Lease, don’t sell our ancestral land, Okpe monarch warns subjects

The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom and Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, Major-General Felix Mujakperuo (retd), has spoken against sale of the kingdom’s ancestral land.

Rather, he said the people should lease their land so as to preserve the heritage of future generations.

Speaking during a familiarisation visit to Amukpe district in Sapele, ahead of his 20th coronation anniversary, the monarch stressed the importance of protecting communal lands.

“God has given us land; if you do not take care of it, you will become a slave in your own land. I have told our people to lease our land and not to sell it,” he said.

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The Orodje emphasised that leasing land, rather than selling it outright, was a long-standing tradition, as continued sale of land could deprive future generations of their heritage.

He also condemned the growing use of hard drugs among youths in the kingdom. “For those taking hard drugs, we are going to lay curses on them — both those selling and those patronising them,” he declared, urging residents to reject activities that undermine peace and development.

The monarch said the visit formed part of a kingdom-wide tour to engage with his people and hear their concerns ahead of the anniversary celebration.

“This is the 20th year I was crowned king of Okpe Kingdom, and it is important I visit my people to know how they are doing and hear their challenges,” he said.

Reflecting on the kingdom’s development under his reign, the Orodje noted that many Okpe sons now occupy prominent positions in religious and political spheres but stressed that more needed to be done to safeguard the kingdom’s heritage and values.

The district head of Amukpe, Peter Asagba, described the visit as timely, while Councilor Eruteyan Samson Ohiambe urged residents to heed the monarch’s warnings and support the upcoming coronation anniversary.

The spiritual father of Okpe Kingdom, Archbishop Godday Iboyi commended the monarch’s leadership, noting that his reign had brought peace and stability to the kingdom.

The event was attended by the chairman, Sapele Local Government Area, Bright Afure Abeke, Chief Austin Arieja, Austin Ayemidejor, Ejiro Jamani, Chief Perkins Umukoro, Chief Festus Pemu, district heads, among others.