By Eseoghene Emuke
As activities marking the Urhobo Progress Union’s 88th National Congress, the first UPU Economic Summit has held with prominent Urhobos including the President-General of the apex Urhobo body worldwide, UPU, Olorogun Moses Taiga have bemoaned the decline in the economic development of Urhobo Nation.
They also lamented the rising unemployment among Urhobo youths of the Niger Delta region, describing the situation as a serious threat to the socio-economic development and unity of Urhobo Nation.
Taking turns to speak at the maiden edition of the UPU Economic Summit (UES) held at the Urhobo Cultural Centre in Uvwiamuge, Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday as part of activities marking the 2019 Urhobo Day, the speakers urged Urhobo people to unite.
The summit tagged “Engineering The Urhobo Nation For Economic Growth & Development” had its key speakers to include Dr. Goodie Ibru, Professor Malachy Oghenovo Akoroda, Prof. Vremudia Diejomaoh and Mr. Robert Itawa, Executive Director, Capital Hotels Plc, owners of Sheraton Abuja Hotel.
Olorogun Taiga stated that UPU Economic Summit was initiated to x-ray the myriad of economic problems confronting the Urhobo Nation and preferring practical solutions to them for the benefit of the people.
The UPU President General posited that though Urhobo Nation had bridged the educational gap of the 1930s and 1940s, the tribe has not fared well economically, adding that chains of industries sited across urban and rural area of Urhobo Nation in 1980s and 1990s were no longer in existence.
He lamented that politics has been made lucrative as the only way “to make it and arrive”, appealing for paradigm shift to reposition Urhobo youths for the future and compete favourably with other youths across the world.
According to him, “As the fourth largest ethnic group in the most populous black nation on earth, I must admit, that while we have conquered the social and educational disadvantages of the 1930s and 1940s, and have highly qualified and well-celebrated professionals in every sphere of life, the Urhobo Nation has not fared well economically, but seems to be witnessing a gradual decline.
“For example, where is the AT & P Timber factory, which at the time was the largest in the world? Where are our Rubber and Oil Palm Plantations? Where are the famed Urhobo-owned Breweries? Why has there been a surge in criminal activities in Urhoboland, especially among the youths since the turn of the 21st Century?
“Why is politics now seen as the only way “to make it and arrive” by youths and adults alike? Why has the Urhobo economy been reduced to a ‘buying and selling’ one? Where did we go wrong? How do we steer the Urhobo Nation on the path of economic growth and prosperity? These and many other questions are begging for answers.”
To address the economic decline in Urhoboland, Olorogun Taiga noted that every Urhobo has a role to play in the quest to overturn the downfall and make Urhobo of the Niger Delta remain attractive to economic development.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, as these great Urhobo personalities present their thoughts, I like to urge that each and every one of us as Urhobos do a thorough self-examination of our roles in the economic dilemma presently facing the Urhobo nation.
“Have we provided the enabling environment for a thriving Urhobo economy? What role have we played in attracting investments, industries and other employment-generating establishments to our communities and Kingdoms? Are we active participants in any economic and industrial activity that continues to degrade and pollute our environment, especially our rivers and farm lands, thereby destroying our people’s source of food and livelihood, and putting the health and well-being of present and future generations of Urhobo at great risk?
“Are we willing to put the economic interest of Urhobo Nation above our personal and commercial interests for a greater, better, secured and more prosperous Urhobo land? Ladies and Gentlemen, the state of Urhobo’s economy indeed calls for sober reflection by all”, he UPU PG added.
In his lecture, founder of Ikeja Hotel Plc and owner of chains of world class hotels including of Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers, Dr Goodie Ibru called on Urhobo Nation to collaborate with other nationalities in the country particular her neighbour in her economy recovery plan.
Ibru hailed the proposed establishment of Urhobo Economic Development Foundation (UEDF), called on all Urhobo to support the initiative, adding that “All hands should be on deck to make its laudable objectives realizable and sustainable.”
He urged UEDF to partner the Delta State government skills and entrepreneurial development and microcredit programmes to enhance their effectiveness in all Urhobo communities in Delta and Bayelsa states for the betterment of her people.
On his part, renowned professor of agronomy, University of Ibadan (UI) and Director, international Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Professor Malachy Oghenovo Akoroda posited that Urhobo leaders must go beyond rhetorics and speech makings, saying that what the people want to see is results.
Akoroda called for the establishment of an Urhobo Institute (UI) similar to Goethe Institute of Germany, Science City of Japan and Institut Francais of France where Urhobo professionals will regularly interact and exchange ideas that will advance the socio-economic development of the Urhobo people
Speaking on “Growing A Stable Economy in Urhoboland”, the professor agronomy appealed to 1,000 Urhobo men and women to donate one million naira for the establishment of Urhobo University, adding that the creation of Urhobo University was long overdue.
“I propose an Urhobo Institute based somewhere in rural Urhoboland – where Urhobo thinkers and leaders of thought meet always to ‘mine or excavate’ every idea, mineral or stone of advantage and opportunity…this type of summit would hold all the time and receive contributions from within Nigeria and Diaspora”, he stated.
