Our Weekend Pointer Guest is Olorogun (Dr.) Austin Authority Akpede, President of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Asaba Council. In this interview with Christy Aboghe, the respected leader spoke on issues affecting the group and sundry topics. Excerpts….
Let’s meet you?
I’m Olorogun Akpede, President of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Asaba Council.
What is your experience piloting the affairs of the Urhobos in Asaba?
Leadership always comes with the good, the bad, and the ugly. The people you lead are normal human beings with different characters and attitudes—some with many fortunes, others with some challenges. As a leader, I must manage all these differences, balance the positives and negatives and ensure I serve everyone equally.
Those who elected me believe I can provide solutions to their problems—both within my reach and beyond. So, I keep uniting people and encouraging participation. Some attend meetings, others miss out, but leadership means managing all sides with patience and understanding.
Truth is, it’s easier to manage money, machines, and materials than to manage people. Human beings require extra wisdom and a strong shock absorber to handle their complexities.
Talking about being Urhobos in Asaba, are the Okpe indigenes inclusive?
The Urhobo nation is one indivisible family. The Okpe people are an integral part of Urhobo. The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) serves as the umbrella body for all Urhobos—after which we have sub unions, such as Okpe, Olomu, Orogun, Ughelli and others too numerous to mention .
Leadership, anywhere in the world, is never easy. No tribe or subgroup is immune from challenges, but as a leader, you must accept both the good and the bad, knowing you were chosen to lead. It requires humility, patience and wisdom to manage people effectively.
How has the UPU impacted the Urhobo people?
The Urhobo Progress Union has done a lot to foster unity among our people despite political, religious, or traditional differences.
A good example was the Okuama crisis. The UPU led by Olorogun (Barr.) Ese Gam Owe played a key role in restoring peace. Our workaholic Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff F.O Oborevwori, Senator representing Delta Central, Senator Ede Dafinone, Orodje of Okpe. HRM Major-General Felix Mujakporue (Rtd) Orhue 1 CON, other traditional rulers, and other Urhobo leaders worked tirelessly to ensure the release of His Royal Majesty, Clement Ikolo, the king of Ewu Kingdom. Upon his release, we received him in Asaba, and together with others, we met with the governor at Government House, Asaba.
This reflects the UPU’s commitment to peace, unity, and the well-being of our people.
What is your take on the recent crisis in Warri?
The Warri crisis is age-long; it’s historical, dating back to disagreements among the various ethnic groups that have co-existed there for generations. What we see today are usually triggered by younger generations, often over trivial issues like comments made during social gatherings or even football matches.
Once disagreements start, if not quickly addressed, it escalates. That’s why I believe leaders must speak up immediately whenever tension arises. The voice of a leader is like the voice of God on earth.
If our leaders—traditional rulers, politicians and community heads—speak promptly and collectively from the leaders to the grassroots, crisis like this can be avoided. Silence allows conflict to grow. Once lives are lost, retaliation follows, and it becomes a communal crisis.
What is your advice to the people and leaders in Warri?
My advice is for all to exercise maturity, tolerance, and generosity of spirit. Leadership should not be misused because of minor provocation. The majority and minority groups in Warri must respect one another and live as brothers.
I often say even a landlord will need his tenant someday. If you fall at your doorstep, it is not your relatives miles away who will rescue you—it’s your neighbour. So all must federate together in mutual respect and understanding.
Warri is the heartbeat of Delta State, and by extension, of Nigeria, because of its contribution to the national economy. Any crisis in Warri affects the entire state and even the nation.
I must commend Tompolo and Tantita Security Services for their tremendous contribution to protecting our pipelines and reducing oil theft to nearly zero. Their work has brought relative stability to the region.
Let us continue to live in unity, peace, and mutual respect as one Delta family because when Warri is at peace, Delta is at peace, and Nigeria is stronger for it.
