The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Urhobo

  • ‘I want to be Urhobo voice in National Assembly’

    ‘I want to be Urhobo voice in National Assembly’

    Masheni Johnson is a House of Representatives aspirant in the Ughelli-Udu Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, he reflects on the plight of Urhobo in Delta State and their quest for a sense of belonging.

    How long have you been participating in the affairs of the constituency?

    I have been participating in the constituency politics since 1999. So, I am old in Delta politics. But I am only just coming out to contest for election.

    Why are you going to the House of Representatives?

    I am going there to be the voice of the Urhobo nation. I observe that after the death of Senator Pius Ewherido, the voice of Urhobo people have not been heard at the National Assembly. I am also going to the House of Representatives to see that I bring government close to my people. As at today, the government is very far from my people. I am going for the House of Representatives because having asked one or two questions without getting the right answers. I have probed into the activities of those representing us at the House, on what have they done and how its affect the lives of my people. Coincidentally, I was having a meeting in Ughelli and I asked a simple question because that was when the National Assembly commissioned the constituency projects. I tried to find how many projects they have commissioned in the constituency. I discovered they have not really done much. So, the question that would come to mind will be what happened to the constituency allowance and what is it being used for?

    Since there are other contestants in the APC, what is the assurance that you will get the ticket?

    There are other contestants. In Delta politics, some people believe you cannot win election unless you have a lot of money. But over time, we have been able to build structures, and we have engaged our people on issues. Now, the orientation is changing; they are now aware that in the past they were used and dumped after collecting money. When they go to them to demand the dividend of democracy, they tell them that they have been settled. Now my people are no longer looking for who will give them money and abandon them. They are looking for someone that they can send to the House as their messenger. So, I have presented myself to be their messenger and their voice. So, in the selection process and by the grace of God too, we are also consulting.

    Don’t you think the PDP will use the power of incumbency against you in the election?

    The power of incumbency will not count at this juncture. I must tell you that those who served one term in the House do not always return. Ughellli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency have never returned a sitting member of the House. From 1999 to the present moment, those who have served as in the constituency end up serving for only with one term. The record shows there has been no purposeful representation. When you are elected, you have to perform. As long as you did not perform, my people are ready to stop you. The power of incumbency to a large extent will not stop me.

    Your party is always accused of imposition. If this plays out again and you fail to get its ticket, what will be your reaction?               

    Yes, there is this allegation that that our party imposes candidate on the people. We need to know again that this same APC also means well. When they imposed a candidate, they have their reason too. The candidate may have supported the party one way or the other. And the question I keep asking people is that is all the people that the APC imposed, are they not credible? I am not in support of imposition, because I am ready to go to battle it out in the primaries with anybody. But when the issue of imposition arises, I will do all within my power to see that I participate.

    What is the assurance that people at the grassroots will support you?

    First and foremost, so many people have been urging us to come forward to participate in grassroots politics. But we have to accept the request at the appropriate time. So far, so good; we have been on ground. We have the Masheni Movement in the three local governments within the constituency. This has become a household name. We have been able to put that in the minds of the people. At the grassroots, we are on ground. As I speak today, I am the only House of Representatives aspirant in the constituency that has a formidable campaign organisation.

    How has government fostered   infrastructure development in your constituency?

    The government has not done much in my constituency. The developments you can see on ground today are not commensurate with the resources that the state gets from Federal Govern-ment. We see this as a deliberate act to shortchange the people. My people have been in the opposition. They deliberately punish them because of their political affiliation. So, if you go to Udu, Ughelli North and South, there is no development. It is the only place you go to and see the least Okada rider that operate there is an OND holder.

    Following the disagreement just before its convention, the APC still has some reconciliation to do within its ranks. What should the party do to bring everybody together?

    In every election, the loser always comes up to cry foul; except what we have just witnessed in Ekiti, where someone will lose an election and would gladly have a warm handshake with the winner. My advice for the aggrieved parties is that they should see this as a sacrifice. They should see it as a way of moving the party forward. It is the real wish of the people that has prevailed. I also advise the new national chairman to harmonise the party. That someone is angry and wants to leave the party is uncalled for, if they tow this line, it means they are not democrats. As democrats, they should be prepared to win or fail.

  • ‘Urhobo nation now back to reckoning’

    THE Ethiope East Local Government Transition Committee Chairman, Olorogun Sunday Eromedoghene, has said with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winning the Delta central senatorial election, the Urhobo nation was back in the mainstream.

    He said the PDP victory was not only a landmark but a gate way to development for Urhobo ethnic nationality.

    He said: “We have seen that what the Urhobo nation has suffered in the recent time was being in opposition and that was why we have to do all within our power with the great help of our amiable governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan who was there for us and even denied himself of travelling all to ensure that PDP wins the Delta Central and all amounted the fact of his laudable programme across the eight local government of the Delta Central and same thing applied to the Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Aigbe Utuama for all his support.”

    Onoriode said the Delta central senatorial election was the first of its kind and attributed the victory to the three point agenda of Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan.

    He said: “What we saw was PDP regaining her lost territory because Delta Central in 1999, 2003, 2007 was being controlled by PDP but all of a sudden in 2011, the opposition came and took over PDP but today PDP has come out with full unity to claim what belong to them and it was the first time in the history of elections where no death issue or any form of violence was recorded or crises and that tells you the election was peaceful unlike previous elections of 2011.”

     

  • Urhobo leaders endorse Dafinone for Senate

    Urhobo leaders have endorsed the businesman, Mr. Ede Dafinone, for the Senate, ahead of the Delta Central District by-election.

    They also called on the voters to vote at the poll, based on the candidates’ credibility, competence and ability.

    Dafinone, a chartered accountant, is the son of the prominent Urhobo leader, Senator David Dafinone. He has been involved in many philanthropist activities in the district. He is running under the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP).

    Rising from a meeting at Egini, Udu Local Government Area, theUrhobo Leaders of Thought said “the next senator for Delta Central must be a person with articulate vision, unquestionable credibility, level headed and, above all, a disciplined gentleman”.

    The leaders, who described Dafinone as the best hand for the job, said the chartered accountant has built a strong and purposeful relationship among the various communities in Urhoboland.

    “Chief Ede Dafinone stands out of the pack of pretenders, traders and contenders. He is an accomplished economist, a distinguished accountant, a large hearted philanthropist, a reputable humanist and a God-fearing individual. He is a very successful man, whose success flows, not from his material possession, but from the many lives he has touched in Urhobo land with his love and kindness,” the leaders said.

    According to a statement by the National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Michael Akpomughe, the leaders said: “Chief Ede Dafinone’s victory is vital to the development of Urhoboland”.

    “He is coming to serve and not to make money,” the statement said.

    Recalling the late Senator Pius Ewherido’s contributions to the Urhobo nation, the leaders appealed to Chief Great Ogboru and other top leaders of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) to support Dafinone.

    The group urged the Urhobo to vote for a trust-worthy candidate, who will be their ambassador in the Senate.

  • One Urhobo kingdom, seven monarchs

    One Urhobo kingdom, seven monarchs

    The famous Ughievwen Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State is embroiled in crisis. Eight monarchs are jostling for recognition after four of the clans that make up the old kingdom broke away and installed their own kings. More than one monarch has also emerged within some of the sub-clans.

    Chief Thomas Oketete of Uhurie-Subclan is Okutu l, Ovie of Uhurie Kingdom; Mr Felix Ofuru of Ughevwughe-Uhurie Subclan is Ovie of Ughievwen Kingdom; Chief Thompson Apah of Agbowhiame-Ukpedi Subclan, is Adjasaba l, Ovie of Ukpedi Kingdom; T.E.O.Oviri of Okwagbe-Ukpedi Subclan is Mosumo-Okwagbe l, Ovie of Ukpedi Kingdom and Dafe Bukeroro Kogbodi of Egbo-Ideh-Owahwa Subclan is Ode l, Ovie of Owahwa Kingdom.

    Others are William Kushone of Iwhreka-Orhowhe Subclan, Ovie of Orhowhe Kingdom and David Okome of Otor-Edo -Orhowhe subclan, Edo l, Ovie of Orhowhe kingdom.

    The kings have their crowd of supporters and opponents within the larger kingdom and their own clans. They also have personal trouble and challenges they are contending with. But none faces as much headache as the Okobaro of Ugheivwen, HRM Mathew Egbi Owawha II, whose sphere of authority has been greatly reduced by rebellious subjects. He faces war from seven fronts.

    Two of the contestants to the various thrones are in trouble over their aspirations; while one of the ‘kings’ has been declared wanted by the police, another has been arrested and in custody.

    Although the Secretary of Ughievwen Traditional Council of Chiefs, Olorogun Benson Tietie, told our reporter that there is only one Okobaro (king), Owawha II, in Ughievwen, our investigation revealed otherwise.

    Among the newly emerged kingdoms is Ukpedi, which leaders recently crowned His Royal Majesty Tony Evwiroro Maka Oviri (JP) (Okwagbe I) as king.

    Throwing a light on the crisis that led to the disintegration of the Ughievwen Kingdom, the sectional monarch said the development was the product of 20 years of internal bickering over the throne of Okobaro (king) of Ughievwen.

    It was gathered that the emergence of the current monarch, Owawha II as the Okobaro of Ughievwen did enjoy the support of other clans. It was gathered he enjoys the support of the state government, which Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama hails from the kingdom.

    Although Owawha II received a staff of office from the state government in 2011, he failed to receive the respect of other clans. The grievances of those opposed to him, our finding revealed, stemmed from the fact that he hails from Owawha clan (as his title implies), the same as the last occupant of the throne.

    Olorogun Tietie clarified that the case went to court and a ruling affirming Owawha II as king was obtained.

    He said rather that appeal the ruling, various sub-clans came up with their iown kings, stating: “As at today, there are seven kings.”

    “Thomas Okotete declared himself king of Uwhurie. We went to court to challenge it and the judge referred the matter to UPU (Urhobo Progress Union) for settlement. Other clans are declaring themselves kingdom. Now there are seven. One of the ‘kings; have been declared wanted, one remanded in custody. Others are moving up and down parading themselves. But it is illegal.”

    But speaking with reporters at Eyara, the ancestral home of the clan after his coronation, Okwagbe I said it was agreed that the various clans should go their separate ways to restore peace among the people.

    The ceremony was witnessed by the 11 communities that make up the kingdom.

    He said: “The division all started as a result of the struggle for the succession of the Okobaro seat, particularly when His Royal Majesty Dase from Owawha Kingdom passed on. It took the kingdom over twenty years to find somebody to succeed him and, as a result of the wrangling that occurred, the counsel from men of God and other men of wisdom, the communities came to the conclusion that it was better that the four sub-clans that made up the Ughievwen Kingdom go their separate ways.

    “The meeting led to another round of meeting which (was) thought wise by High Chief Kenneth Gbagi (former Minister of State for Education) and other sons of the kingdom that led to the unanimous decision that the four sub-clans should go their separate ways.

    “As I speak to you now, the Uwurhie at that time which felt offended as a result of not having a bite of the kingship were the first to have succeeded, and they have their own king.”

    Okwagbe 1 told his supporters that his reign would attract massive development and usher fresh breath to the people of the kingdom. He added that he was aware of the problems facing his people.

    He said: “Our community felt that enough is enough for the wicked ones, they selected me and crowed as a king. To them, I have the grassroots support; I have the middle class, the women and men, youths. Iit was an overwhelming support my people showed to me. And as at yesterday (on Monday) the elders and leaders of the 11 communities that make up the Ukpedi Kingdom, crowned me in a very groundbreaking ceremony as their Ovie, and I will not disappoint them.

    “I want to commend one of our High Chiefs, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi who I would say midwife this kingdom and by the grace of God, we are grateful to him for his very bold step. With this, it is going to be a new dawn for the kingdom.”

    He urged the people of the kingdom to give the monarch the needed support to succeed.

    Nevertheless, our independent investigations revealed that there is crisis even within the Ukpedi Kingdom. Sources, who asked not to be named, said a section of the chiefs in the kingdom have elected their own king.

    “Tony Oviri, no doubt, enjoys the support of some prominent members of the kingdom, including the former minister and a prominent clergy, who is an executive member of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), but the truth remains that there are other persons in the kingdom. The opinions of these other persons are also important,” our source said.

    But, some are also backing Apah of Agbowhiame-Ukpedi Subclan, who has also been crowned Adjasaba l, Ovie of Ukpedi Kingdom.

    How long the crisis rages may determine how many monarchs finally emerge. But, Tietie, who backs his position with the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Laws, Section 20 (2a), warned that those parading themselves risk being sent to jail.

    He said: “…they shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment of two years or a fine of N5,000.”

    What is certain though is that the last has not been heard of the Ughievwen monarchs and their kingdoms.

  • Urhobo attributes declining fortunes of sports to poor programmes

    Urhobo attributes declining fortunes of sports to poor programmes

    Tony Urhobo, a former President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) on Tuesday attributed the declining standard of athletics in the country to lack of a comprehensive school sports programme.

    Urhobo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that until the right people were put together to plan and execute such programmes, it would be difficult to get good results. He said there had been a systemic failure over the years and it needed to be addressed.

    “The problem we have had over the years is systemic. It is not just in sports alone, but in sports you have a tested area where everything you have done is open for the whole world to see.

    “Everybody appears to be a specialist in trying to analyse events like this without knowing fully well, how we have arrived at this stage.

    “I know it is a systematic problem, until we have the right kind of person, group of people put together to plan and execute programmes, it is going to be difficult for us to get the kind of results that will make every one happy. The thing is that there have been several plans over the years, but the major problem is, how do you execute such plans when you are not actually in a position to do that.’’

    He said the ministries of education and sports should draw up a plan for the development of sports at the grassroots adding that the education ministry has a major role to play when it comes to sports development.

    “A major area in this is that sports and education go hand in hand, there is what we call professional sports, amateurish sports and there is what we call developmental sports programmes. The ministry of education has a major role when it comes to development of sports; it is not just the job of a body now known as the National Sports Committee.

    He added that most of the former athletes who excelled in sports were identified at the school sports level.

  • Urhobo students get leaders

    The National Association of Urhobo Students, Delta State University (DELSU) chapter, has inaugurated its new executive to pilot the affairs of the association for another academic session. Members also welcomed freshers into the association.

    At a colourful ceremony attended by old and new students of Urhobo extraction, the immediate past president of the association, Ernest Igbighogho, 500-Level Law, who was recently elected the national president of the association, crowned the new king that will be in charge of the association.

    The new Okobaro, title for president in Urhobo dialect, Onovwotafe Newton, 500-Level Electrical and Electronics Engineering, thanked Earnest for his doggedness and desire for excellence, which, he said, had yielded good result in making him the national president.

    He also appreciated some of the outgoing members, such as Samuel Akpimegi, Lucky Chughiefe, Morris Iwhiwhu for their efforts to take the association higher.

    The highpoint of the ceremony was when the freshers were called to dance to the tunes of Urhobo music. Many of them could not dance to the music.

    Some of the new students promised to be good ambassadors of the association. Okpoji Rukeme, 100-Level Law, said she was not expecting the type of reception accorded the freshers, saying she was honoured to be among her kinsmen.

  • Urhobo nation calls for creation of more states

    The leadership of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), umbrella body of Urhobo ethnic nationality, yesterday advocated for the creation of more states in the country.

    They also called for the abolition of Joint Account Committee (JAC) between the state and local government area.

    They made the calls at a public hearing session of the 1999 constitutional review convened by Hon. Austin Ogbaburhon, House of Representative member, representing Ughelli North, South and Udu Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representative.