Okey Paulicap Okeke, an Igbo man by origin, made history in January 2017 when he was elected President of the Ijesa Progressive Association of Canada (IPAC), the umbrella body representing sons and daughters of Ijesaland in Osun State who live and work in Canada.
His emergence as president attracted widespread attention, largely because IPAC is a cultural association rooted in Yoruba heritage. For many, his leadership stood as a rare example of unity beyond ethnic boundaries.
On Saturday, September 16, 2018, IPAC under Okeke’s leadership hosted its annual Ijesa Night celebration at the Manhyia Palace Convention Centre on Eddystone Avenue, Toronto. The colourful event was chaired by Chief Isaac Ige, the Odofin of Atorinland, and drew a large gathering of Nigerians from different backgrounds. Some attendees reportedly came out of curiosity, eager to confirm long-standing rumours that the leader of the Ijesa community in Canada was not a Yoruba man.
During the ceremony, Chief Ige publicly praised Okeke for his leadership, commending him for taking the association to greater heights since assuming office. He described the event as a major success made possible by Okeke’s dedication and organisational skills, offering prayers for continued grace and stability in his life.
Okeke was born and raised in Ilesa, Osun State. His parents, Chief Okeke Chumba and Mrs Janet Okeke-Chumba, are natives of Ndeaboh in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State. Despite their Igbo roots, the family was fully integrated into life in Ijesaland, where Okeke and his siblings attended both primary and secondary schools.
From an early age, Okeke was exposed to a broad and inclusive worldview. His father, a businessman known for his liberal and detribalised outlook, believed strongly in unity and coexistence. Although a Christian, he enrolled his son in a Muslim school, valuing its academic standards, sporting culture, and proximity to their home along General Hospital Road in Ilesa.
Okeke went on to serve as IPAC president for eight years, during which he worked consistently to impact the lives of Ijesa people in Canada and back home in Nigeria. His service and commitment to the Ijesa community earned him the respected chieftaincy title of Otun Atayese of Ijebu-Jesa in 2022.
His story continues to be cited as a powerful reminder that leadership, service, and community development transcend ethnic origin.
Credit: Tope Adeboboye (Nairaland), whose write-up provided valuable background information.