By Ovasa Ogaga,
The leadership of the Urhobo Social Club of Nigeria, Lagos, has appealed to the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to expedite the fulfillment of his promise to rebuild and resettle the people of Okuama in their ancestral land.
The President of the Urhobo Social Club of Nigeria, Lagos, Chief Wilson Okpubigho, made the appeal on Saturday when representatives of the Club visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Ewu-Urhobo to donate relief materials.
He said that the donations were aimed at alleviating the suffering of the people who were displaced by the Nigerian military following the unfortunate incident in their community.
Chief Okpubigho, accompanied by Chief Clement Awhana and others, commended the Delta State Government for establishing the IDP camp as a temporary solution while working towards a permanent resolution for the Okuama people.
He expressed the USC's distress over the tragic killing of soldiers and the military's disproportionate use of force in seeking revenge for their slain colleagues.
According to Chief Okpubigho, "We have felt your pain since the incident occurred. We planned to reach out to you, and we have been closely monitoring the Delta State Government's efforts to rehabilitate and resettle the Okuama people in their ancestral home.
"The Delta State Government has promised to rebuild and resettle the Okuama people, but we understand that government bureaucratic processes take time. While these processes are ongoing, we are here today as part of the USC's social responsibility. We have pooled resources to provide these items to ensure that our people are cared for while they remain in the camp. We continue to appeal to the Delta State Government to fulfill its promises to the Okuama people so they can return to their ancestral home.
"The Urhobo Social Club of Nigeria, Lagos, urges the Delta State Government to act swiftly in rebuilding Okuama. With Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's MORE Agenda, which has a human focus, I believe it will not be long before the Okuama people can go back home.
"As you all know, the Urhobo Social Club does not shy away from anything concerning the Urhobo Nation. We will not relent in our efforts until we see the Okuama people resettled in their rightful place."
Receiving the donated items, which included a large cow, 20 bags of 50kg rice, and 10 bags of 50kg garri, the Chairman of the Ewu-Okuama IDP Management Committee, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, expressed his gratitude to the USC for their generosity.
Ogbodo also appealed to other compassionate Urhobo people, Deltans, and groups to show concern for the plight of the Okuama people, stating, "The inmates must be alive and healthy before they can return to their homes permanently."
He added that while the government works on a permanent solution for the Okuama people, the welfare of those in the camp, particularly women and children, must not be compromised, considering the trauma they have endured.
"I appeal to other compassionate Urhobos to come to the aid of the Okuama people. The journey is not over; this is just a temporary measure before a more permanent solution is found, which is rebuilding and resettling the Okuama people in their ancestral homeland. We solicit more assistance."
