The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide has decried the alleged marginalisation of Urhobo ethnic nationality by the oil multinationals operating in the oil-rich region of the country.
Its President-General, Mr. Moses Taiga, spoke on behalf of the union at a news conference on Wednesday in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the union.
It was held at the Urhobo Cultural Centre at Uvwiamuge, Agbarho Community in Ughelli North Local Area of Delta. Taiga said that Urhobo nation would not support any secessionist agitation, but only align itself with the restructuring of the country in line with the tenet of federalism.
According to him, Urhobo nation has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the country. He said that in spite of its contributions, as the fifth most populous ethnic nationality in the country, it has not received fair deal from the past and present government.
“Despite the unimaginable quantum of oil drilled from Urhoboland since 1957, there is hardly anything in terms of material or infrastructure advantage to show.“
The Urhobo people have been victims of neglect by successive governments and multinationals, they take from us, but return nothing,” Taiga said.
He said that UPU was deploying an internal mechanism to secure the Urhoboland, calling on both States and Federal Governments to create an enabling business climate in the region.
On the union’s achievements since its creation on Nov. 3, 1931, Taiga said that UPU had provided scholarship to many Urhobos and non Urhobos to study abroad.
“UPU provided a rallying point that succeeded in uniting the Urhobo people, giving them a sense of identity, pride, direction among others.“
Although apolitical, UPU strongly support the emergence of a Delta Governor from Urhobo extraction in 2023.
“The Urhobos have been supportive of rotation on the basis of Senatorial District as a recipe for peace, equity and justice in Delta, we will continue to do so,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the union’s anniversary would begin on Nov. 29 and last till Dec. 5.(NAN)
