Alhaji (Chief) Moshood Okpo Aliu
Alhaji (Chief) Moshood Okpo Aliu

Alhaji Chief Moshood Okpo Aliu, Village Head of Asumue, Imioko, Ukhomunyio, is the chairman of Ukhomunyio Council of Village Heads. Trained in Etsako District Council School now Eveva primary school Okugbe between 1962-1968, Arabic School Owo, 1970-1975, staff Training Centre Benin City, 1985-1987. He is a graduate of Auchi Polytechnic. He also holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Ladoke Akmtola University, Ogbomosho.
He worked and retired as Chief Executive Officer in the Edo State Local Government Service Commission in March 2016.
In this interview he dwelled on certain issues surrounding the Ukhomunyio people and their quest for autonomous clan entity in Okpella North.He spoke with our reporter, Isabemoeh James Roy

Excerpts:


When was the Ukhomunyio council of village Heads constituted?
The council was formed during the reign of Chief Felix K. Sado the Okhaleaga I of Ukhomunyio at about 2005. The Ukhomunyio community decided to create this council because of its large size and as a means to effectively unite the people and control the grassroot. That, year chief Charles Adogah SAN contacted the clan Head of Okpella and it was approved. Since then, we have been working together as one entity to advance our socio-cultural, political and economic progress.
Who are the Ukhomunyio people?
We occupy the Northern parts of Okpella. We are descendants of Okhawegbe, the only son of Oteku in Okpella. Some of our brothers are in Iddo.
What is your relationship with the leadership of Ukhomunyio community?
We as chiefs are the custodian of the people’s culture and tradition. We play this role to ensure justice equity and peace in Ukhomunyio and the people believe us. However, we are proud to say that Ukhomunyio is well blessed with a bulk of educated elites who have distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavour. Some of these elites have been leading our community in succession. Today Chief Charles Adogah  SAN is the president of Ukhomunyio community we have a constitution that regulate our relationship and affairs.         We have a perfect working relationship and understanding.
For sometime now, you have cut off your relationship with the clan Head of Okpella, why did you take this action?
We are like the proverbial fowl that lay the golden egg, yet the clan Head decided sideline us. We are the industrial heart of Edo state and the clan Head has used our resources for his personal and family gains for over forty years. He subjected us to all manners of marginalization, oppression and intimidation hence we decided to take our collective destiny in our hands, the laws of Nigeria allow us to dissociate our selves form oppression and impunity. Today we are peacefully progressing as an entity without the clan Head.
Is it true that a section of Ogiriga is not with you?
Ogiriga wrote a letter to the clan Head to protest marginalisation in Okpella and Ukhomunyio. He diverted the intention of Ogiriga as a divide and rule tactics. A section of Ogiriga, an integral part of Ukhomunyio continued to attend the clan Head palace. Apart from the fact that they are now realizing their mistakes, the clan Head will soon realize the futility of his effort to distabilise Ukhomunyio. We are already discussing with our brothers in Ogiriga and we are one.
How do you hope to sustain your agitation for Okpella North clan?

We have started the process especially through legal and constitutional means. We are already in court over issues that have bearings on this course.  We have firmly resolved to pursue both the legal and other constitutional options to a logical conclusion.
What is your relationship with Iddo people?
As I have earlier mentioned  Ukhomunyio and Iddo form the Oteku sub clan of Okpella . The other sub clan is ogute. Having realized the divide and rule tactics against Oteku, the people of Ukhomunyio and Iddo have now come together to resist any form of oppression. We are now working together.
How do you now relate with the Ogute Sub clan?
The people of Ogute are not our problem but the clan Head. Infact when we severed our relationship with the clan Head, the Ogute people visited us and we appreciated them.
Your community has within a short time built an ultra modern Town Hall, purchased a 14-seater bus for the council of village Heads and the massive renovation of Afokpella secondary school. Where did you get funds for all these?
Apart from the love of our sons and daughters both at home and in diaspora towards the Ukhomunyio project, our community has always engaged in the prudent management of its resources.  We advance our community through self help projects. Indeed, we have Ukhomunyio community bank account, the village council has another bank account while the Ukhomunyio Youth Association has a separate bank account, therefore the community money is spent on the community.
Since we left the palace of the clan Head, things are getting better for us.   What are the investment potentials of your community?
Our land is so blessed with several mineral resource such as limestone, Quartz Berut, acquamarine, tantalite Tac, Fespar clay just to mention but a few.
Bua Cement Group is already operating in the area and we are also expecting Dangote and other investors in the solid minerals. We are a peace loving people and investment friendly. We have enough limestone deposits that can accommodate investors.
  What is the message to your people?
They should remain united in pursuit of their common goal. They should not fear those who betray them. Those who have the connection should attract investors to create youth employment for Okpella and her neighbours.