On March 14, 2025, the heart of the Urhobo nation stood still as the Okuama community gathered to honor the lives tragically lost on March 14th and 15th, 2024. What began as an ordinary day turned into one of the darkest chapters in the history of the Okuama people — a loss that shook the community to its very core.

This year's Okuama Community Remembrance Day was more than a memorial — it was a sacred moment of unity, healing, and resilience. Under the banner “Lest We Forget,” families, friends, and sympathizers came together to pay tribute to over 100 innocent souls whose lives were abruptly cut short during the violent crisis that engulfed the community. Among the honored was Late Hon. James Oghorokor, President General of the Okuama Community, whose leadership and commitment to peace will never be forgotten.

The event, held at the heart of the community, featured a solemn roll call of the victims — each name representing a story, a family, and a dream that was never realized. The banner displayed serves not just as a record, but as a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for peace and justice in our homeland.

As prayers were offered and candles lit, one message rang clear: Okuama will rise again. The pain is still fresh, but through remembrance, the community begins the journey of healing. The resilience of the Urhobo people shines through, even in sorrow. This tragedy has unified voices across the diaspora, calling for accountability, restoration, and a renewed commitment to protecting our communities.

Let us continue to stand with Okuama, support the grieving families, and work together to ensure that such loss never occurs again. May the gentle souls of all those lost rest in the bosom of the Lord.

We will remember. We will rebuild. We will never forget.