OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO
Urhobos have been called upon to give due respect to traditional rulers (Ivies) as obtained in other ethnic nationalities just as President Muhammadu Buhari has been called upon to to appoint an Urhobo into a high political office in his administration befitting its status as the fifth largest ethnic nationality that produces large chunk of oil and gas.
This call was made by Bishop (Dr.) Ajokparoghene Okijenu (JP) of Praise God Revival Ministry in a chat with the Urgobo Voice in Effurun, he warned that to avoid premature death that is now rampant, Urhobos in government and out of government should accord due respect to traditional rulers in Urhobo nation.
Bishop Okijenu (JP) also called on the incoming national executive of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) not to drag the apex socio-cultural organisation of Urhobos into partisan politics, he advised that anyone in the incoming national Exco that would drag the UPU into partisan politics would not be spared of the wrath of God.
The cleric condemned in strong terms the actions of some men of God who according to him cajole worshippers and their members by forcefully and tactically extracting donations from them during worship or thanksgiving service, he said this is not Biblical.
According to him, “the UPU is the umbrella body that brings unity amongst the Urhobos, so the national executive must not be involved in partisan politics. Our traditional rulers are the custodians of our tradition and culture, so all sons and daughters of Urhobo nation, either in government, private sector or the UPU must give them, elders, fathers and mothers their due respect as directed by God in Exodus chapter 20 verse12 and Ephesians chapter 6 Verse 1 and this command even goes with a promise that the days of anyone who respects them will be long. We should honor and respect our kings as the Binis honour their Oba, as the Yorubas honour their Alafin, Oni and the Hausas their Sultan or Emir, doing this will make our days to be long to avoid premature deaths among us”
On his call on President Buhari, Bishop Okijenu has this to say, “I am using this opportunity to plead with President Buhari to give an Urhobo a very top political appointment in his cabinet , we are the fifth largest ethnic nation and we are contributing our quota in terms of oil and gas to the nation’s treasury but yet, we lack overall infrastructural development. None of us here in the Niger Delta has control over oil block. We are the goose that lays the golden egg, Mr. President, please act now in the interest of equity, fairness and justice, give an Urhobo a top political appointment.”
He spoke further, “as for my colleagues on the pulpit, men of God, preachers, please stop cajoling or forcing your members to give money above their means with the “promise” that God will bless them. We all know that God will bless a cheerful giver but the idea of subtly pushing them to give, give and give and at the end, they give grudgingly is not Biblical as directed in 2 Corinthians chapter 9 verses 7-8.”
He prayed God to bless Urhobo nation just as he prayed God to usher in peace and development to Urhobo nation, Delta state and Nigeria.
