On Saturday, 26th November, 2022, the rocky ancient kingdom of Okpe, in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria will be agog with celebrations to mark the 35 years of reign of His Royal Highness Oba Okhishimede Eshimokhai Idogu III, JP, OON, as the Olokpe of Okpe Kingdom.

In commemoration of the milestone event, the Oba Eshimokhai will confer honorary chieftaincy titles and palace merit awards to deserving individuals, both natives and non-natives who have contributed to the development of the kingdom and, also others who have distinguished themselves in community service to the land.

In a statement sent to www.ddnewsonine.com, the revered monarch disclosed that the traditional members of Olokpe-in-Council headed by himself, after due consideration, took the decision to confer the honorary chieftaincy titles and palace merit awards on the deserving personalities for their immense contributions to the overall development of Okpe Kingdom.

According to him, they have used their robust experiences and contacts, in their individual capacities, to attract a great deal of developmental value not only to Okpe Kingdom, but to Nigeria at large; and, thus, they deserve to be honoured.

The three eminent personalities to be conferred chieftaincy titles are Engineer Saliu O. Ahmed, the Managing Director, Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA); Engr. S. S. Akhigbe, a retired staff of Chevron Plc; and Alhaji Aliyu Umaru, a Lagos-based business guru, while five others to be decorated with palace merit awards are Mr. Ayo Idienumah and Mrs. Lydia Ajoh.

Others are Dr. S. O. Authe, Mr. Joshua Olayemi and late Bishop Emmanuel Adekunle.

The 35th coronation anniversary celebration of the Akoko-Edo monarch, (aka Lion) is slated for Saturday, 26th November, 2022.