Urhobo Progress Union Ohio (UPU Ohio) was founded and registered in Ohio on April 6, 2018. The initiative to register UPU Ohio was led by Olorogun Dr. Felix O. Okpe who was at the time the Secretary of Urhobo Progress Union America (UPU America). Prior, Olorogun Dr. Okpe had been a member and associate of UPU America since 2009. Olorogun Dr Okpe got the support, assistance, and collaboration of Mrs. Oghenenemine Etuk and Mr. Ovie Fred Okotie to assemble and get the consent of the founding members of UPU Ohio. After its registration in Ohio as an independent cultural organization of the Urhobo people and friends in Ohio and its environs, UPU Ohio was admitted as an independent member of UPU America in April 2018. Mrs. Etuk was elected the first President of UPU Ohio with Mr. Stanley Eruese elected as UPU Ohio’s first Secretary. Mrs. Etuk served from April 2018 to August 2019. She was succeeded by Mr. Ovie Fred Okotie as President of UPU Ohio. Mr. Okotie served two terms from August 2019 to December 2023
Urhobo Progress Union Ohio (UPU Ohio) was founded and registered in Ohio on April 6, 2018. The initiative to register UPU Ohio was led by Olorogun Dr. Felix O. Okpe who was at the time the Secretary of Urhobo Progress Union America (UPU America). Prior, Olorogun Dr. Okpe had been a member and associate of UPU America since 2009. Olorogun Dr Okpe got the support, assistance, and collaboration of Mrs. Oghenenemine Etuk and Mr. Ovie Fred Okotie to assemble and get the consent of the founding members of UPU Ohio. After its registration in Ohio as an independent cultural organization of the Urhobo people and friends in Ohio and its environs, UPU Ohio was admitted as an independent member of UPU America in April 2018. Mrs. Etuk was elected the first President of UPU Ohio with Mr. Stanley Eruese elected as UPU Ohio’s first Secretary. Mrs. Etuk served from April 2018 to August 2019. She was succeeded by Mr. Ovie Fred Okotie as President of UPU Ohio. Mr. Okotie served two terms from August 2019 to December 2023
In his capacity as UPU Ohio President, Mr. Okotie was appointed and served as Deputy Chair of the BOT of UPU America from January 2023 to December 2023. The current President of UPU Ohio is Dr. (Mrs.) Louisa Ukochovwera. Dr. Mrs. Ukochovwera’s term commenced in January 2024. Under Dr. Mrs. Ukochovwera’s leadership, UPU Ohio continues to grow in membership across and beyond Ohio. UPU Ohio continues to double its efforts towards expanding its charitable programs in America and Urhobo land of Nigeria where most of UPU Ohio’s membership hails from. Over the years since its founding, UPU Ohio has also collaborated with UPU America and other non-profit organizations in America and Nigeria to raise funds to champion and sponsor charitable projects in healthcare, agriculture, and human capital development.
In the coming years, with the support of its leadership and membership, UPU Ohio plans to expand its charitable projects in healthcare, agriculture, and human capital development. Beginning in December 2024, UPU Ohio will host a fundraising event to raise funds to support its projects and programs in America and Urhobo land.
