By Eseoghene Emuke
The apex socio-cultural body of the Urhobo ethnic nationality, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) worldwide, has officially inaugurated a fundraising committee for the establishment of the much anticipated Okugbe Micro Finance Bank (OMFB).
President-General of UPU, Olorogun Moses Taiga, who inaugurated the committee with a former Editor of The Guardian Newspapers, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo as chairman, said the panel would help raise N300 million needed for its start-up.
The committee which also has insurance mogul and NIGER DELTA TODAY (NDT) Online’s columnist, Mr. Francis Ewherido as Vice Chairman, Dr. Benson Uwheru, Secretary, Prof. Joe Abugu (SAN) and others as members of the committee
The micro finance bank upon its formation will cater for the financial needs of the Ewheya (women) and Ighelle (youngsters) by boosting small and medium scale businesses in Urhoboland.
Speaking during the inauguration, the UPU PG said, “the beginning of a journey like this always looks tedious and uncertain, but I encourage you not to be deterred by this small beginning. My dream is that this seemingly small effort, like a mustard seed, will metamorphose into a big bank like Wema Bank someday, hopefully in my lifetime.”
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Olorogun Taiga explained that the mandate of the committee is to raise an initial N300m to enable the bank to commence as a unit.
He added that the second phase of the project is to raise N1.5b to enable the bank get a state-wide status so that it can cover all the nooks and crannies of Urhoboland.
To raise the initial N300m, the committee is targeting 300 Urhobo sons and daughters resident in Nigeria and abroad, who can invest a minimum of N1m in the bank.
So far 98 individuals and 10 Urhobo associations have indicated interest to invest in the bank, according to Ogbodo, a renowned journalist and chairman of the committee.
Other members of the committee are; Mr. Fred Ohwawha, Mr. Ted Okumakube, Mr. Johnson Agagbo, Mr. Eddy Odivwri, Dr. Bernice Dema, Mr. Obaro Osa, Dr. Abel Ojo, Mr. Friday Ebojor, Mr. Steve Ighomuaye, Mr. Ibunor Agama, Chief Kenneth Iwhewhe, Mr. Kenneth Young, Mr. Lucky Sargin and Rume Ophi.
