Urhobos constitute over 70% of ‘Prison’ inmates in Delta -Justice Mukoro

By Akpos Oghenetega,

Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marshal Mukoro has disclosed Urhobos constitutes about 70% on inmates currently serving time in the 5 correctional centres (Prisons) in the state, a situation he described as a sad commentary on Urhobo nation.

 

Justice Mukoro stated this during the lunch and presentation of the book, “The Great Ughele Kingdom” written by Olorogun Miller Uloho at Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North local government area of Delta State, urged Urhobo parents to redouble their efforts in parental care.

 

The eminent jurist who was the chairman of the occasion, in his address said; “We have five correctional centres in Delta State with about 3500 inmates. Out of this number, Urhobos are over 2500.”

 

Describing the trend as embarrassing, he urged Urhobo parents to give proper care and training to their wards to make them good ambassadors of the society, just as he commended the author of the book Chief Miller Uloho for writing the book which he noted would change the perception of people about the Ughelli kingdom.

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The author of the book Chief Miller Uloho, speaking why he decided to write the book, said he was challenged many misconception and misinformation about the Ughelli kingdom, noting that the original name of the kingdom was “Ughele” and not “Ughelli”, that Ughelli came to be after the name was changed over a century ago by the British administration of Lord Fredrick Luguard.

 

Also speaking, the President General of Ughelli Descendants Union, UDU, Chief Pius Omubaye described the book as expository, adding that it would help a lot of persons especially, Ughelli indigenes to know more about their history and retrace their ancestral home.

 

ADVOCATE independent investigation revealed that the high number of youths serving different terms in the 5 correctional centres in Delta State may not be unconnected with the failure of traditional and political leadership and the balkanization of the Urhobo age-long culture of hard work and earning a good name, for quick money.