A COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE INAUGURAL PUBLIC LECTURE OF URHOBO RENAISSANCE SOCIETY HELD AT PTI CONFERENCE CENTRE, EFFURUN, OCTOBER 1, 2019.
In response to the constant calls for the development of Urhobo as an ethnic nationality and a people, patriotic Urhobo thinkers and leaders, led by Professor Hope Oghenerukevbe Eghagha, birthed the Urhobo Renaissance Society (URS) in Lagos, in 2017. This Inaugural public lecture of the Association, themed “A Renaissance in the Urhobo Nation and the Quest for Leadership”, addressed the myriad of challenges that have, over the years, stunted the growth of Urhobo. The assembly was geared toward motivating interests and energies towards the economic, political and cultural regeneration of Urhobo, the fifth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria. The occasion was graced by prominent Urhobo sons and daughters, elders and youths, from all social spheres and vocations, including traditional rulers, intellectuals, politicians, business moguls and technocrats. The keynoter, Professor Joseph Abugu, of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos.
The event which was convened by Professor Hope Eghagha, former Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education was chaired by Professor Sam Egite Oyovbaire, former Minister of Information, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The programme was well attended by prominent personages, including Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, who was represented by Mr. Chuks Erhire, as Special Guest of Honour. The Chief Host of the event was His Royal Majesty, Emmanuel E. Sideso-Abe 1, Ovie of Uvwie, represented by the Unuevworo of Ekpan Chief Steven Enaodowan.
In his welcome address the convener, Prof Hope Eghagha, noted that the body is non-partisan, created, primarily, to resuscitate the spirit of communalism in Urhobo, aimed at promoting political, economic and cultural growth among Urhobo people. The Chairman, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, applauded the convener and the initiative of the Society and advised that the Society should be engaged positively, for the socioeconomic and political development of Urhobo.
The climax of the programme was the keynote of Professor Joseph Efeyemineni Abugu, a Professor of Law, who x-rayed myriad of socio-political, economic and cultural challenges confronting the Urhobo people and the interventionist measures to be taken. The discussion session, moderated by Professor Sunny Awhefeada, featured Professor (Mrs) Rose Aziza (Deputy Vice Chancellor Delta State University), Mr Abraham Ogbodo and Mr. Benson Uwheru.
Highlights:
On a Cultural Renaissance, working in consonance with the parent body of all Urhobo people, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) the following decisions were reached:
1. The Urhobo ethnic nationality needs charismatic, committed and selfless leaders following the example of the iconic Dr. Mukoro Mowoe, who will always project the interest of the Urhobo nation above self- interests.
2. As it was in the past, Urhobo politicians, irrespective of their party affiliations, should unite for the development of the Urhobo nation.
3. To promote and protect Urhobo language and culture from extinction, training programmes should be instituted by the President Generals of all Urhobo Kingdoms
4. Urhobo culture and moral tenets should be published in books and promoted for effective practice.
5. Urhobo traditional institutions must be supported and fortified in a renewed cultural renaissance in Urhobo land.
On Economic Renaissance
6. Urhobo sons and daughters should strive for political power, not to promote indigenous oppression, but for the redemption of the people and the land.
7. Urhobo people, in all walks of life, must harness their fertile ideas and vision for socioeconomic and political emancipation of the people.
8. Efforts should be made to build new industries and revive dying ones in Urhobo land.
9. The Delta State Government should as a matter of policy and action facilitate state owned enterprises to address the dearth of industries in the land and create employment for our teeming youths.
10. The Delta State Government should institutionalize programmes designed to facilitate venture capitalism and encourage the private sector to establish industries that will revive the economy of Delta State and that of Urhobo land.
11. The Urhobo private sector be self-oriented to establish industries to provide Employment for the teeming youths of Urhobo land.
12. Small and Medium Scale industries be promoted by the State and Private sector to elevate the economy of Urhobo land from a service and consumption sector.
13. Urhobo industrialists should invest and exploit the comparative advantage of Urhobo land in agriculture, fishing, and positions in the oil and gas industry to facilitate growth and development.
14. For industries to thrive in Urhobo, conscious enlightenment campaigns should be carried out to end the scourge of youth restiveness.
15. Young Urhobo men and women should be encouraged to develop skills that are relevant in technological advancement of the society.
16. The different communities and Kingdoms should institute scholarship schemes from secondary to postgraduate levels.
17. A productive renaissance can only be effectively realized if the youths are targeted for socioeconomic improvement.
On Political Renaissance
18. Urhobo political leaders should focus and participate in the agitation for the restructuring of the Federation and clearly articulate the position of Urhobo ethnic nationality in a restructured Federal Republic of Nigeria.
19. Urhobo elites should recognize credible leadership and always put forward the best representation in advancing the interests of the Urhobo nation.
20. Urhobo land requires a leadership think-tank to properly articulate Urhobo interest to interrogate and engage all political leaders in advancing a blue print for the development of Urhobo land.
21. The Federal Government should take all measures necessary to guarantee the safety of life and property of Urhobo people in particular and all Nigerian citizens from the menace of marauders masquerading as herdsmen.
22. Urhobo political leaders at State and Federal Level should be actively supported to actualize the interest of Urhobo land in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed
Professor Oghenerukevbe Hope Eghagha- Convener
John Mariase Uwa- Assistant Secretary
10th October 2019
