After ninety years of unbroken leadership as the pioneer socio-cultural organization in Nigeria, the people of Urhobo, under the auspices of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, are rolling out the drums to celebrate the journey of a strong bond of brotherhood as an ethnic group.
Delivering his address at the opening ceremony of the UPU at 90 anniversary celebration at Uvwiamuge-Agbarho on Monday, November 29, the President-General of the Union, Olorogun (Dr.) Moses Oghenerume Taiga, congratulated the Urhobo people on the milestone so far which, according to him, is just ten years less a century.
According to the President-General, the union’s survival over the past years was a reflection of the courage, resolve and strong character of the Urhobo people.
“I congratulate the UPU and all Urhobo people on this milestone. Ninety years is only ten years short of a century and I dare say that this moment calls for celebration. What is more telling is that the UPU is Nigeria’s, if not Africa’s, oldest surviving socio-cultural organization. The UPU has survived despite great odds. The survival of the UPU is a reflection of the grit and staying power of the Urhobo spirit.
“Ninety years of existence is a feat to celebrate. And that is why we have made this event an elaborate one spanning one week as the programme indicates. The world is celebrating with us. Other ethnic nationalities are felicitating with us. It is a great moment,” he said.
Taiga, who took time to reminisce on the journey of the UPU for nearly a century, paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers of the Urhobo nation, noting that, against all odds, it has not only survived, but has spread to all the nooks and crannies of the globe.
“Despite all odds, we have carved a place for ourselves in the world. There is no continent of the world where the UPU is not found. We now have over one hundred branches in Nigeria, Africa and beyond. Despite all odds, we can look back and count our blessings. We truly have so much to crow about at ninety,” he said.
In focusing into the future of the Urhobo nation, the President-General advised the people to revisit the noble goal set by the founding fathers, urging them to forge a stronger unity which, according to him, is strength.
He said: “As the UPU turns ninety and we look back in order to fully engage the future, I call for continuing unity of purpose among our people. Let us revisit the ideals of “Higher thoughts, Higher aims” that fired the resolve of the founders of the UPU. We must live the motto of “Unity is Strength” without the least compromise.”
The President-General thanked the Urhobo people worldwide for the confidence they reposed in him as the pilot of the affairs of the UPU just as he commended the support of the Delta State Government led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege has expressed hope that Urhobo will, going forward, experience great positive change that will lead to the realization of Urhobo interest as greater than individual interest, urging the people to come together as a family to defend the Urhobo nation.
Omo-Agege who delivered the Anniversary Lecture at the ongoing UPU 90th anniversary celebration at the headquarter, Uvwiamuge, Ughelli North Local Government Area, also thanked the Urhobo people for their support for him as the Senator representing them at the National Assembly, pointing out that he has been preoccupied with how Urhobo ethnic group would take its pride of place in the comity of states. He disclosed that so far, he has attracted different developmental projects and programmes across the entire Urhobo nation.
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