By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Okpe Union Worldwide has strongly condemned the recent renaming of Osubi Airport in Delta State after a non-Urhobo indigene.

The union wondered why an airport should be named after someone who have not passed through or may never use the facility in his life time.

The group made their grievance known in statement signed by Chief King O. Iriri, National Publicity Secretary, on behalf of the President-General of Okpe Union Worldwide.

The group maintained that those who did the renaming of the airport may not have consulted widely enough with the relevant stakeholders before embarking on the exercise

Iriri said: “In the last couple of weeks, I have been inundated with a flurry of calls and an outpouring of concerns from relevant stakeholders, regarding the renaming of the Osubi Airport after King Alfred Diete Spiff which they considered inappropriate.

“For the benefit of the doubt, King Alfred Diete Spiff was born in Nembe town in current Bayelsa State.

“History has it that he lived his early life in the Niger Delta, Buea, Sasse, and Tiko in Cameroon when Cameroon was a British territory under the Versailles treaty.

“He joined the Royal Navy at an early age and became the Governor of the Old Rivers State at the age of 24. The State then comprises today’s Rivers and Bayelsa states.

“The two states combined have three airports. King Diete Spiff is a highly respected personality in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

“And, when those in positions of authority and power refused to ask questions or allow their personal feelings and political affiliation to affect their decisions, they end up doing more dishonour and disservice to the honoree, the immediate locality in particular, the State and Nigeria at large.

“As you may know, it is important to mention that Osubi Airport is located in the hometown of the current Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon (Elder) Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.”

While taking into account the extensive consultations conducted by the Okpe Union, the National Publicity Secretary noted that the outcome was overwhelming-the expression of disapproval of renaming the airport after a personality who may have never used it or journey through it during his life time.

He added In the statement made available to News Express on Wednesday: “The Okpe Union strongly condemn the decision to rename the Osubi Airport after King Diete Spiff of Bayelsa State.

“However, we urge our members and the people of the Kingdom to remain calm as consultation is still ongoing. Even though we share in your belief that the airport should be named after prominent individuals from Urhobo or within the state who have made significant contributions to the nation, whether they are currently alive or deceased.

“The Union suspects that this decision is a deliberate attempt to create suspicion and tension between the Urhobos and our immediate neighbors in the nearby states at a superficial level. However, we appreciate the efforts of the Federal Government in renaming the airport but believes that the chosen name should reflect a national figure with a local connection

“We believe that the Urhobo Nation, the Okpe kingdom and, in fact, Delta state have produced individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation and deserve recognition by having airports named after them.

“Some of these notable individuals which include the current Orodje Okpe Who was a military General with multiple status symbols, Chief Senator David Dafinone a man of repute with largest number of chartered Accountants in the world Guinness book of records, Major General David Ejoor and many others.”

Okpe Union further urged the Federal Government to reconsider its decision and rectify the oversight, saying that it was not too late to correct the anomaly and give these deserving individuals the recognition they deserve.

According to it, renaming airports after those distinguished sons and daughters of the area would not only honour their legacies but also serve as an inspiration to future generations.

Senator Dafinone, an illustrious son of Okpe

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