Embattled President-General, Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Chief Joe Omene, has lamented the socio-economic and political situation of Urhobo nation, pointing out that it is most unfortunate that majority of Urhobo men have resorted to Okada riding and Keke drivers around Sapele, Warri, Ughelli and Oghara while other ethnic groups are comfortably recognised by the few oil companies that give them a better lease of life.
Chief Omene noted that apart from Hausa boys that recently joined the undignified business, there are so many educated but unemployed Urhobos that took to Okada riding for survival owing to ravaging poverty in the land, as a result of inaccessibility to their common wealth.
Omene observed that the sad and ugly development stemmed from the betrayal by Urhobo political leaders and lack of direction by traditional rulers, who sell their birth rights to other ethnic groups for a plate of porriage.
Chief Omene, who is still in court over the UPU election that brought Chief Moses Taiga in, says, there is no gainsaying the fact of the existence of enormous oil and gas wealth in Urhobo land, yet majority of educated and able bodied Urhobo sons and daughters are living as second class citizens and engaged in menial jobs for survival.
“Imagine the pathetic condition under which Urhobos live, compared to its close ethnic neighbors that are well-off from the resources their children benefit from.
“How can the political and economic resources of the land be mortgaged by political manipulators at the detriment of Urhobo kingdom against what obtained in the era of former Governor, Chief James Ibori,” he quizzed.
Applauding the lofty roles of past UPU leaders under the pioneer leadership of Chief Mukoro Mowoe and others like Chief David Dafinone, Chief Michael Ibru as well as former General Managing Director of Delta Steel Company, (DSC) for the latter’s foresight of mass employment and training of Urhobos in DSC, Omene observed that succeeding leaders failed in their responsibilities to address the challenges facing Urhobo as the large ethnic nationality in Nigeria.
Urhobos, being the fifth, if not the fourth ethnic nationality in Nigeria, according to Omene, has the highest population density in their homeland of Central of eight local government areas while maintaining high population in Warri South, Warri Southwest, Patani, Burutu and Bomadi and large settlement in all parts of Western Nigeria and Lagos, Kano, Jos and Kaduna states, among others.
The Ejorofo of Mosogar Kingdom asked, “Are Urhobos destined to be Okada riders, while others are sauntering and enjoying the natural resources of our land, while our oil and gas locations are scattered all over the kingdom?
Beating his chest, the outspoken engineer cum community leader boasted of his numerous achievements, he described as unsurpassed by any PG, since the inception of the umbrella socio-cultural organisation
He said: “I increased UPU branches, both nationwide and worldwide from eighteen to sixty-eight, established branches in foreign countries of Italy, Germany, Malaysia Austria and other African countries.
“A warm reception was accorded me by Urhobo indigenes in Burkina-Faso, Gambia and Ghana, adding, the High Commission of Nigeria in these countries praised Urhobos for being law abiding, peaceful people and honestly going about their legitimate businesses.”
The unrelenting fighter for second term of the PG seat disclosed that Urhobo socio cultural consciousness can be awakened by massive involvement of the growing branches by a yearly carnival that will kindle the interest of every indigene of Urhobo nationwide and in diaspora.
Chief Omene drew the attention of Urhobos saying, “I made a request to President Muhammadu Buhari to consider Urhobo nation for the Deputy Senate President slot, zoned to South-South during his campaign in 2015 and this was followed up by my letter to the Presidency on behalf of Urhobo Progress Union, which former Chief of Staff, late Abba Kyari ensured it’s implementation by picking Senator Ovie Omo- Agege.
Ejorofo who said the PG tussle is still in the courts, however is optimistic that Urhobo will soon meet its Eldorado, adding that his record of achievement, presently stands tallest for Urhobo as a people to judge and for posterity.
