Ny'údū Úpātá Calls For Unity, Inaugurates Committee On Folklore Night

By Comr. Oyagiri Monday

Ny'údū Dr. Felix Enene Otuwarikpo, Fnipr, has called on traditional rulers across Communities to unite and foster genuine peace and progress for the Ekpeye Ethnic Nation.

The Ñyê-ïshï Èlé Úpātá Lôwétü emphasized that peace pacts require honest commitments from all actors rather than superficial agreements, stressing that he and the entire people of Úpātá Kingdom remain open to dialogue and active peace efforts.

Ny'údū Otuwarikpo made the call on Tuesday, September 8, when he, accompanied by members of the Úpātá Traditional Council (UTC), in a meeting, received in audience members of the Ekpeye Peace and Reconciliation Committee, pointing at the need for genuine reconciliation to resolve perceived disputes because, "Ekpeye is in a sorry state."

The Monarch who, barred his mind on prevailing issues in Ekpeyeland, urged the Committee, headed by HRH Ny'údū Sir Nnodi Michael, Ny'údū Äkpáñá Úpātá I, to promote mutual understanding, respect, and unity without bias.

Earlier, Ny'údū Michael expressed happiness over the warm reception according the Committee, that they were at the Palace to brief His Majesty on their readiness to resolve  conflicts within the Ekpeye traditional institution.

HM Otuwarikpo had earlier received in audience Professor Solomon Ikunga, a veteran historian who, alongside Chief Nkechi Anyike, is writing a historical book titled "Úpātá - Odegu: From Origins To The Present."

Also, a delegation of Ulá Úpātá Community, led by Elder Okpara Benson, Secretary of the Elders Council, visited the Monarch, a visit necessitated that the formation and inauguration of the 2026 Úpātá Folklore Night Committee.

Other groups that visited include members of the 2026 edition of the Úpātá Unity Football Cup and, members of the Ekpeye Heritage and Development Initiative, EHCDI.

Rounding off the meeting, Ny'údū Otuwarikpo summed the role of the traditional institution as a vital grassroot partner interested resolving conflict challenges and maintaining communal stability.