Urhobo has been unfairly treated by FG, IOCs, in spite of its contributions to nation’s economy –UPU

By Ovasa Ogaga,

The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide has decried the marginalisation of Urhobo Nation by successive governments despite its contributions to the nation’s economy as a major oil and gas producer.

The UPU said that the Urhobo nation has not received a fair deal from the past and present federal government and oil multinational companies operating in the oil-rich region since 1957.

The President-General of UPU, Olorogun Dr. Moses Taiga, stated this at Press Conference on Wednesday to make the Union’s 90th anniversary which held at the Urhobo Cultural Centre at Uvwiamuge, Agbarho Community in Ughelli North Local Area of Delta.

He said that though the Urhobo nation has been unjustly treated over the years, it would not support any secessionist agitation, but will align itself with the calls for the restructuring of the country in line with the tenet of true federalism.

According to him, in spite of Urhobo nation’s contributions, as the fifth most populous ethnic nationality in the country, it has not received a fair deal from the past and present government.

“There is hardly any sphere of national development that the Urhobo have not contributed to in Nigeria’s quest for nationhood. In politics, economy, military, media education, corporate sector, sports, science and technology even while they are still paying their dues in the making of Nigeria.

“The role Urhobo people played in ensuring the unity and stability of Nigeria is significant as it has always been counted in the support of one Nigeria.

“Despite our very tangible and laudable contributions to the making of Nigeria, we have not received a fair deal from the past and present Nigerian governments.

“Having contributed so much to the making of Nigeria, the Urhobo people have been subjected to years of exploitation, oppression, environmental degradation, abject poverty, insecurity, marginalization and other negative manifestation of injustice that are not reprehensible but provocative.

“Urhobo has been a victim of neglect by successive governments and oil multinationals, despite the unimaginable quantum of oil drilled from our land since 1957, there is hardly anything in terms of material or infrastructural advantage to show.

“The Jesse fire pipeline disaster of 1998 during which over 1,000 people died is just one example and in recent years, some of our communities have been subjected to the menace of insecurity orchestrated by Fulani herdsmen. This is not only unacceptable but condemnable in every strong term.

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 scholarships 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.