You are marginalizing Urhobos of Warri, Okumagba accuses Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko

A PDP stalwart and prominent Chief   in Urhobo Kingdom, Warri South Local Government, Chief Emmanuel Okumagba has accused the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko of marginalizing Urhobo people in Warri politically, just as he canvassed for the creation of a new Delta State that will embrace the 24 Urhobo Kingdoms.

Chief Okumagba, brother to the sacked Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bernard Okumagba made the assertion at the 2^nd Inauguration of National Executive Council/2013 end of year party of the Urhobo Development Association, A.K.A Urhobo Monitoring and Development Group, UMDG Saturday December 21,2013 at Urhobo Progress Union Cultural Centre, Uwuamuge, Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

The ex- Chairman of defunct State Primary Education Board, declared that the creation of a new Delta State have become imperative “because Urhobo is the fifth largest
ethnic group in Nigeria”.

Chief Okumagba said the Itsekiris have always expressed fears on the creation of a new Delta State due to their minority status.  “Who is more marginalized than the Urhobos of Warri?  The various ethnic groups must learn to live together, if we don't want to live together, we can path-ways and ask for whatever we want for ourselves”. Chief Emmanuel Okumagba averred. 

Meanwhile, a new National Executive Council to pilot the affairs of the Urhobo Development Association for the next four years has been inaugurated at the Urhobo Progress Union’s Cultural Centre, Uwuamuge, Agbarho.
Members of the new National Executive Council are; Prince Kingsley Oberuruaria, National President, Comrade Ighohwo Odibo,1^st Deputy National President, Olorogun Efe. M, National Secretary, Prince Mike Lota, Director Public Relations, Dr. Francis Tagar, Director  Publicity, Chief Ogaga Agiri, National Treasurer, Comrade Kess Bank, Financial Secretary, Comrade Efe Okoro, Organizing Secretary, Chief Kingsley Ejitobor, Provost Marshal, Comrade Okeghoro Felix, Political Adviser, Comrade Ntekume Gabriel, Asst. National Secretary, Comrade Wellington Ufuoma, Director Strategy and Research, Comrade Kingsley Eboh, Director  Mobilization, Comrade Etetafia Julius Auditor General, Comrade Basikoro, Deputy Director Public Relations, Comrade Theophilus Onojeghen, Deputy Director Planning, Comrade Oghenorhoro .E.Onokpuvie, Ex-Officio, Comrade Efe Ojaimor, Asst. Organizing Secretary, Comrade Ovie Kanabar,Otota, Comrade Obruche Egor, Asst. Otota, Comrade Kingsley Imoni-Ogbe, Deputy Director Strategy and Research and Comrade Solomon Oghenerume, Adviser.

Members of the newly inaugurated UMDG National Executive

 In an address, the newly inaugurated National President of UMDG, Prince Kingsley Oberuruaria promised that within the next four years, his administration will inaugurate UMDG chapters in the 24kingdoms that make up Urhobo Nation, hold an  Urhobo Youths/Young Adult summit with the aim of mapping out plans for the forthcoming political dispensation as well as take part in the development of human resources and empowerment in Urhobo land through participation in government skill acquisition programmes.

Prince Oberuruaria who noted that people look at youth associations in Urhobo land with "disdain and apathy" due to the failure of many youth organizations, assured that the UMDG is an Urhobo group with a difference that is poised to take the Urhobo Nation to an enviable height with a high sense of dynamism, foresight, gallantry and sometimes, risk".

Former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Delta State as well as chairman of the event, Barr. Andrew Orugbo advised the leadership of Urhobo people to say "emphatic no on pulling down of any Urhobo son/daughter”.

Barr. Orugbo who was represented by Hon. Omeco Daniel Ekorhi said rather than pull any Urhobo son/daughter down even when it is obvious that they have erred, all the leadership needs to do is to call and caution them secretly rather than openly rebuking them.

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