…Laments non appointment of Urhobos into Dickson Government
By Amos Okioma
Members of Udu Clan in Udu Local Government Area of Delta state under the aegis of Emo- Udu in Bayelsa state recently inaugurated a new Executive Council to pilot the affairs of the
Association for the next four years and consequently launched its 2018 Almanac.
Those that were sworn – in By the President of Urhobo Progress Union ( UPU ) Bayelsa State Chapter, Deacon Kingsley Eduvie Akpaka were Olorogun Gabriel Ephrorhire – President, Johnbull Keleye- Vice President,Shadrack Oyibode – General Secretary, Kpejovo Michael – Financial Secretary, James Vwotu -Public Relations Officer, Samson Onobode -Speaker, Esther Igholaja – Vice Chairlady ,Goru Lucky – Welfare Officer , Julie Warri – Assistant Welfare Officer, Francis Opuba – Treasurer and Margaret Kpumere – Chairlady. The President of UPU ( Worldwide ) Bayelsa state Chapter, Deacon Kingsley Eduvie Akpaka used the forum to commend the UDU Clan for their initiatives and urged other communities to emulate them by embarking on projects that will continue to add value to the Umbrella body,the Urhobo Progress Union.
In an interview , the President of Ukoko Emo – Udu, Bayelsa state Chapter , Olorogun Gabriel Ephrorhire who is also the Vice President of Urhobo Progress Union, Bayelsa state Chapter said the Association was formed to Forster unity , love, cooperation and progresses of its members residing in all the eight local government areas of Bayelsa. He posited that the association has been of assistance to members whenever they are in various needs.It was formed in 2001 with over 24000 members.Though being the first time to launch an almanac, but stressed optimism that after its launch more awareness would have been created that would go along way to attract more members.
According to him the Association is made up of the 32 communities that were given birth to by the six children of Udu, stressing that the Udu community in Bayelsa state constitute one of the largest non indigenous groups whose members have been engaged in trading and other forms of businesses before the creation of Bayelsa state and more and more of them have been coming to the state to reside and eke out their living.
While pledging their loyalty to the state government , he averred that despite their numerical strength and peaceful disposition to their host communities and Bayelsa state government, the Restoration Government of Governor Seriake Dickson has not considered them for appointments, rather other non indigenous groups from far North, West , East were always given appointments. ” During elections we always cast our votes in Bayelsa state and we wonder some ethnic groups whose state governments usually sent in buses to convey its people to vote at home,but when it comes to appointments they were always given priority ”
In their separate interviews Chief Williams Orievwen described the event and large turn out as splendid , unprecedented and nonpareil in the annals of history of a single community like Udu to deem it fit to invite such mammoth crowd.He said that the Udu community with its numerical strength were not only traders but politically conscious and urged the Bayelsa state government to consider them for appointments.
Also speaking , the Director- General of SMART TEAM FOR OKOWA 2019 , a political organization that is galvanizing support for Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa second tenure , Comrade Moses Gelor who hails from Ujevwen Clan of Ughelli South Local Government Area said the group would soon be inaugurated in Bayelsa state and that when fully inaugurated it will commence the process of rigorous campaign and register Deltans with Permanent Voters Cards.He boasted that already a prominent Bayelsa based re known journalist , Amos Okioma is among the persons to be sworn – in as Head of Media and Publicity who will use his wide experience to publicize the activities and philosophy of the organization.
On why Governor Ifeanyi Okowa should be given a second tenure, the Ujevwen born political juggernaut and one – time councilorship candidate under the People’s Democratic Party posited that despite the economic recession Delta state under the watch of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has experienced and enjoyed dividends of democray in terms employment opportunities, wealth creation through the SMART programs
The occasion attracted who is who in Urhobo in Bayelsa state as the audience was entertained by no means a prominent and talented Urhobo musician, Solomon Efedudu
