By Francis Sadhere, Warri
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the youth wing of a sociocultural group, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide,
hads urged Urhobo youths in Delta state to speak with one voice.
President of UPU Youth Wing Worldwide, Comrade Duru Nixon Ufuoma, made this statement at a press conference held in Agbaroh, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta recently.
He said the youths have embarked on mass mobilization of youths in the various Urhobo kingdoms against being used for political thuggery.
In this regard, the group said it has already inaugurated awareness committees in the various communities and kingdoms of Urhoboland in the State “with the mandate to educate the youths on how not to be used for ulterior motives by selfish politicians.”
The President urged Urhobo elders and leaders of thought to support the initiative “by educating the youths so as not to go astray for parochial interest in the forthcoming political dispensation.”
While noting that over 10 Urhobo governorship aspirants have already signified intention for the contest, Ufuoma disclosed that virtually all of them have collective interest.
He said, “It is the interest of the Urhobo that we are clamouring for while our individual interest is secondary hence we don’t want some persons who are followers of these aspirants to start seeing themselves as enemies to one another.
“Urhobo leaders should endeavour to support this noble cause and join us in creating the necessary awareness for the teeming youths”.
Ufuoma described Urhobo Progress Union as the greatest heritage of the ethnic group while urging Urhobo youths to “nurture the heritage by practising the path of peace, unity and progress.”
“We must love ourselves. With love, we shall know that we are brothers from the same root of Urhobo family. We must retain our core culture and tradition.
“We must frequently interact with our elders. The Urhobo Leadership and Business Round Table Forum should be embraced by all where Urhobo youths and the elders as well as politicians will share the same table of thought. This kind of forum must be encouraged as it serves as a platform for cross-pollination between the youth and the Urhobo elders and politicians. It should be noted that such an avenue shall help to reveal certain truths and propel ideas that shall help in easier transition of authority and knowledge.
“Our elders must not scare or misuse us. They must open their arms and cage us in their lines of wisdom so we can have a straight and promising future,” he added.
