Delta Elite Movement partners group on promotion of Urhobo language

A Non-Governmental Organization, Delta Elite Movement, DEM, is working towards partnering a Socio- Cultural group, the Urhobo-Wood on the need to promote the Urhobo language and save it from extinction.

The flag off of the partnership between of officials of Delta Elite Movement and Urhobo-Wood was held at Wellington Hotels in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after a meeting held between the two groups, President of Delta Elite Movement, Comrade Ogegere Enivwenaye said his organization which is centered on human capital development through education is poised to enlighten young people especially from Urhobo Ethnic Nationality on the need to value and speak their language as well as save it from extinction in addition to developing themselves educationally for the challenges ahead.

Comrade Enivwenaye said part of his group’s objectives is to unite all ethnic groups in the state in other for the Delta State Government to achieve the peace and security it desires.

Lord-Mayor of Urhobo-Wood, Dr. Joseph Udusan Ovokereke declared that the Urhobos are being marginalized in all areas because the Urhobo language is going into extinction, just as he called on all Urhobo sons and daughters in Nigeria as well as in the Diaspora to identify, speak and promote the Urhobo language.

Dr. Ovokereke who said he is not against inter-tribal marriages, cautioned all Urhobos not to forget their root, rather they should speak their mother tongue to their children and to any Urhobo wherever
they are found.

According to him, one big challenge the Urhobo have is the extinction of the language from the West African Examination Council as one of its subjects. He said in the time past, students write Urhobo  language as a subject during WAEC but wondered why it is no longer written.

Dr. Ovokereke said just like other tribes which had NTA Igbo, NTA Yoruba, NTA Hausa, the Urhobo Nation which according to him is the fifth largest group in Nigeria ought to have its own NTA.

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