Numa decries poor patronage of Okpe musicians, warns of cultural extinction

By Owen Akenzua

The Director of Orhomurokpe Cultural Group, Prince Ogheneororo Numa, has decried the dwindling support for Okpe musicians, warning that the people’s rich musical heritage risks extinction if nothing urgent is done to revive interest and patronage.

Speaking with newsmen in Sapele at the weekend, Numa, a celebrated Okpe musician and cultural promoter, said the situation has reached a critical stage as many traditional performers are abandoning their craft due to lack of encouragement and support from their own people.

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“Our culture is dying slowly, and we don’t even realise it. The rhythms, the lyrics, and the dances that tell the story of the Okpe nation are being replaced with foreign sounds. If we fail to act now, our music may vanish completely in a few years,” he said with concern.

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Numa lamented that Okpe musicians, who play a vital role in preserving history and passing down values through songs, are now struggling to survive. According to him, many of them no longer receive invitations to perform at community events, weddings, and festivals, as organisers prefer modern pop or foreign genres.

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“People seem to have forgotten that music is a powerful vessel of culture. Okpe people must be proud of their roots and show it by supporting their musicians. Otherwise, we will wake up one day and realise we have nothing left to call our own,” he warned.

Numa called on the Okpe people at home and in the diaspora to rise to the occasion and take deliberate steps to revive and sustain their musical heritage. He urged community leaders, traditional rulers, and political office holders to prioritise cultural events that promote indigenous music.

He also appealed to the Delta State Government to intervene by providing grants and organising cultural festivals that will give a platform to Okpe musicians to showcase their talents.

“It’s not just about entertainment; it’s about identity and legacy. If we don’t save Okpe music, future generations will have no idea where they came from,” Numa added passionately