Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Major General Felix Mujakperuo (rtd.), Orhue I, CFR, mni, has lamented the underdevelopment of the ancient Sapele town in Okpe Kingdom.
The revered Nigerian first-class monarch noted that Sapele as one of the first generation commercial city in the country had been abandoned by successive governments both at the state and the federal levels.
Orodje of Okpe stated this when the leadership of Sapele Memories and Development Foundation (SMDF) led by Chief Rosalyn Egborge (Mrs), a member of the foundation’s Board of Trustees (BOT),paid him a courtesy visit at the Okpe palace in Orerokpe in the state.
Orhue, while reminiscing on his childhood memories in Sapele, said as the traditional ruler of the ancient timber town of Sapele, he would support any move to restore the lost glory of the oil-rich city.
The royal father also called for the resuscitation of Sapele seaport and other ports in the Niger Delta, noting such moves will help the socio-economic strength of the Okpe town and other towns in the South-South region.
He blamed the non-functionality of seaports in the region on politics, and called on the Federal Government to look into the state of the ports and revived them for the benefit of the people and economy of the region.
“I know everywhere in Sapele. But Sapele was not as big as this. It was a bubbling city.,” recalled the Orodje, evoking a sense of nostalgia for the vibrant past of the town. He further highlighted the factors that led to Sapele’s decline, emphasizing the lack of foresight and the detrimental impact of the African Timber and Plywood (AT&P) company.
“One of the reasons Sapele went underground was lack of foresight… AT&P was removing timbers and taking them overseas without planting… There was no longer farm produce to export, and AT&P was not even planting trees. So, the trees were exhausted, and that is why AT&P collapsed,” explained the Okpe monarch shedding light on the unsustainable practices that contributed to the town’s downfall.
The Orodje of Okpe also expressed his concern over the decaying infrastructure in Sapele, particularly the absence of dualized roads, and lamented the lack of fairness shown by successive governments towards the town. Drawing attention to the neglect of essential roads and the abandonment of the Sapele port, he revealed the underlying politics surrounding the ports in Nigeria, which appeared to hinder progress in the Niger Delta region.
“One thing that is very painful to me is the Sapele Technical College… If the college is a university or at worst a polytechnic by now, the situation of Sapele would have been different,” stated the Orodje, highlighting the missed opportunities for educational growth and development in the town.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the foundation’s initiative, the Orodje assured the delegation of his support and pledged to engage the Okpe Leaders of Thought to garner further backing. He stressed the importance of attracting investment and revitalizing the town, underscoring the potential impact of relocating major oil companies’ headquarters to Sapele.
“For instance, if Seplat should move its headquarters to Sapele now, the fortunes of the town will change… These are the challenges we are having,” emphasized Mujakperuo, shedding light on the interconnectedness of economic growth and the well-being of the community.
Chief Egborge, in her opening remarks, had expressed gratitude to the Orodje for his time and introduced the plans of the Sapele Memories and Development Foundation. She highlighted the foundation’s intention to host a carnival in Sapele later in the year as a means to review the town’s current state and attract new investment opportunities.
“We are a group of people… passionate about giving back to Sapele… The purpose of our visit is to acquaint His Majesty with the existence and purpose of this group… We want to give back to Sapele, a town with which we have a bond,” stated Egborge, conveying the foundation’s mission and vision.
She said “The carnival aims to serve as a reunion for the foundation’s members, numbering around 500 individuals from across Nigeria and the world, who share a connection to Sapele through birth, residence, or personal history.
“Through this event, the foundation seeks to reinvigorate the town’s economy and foster its development”
As the meeting concluded, the Orodje Okpe expressed his joy at the foundation’s thoughtful initiative and vowed to provide his unwavering support. The unity of purpose between the Sapele Memories and Development Foundation and the Orodje to signifies a turning point in the town’s journey toward reclaiming its lost glory.
Restoring Sapele’s legacy and rejuvenating its prospects now appear within reach as collaborative efforts gather momentum.
The Orodje’s endorsement and the foundation’s unwavering commitment herald a new era for Sapele, a town that once stood as a shining example of progress and prosperity. With determination and collective action, Sapele is poised to reclaim its rightful place among Nigeria’s thriving cities, igniting hope and inspiring generations to come.
Exco of the foundation include Prof Hope Eghagha (President), Mr Paul Masieli (Vice President), Barr Raymos Guanah (Secretary) Mrs Joy Egbokodo Ehigbai (Asst Secretary), Olorogun Mohammed ADJARHO OYIBO (Direction of Treasury and Finance) Prof Lilian Tawari Fufeyin, (Director Research Education and Planning) and Barr Godwin Dudu-Orumen (Director Multimedia, PRO Spokesman)
Others are Mrs Moira Ekeruche Ojie (Director Internal Affairs), Chief Richmond Macgrey, (Director Projects), Mr Henry Foss (Director Internal Audit), Barr. Kester Tawari(Legal Adviser), Mr Evans Amiwero (Director Contact and Mobilisation), Dr Emmanuel Towuaghantse (Diaspora and International Affairs) and Mrs Ruth Efemini (Social Secretary).
The board of trustees includes Chief Joseph M. Okorodudu as Chairman, Prof Hope Eghagha as President and Members include Senator Ighoyota Amori
Mrs Nkoyo Egbedi, Ms Pamela Esiri, Chief Rosalyn Egborge and Rt. Hon. Dr Justin Okonoboh as members.
