Prof. Benjamin Okaba, Congratulates Urhobo Progress Union On Her 93RD Urhobo National Day Celebration

**”Admonishes Urhobo Ethnic Nationality To Uphold The Virtues That Bond Ijaw And Urhobo

The president Ijaw National Congress INC worldwide, Prof. Benjamin Okaba has felicitated Urhobo progressive union UPU, as they celebrate the 93rd edition of the refining journey of the Urhobo people.

The president of the Apex Ijaw body, in a statement recalled the sacred ties shared between the Ijaws and the Urhobo’s which has kept them in Harmony and birthing several inter-Ethnic marriages and working relationships that have shaped the Niger Delta region.

“To be part of this grandiloquent ceremony that marks yet another milestone in the impactful sojourn of the Urhobo Nation to their dream state of self-actualization. Forty million Ijaw people under the auspices of the Ijaw National Congress, the umbrella body of all Ijaw socio-cultural organisations congratulate the entire Urhobo Nation and the UPU for remaining the strong and vibrant voice of the Urhobo in its Ninety Three years of existence.

The Ijaw Nation considers their participation in this program as a privilege and as well an obligation. The common experiences, constraints and aspirations for greatness, mutually shared, resulting from significant historical, territorial (the unique deltaic environment), political, social and economic contacts, interfaces and partnerships over the years have made the Urhobo and Ijaw one of the closest neighbors in the Niger Delta. This is exemplified in part, by the fact that there is hardly any prominent Ijaw man or woman without some sort of biological and socio-economic link to the Urhobo. The reverse is also the case. In major Urhobo communities (Ughelli, Agbarho, Uvwie, Abraka) the Ijaw are the largest non-indigenous population. The Uvwie are even historically known to have emigrated from Tuomo Community Burutu Local Government Areas, which extends the Ijaw fraternal penetration to the Urhobo contemporary geography.
Contrariwise, the Urhobo constitute the highest non-indigenous population in major Ijaw communities such as Yenagoa, Bomadi, Patani, Amassoma, Kaiama, Kpakiama etc. We also have several Urhobo speaking Ijaw communities in Delta State. There is also the inconclusive history of the Tarakiri that says the great Ughelli Kingdom has ties with Ijaw progenitors. Mind my word, I said inconclusive history. All these are indicative of the fact that the Ijaw and Urhobo are one and the same people.

It is pertinent to also highlight the close cultural affinities among the Ijaw and Urhobo in several other areas including the indigenous monarchical leadership systems (Ovie and Pere), ancestral veneration, rich masquerade ceremonies, unique music and dance styles (with energetic rhythms), generosity and hospitality (in the entertainment of visitors), reverence for elders and persons in authority (in and outside of government), community centrism, community livelihood systems (fishing and farming) and in the celebration of rites of passage. These are well documented and need to be deliberately passed on from one generation to another for the purpose of fostering peaceful co-existence among these two ethnic nationalities.

As ethnic leaders on both sides of the divide, we must leverage on these common and strong traits/ties, and build on them to create stronger bonds of brotherhood, to be able to handle our common potentials and multidimensional existential threats. As brothers and neighbors, let us reactivate and upscale these virtues that bind us together and downplay those strange vices fighting hard to divide and destroy us. It is normal to disagree over anything as brothers. We must not allow such disagreements and conflicts to degenerate into self-destructive battles.

At this juncture let me confess that the theme of today’s celebration “Repositioning the Urhobo Nation for More Prosperity” is very apt and also captivating, particularly in the face of current realities that surround us as a nation that is gradually sliding down the precipice.

No one can doubt the fact that the Urhobo Nation is stupendously blessed and has also made enormous and lasting impact to community, state and national development. In addition to being one of the significant hubs for oil and gas production in Nigeria and a major contributor to Nigeria’s food basket (cassava and palm oil production) the Urhobo Nation has produced many notable personalities whose sterling performances in their various fields of endeavor have earned the Urhobo Nation a place of pride in the Global Hall of Fame. A modest roll call is presented below.

In Arts and education, we have Ufuoma McDermott, Richard Mofe Damijo, Justus Esiri, Igosave; Blessing Okagbare, Fejiro Okiomah in international sports; Michael Ibru (Pioneer Industrialist), Felix Ibru (Architect, Senator and Governor, Delta State), Gamaliel Onosode (Administrator and Politician), Igho Sanomi (Businessman); Chief Mukoro Mowoe (Prominent Leader in Nigeria’s Independence Movement), James Ibori (Businessman and Governor of Delta State), Ovie Omo-Agege (Lawyer and Deputy Senate President), Tanure Ojaide (Poet and Writer), Ben Okri (Poet and Novelist), Mabel Evwiehohona (Theatre) and so many Professors and Vice-Chancellors of International repute too many to mention.

The theme for this year’s Urhobo Day Celebration makes more sense when placed side-by-side the sad fact that we are all part of a Nation that is battling so hard to survive. We have as an aftermath of this reality, lost our core values that form the bases of our human existence. As a people, we no longer prioritize community and family bonds, hard work and self-reliance, resourcefulness, courage and resilience, perseverance, integrity and honesty, education and knowledge etc. No thanks to the politics of bitterness, greed, selfishness, and wickedness.

I strongly believe that if the Urhobo Nation truly desires to reposition itself, Self-introspection should be an urgent necessity. This will enable them move steps farther to addressing various obstacles that hinder their growth and development as a people. The issues that require serious attention, in my opinion, include disunity and factionalization, dishonesty, unnecessary pride, modern day witchcraft, underinvestment in critical infrastructure, ineffective representation, cultural decline, unimpressive attitude, aptitude and preferences, to mention but a few.

Permit me to also use this opportunity to appreciate the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Sheriff Oborevwori, for the impressive efforts in addressing the divergent challenges and aspirations of the state, and the Urhobo people in particular, through the instrumentality of the M.O.R.E. Agenda. The reception in your honor by the Urhobo Nation at this point in time is well-deserved and strategic. The Ijaw Nation, join our brothers in congratulating you for this milestone. I wish that you extend this development gesture to the Ijaw who are the second most populated in the state, and have equally contributed in gas and oil and human resources to state and national revenue and stability. The truth remains that the Ijaw deserve to be more than what and where they currently occupy in the scheme of things in the state.

At this crucial juncture of this goodwill message, I wish to congratulate the Leadership of UPU under the visionary leadership of Olorogun Barr Ese Gam Owe and task them, to remain focused in championing the Cause for a more united, peaceful and progressive Urhobo Nation.

As President of the Conference of Presidents-General of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities, I wish to encourage the entire Urhobo Nation to align with and support the rest of the region in the advocacy for;
a) True federalism (restructuring, resource control and devolution of power),
b) Repeal of all obnoxious environmental laws impeding the growth of ethnic minorities,
c) Comprehensive environmental remediation
d) Resuscitation of all moribund ports and other critical infrastructure within the region
e) Equitable participation in the Blue (Marine) Economy
f) The return of the headquarters of all Multinational Corporations to their operational bases in the Niger Delta region
g) Support the building of Modular Refineries, as the only solution to the challenge of oil theft and associated degradation of our environment.
h) Equitable distribution of Federal Appointments and infrastructure.

It may suffice to state that the issues and concerns enumerated above are very key to unlocking the doors of peace, prosperity and development of not only the Urhobo land but the entire Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general.

Let me conclude by saying the Ijaw National Congress (INC) is a non-political organization. It is however impossible not to take more than a cursory interest in the politics of places ljaw are aborigines, Delta State inclusive.

The Ijaw of Delta State are known to have supported the Urhobo in all their intentions and aspirations to lead the State as Governors, and also supported their administrations, particularly starting with Governor James Ibori and now Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

As we move gradually to the next cycle of elections when power is supposed to rotate to Delta South as demanded by the established convention in Delta State, it is the belief of the INC that the UPU would remember the good deeds and support to the Urhobo by giving the Ijaw their first right of refusal, taking into cognizance the fact that the Itsekiri of Delta South have taken a shot at this top job in the past”. The statement reads.