By Fejiro Oghojafor
Representatives from the 24 kingdoms of the Urhobo nation have overwhelmingly resolved to support the ongoing move for the agitation for the creation of Urhobo State out of the present Delta State.
This was the resolution resulting from the motion moved and adopted in a Town Hall meeting held in Ughelli kingdom Hall yesterday, January 18, 2025, which was well attended by representatives from the entire Urhobo nation including Dr (Chief) Mrs Omodoro Ogunlewe, Chairman Diaspora, amongst others, who participated via zoom.
Reeling out the resolution which was a product of the motion moved by the President-General of Idjerhe kingdom, Chief Lucky Edumidagha and duly supported by Chief Magistrate Esther Onoberhie (Mrs), the chairman of the Committee For The Creation of Urhobo State, Chief Dr. Ominimini Obiuwevbi, noted that the time had come for the Urhobos who constitute more than 60% of the population of Delta State, to have their own State.
Ominimini further noted that, apart from being the majority ethnic nationality in Delta State, the Urhobo nation also accounts for over 90% of oil and gas production which constitutes the main source of revenue for the entire country, adding that an Urhobo State has all it takes to emerge as a very viable and self-sustaining State.
Apart from oil and gas, Ominimini also emphasized the premier position of Urhobo in agriculture and agribusiness, adding that an Urhobo State will not only be capable of feeding herself, it will produce more than enough food to feed her neighbors and even export to other parts of the world.
The resolution as reeled out by Ominimini stated thus:
“In this well-attended Town Hall meeting of the prominent sons and daughters of Urhobo Ethnic nationality,. held this day the 18th day of January, 2025, in Ughelli Hall, Ughelli main town,, Delta State, the Urhobo people have unanimously endorsed the move for the creation of Urhobo State; creation of Urhobo State from the present Delta State, to make it the 7th State of the South South geopolitical zone. That is our resolution.
“The Urhobo State will be very viable because the resources to drive the State is available. The Urhobo people have gas and crude oil in abundance. Today, Urhobo produces the highest oil and gas in Delta State. The Urhobo Ethnic nationality has vast land for agriculture. Urhobo nation will produce food for the Urhobo people and also produce enough for export. In fact, Urhobo will feed her neighbours.because our soil is blessed by God Almighty. If you throw a fruit on Urhobo soil, it will germinate without fertilizer.
“Urhobo has good human resources in all areas of endeavors. And above all Urhobo people believe in God Almighty. So, the agitation for the creation of Urhobo State, the largest ethnic nationality in Delta State and the 4th largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria, has called for the creation of Urhobo State.
“We have been consulting and this marks the final of the consultation in this Town Hall meeting. The Urhobo people have agreed that our National Assembly members should now take it as a point of duty that the motion is put on ground to be moved for the creation of Urhobo State. This our resolution, this is our decision.
Earlier, while addressing the Urhobo sons and daughters gathered in the meeting, the chairman, Chief Ominimini highlighted the reasons why Urhobo is qualified for its own State, pointing out that it boasts of a huge population/human resources, land mass, infrastructure, professionals, oil and gas and available arable land for agriculture and food production.
He recalled that during the 2014 Constitutional Conference, an additional one State was approved for creation in the South South geopolitical zone, adding that Urhobo stands the greatest chance to constitute the 7th State in the region.
In his presentation, the chairman of Publicity Committee, Olorogun Dr. Wilson Odafe Omene, emphasized the need for the creation of Urhobo State in the interest of justice, equity and fairness.
According to him, it is unjust for the 4th largest ethnic nationality in the country to remain like that when other smaller tribes were given new states.
Omene therefore stressed that if and when there is the need to create new states in the country, Urhobo State should be number one new state to be considered.
High point of the occasion was the motion for the move for the creation of Urhobo State which was moved by the President-General of Idjerhe kingdom, Chief Lucky Edumidagha and ably supported by Chief Magistrate Esther Onoberhie (Mrs).
The occasion also highlighted the unveiling of the map of the proposed Urhobo State.
In attendance, apart from members of the various committees, were presidents-general from the kingdoms, archbishops, bishops, Reverends, Rev. Father’s and other religious priests, and a host of prominent Urhobo sons and daughters.
