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Tag: Urhobo

  • UPU election: Urhobo group demands publication of branch, delegate lists

    UPU election: Urhobo group demands publication of branch, delegate lists

    Following perceived constitutional breaches threatening the credibility of today’s Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) national elections, at Uvwiamughe, Delta state, a group, Project Rescue Urhobo (PRU), has demanded the release of delegate list, eligible branches among others.

    In a statement signed by Prince Noble Otadaferua (Convener), Comrade Daniel Etaga (Secretary), and Comrade Peter Darah (Publicity Secretary), the group insisted that the election cannot proceed unless the National Executive Council and Electoral Committee published the full list of branches, released the delegate list, verified eligible branches under the 12-month rule, and clearly communicated accreditation procedures.

    PRU warned that the process had been “gravely compromised” by “systematic and repeated violations” of the UPU constitution. In particular, is the refusal to publish the official list of branches, which according to the group, violates Article 21.2(h) of the constitution.

    “The constitution mandates full publication of all registered branches and sub-branches before elections. Instead, the NEC and Electoral Committee failed to publish the official list, secretly created or altered branches, and manipulated membership to exclude legitimate branches,” the statement claimed.

  • Activist advocates Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri unity for development in Delta

    Activist advocates Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri unity for development in Delta

    Niger Delta environmentalist, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, has called on ethnic nationalities in Delta state, particularly the Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri ethnicities, to set aside their differences and embrace unity for the socio-economic growth and development of the state.

    In a passionate appeal, the United Nations Peace Ambassador specifically urged the trio ethnic groups which he described as the economic livewire of the state, to work together to attract development and investment opportunities for the benefit of all Deltans.

    “We cannot continue to fight ourselves, oppose development, and chase away investors that will create employment opportunities for our teeming youths because of selfish interests,” Mulade said.

    He also appealed to traditional rulers and political leaders across the state to shun hatred and embrace peace, stating, “I want to strongly advise our revered traditional rulers and political leaders to embrace peace, unity, and development for the interest and progress of our dear state.”

    Mulade, who is the Ibe Serimowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom and National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), expressed confidence in the commitment of both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to bringing development to the state.

    According to him: “It is pertinent to state that the current Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the State Government led by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori are doing everything humanly possible to attract investors to the state through the ongoing state projects and federal presence.”

    He emphasised the need for the three ethnic groups to unite and play pivotal roles in supporting government efforts toward economic and social progress.

    “Delta State is blessed with abundance of human capital and natural endowments. Rather than fighting ourselves, let us harness our collective influence across the State to support the Governor and President so that Deltans can enjoy the dividends of democracy as the economic heartbeat of Nigeria,” he said.

  • Pipeline surveillance: Urhobo youth professionals laud Tantita, condemn call for contract cancellation

    Pipeline surveillance: Urhobo youth professionals laud Tantita, condemn call for contract cancellation

    The league of Urhobo youth professionals has condemned in strong terms the recent call by some persons masquerading as UPU, purportedly claiming to be speaking for the generality of Urhobos, calling for the cancellation and rejection of the Oil and gas pipeline security surveillance contract being handled by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

    The group in a statement by its president Mr. Ejiroghene Ataivwevu noted that ” For the avoidance of doubt, these persons do not speak on behalf of the host communities bearing both pipelines, wellheads, flow stations, or housing critical national assets. They can be best described as a gathering of self-seeking individuals attempting to rustle pecuniary gains at the expense of the impressive and enormous job being done by Tantita, in protecting these critical assets, drastically reducing oil theft and environmental degradation across Urhoboland.

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    “Also, Tantita has effectively deployed the community engagement approach in all its operational areas to ensure that indigenes of these communities are entrusted with the policing job of the hydrocarbon asset.

    “It is of grave concern to note that while Tantita and the federal government are progressively moving towards increased oil production by deploying cutting-edge technologies in monitoring and surveillance, retrogressive tendencies are wickedly trying to misrepresent the Urhobo ethnic nationality purely for their selfish end.

    “The Urhobo youth professionals urge the federal government, NSA, and NNPCL to disregard the self-seeking publication purportedly made on behalf of the Urhobo people as it does not represent the collective wish, goals, and interests of the people.

    “We are stoically in support of the good work Tantita has/is doing and urge all well-meaning Nigerians to support the fight against illegal oil theft.

  • Ijaw, Urhobo give nod to INEC’s delineation, demand completion of process

    Ijaw, Urhobo give nod to INEC’s delineation, demand completion of process

    The Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State have given nod to the fieldwork on the fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units as ordered by the Supreme Court, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to expedite action on the exercise before future elections.

    The people drawn from Okere-Urhobo, Agbarha-Warri, Isaba, Ogbe-Ijoh, Egbema and Gbaramatu kingdoms of Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Areas, gave their joint position on INEC’s fieldwork at a press conference in Warri, Wednesday.

    Represented by their leaders including Hon. Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodor, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, Hon. (Chief) Arthur Akpodubakaye, Joel Bisina, Comrade EmmanIgetei (for the Ijaws) and Chief John Erenvor, Chief Westham Adehor, Olorogun Victor Okumagba and Hon Mark Ikpuri, they also spoke on the recent threat to peace and security in the area following the arrest of a dismissed British Army Major, Micah Polo, along with some collaborators, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), arising from the delineation process.

    They commended INEC for obeying the Supreme Court order despite series of litigations against it to stop the exercise, charging it to complete the process before future electoral activities.

    “The Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the steps taken so far towards complying with the Supreme Court order on fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State.

    “We note that, in a bid to frustrate the implementation of the Supreme Court order, the Itsekiri Ethnic nationality filed multiple suits in different Divisions of the Federal High Court of Nigeria. However, INEC has demonstrated its commitment and respect for the rule of law by taking necessary steps to comply with the Supreme Court order on the fresh delineation.

    “In this respect, we welcome the release of the report of the fieldwork on the fresh delineation by INEC. We further note that the report of the fieldwork by INEC confirms the obvious fact on the ground, which is that the Ijaws constitute the majority population in Warri North and Warri South-West Local Government Areas, while the Urhobos constitute the majority population in Warri South Local Government Area. We commend INEC for standing by the truth and justice.

    “We therefore call on INEC to complete the process of the fresh delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency and release its final decision without further delay.

    “It is the position of the Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri that there should not be any electoral activity, including registration of voters in the Warri Federal Constituency, without completion of the fresh delineation as ordered by the Supreme Court.

    “Our position is predicated on the ground that, without completion of the fresh delineation exercise, there are no existing electoral wards and polling units upon which any electoral activity can be predicated, including registration of voters.

    Opposing the call by the Itsekiri ethnic nationality that INEC use the voters’ register as basis to conduct the fresh exercise and urging the electoral umpire to “stick to law and guidelines,” they posited that “the primary consideration for the delineation of electoral wards and polling units is the population quota/number of inhabitants and other physical consideration of the areas concerned.

    Read Also: Ahead 2027 elections: INEC seek comprehensive review of electoral legal framework

    “Furthermore, it is our position that, based on the Supreme Court order on fresh delineation of wards and polling units, there is no longer any existing register of voters in the Warri Federal Constituency upon which any activity can be predicated. The field work carried out by INEC and other existing public records revealed the majority population status of the Ijaws and Urhobos in Warri North, Warri South West, and Warri South LGA,s respectively.”

    Noting that the Ijaws and Urhobos of Warri were targets of the uncovered plot by the Department of State Services and sister security agencies of a British Army officer, as well as a traditional ruler and his aides to instigate unrest in Warri, the people called on the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to ensure transparency in the investigation and prosecution of the suspects.

    Condemning a statement issued by some purported Pan Yoruba Groups, where they threatened the peace and security of the Niger Delta region as a result of the Supreme Court ordered delineation, the stated “we are aware that all these threats are the desperate actions of some Itsekiri leaders and should be ignored by the government.”

    Recalling the events that led to the fratricidal war in Warri from 1997 to 2003, the people warned against any attempt to “change the Ijaw and Urhobo majority status in Warri North, Warri South West and Warri South Local Government Areas, respectively as revealed by the INEC report,” just as it urged the Presidency not to be “blackmailed by the Itsekiris in their desperate attempt to truncate the Supreme Court ordered delineation. Any attempt to frustrate the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on the fresh delineation is a direct invitation to anarchy by whoever is involved.”

  • Ex-agitator decries exclusion of Urhobo in governing boards

    Ex-agitator decries exclusion of Urhobo in governing boards

    mayor of Urhobo  land, Eshanakpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro, has condemned exclusion of “illustrious sons and daughters of Urhoboland” from the new governing councils of tertiary institutions.

    The ex-agitator, in a statement through his Media Aide, Austin Oyibode, in Abuja, stressed that the 555-man list undermines the Urhobo people..

    President Bola Tinubu had released new governing councils of institutions, including pro-chancellors, chairmen; and governing boards of federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of Education.

    The President approved the nominees compiled by Federal Ministry of Education after tinkering with an alleged lopsided list initially sent to him.

    Akpodoro noted Urhobo nation is blessed with qualified sons and daughters with track records of service in educational administration.

     He wondered why “one of the most educated tribes in the world didn’t make the Presidnet’s list of governing councils of educational institutions in the country?”

    Read Also: Activist kidnapped in Edo by gunmen in DSS uniform

    The mayor noted having contributed to Nigeria’s growth and development, the Urhobo deserve patronage from the Federal Government and called on the President to, in the spirit of equity and fairpaly, revisit the new list.

    Akpodoro said the group parade renowned academics, who are the pride of Urhobo all over the world.

    “Education is the turf of an Urhobo man and our primary constituency. Denying us a role in the education sector is an attempt to asphixiate life out of  the people. Education is our deity in Urhoboland and we owe it a duty to play a role in the education sector.

    “I call on our President to consider including our own in the list of governing council members of federal institutions,” The mayor said.

  • Ex-militant: Urhobo state will unlock our potential

    Ex-militant: Urhobo state will unlock our potential

    Mayor of Urhoboland and ex-militant leader, Eshanakpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro, has called on  National Assembly to consider creating Urhobo State in its constitutional review of grey areas in the constitution.

    He noted such will add value to human development and growth to Urhobo ethnic group.

    He spoke at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja, yesterday, stressing creating a state for the Urhobo, who are dominant  in Delta Central Senatorial District of Delta State will unlock potential of Urhobo nation.

    The largest homogeneous entity in Delta State, Akpodoro argued Urhobo state will be richer than Bayelsa State with eight small local governments as against eight larger densely populated local governments in Delta Central.

    He noted the state will be rich in crude oil and natural gas resources as he referenced Otorogun gas plant which, he said, is the largest plant in West African.

    He noted the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government is keen on restructuring the federation.

    The Gbaregolor Ughelli South Local Government born mayor noted the proposed state will boast of a creative youth population who would complment development of a united and peaceful nation.

    The renowned youth leader, patron of Maritime Security Agency and president of Agimor Group, said the state when created will be the most peaceful business destination in West Africa and beyond due to the rich culture and hospitality of the people.

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    The electoral capacity of Urhobo people is much more than the population of Bayelsa State, he noted.

    ‘‘Urbobo nation has arable land and are agrarian in nature, noting with such potential, the state can feed its population and feed the nation while synergising with Federal Government to resuscitate moribund industries in the state to engage its productive population.

    He called on leaders of thought to support the crusade for its realisation. If Imo, Abia, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and others could be made autonomous entities, there’s no moral justification not to create Urhobo state from Delta.

    Additionally, the mayor suggested Ughelli North and South as possible capital.

    Akpodoro, a social crusader, who believes in liberal democracy, has been a lone voice for peace, progress, and development of human and material resources in Niger Delta.

  • Group: Urhobo deserve fair representation in govt, others

    Group: Urhobo deserve fair representation in govt, others

    A group, Urhobo Oil and Gas Nationality (UROAGAN), has called for fair representation of Urhobo citizens in government agencies and parastatals. It said despite it huge contributions to the nation’s economy, there is no commensurate benefit for it.

    In a statement jointly signed by senior executives of the group led by its National Chairman,  Dr Obiuwevbi Ominimini, the association urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to change the status quo and ensure indigenes of Urhobo get key positions in the oil and gas industry.

    The statement reads: “The reward for our peaceful and loyalty to the Nigeria project has  been rewarded with deprivation in the petroleum sector where we are a major contributor.  Our volume of crude oil  and gas production is far more than the quantum of production of some states.

    “The Urhobo are not found in the board of NNPCL or even as any of the Directors in the corporation. Those who do not bear the brunt of oil and gas exploration and exploitation are the ones occupying the verious lucrative offices in the NNPCL. The very few Urhobo in the corporation are not promoted as their counterparts or colleagues are speedily promoted above them. Infact   there are Urhobos that have been perpetually  kept as casuals in NNPCL without being staffed.

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     “ It is still shock of the century that  Urhobo who produce the highest crude oil and gas in Delta state is subjected to political manipulations in the state owned Commission called Delta state oil producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC thereby bringing Urhobo to 3rd in benefits which is nothing but a clear cut marginalization.

    “Inspite of all enormous contributions by Urhobo,  we have nothing to show for it in the government-owned establishments and  in terms of appointments.

    “We therefore call on the Federal government as a matter of urgency to correct these abnormalities  against the Urhobo people given our huge contributions to the oil and gas production in Nigeria.

    “We humbly call on Mr President, a very reliable administrator and leader to change the narrative. Also, we the  reject the casualisation of our sons and  daughters in the petroleum sector. We believe in Mr President’s capacity to effect the appointment of Urhobo sons and daughters into critical oil and gas establishments in Nigeria.”

  • Urhobo monarch inaugurates U.D.U. excos

    Urhobo monarch inaugurates U.D.U. excos

    The Ovie of Ughelli, Dr. Willson Ojakovo Oharisi, has inaugurated executives of Ughelli Descendants Union (UDU), to pilot the affairs of kingdom for four years.

     Chief Samuel Akpimegi emerged as the President-General of Ughelli Kingdom.

    The monarch, who addressed the union’s annual conference, urged the new executive members to make Ughelli great.

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     Dignitaries who attended the conference and delegates’ election included Council of Chiefs of the kingdom, the commissioner representing Ughelli, Ethiope East and Urhobo in Patani Local Government on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Sylvester Ovbije, General Egone (rtd) and others.

  • UPU greets Okowa, Urhobo lawmakers

    The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) has congratulated Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on his re-election.

    A statement by the President-General, Olorogun Moses Taiga, urged Okowa to use his second term to bring more developments to Urhobo land, in particular, and Delta in general.

    The union also greeted the lawmakers-elect from Delta Central, urging them to always promote Urhobo interest and work towards the development of Urhoboland.

    Read also: Comedian I Go Dye congratulates Okowa

    The statement reads: “The Urhobo Nation is expecting more development projects from the government in the next four years.

    “To those who feel their mandates were stolen, the Nigerian electoral system is not perfect and you have every right to go to court if you feel aggrieved. But every action you take should be legal. No more violence, we have lost too many people already.”

  • ‘Urhobo will give Buhari one million votes’

    Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central) has said the only way the Urhobo nation can reciprocate President Muhammadu Buhari’s kind gesture is to give him their over one million votes on February 16.

    Omo-Agege, who spoke during his ward to ward campaign at Oria Abraka, Eku, Isiokolo and other communities in Ethiope East, said Urhobo has no other option but to re-elect President Buhari.

    According to him, Buhari has endeared himself to the Urhobo people as a friend and leader, and it will be to their benefit if they use their vote to thank him.

    He urged the people not to be intimidated by the planned use of security agents by the opposition to harass them, saying the Federal Government will provide security for every Nigerian, particularly Deltans to ensure the election is violence-free.

    Omo-Agege said: “I assure you that Ogboru is our governor come March 2, while President Buhari will be re-elected for a second term on February 16.

    “The PDP administration has consistently failed us as a people, but it was President Buhari who gave us hope as a people. Now, someone who served in the 16 years of PDP failure is coming to ask us to vote for him, how does it sound?

    “Ogboru is from Ethiope East, this is his home, and we expect everyone to vote for him to ensure that Urhobo delivers their bloc votes to him and President Buhari. I am supporting President Buhari because he has the interest of the Urhobo nation at heart, and he did a lot for the Urhobo people in his first term.”