EJINYERE CHILDREN EULOGISE THEIR FATHER, ORHORO 1, JP, OON, 3RD ORODJE OF OKPE KINGDOM
The children of the third Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Orhoro 1, of the Ejinyere family, have paid memorial tributes to their father, 19 years after he joined his ancestors on the 20th of January 2004.
Speaking on behalf of the Ejinyere children, Prince Okakuro Godwin Ejinyere, Duke of Orerokpe District, said Orhoro 1 was peace loving, adding that as a result, Okpe Kingdom witnessed monumental growth and development during his 32-year reign, especially in terms of social amenities, road construction, as well as unity of purpose. Prince Ejinyere said his father was firm and just yet he made no enemies.
Born in 1921, Orhoro 1, JP, OON, reigned as the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom in the period between 1972 and 2004. He received his early western education at the Holy Cross Catholic School in Lagos. He joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1940 and retired on pension in 1952. He also earned a Diploma in Business Administration in the United Kingdom.
His early life experiences served as a springboard for him. In 1963, he was appointed President of the Customary Court, and in 1964, he partnered with his brother, Chief J.E. Odiete to establish a company, the New Africa Industries Limited, and become its Director and General Manager until he was crowned Orodje in 1972.
Orhoro 1 was the first Chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers when it was created in 1993. He was Chairman Southern Delta Traditional Rulers Forum; and Chairman Delta State Chapter of Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON. He resolved so many communal conflicts in Delta State during his reign as Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.
Orhoro 1 got an official commendation from the Police High Command in 1950. He became Justice of the Peace in 1978. He facilitated the building of a befitting palace, a very beautiful architectural masterpiece in Orerokpe, and quietly brought many people together to pool resources for the growth and development of Okpe Kingdom.
In 2003, the then President Olusegun Obasanjo honoured HRM Orhoro 1 with the Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON. The following year, 2004, His Royal Majesty transited to the great beyond but his numerous legacies are still there for everyone to see today.
May the gentle soul of His Royal Majesty Orhoro the First continue to rest in perfect peace in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
Prince Okakuro Godwin Ejinyere, the Duke of Orerokpe Dukedom, and the Orhorhomu Okpe of Okpe Kingdom
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