The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), the apex social cultural body in Urhobo nation today elected and swore in the executive of the UPU youth wing with Comrade Nicholas Omoko from Oghara kingdom emerging as the new president.

The election which took place at the famous Urhobo Cultural hall in Warri South Local Government Area of the Delta State was conducted under the watchful eyes of the President General of UPU, Chief Moses Taiga, who was represented by the Secretary General, UPU, Barrister Ese Gam Owei. Four position were contested for while the other positions were declared unopposed.

Winners of the four positions contested for were; Comrade Nicholas Omoko (President), Comrade Jeferey Ebireri Ovie (Deputy President), Comrade Joseph Adjari (Secretary General), and Comrade Solomon Onoriode Okoh (Publicity Secretary).

Those that were declared unopposed were; Comrade Raymond Temisere (Assistant Publicity Secretary), Akpomeha Atavwohwe (Assistant Secretary), Comrade Peter Akpevwe Dievuamrere (Chief Whip), Comrade Abraham Eka (Organizing Secretary), Comrade Gabriel Eyefa (Audito), Comrade Godwin Uvietesivwi (Treasurer).

Others are: Comrade Eguono Okpeh (Fin. Secretary), Comrade Oghenemine Amodu (Welfare Officer), Comrade Stephen Atiri (Dir. Of Security and Intelligence), Comrade Clever Daniel (Dir of Sports, Arts & Culture), Comrade Julius Ekure (Dir of Peace and Reconciliation), and Comrade Gift Obomu (Dir of Human Resources & Employment).

The Chairman of the electoral committee, Chief Barr  Emmanuel Omovie, before the conduct of the election, explained that the UPU followed due process in conducting the election, noting that two delegates each from the 24 kingdom of Urhbobo nation were selected by the traditional rulers of their kingdoms. Option A4 was used to conduct the election and delegates were made to queue behind their candidates.

Chief Taiga in his speech commended the electoral committee for conducting the election in such a way that it can be described as free and fair, adding that this was the first time in a long while that the Urhobo apex cultural body has con conducted an election for the youth wing of the body.

He advised the youths who have been elected into the executive of the youth wing of the UPU to see their election as a call for service, admonishing them that they should show good example as they go about their duties.

He challenged them to aspire for the more challenging positions not only in Urhobo nation but also in the country, noting youths from other parts of the country have been aspiring to become president of the country.

“For once after so many years, the Urhobo Progress Union is conducting an election of its youth’s wing. As you all know, in any election there must be complains here and there. But we are going to accommodate everybody that is ready to work with us,” Chief Taiga said.

In his acceptance speech, the UPU (Youth Wing) President, Nicholas Omoko commended the electoral committee for the successful conduct of the election, promising that his executive will not let the Urhobo nation down.

He also thanked the various monarchs in the kingdoms for giving them the opportunity to serve the Urhobo kingdom saying that his administration will collaborate with constituted authorities in ensuring that development comes to the Urhobo nation.

He added that his administration is going to ensure that the Urhobo language is incorporated into the primary and secondary school curriculum just as he lamented that the Urhobo language is going into extinction because Urhobob children can no longer speak the language.

“We are going to work with the parent body to ensure that the Urhobo language is studied in our higher institutions. We have discovered that the Urhobo language is going into extinction and we are not going to sit down and fold our arms and watch while our language goes into extinction. We are going to do all that we can to ensure that we revive the Urhobo language,” Omoko said.

Speaking to our correspondent in an interview, Comrade Omoko said that he is very happy that the Urhbobo people have given him the opportunity to serve them, adding that it has always been his desire to serve his people.

“As the youth wing of the UPU, we are going to work in synergy with the parent body under the administration of Chief Moses Taiga in the area of provision of social security and employment for our youths.

‘We are going to ensure that the Urhobo language is incorporated into our primary here in Delta State. We will also that the Urhobo language is inculcated into WAEC and NECO curriculum. We are going to work with all the President Generals and youth bodies in all the twenty four kingdoms in Urhobo nation to ensure that peace and is sustained in Urhobo nation,” Comrade Omoko added.