Ogbakor Etche, the apex socio-cultural organization of the Etche ethnic nationality world wide, has called on both the state and federal governments to immortalize the Ochie of Etche Land, His Eminence, Ochie E.N.B Opurum while he is still alive.
The appeal was made by the body during a courtesy call led by the President General of Ogbakor Etche, Dr. Silas Anyanwu (Esq) to the palace of the Onye Ishi Etche, Ochie E.N.B Opurum at his Port Harcourt residence.
Dr. Silas Anyanwu remarked that the appeal was in recognition of the enormous contributions of Ochie E.N.B Opurum to the stability of the Nigerian state particularly during the Biafran Civil War. He said Ochie Opurum remains the only surviving person among those who staked their lives in the agitation for the creation of the Old Rivers State. According to Dr Silas Anyanwu, there was need to immortalize his name by naming some government buildings, roads or higher institutions after him in appreciation of what he did for the Niger Delta people.
He noted that Ochie Opurum’s efforts in the creation of the old and present Rivers State cannot be overemphasized, stressing that records are there to attest to the fact.
Dr. Anyanwu Esq., revealed to the host that they were in his palace to present the full executive members of the body to him after their inauguration during the December convention and to intimate him of the arrangements for Ogbakor Etche’s Easter Convention which will be hosted by the Omuma clan.
Responding, His Eminence, Ochie E.N.B Opurum commended the the body for showing signs of restoring hope to the people of Etche. He advised the organization to always live to propagate the culture of the people of Etche stressing, that it is through culture that a people are known and recognized.
“Show it in your attire, food, and your address so that outsiders can recognize you through your appearance” he said, adding that Ogbakor Etche should be devoid of politics to be able to look at issues objectively and dispassionately no matter whose ox is gored.
Succinctly, Ogbako Etche led by Dr. Anyanwu since inauguration December, 2024 at Obiri Etche, had taken a standpoint of preaching morals, peace and condemning evil tendencies and it’s perpetuation in the entirety of Etche ethnic nationality.
He had earlier maintained that he and his team would leave indelible mark in the sands of time and urged the people of Etche to be peaceful.
