The President of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Youthwing, Worldwide, Comrade Efemena Umukoro, has said that until Urhobo nation starts dealing with people that sabotage the good efforts of patriotic indigenes, Urhobo will not take her pride of place fully amongst other ethnic nationalities in the nation and the world at large.
Umukoro said this while responding to questions from journalists over a factional executive of the youthwing that was inaugurated yesterday.
He added: “It is laughable. We have 24 kingdoms in Urhobo nation. We have a constitution in UPU that is backing my administration. There is no vacancy and no one can wake up to form a faction.
“The pictures they posted on social media show that just six persons were inaugurated when we have 24 kingdoms in Urhobo land. How can the six of them watch over the 24 kingdoms in Urhobo land?
“I also observed that Olorogun Moses Taiga, the only person that has a factional UPU executive was not there, neither his 1st Deputy, Chief (Captain) Anthony Onaharigho.
“They are detractors. How can they just rise up and now want to claim to be the youthwing leaders now that some Urhobo youths have worked tirelessly to place Urhobo nation in the map of greatness.
“We must discourage elements like these so we don’t end up discouraging people who lay down their lives to see that Urhobo nation makes progress and that her pride is restored.
“I trust that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will not play in line with these detractors,” adding that he was also sure that the Deputy Senate President, Barr. Ovie Omo-Agege will not too.
Continuing, he said that he is one of those that believe that with leadership comes responsibility.
“At the time Urhobo youths needed a voice where were they? When our mothers needed palliatives during the COVID-19 lockdown where were they? When one of our youth leaders was kidnapped and the executive of the youthwing relocated to his community until his release where were they? When police from Abuja invaded Delta Central and intimidated and arrested our youths, and we were able to retrieve monies running into millions seized by them from Urhobo youths where were they,” he quizzed.
According to him, Urhobo youths have been lambasting them over the pictures that the said group posted about their inauguration on the social media, adding that this has given him a sane mind that all is well and also given him more confidence.
“Urhobo people know the voice they can trust. Their response gives me hope that better days are to come,” he averred.
Speaking about steps he would take to make sure that the youth body does not end up the way the parent body is that has both Taiga and Omene laying claim to the President General title, Umukoro said: “I have always been a bridge builder. Those who know me know that I am always open to everybody.
Ovie and Joseph are my friends and brothers. I will be meeting them soon. I don’t think we need to play dirty politics. I know that a few persons want to use them to distract us. We will come back stronger and remain one united family.
He called on all Urhobo youths to remain calm and go about their lawful duties. “Things are under control. There will be unity. No one should get involved in fighting or attacking anyone,” he added.
