Our History
Ekpoma Okpa Association was founded in August 2007 by Destiny Ebhodaghe and some other indigenes of Ekpoma resident in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. We were prompted by the need to set up a charity association that will evolve over a period of time in assisting all indigenes in these countries and beyond with charitable objectives.
We are registered with Charity commission in 2009
Promotion of comradeship and a sense of unity amongst us was a leading factor in our makeup. We also want to extend, towards all our brothers and sisters, a sense of sharing which is one of our proud heritage. The richness of our culture, language and people were considered, however our driving force is aptly stated in Sai Baba’s (Indian spiritualist master) words: The hands that help is holier than lips that pray’.
Over time, our charitable endeavours have since expanded into the prevention and relief of poverty, promotion of education, advancement of health and saving lives, community collaboration and development, advancement of amateur grassroot sports, promotion of our rich cultural heritage and other charitable activities in our immediate communities and the world at large.
The notable Charitable activities include- The Esanland Medical mission of 2008, the Community town hall meeting and fundraising meeting of 2009, the Purchase and delivery of medical equipment to health centres in Ekpoma in 2019, the Donation of a bus to the Palace Chiefs of Ekpoma Kingdom and the ongoing Security Vehicle to Esan Vigilante group in 2020.
Ekpoma is a town in Edo State, in the South-South region of Nigeria, it is one of the five largest towns in Esanland. Ekpoma is the headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area, it has a local government council which is headed by a chairman (equivalent of mayor), who is elected to a term of four years. Ekpoma kingdom is made up of villages or units which acknowledge the Onojie of Ekpoma as their supreme traditional authority. The Onogie is the uniting link for all the villages/units and are bound together as one territory. The inhabitants of Ekpoma, with a few exceptions, trace their origin to Benin.
The twelve community units that occupy the area referred to as Ekpoma are;
- Eguare
- Emaudo
- Emuhi
- Idumebo
- Ihunmudumu
- Illeh
- Iruekpen
- Uhiele
- Ujemen
- Ujoelen
- Uke
- Ukpenu
Ekpoma was a rural town until the early 1980s when the coming of electricity, paved streets, running water and a university opened it up. Today, the Ambrose Alli University is the town’s major industry and most things in the town revolve round it.
The Esan people generally trace their origin to Benin. The Onogie of Ekpoma, like other Esan kings recognise the Oba of Benin as head and pay homage to him since the olden days when traditional systems were the order and the Oba of Benin ruled the world as it was known. Those days were referred to by the Esan people as “agbon’ba” that is the age of the Oba. Now, we live in what is called “agbon’nebo”, the civilised age.