Group urges Buhari to give Urhobo Nation its pride of place

DELTA—–A social-Political pressure group that goes by the name Urhobo Arsenals for the Development of Niger Delta (TUADEND) has urged President Mohammadu Buhari to accord the Urhobo Nation its pride of place as the fifth largest ethnic nationalist amongst community of nations.

The group at an enlarge meeting held recently at Ughelli town, Delta State, after a thorough deliberation of the State of affairs in the Country and the Niger Delta in particular as it affects the development of the Urhobo people, noted that the Urhobos has contributed greatly to the sustenance of the Nigeria State but sadly has nothing to show for it.

In a press release after the meeting made available to ADVOCATE signed by the National President, Comrade Lucky Demide, Secretary, Comrade Festus Oyibo, Comrade Mark Odedede, Head of Administrator and Hon Famous Sagay, Publicity Secretary, the group stated that the Urhobo nation being the fifth largest ethnic nationality in the Country should be given their rightful place in the helm of affairs in Nigeria.

According to the group the past 16 years of PDP misrule, the Urhobo nation witnessed the worst marginalization in terms of Federal Appointments, developmental projects and other empowerment programs.

“We therefore implore the Buhari led Federal Government to show due consideration for the development of the Urhobo nation and to make it paramount in its developmental master plan.

“The Urhobos as a peace loving people are always eager and poised towards supporting the developmental programs/projects in the Niger Delta region and the Country at large.

“We the members of TUADEND hope to work with organized development agencies and statutory security bodies to promote peace and harmony within the Niger Delta to bring about a tranquil environment for Oil and Gas industries to thrive.

They also urges President Buhari to implement the original master plan for the Amnesty program which was drawn by an Urhobo man, which is devoid of ethnic discriminations / tribal sentiments within the region, because its sole purpose is for the development of the region in the area of poverty alleviation, job creation, skill acquisitions and empowerment.

They however noted that, these objectives were not duly followed in the last amnesty program implementation inaugurated by the Late President Musa Yar’Adua and Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan government.

The group also supports the position of Mr Isreal Akpodoro, the President, National Coalition Niger Delta Ex- Agitators, (NCNDE-A) that it is the Urhobo’s turn to head the Amnesty office Abuja.

They stated further, that they will partner with Mr Akpodoro in ensuring, that a detribalized, honest Urhobo technocrat is appointed to head the Amnesty office in order to ensure fair and equitable distribution of its dividends to the Niger Delta people.

The group also offered to support to the government of President Mohammadu Buhari and pledge to use Urhobo youths to drive all his laudable programs for the development of the Niger Delta Region.