From left, Chief (Prof.) Williams Odiete, Olorogun Moses Taiga, President-General, UPU, Prof Sam Oyovwaire, Prof. Sam Iboje and Chief (Mrs.) Margaret Unukegwor at the abandoned Polytechnic Site in Deghele-Elume during a working visit to the place by the UPU.

OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO

In continuation of its plan to establish a University for the Urhobo Nation, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) World-wide on invitation of Okpe Leaders of Thought recently paid a working visit to Deghele-Elume to inspect the abandoned site of proposed Delta Polytechnic offered by Okpe Kingdom to host the University.

Led by Olorogun(Dr.)Moses Taiga, President-General, the UPU delegation was joyfully received by renowned Okpe Leaders and enthusiastic crowd of Community People.

Speaking to The a National Reformer at the site of the abandoned poly at Deghele-Elume, Olorogun Taiga called on the Urhobo Nation to speak with one voice.

According to Olorogun Taiga, “there has never been a division. There has always been one indivisible UPU since 1931 and it shall remain so. Urhobo shall speak with one voice always.”

On his achievements in office so far, the UPU President General Worldwide said,  “achievements are a continuous thing. Trying to set up a university is one of them. We are trying to set up a microfinance bank for our women. We are talking to government about upgrading Urhobo College. We want to upgrade Sapele Technical College and the Technical College in Ogor. We have also got the government to approve the study of Urhobo in our primary and secondary schools and the government is going to launch it soon.”

He added, “in a short time, we are achieving a lot of things. Uwiamughe, our cultural centre is being fenced at the moment and it is going to be improved upon as time goes on.”

Also speaking during the visit, Prof. S. W. E. Ibodje,  Senior Special Adviser to the UPU on Education explained the need to investigate the site before launching the project, adding, “we are here to explore possibilities of taking over the place and then we move forward to start the process of establishing the university. The benefit is if we acquire it, we will establish a university here and those who have not been able to go to university because of distance will take advantage of this one that is near them. If you go to the South West, you see so many graduates because there are many universities.”

Prof. Ibodje, former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt spoke further, “that is the benefit we are going to derive from having a university close by, where we don’t need to stress on what it will cost to feed somewhere, get accommodation. If you are close to your home, you can become a graduate.”

In his comments at the site, Prof. Williams Odiete, internationally-acclaimed Marine Biologist and a son of the community explained that the community is blessed with arable land as well as marine resources.

The site, with a structure bearing 42 lecture halls was formerly established for a polytechnic by the Delta State Government and is donated by Okpe Kingdom to the UPU.

Earlier, the UPU delegation made a stop-over at the Opuraja Country home of Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, former Minister of Information where they were treated to a brief reception by Okpe Leaders of Thought led by renowned legal luminary, Chief Onomigbo Okpoko (SAN).

On hand to receive the delegation at Opuraja were Chief Onomigbo Okpoko (SAN), Chief Robert Onome, President General, Okpe Union, Worldwide, Chief Ede Dafinone, Mrs. Rosalyn Egborge, Regsitrar, Edwin Clark University, Chief Godwin Egigba, Chief Austin Orhorho, Chief (Prof.) Oyibo, Dr. Abeke, Chief (Mrs.) Margaret Unukegwor, Chief (Mrs.) Tina Daye (Elder sister of Father Abaka Oghenejode) and others.