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Ibori, Taiga preach unity at Urhobo Congress

By Owen Akenzua (Asaba) and Chido Okafor (Warri)
04 December 2017   |   3:50 am
Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, at the weekend urged the Urhobo people to close ranks for the progress and development of the nation.

Head, Department of English and Literary Studies, Delta State University (DELSU), Dr. Sunny Awefeada (left); Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa; President General, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Olorogun Moses Oghenerume Taiga and former Governor James Ibori during the unveiling of Urhobo Language Curriculum at UPU’s 86th Annual Urhobo National Day in Uvwiamuge-Agbarho

Okowa unveils Urhobo Language curriculum, urges peace

Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, at the weekend urged the Urhobo people to close ranks for the progress and development of the nation.

He advised the leaders of the ethnic nationality not to allow political and personal interests cause division in the Delta Central Senatorial District.He said he was particularly worried that politics had caused serious divisions within the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), the umbrella body of all Urhobo people, saying they must be united to make impact in Delta and the entire country.

Ibori, who was special guest of honour at the 2017 edition of Urhobo Day celebration organised by the UPU, stressed the need for unity and progress in Urhobo land saying the ethnic group had the best brains and natural resources to earn a respected place in the country.

“The Urhobo cannot afford to be divided. UPU belongs to all of us. I will be the first to accept that we made a terrible mistake to be fighting ourselves, the division we have today is totally unnecessary. The Urhobo has the force to move mountains in this country, but because of disunity we can not,” he said.

Speaking, President General of UPU, Olorogun Moses Taiga, promised that by the time the Urhobo meet again in 2018, the crises in the various wings of union would have been resolved.He urged the Urhobo to be good host of investors saying industries are needed to create jobs and bring about development of the area. He advised the youths to be engaged in agriculture. 

Taiga said the proposed Mukoro Mowoe University would soon take off, as the Uvwiamuge Community has donated a piece of land for the purpose.He lamented the menace of herdsmen in Urhobo communities attributing the development to the poor farm yields and the high cost of foodstuff in Delta, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently address the issue, which he said, was a threat to national security.

Taiga also condemned the continued killings in the Aladja-Ogbe-Ijoh boundary clashes, warning that the Urhobo would not relinquish any land belonging to its people.The highlight of the meeting was the formal inauguration of the Urhobo language curriculum for primary and secondary schools, which were commissioned by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

He lauded the UPU for organising the event, which was geared towards promoting love and unity in the Urhobo nation, adding:  “The UPU has acquitted itself as one of the few credible, reputable and enduring socio-cultural organisations with clear focus, unambiguous objectives, proven track record and visionary leadership.”

He also urged the people of Niger Delta to sustain the existing peace in the region, saying: “It behooves all political, business, community, youth leaders and traditional institutions to ensure that the peace we are currently enjoying in the Niger Delta is sustained.”

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