2018 URHOBO NAT. DAY, RESTRUCTURING OF NIGERIA WILL ENHANCE COMPETITION AMONG STATES, REGIONS – GOV OKOWA.

…AS OKOWA, IBORI, TAIGA URGES SHELL PETROLEUM TO RELOCATE TO WARRI, CELEBRATES URHOBO NATIONAL DAY.

Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has again stressed the need for the restructuring of Nigeria, as presently canvassed by the 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa.

He posited that restructuring will provoke a healthy competition among states and regions in terms of harnessing God given resources for local consumption, industralization, local processing and export, adding that overdependent on proceeds from crude oil export alone has made regions with other natural resources not to explore them for job and wealth creation.

Gov Okowa was quoted by his Executive Assistant on Communications, Dr (Barrister) Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, as saying that the call for restructuring of the country was initiated and championed by the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, who saw the injustice associated with shortchanging of oil producing states and promptly embarked on nationwide advocacy to create the needed awareness for resource control which is a key factor in regional government.

Okowa while addressing the 87th Urhobo National Day celebration at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun in Delta Stste, on Friday 30th November 2018, congratulated the President General of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Olorogun (Brother) Moses Taiga, Royal fathers and Urhobo ethnic nationality, for sustaining the national day annual event.

He said the success of his administration since assumption of office on May 29, 2015; is largely traceable to the peace, unity and quality inter-ethnic fraternization in a higher dimension and urged Deltans irrespective of ethnic nationality to see themselves as one big, strong, prosperous and great family; united together by divine arrangement.

Former Governor of Delta State and foremost leader of Urhobo Nation, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, commended the proactive leadership of UPU PG, Olorogun Taiga for restoring the dignity and reputation of the union which was fractured by unnecessary rivalries and partisan politics introduced into the fold in 2015, pointing out that UPU is the authentic umbrella body of the Urhobo Nation and must remain nonpartisan, as Urhobo sons and daughters are free to associate and belong to political parties of their choice as guaranteed in constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

Ibori, a reference point in state, regional and national politics, noted that Urhobo nation has made remarkable progress over the years in sociocultural frontiers and call for sustainable unity, respect and peaceful coexistence among ethnic nationalities in the state, adding that we can only make giant strides as a people in our quest for economic empowerment and development, if we reason and work together as a team.

President General of UPU, Olorogun Moses Taiga, said Urhobo nation pride of place in sociocultural depth is firm, adding that value is being added to the growth and expansion of the union through membership drive, various projects earmarked to promote the ideals and vision of the founding fathers of the union.

He called on all sons and daughters of Urhobo Nation at home and in diaspora to individually and collectively project the rich culture and tradition of Urhobo ethnic nationality, pointing out that the true identity of a people is revealed through sociocultural activities and programmes expressed through fashion, dance, music and symbols.

Gov Okowa, Chief Ibori and Olorogun Taiga were on the same page on the issue of peaceful coexistence and unity among ethnic nationalities in the state. The trio also urged the management of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to return to Warri, which according to them, shall enhance the socioeconomic well being of Deltans and at the same time generate revenue to the state government.

The Urhobo National day celebration was well attended by top government functionaries, captains of industry, prominent sons and daughters of Urhobo Nation from around the world.