| Okere | |
| Nickname: | Okere juju |
| Settlement Type: | Community of Warri Kingdom |
| Subdivision Name: | Nigeria |
| Subdivision Name3: | Kingdom Of Warri |
| Subdivision Name2: | Warri South |
| Subdivision Name1: | Delta State |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type3: | Kingdom |
| Subdivision Type2: | LGA |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Governing Body: | Warri South |
| Leader Title: | Olu of Warri |
| Leader Name: | Ogiame Atuwatse III |
| Leader Title1: | Council Chairman |
| Leader Name1: | Michael Tidi |
| Leader Title2: | Youth Chairman |
| Leader Title3: | Community head |
| Leader Name3: | Ogieboro E. F. Esisi |
| Leader Title4: | Chief Priest (Ojorumale) |
| Leader Name4: | Oluoyibo Kperegbeyi |
Okere is a community in the Warri township in Nigeria. It is populated by Itsekiri and Urhobo people and is one of the oldest communities in Warri, as well as a part of the Kingdom of Warri.[1] [2]
It is made up of six quarters, known as idimis in the Itsekiri language.
1. Idimi Ode-kporo
2. Idimi Jakpa
3. Idimi Ode-Ile
4. Idimi Ogunobite
5. Idimi Ajamimogha
6. Idimi-sobo
Okere literally means ”it is small” in Itsekiri. It is an Itsekiri indigenous community and is the oldest in the modern-day Warri metropolis, having been founded in 1497 by a Benin war general, Ekpenede. At the time, the Oba had (in secret) sent his son Ginuwa to establish a new kingdom (today known as the Kingdom of Warri). Ekpenede and his men pursued Ginuwa, but when they were cut off by the Warri River with no way to cross, they established a community upland, which they named "Okere".[3] Ekpenede is said to have planted his staff at the centre of the settlement, proclaiming "Ogungbaja Okere" (translated as "war will never come to Okere"). The staff reportedly grew into a tree which stands as a major historical landmark near the Okere market junction.[4]