Urhobo Progress Union, 90 Years Of Existence, Challenges And Way Forward.

 By Comrade Duru Nixon Ufuoma. 

On behalf of the entire Urhobo youth worldwide, I, Comrade Duru Nixon Ufuoma, National   President of Urhobo Progress  union  (UPU)   youth wing, worldwide joyously welcome you all to the 90th Anniversary celebrations of Urhobo Progress union (UPU). The umbrella body of Urhobo people worldwide.

Urhobo Progress union (UPU) founding fathers realized early an outstanding principle of social life which sustained  the continuity and development of societies, that is, materials are good in promoting individual and societal comfort, but ideas are the ruling forces in life. The idea of the formation of  UPU and of working out a motto “Unity is Strength” played a major role in holding Urhobos together. The UPU and its slogan ‘Urhobo Ovuovo’ constitute core symbols that order the life of the Urhobo as one socio-cultural entity.

November 3, 2021 marked the 90 years of existence of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU). The Union came into being at a special congress of Urhobo patriotic elite in 1931. In the mid 1930’s the original name which was Urhobo Brotherly Society was changed to Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) to reflect the aspirations for socio-economic transformation of the entire Urhobo people. It is worthy to note that in Nigeria, UPU is the oldest socio-cultural Union, and in the African continent, UPU ranks in Antiquity with 1912. African National Congress (ANC) which is currently the ruling party of South Africa.

The founding of the UPU was inspired by the imperative need in the 1930’s for the Urhobo people to have a united and focused platform to defend Urhobo national interest and guide the Urhobo people in their quest for modernisation and political relevance due to the first decades of British colonial rule in Nigeria which brought so much marginalisation and disrespect to Urhobo people.

Mr. Omorohwovo Okoro, a prominent Ovu trader, was the premier President of the Urhobo Brotherly Society. Chief Mukoro Mowoe was the second President of the Urhobo Brotherly Society and, subsequently, the President General and Mr. Thomas Erukeme became the first secretary of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU).

Urhobo Progress Union is our greatest heritage--- Comrade Ufuoma.

By Onoriode Etatsemi.

The president general of urhobo progress union youth wing worldwide,  Comrade Duru Nixon Ufuoma  has described their 90 years old  organisation has their greatest heritage that  must not  slip out of their hands.  

The president who during  a news briefing  at their ancestral head quarters in Uvwiomuge in Ughelli North local government area of Delta, said if their youths must continue on the heritage and increase the legacies of their  forefathers, then they must practice the path of peace, unity and progress. 

     He emphasised that, "we must love ourselves. With love, we shall know that we are brothers from the same (root) Urhobo family. In this way, the concern of one shall be the burden of all. This will make us see ourselves as a unifying force that has the capacity to bulldoze all hindrances on our ways. With a strong bond of love, unity and togetherness, we shall think good collectively and work together towards realizing it for the betterment of all Urhobos."

Comrade Ufuoma told his people  that they  must frequently interact with their elders,  the Urhobo Leadership in a Business Round Table forum where they should be embraced by all, where Urhobo youths and the elders, politicians will share the same school  of thought."

 He added that this forum must be encouraged as it serves as a platform for cross-pollination between the youth and the Urhobo elders as well as  politicians,where  it should be  an avenue to  help in revealing  certain truths and good  ideas that shall help in easier transition of authority and knowledge. 

He appealed to the  elders not to  scare or misuse them, rather  they must open their alms and encourage  them (youths)  in their lines of wisdom so that  they can have a straight and promising future.

   The President remarked, "we  must  retain our core values, culture and tradition. Yes, the culture of a people is their way of life. People’s cultural heritage is their mark of identity and peculiarity. We must not be an exception in the committee of nations who must show themselves as a brand to the world at large. "

"Our Urhobo food, our Urhobo dress, our Urhobo language and our Urhobo common values as a people must not be sacrificed for whatever reason. We are a people of common belief system, love, kindness towards men and respect for human dignity. To build Urhobo youth towards enjoying a future of excellence, we must be in tune with our culture and tradition for without which, we have no nature or form." He stated. 

  He enjoined Urhobo youths  not to be  afraid to tell the truth. “And thou shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”, the scripture says. In whatever manner of challenge we find ourselves, we must be ready at all cost to say the truth. In politics, economy, governance, social or legal issues, we must learn to tell the truth. This is the only factor that shall give us our core  values  as a people,  highly respected for their regard for justice."

   The President admonished his people further to resist strange attacks and undue exploitation in Urhoboland. "Yes, people who think they have money or name in Nigeria have stretched too far for encroachment. They have threatened  severely,  intimidating and  attacking us in  our God’s given land"

"God gave to us all that we have but some people feel they can exploit us without a price. We are a people with the vibes, courage and confidence for resistance. We should refuse to be unduly exploited so that we, Urhobo youths would have a sure future." He affirmed. 

He called on urhobo youths to reject self-centeredness, and put Urhobo interest first by  collectively moving  Urhobo forward so that the boldness and progressive leadership Omorhowovo Okoro, Chief Mukoro Mowoe and their forefathers handed down may not get weak neither die in their  time but generate greater strength, unity and progress for all Urhobos now and in the future.

 He appreciated the president of urhobo youths wing of  the Urhobo twenty four kingdoms youth Leaders, the Urhobo Youth Leaders Association, the Coalition of Urhobo Youths Leaders, the Urhobo Ex-militant Forum, the Delta Central Young Leaders Association, the Urhobo Youth leaders Council, the Urhobo Youth Movement, the Urhobo Progressive Ambassadors and all other Urhobo youth bodies worldwide for their immense cooperation and supports.