to the glory of God the election of their son, His Excellency, Sheriff Oborevwori as the Governor of Delta State. Our blessings goes fully to the Almighty God.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF THE ORODJE OF OKPE
His Royal Majesty, Felix Mujakperuo, Orhue I, CFR, mni, Orodje of Okpe was born in Opuraja on 4th December 1946 to late John Erhinojare Okegbe Mujakperuo of Opuraja and late Mrs. Esenavboke Mujakperuo (nee Odibo) of Amuaokolo both of Okpe Communities. He attended Urhobo College Effurun from 1962 to 1966. After his secondary education, he worked briefly as a clerical officer with the former Govern merit Coastal Agency Apapa Lagos, before he joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna as an Officer Cadet. He was commissioned in 1971 as an Infantry Officer.
As an Army Officer, the Orodje attended several military and civil courses where he distinguished himself as a man of great valour and intelligence. Some of these courses are the young Officers’ Course (Jaji); Infantry Officers Basic Course (USA); Airborne Course (USA); Battalion Support Weapons Course (India); Staff College (Jaji); Senior Command Course (India); Military Police Advanced Course (USA); Judge Advocate General’s Course (USA); and Humanitarian Law Course for the Armed Forces (Italy).
While in the service of the Nigerian Army, His Royal Majesty, took study leave to read Law at the University of Lagos. He successfully completed the programme within record time and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Nigerian Bar. He later proceeded to the Judge Advocate General’s Schools, USA for his Maters. He holds LL.B (Hons.) B.L. and LLM degrees. He is also a graduate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru, Plateau State and was awarded Member of the National Institute (mni). His Royal Majesty received many awards and honours in the course of his career.
He was the best All Round Cadet of Regular 5 at the NDA; Honours Graduate at the Army Military Police School, Ft. Maclean Alabama USA; Distinguished Allied Graduate at the Judge Advocate General’s School USA; Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR); Meritorious Service Star (MSS); Force Service Star (FSS); Silver Jubilee Medal (SJM); United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL Medal; and ECOMOG Medal.
In his long and meritorious career in the Nigerian Army, His Royal Majesty held sensitive appointments. He served as a Company Commander; Battalion Commander; Director, Army Legal Services; Brigade Commander, ECOMOG Liberia; Chief of Staff, ECOMOG Liberia; Provost Marshall of the Nigerian Army; Chief of Operations, Nigerian Army Headquarters; General Officer Commanding, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army Enugu; General Officer Commanding, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army Ibadan; Force Commander, ECOMOG, Sierra Leone; and Commander Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Nigeria Army, Minna.
His Royal Majesty has enormous international experience and connections. He was one of the Fourteen International Advisers to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva from 2001 to 2003. The Committee met twice annually and reviewed the Operations of the ICRC worldwide. His Royal Majesty has traveled very widely. Some of the countries he has visited include: Great Britain, USA, India, Lebanon, Israel, China, Switzerland, Venezuela, Germany, Egypt, Belgium, Sierra Leone, Niger, Republic of Benin, Mali, Kenya, Ethiopia, Liberia and Italy.
His Royal Majesty voluntarily retired from the Nigerian Army in 1999, and subsequently joined the Law firm of M.J. Partnership; solicitors in Lagos. It was in this capacity of private legal practitioner that his sense of duty, responsibility, patriotism and love for his people and Fatherland induced his making himself available for service as the Traditional Head of the Okpe People.
As a distinguished son of the Okpe Kingdom, he had been instrumental to developmental efforts across the kingdom. His Royal Majesty Orhue I, is the Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukw University, Igbariam, Anambra State. His Royal Majesty is also the first Vice Chairman o Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers. He is the Vice Chairman of the South Soutf Monarchs Forum.
The Okpe monarch has enormous sense of humor. He is a resilient, creative, sagacious objective, and incorruptible personality. The Orodje has brought tremendous honour oni dignity to the traditional institution, especially to the Okpe Traditional Council. Hi records of excellent and unsurpassable service to his people and country ar heartwarming.
His Royal Majesty is married to Mrs. Doris Mujakperuo (nee Odjuvwuderhire) of Ijakp Mereje in Okpe Local Government. Her mother, the late Madam Anna Emagun (ne Idoko) was from Ugbimidaka, Elume, Sapele LGA. Their marriage is blessed with five children.
POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF OKPE KINGDOM
- ORODJE OF OKPE: The Okpe people are traditionally organized as a kingdom and are administered through the institution of monarchy called Orodje and with a Council of Chiefs known as Udogun-Okpe (Okpe Supreme Council). The Orodje is invested with the supreme social, cultural and traditional powers over the Okpe people.
The Orodje has prerogative authority of conferment of chieftaincy titles. Pronouncements of the Orodje are authoritative and binding on all Okpe people and non-Okpe people who reside within the Kingdom.
- UDOGUN-OKPE: The Udogun-Okpe is the highest decision making body oi the Okpe people. The Council comprises of the Orodje which is the Chairman and al! the Ekakuros (Chiefs). The Council formulates rules, regulations, policies and programmes that govern the people in their traditional sphere.
- OKPE TRADITIONAL COUNCIL:
The composition of this Council is made up of the Heads of the 4 Ruling-Houses, the 12 District Heads and appointees of the Orodje. The Council advises the Orodje on al traditional matters. This Council is created by law of Delta State. Both Udogun-Okpe and Okpe Traditional Council operate in collaboration and harmony in the affairs of the Okpe people.
- OKPEAGBAMUA-ENI:
This is the assembly of all Chiefs, the representatives of all the Communities in the kingdom, accredited groups and organizations. This forum meets at least once in a yeai and provides meaningful input into the decision making process of the Kingdom. Al decisions of the Agbamua-eni-Okpe are binding on all Okpe sons and daughters.
- ONU-OKPE: The Onu-Okpe is institutionally the next to the Orodje of Okpe in hierarchy. He is the official spokesman of the kingdom. The Onu-Okpe epitomizes the auro and authority of the Orodje and of the Udogun-Okpe.