Plans on how to restore the old glory days of the ancient timber city of Sapele in Okpe Kingdom of Delta State took centre stage at the maiden reunion and business summit of Sapele Memories and Development Foundation (SMDF) on Friday.
Sapele Memories and Development Foundation is a body of successful professionals who are passionate about restoring normalcy as well as attracting investments to Sapele.
Sapele, one of the ancient and bubbling cities in the then-Bendel State now Delta, is host to several companies from the 1960s, including African Timber and Plywood (AT&P) and one of the oldest seaports in the country.
But for some years, the once bubbling seaport town has witnessed a decline both in social, educational, and economic angles, which resulted in many companies exiting the timber city.
But taking turns to speak at the business summit organised by the group at the Sapele Athletic Club in Sapele, stakeholders lamented the fall of the city’s commerce and other areas that once made the city thick and homely to all.
They, however, express optimism that with such initiative by Sapele Memories, the rebirth of the city had begun.
Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who was a special guest of honour at the event, noted that shared experiences of the people of Sapele transcend political, ethnic, and religious divides.
Oborevwori, represented by the State Commissioner for Works (Rural and Urban Roads), noted that Sapele, though an Okpe town, remains a home for all, irrespective of tribe, and has bred some of the finest professionals in the country.
The governor, while commending the Sapele Memories and Development Foundation’s efforts in restoring the old glory days of Sapele, noted that such an initiative falls within his administration’s MORE Agenda for an inclusive development of the state.
According to him, his government was taking some giant strides in revamping the decaying infrastructure in the ancient city to open it up for commerce and investment.
To this end, the governor said his administration has awarded contracts for the construction of 15 kilometres of internal roads as well as the contract for the reconstruction of the dilapidated Garmon Bridge in the Okirighwre area of the city.
“What you’re doing here may look just like a gathering of like minds, but for us in government, we see it as part of the agenda that the government is pushing forward, which is to give opportunities for all,” Oborevwori stated.
He added that his administration knows the developmental needs of Sapele, stressing that the rebirth of Sapele city had just begun.
Oborevwori, who lauded members of the group drawn from various political parties and religious affiliations, hinted that as a government, he was more interested in joining all, irrespective of political or ethnic lineage, to develop the state.
According to him, “I can see individuals who belong to different political parties and different religious persuasions bound together and gathered here in the spirit of Sapele. It is part of the vision of Governor Oborevwori to build one Delta; with all intents and purposes, we are looking forward to a state where all of us can gather, irrespective of our different political persuasions.
“By the grace of God, I have been saddled with the responsibility of supervising some of the roads we are doing in Sapele at the moment. We are looking forward to a state where all of us can gather to move our state forward, irrespective of our political differences.
“Oborevwori knows the developmental needs of Sapele, and I can tell you that, in our quest to revamp infrastructure in Sapele, we have awarded contracts for the construction of over 15km of internal roads.
“To fast track the construction of these roads, we have provided mobilisation, as much as 40 per cent in some cases, to the various contractors we have given these different jobs.
“So, I can assure you that the development of Sapele again has begun and that by the time we complete some of the projects, Sapele will become better than you used to know. We are doing it because we want to provide the enabling environment for businesses to thrive again, which is also part of what you are doing, which is very commendable.”
In his remark, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Major General Felix Mujakperuo (rtd.), Orhue I, CFR, mni, reassured that “Sapele’s better days are here” with strong commendable for the organisers.
Orhue 1 recalled that though many business opportunities were missed in the past, he was ready to collaborate with groups, individuals, and government at all levels to return Sapele, a major city in his kingdom, to its true pride of place among cities in Nigeria.
Orodje of Okpe, who was accompanied to the event by his royal colleague and Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, His Majesty, King Monday Obukohwo Whiskey Ph.D., Udurhie 1, urged residents to join hands with the government to tame the rising insecurity in the city.
The monarch regrets that past political misfortunes had hindered the growth of Sapele as well as missed the golden opportunity to become a state capital.
“What you have done today is something that will be remembered for years to come. I urge you to strive for a resurgence of Sapele’s historical significance in Nigeria. You have my full backing in this task,” Orodje added.
Meanwhile, chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Information, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, called for the establishment of a higher institution in Sapele.
While reminiscing about his early life in Sapele, Oyovbaire remarked that Sapele used to be a vibrant and commercially striving city until everything nosedived.
He noted that despite the underdevelopment of the city, Safarians remain united and hospitable, adding that Sapele deserves infrastructural upgrades and industries.
“Let’s think of what we can do to make Sapele better. Sapele deserves a higher institution, possibly a university, industry, and economic activities,” he remarked.
The former information called on Sapele people to invest in education, infrastructure, and economic opportunities to secure a brighter future for the city and her people.
On his part, keynote speaker at the event, Senator Ighoyota Amori, called on successful individuals in Sapele to invest in the development of the city.
Delivering a lecture on the theme “Giving Back”, Senator Amori emphasised the need for the establishment of projects that will foster communal growth and development of the city.
He recalled the glory days of Sapele from the 1800s when the city was booming with development from the second largest timber company in the world (the now moribund African Timber and Plywood, A T and P), among others, that made Sapele unique in terms of industrialisation.
“We are all men and women today at our own level of success. Sapele was indeed a melting point. The rebirth of Sapele is here if we can foster communal unity and trust. Sapele’s industrialisation must be sustained and jealously guided. Our people must invest in this city,” Amori further remarked.
Meanwhile, the President of Sapele Memories and Development Foundation (SMDF), Prof. Hope Eghagha, said the group facilitated 57 free surgeries as part of activities marking the maiden activities of the group, saying that the surgeries were conducted by a team of medical doctors from the United States of America.
Prof. Eghagha, while calling for unity and peace in Sapele, noted that the body will work assiduously with individuals, groups, the government, and the Orodje of Okpe Palace for the most-desired rapid development of the city.
The event was attended by dignitaries including Chief Peter Asagba, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Chief Julius Egbedi, Gabriel Otuedon Eyide, and Dr. Frank Ojogwa.
