By Ovie Okpare
A former minister of Information and Culture, Professor Jerry Gana, has described the failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to implement the 2014 National Conference report “as a terrible mistake”.
He said the non implementation of the confab report was largely responsible for some of the growing agitations and disunity across the country.
According to him, there would hardly be peace in the absence of justice and fairness in any society.
Prof Gana spoke on Sunday at Uvwiamuge, Agbarho, Delta State, during the thanksgiving service to conclude activities marking the 90th anniversary of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide.
The elder statesman, however, said he does not share sentiments of persons who are clamouring for balkanisation of the country into “smaller pieces” of countries.
The former minister noted that he believed strongly in a united Nigeria where justice and fairness is served to everyone irrespective of political or religious inclinations.
“We in the middlebelt of Nigeria are great lovers of peace, justice and fairness. The last administration convened a national conference in 2014 and we agreed on some certain fundamentals to ensure justice and fairness. Unfortunately, when this government came in, they made a terrible mistake. They never touched that report and that is the problem.
“That’s why we are now saying we should start that conversation. We should talk to one another and assure one another of justice and fairness because without equity, there can’t be peace. Without equity, we cannot be together.
“Let me appeal to the Federal Government to promote peace, equity and justice. Let me also appeal to those people who are agitating that there’s tremendous power in being united. Let’s not fight to scatter and divide Nigeria. We are better being together”, he stated.
He congratulated the Urhobo Nation on the 90th anniversary of UPU, stressing that Urhobo people have played prominent roles in stabilising and promoting the unity of Nigeria.
Gana said he was in Delta to celebrate with Urhobo people and to further cement his long-standing relationship with Urhobo Nation, recalling that he had worked with many illustrious sons and daughters of the tribe.
“We can be united under the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It’s the smaller tribes such as ours that needs a united Nigeria. If the big ones want to go, the small ones should stay together. I plead with the big ones even to stay. We are relying on the Urhobo Nation to preach the message of a united Nigeria because unity is strength.
“Urhobo people are great people and we admire you. I came from Nupe Kingdom which is a well established kingdom. Urhobo people are very resourceful. I congratulate you on your 90th anniversary. Unity is strength, unity is powerful and I pray that Urhobo people will continue to be united. I pray Urhobo Nation will continue to be relevant in the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he added.
In his remark, the President General of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Olorogun Moses Taiga, commended Urhobo people worldwide for coming out en masse to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the body.
He reiterated that UPU will continue to build bridges of peace and unity across ethnic groups in the country, stressing that Urhobo people are ready to serve Nigeria in any capacity.
Olorogun Taiga called on Urhobo people irrespective of their political and religious lineage to collectively work for the development and progress of Urhobo Nation to ensure that it plays critical roles in Nigeria.
The Urhobo leader, however, commended the former minister of information, Prof Jerry Gana for attending the grand finale and promised that Urhobo people will continue to sustain the relationship.
In his homily, Very Rev. Fr Prof. Jude Jepha Obiunu said Urhobo people have every reason to appreciate God despite the current challenges facing Urhobo Nation.
He,however, said celebrating UPU at 90th, calls for a moment of reflection and urged Urhobo people worldwide to collectively work for the development of their motherland and ensure that the reason for the establishment of UPU is sustained.
The thanksgiving service was attended by His Royal Majesty, Ovie of Ughelli, Oharisi lll; the member representing Ughelli North, South and Udu Federal Constituency, Rev Francis Waive; former Minister of Information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire; former Delta State Chief of Staff, Prof. G.G. Darah; former UPU National Secretary, Chief Peter Asagba; former Guardian Editor, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo; Archbishop Goddowell Avwomakpa, Very Rev Fr.Oghenejode Abaka, Prof Sunny Awhefeada and a host of others.
UPU is the apex socio-cultural umbrella body of Urhobo people worldwide. The body was formed in 1931 to organise and speak for the Urhobo people of the Niger Delta of Nigeria and in diaspora.
