22nd September, 2025
The University of Lagos Alumni Association (Warri Circle) holds its meeting monthly on the third Sundays of the month. The venues are decided by the host sectors and individuals. The Association is one of the liveliest, cerebral and most professionally-stacked in the Warri-Effurun metropolis. There are royals, medical doctors, lawyers, engineers, professors, technocrats and top businessmen among its members.
One of the most distinguished members of the Association is HRM. Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), CFR, mni, Orhue I, The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom. He studied Law at the University of Lagos. For its September meeting, the Orodje magnanimously volunteered to host the Association.
The news was widely publicized both in print and electronically. All seven sectors were encouraged to honour this royal invitation. The existing sectors are Medical, Legal, Oil & Gas, Media & Construction, Education, Organised Private Sector and DSC. All were represented in their numbers.
The meeting started when the king walked in majestically, into the David Dafinone Conference Centre to take his seat. He was accompanied by Okakuro Mark Afe, the Prime Minister _(Unu-Okpe)_, who himself is a distinguished alumnus of the University. The hall, as expected, had a feel of royalty in its every detail. Spacious, well lit, air-conditioned, and decorated with executive seats. Indeed the Palace itself is one of the best in the entire country. It is to Delta State what Buckingham Palace is to England. Coincidentally, the Orodje is the current Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council of Delta State.
After the opening formalities which were done swiftly, the king requested for the members to be received first in the traditional way, by offering Kolanuts, drinks and support.
The presentation was so professionally done with gait and panache that everyone felt a sense of importance and worth before the king. The Kola was received by Chief Victor Otomiewo (Esq.) whose excellent oratorical skills, use of proverbs and sense of humour generated warmth and joy around the hall.
The discussions were swift and straight to the point. They related to members' welfare, admission quotas for members' children and the Alumni Building Project.
Thereafter, members were ushered into two dining rooms where caterers were already waiting to take orders. There was so much to eat and drink.
Indeed while monthly meetings of the Association are usually fun-filled and refreshing, this royal hosting by the Orodje was in a class of its own. Everyone felt satisfied in the end. I imagine that there is no one in that room, who did not take a moment to thank his stars once again, for the privilege of attending the University of Lagos.
In the extravaganza and euphoria that greeted this special royal hosting, it is easy to forget that the day was also the birthday of a very distinguished and dedicated member of the Association, The Hon. (Chief) Idise Edward, the Efifa-Efiuogo of Umuebu Kingdom. We wish you God's blessings on this new age sir.
It is true that often, one has cause to be in the presence of a king either for a meeting, conference, or an event. But to be hosted as an Alumni Association by no less a king than the Orodje of Okpe is a different matter altogether. Indeed, the Circle Chairman Deacon Tony Onakpoma could not but express his joy and privilege to be presiding over a meeting in which the Orodje was seated. Justice Jonathan Shakarho (Rtd) admitted that he enjoyed the red wine in a very special way.
This was a September meeting to remember.
May God bless The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, and may the University of Lagos Alumni Association (Warri Circle) continue to grow in strength and unity.
*Emmanuel Ogheneochuko Arodovwe*
_Publicity Secretary_
(Unilag Alumni Warri Circle)
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