BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF.
The Former Director General, National Broadcasting Commission NBC, Professor Armstrong Aduku Idachaba has described the Urhobo nation as all encompassing and rich in all areas , saying it’s culture, places, people and assets stands out among all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday while chairing the prominent kingdom occasion known as “Urhobo Leadership Forum, Abuja, ULFA, Idachaba recalled many prominent people from the Urhobo kingdom, it’s large and rich resume of activities.
While describing the culture of the Urhobos as respectful and responsive, saying the age long tradition grew long time immemorial.
He further described the Urhobos as prominent in Nigeria’s project , both in oil rich region of Nigeria Delta, outstanding people and exposed in all ramifications locally and globally.
The former Director General, National Broadcasting Commission said the uniqueness of the Urhobos spread across 17 Local Government Areas and six states across the country, with outstanding cultural heritage.
Present at the auspicious occasion was a roll call of highly respected indigenes like Senator Edee Dafinone, Peter Igho, Felix Okumagba ,Dr Mkpor SAN, Delta Attorney General ,Prof Dijenou, AVM’s and other Prominent Urhobo sons and daughters were in attendance.
The theme of the retreat at the occasion was:
“1.URHOBO NATION : DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY.”
“2. The UNTAPPED OPPORTUNITIES IN PUBLIC SECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT OF URHOBO.”
“3. There was a discussions on the sensitive issues of security and national development .”
In his comments at the presentation, Professor Idachaba averred..
“To be asked to Chair this conference is what we call in church uncommon favour, I honestly wouldn’t know why out of the several respected and eminent friends, colleagues and acquaintances he chose me of all people. ”
“Olorungun my Oga Peter Igho I thank you sir, and I thank all the Okpakos and the entire Urhobo brothers for accepting me.”
“The Urhobo is indeed one tribe and people or nation that cannot be wished away or ignored speaking about the Nigerian nation and its nationalities.”
“I knew about the Urhobo ever since I was a little kid in Kaduna. I had neighbors who were Urhobo , their dad was in the army -, one thing I remember is people referring to the Urhobo as Urhobo wayo- I have searched the internet to find out why the ascription of wayo – I haven’t seen it yet. ”
“But I found an answer from my understanding of how we Nigerians treat people who are much savy and more successful than them , not knowing how to explain the phenomenon we attribute it to some kind of wayo-which in any case is wisdom in Hausa.”
“Among the Igala where I hail from the Urhobo are a very significant influence on the culture and the maritime economy of my people. I believe that Urhobo impact and influence transcends the entire maritime line of Nigeria and even beyond. ”
“They are a very highly travelled, exposed and civilized people. The Urhobo people are indeed a very gifted people , highly talented, resourceful and successful.”
According to Wikipedia, among them are the following-
“Author Ben Okri
Ufuoma McDermott, Nigerian actress and model
Ufuoma Onobrakpeya Nigerian artist
Richard Mofe Damijo, actor and politician
Harris Eghagha, career soldier and diplomat
M. G. Ejaife, Urhobo nationalist, first republic Senator and the first principal of Urhobo College
David Ejoor, retired Nigerian army and governor of the now-defunct Mid-Western Region
Justus Esiri, actor
Mabel Evwierhoma, Professor of Theatre Arts, University of Abuja
Felix Ibru, Nigerian architect, senator and governor
Michael Ibru, Nigerian pioneer industrialist[
Akpomudiago Odje, Senior Advocate and Officer of Nigeria
Tanure Ojaide, poet and writer
Blessing Okagbare, IAAC silver medalist and Olympic bronze medalist
Isidore Okpewho, scholar and novelist
Ben Okri, poet and novelist
Bruce Onobrakpeya, visual artist, sculptor and painter
Gamaliel Onosode, administrator and politician
Igho Sanomi, businessman
Onigu Otite, Professor of Sociology (retired
James Ibori, Former Governor of Delta state (1999–2007)
Adego Erhiawarie Eferakeya Nigerian Politician
Akpor Pius Ewherido Nigerian Politician[
Ovie Omo-Agege Deputy Senate President of the Federal republic of Nigeria
Fejiro Okiomah American football player
Igosave, comedian
Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta state
Saint Gideon Meriodere Urhobo, Founder of God’s Kingdom Society,”
“The Urhobo culture is based on gerontocracy, the Urhobos are governed by the eldest man in each Urhobo community locally known as the “Okpako Orere.”
“The Okpako Orere is the eldest surviving male in each Urhobo community, who is also considered as the indigenous political head of the community. ”
“He is called Okpako Ewo by Isoko-speaking clans, and he is also referred to as Okaroro by Urhobo-speaking clans.”
“His position is succeeded to on the basis of gerontocracy when he dies, and the second most senior elder of the community takes his office.”
“Urhobo territory consists of evergreen forests with many oil palm trees.It is is geographically located within the Atlantic forest belt that spans from Senegal to Angola in Africa. ”
“Before the arrival of the Portuguese in the late 15th century, this area was known for its untouched and pristine environment, where the forest peoples lived without outside influences and developed their own forms of civilization.”
“The Urhobos live very close to, and sometimes in boats on the Niger river. The majority of the Urhobo people reside in the southwestern states of Delta and Bayelsa in Nigeria, collectively known as the Niger Delta.”
“Most of their histories, mythologies, and philosophies are water-related. Annual fishing festivals include masquerades, fishing, swimming contests, and dancing, and have become part of the Urhobo heritage. An annual two-day festival called Ohworu takes place in [Evwreni], in the southern part of the Urhobo area. During this festival the Ohworhu water spirit and the Eravwe Oganga are displayed.”
“The Urhobo can be found in Delta, Bayelsa, Edo and even in Ondo, Kwara (Oro), Lagos (Ajegunle) and other parts of the country. Many Nigerians actually believe that Peter Igho and his siblings are actually from Plateau or Kaduna state.”
“The following are local government areas where Urhobo traditional homes are located in Delta, Bayelsa and Edo State:”
Ethiope East
Ethiope West
Okpe
Sapele
Udu
Ughelli North
Isoko
Ughelli South
Uvwie
Warri South
Patani
Sagbama (in Bayelsa State )
Ikpoba Okha (in Edo State )
Orhionmwon (in Edo state ))
*With a population of over 7 million and a dominant tribe in Delta state , found in about 17 LGAa (15 in Delta and 1 each in Edo and Bayelsa one cannot really say the Urhobo is a minority tribe in Nigeria , except you rating index is out of the 10 largest tribes.”
“But the Urhobo are uniquely and divinely placed by God in a most strategic place of influence.”
“It is therefore very thoughtful that you brought up this platform to re interrogate the vast and indelible heritage of one of the greatest tibes in Nigeria , and in this process explore the place and contribution of the Urhobo Nation especially in building Bridges between the Urhobo, the Niger Deltans and other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.”
“As noted earlier , it is divinely placed in the Delta , granting it natural accces to all parts of the country and indeed the world. The Urhobo are among the earliest Nigerians that had contact with the Whites- the early missionaries and colonialists-. That is why the Urhobo are among the most travelled, exposed, most versatile and versatile and industrious in Nigeria.”
“I believe that this discussions will delve on the contemporary challenge of the Urhobo and their place in modern Nigeria. It will expectedly interrogate Nigeria’s heterogeneity and multi-culturalism .”
“In Sociology and political science , there is the concept or philosophy of multi culturalism. Multiculturalism is the coexistence of multiple cultures. It is usually a synonym for ethnic or cultural pluralism, in which various ethnic and cultural groups exist in a single society.
It is often associated with “identity politics”, “the politics of difference”, and “the politics of recognition”. It is also a matter of economic interests and political power.”
That is why this symposium will examine –
“1 .URHOBO NATION : DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
2. The UNTAPPED OPPORTUNITIES IN PUBLIC SECTOR FOR DEV OF URHOBO.
3. There shall be discussions on the sensitive issues of security and national development .”
“I must commend the organizers for carefully choosing the topics which are very very apt , I must also commend the quality of speakers at this Conference-
Without a doubt in my mind , you have to discuss these issues, the very best experts in the area to explore, analyze and interpret the issues to us today .”
“It is therefore my honor and privilege to welcome you to this great even, it is my earnest desire and expectation that the outcomes of this conference will be beneficial to all of us as Nigerians .”
I welcome you all .
