Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, On The Move
The Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, made another history again by creating a branch of UPU in Badagry with new Executive Members elected to pilot its affairs
By Ogheneyovwe Edomi
From its foundation over 90 years ago untill now, the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, continues to enjoy the respect and support of all sons and daughters of Urhobo land worldwide.
Formed in 1931 first as Urhobo Brotherly Society, by Urhobo nationalists, it soon spread through out Urhobo land and in the Diaspora during the time of colonial rule, until the name was changed to Urhobo Progress Union, UPU. The toga UPU represents the highest and apex Socio-cultural group in Urhobo land just as there are Ohaneze in Igbo land, Arewa in Hausa land and Afenifere in Youruba land as the apex Socio-cultural groups for the three major tribes in Nigeria.
The UPU which has its’ worldwide headquarter located in Uvwiamughe, Agbarho, Delta state is the voice of the Urhobo people. The UPU remains the platform for the formulation of agenda for the promotion of Urhobo welfare and growth. Some of the founding fathers are Chief Mukoro Mowoe, Chief Omohwovo Okoro, Chief John Okpodu, Chief Jabin Obahor, Chief Adogbeji Salubi, Chief Jereton Mariere, Chief Dr. F. O. Esiri, Chief James Ogboko Edewor, Olorogun General David Ejoor and His Royal Majesty, Benjamin Okumagba( all late) among others.
The UPU has branches in many countries all over the world.All the 36 states in Nigeria have at least a branch of UPU. Lagos State until recently has two branches in Apapa and Ikeja but a third branch of the UPU worldwide organization was created in Badagry, the town where Christianity was first preached in Nigeria and renowned for its tourism potentials. The third branch became necessary because of the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos State coupled with the fact that Badagry and its’ environs including the border town have one of the largest population of Urhobos popularly call Sobos by the South West.
Thus Urhobo people in Badagry under the auspicies of UPU gathered recently to elect some prominent Urhobo sons and daughters to run the affairs of the fifth largest ethnic tribe in Nigeria at the UPU banch level in order to move Urhobo sons and daughters in Badagry and its’ environs forward in the next three years in diverse areas in line with the dreams of the founding fathers of UPU and the leadership direction of the current President-General of UPU worldwide, Olorogun Barrister Ese Gam.
Elected to run the affairs of the UPU, Badagry branch are Deacon Ovie Edomi, who holds a Doctor of Philosophy, PhD, in Mass Communication from Babcock University specialising in Development Communication and equally the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of South South International magazine, from Agbon kingdom as President. Elder Andrew Eghwrudjakpor, a Political Science graduate who equally holds a Masters in Public Administration, (MPA.) from the university of Calabar. Eghwrudjakpor, from Okpe kingdom is a retired Deputy Comptroller of Customs, and MD/CEO. Bell Sound Call Investment limited, a Clearing, Forwarding and general merchandise organization was elected as Vice president and Sir Efe Okoro, KSJI) ACIPM) from OTOKUTU Ughienvwen Kingdom, a Personnel Management icon, who holds an M.Sc. in Human Resources and Industrial Relations and currently the head, Human Resources and Administration, StrongPack Limited as well as a Knight in Catholic was elected, Secretary.
Also elected are Vincent Onomake, from Olomo kingdom, is a Human Resouce Specialist and currently the Resources Supervisor, Beta Glass Plc, Agbara as Treasurer, Comrade Emmanuel Edudje, a labour leader as Assistant Secretary, Mrs Roseline John. O, a teacher and Chief Clerical Officer, Ministry of Defence, (Nigeria Military Hospital) , as Financial Secretary, Chief Okiemute Ogheneyoma, Managing Director of Chiherc Nigeria limited, Lagos, as Provost and Olorogun Samuel Omoyibo, a retired Senior Customs officer and renowned Urhobo Orator as Spokesman.
Others elected to pilot the UPU Badagry branch are Augustine Okpegboro as legal officer, Gambari Ogheneovo and Anna Edemito as Welfare Officers as well as Timothy Agbuke as assistant Spokesman. Others are Mrs Esther Fabiyi, Monday Okorodudu and surveyor Sunny Eriyamremu as Ex-Officios.
Shortly after their election, speaking on behalf of the elected UPU Badagry branch elected officers, Dr. Edomi noted that ” It is a call to service and a call to committedly work for the UPU Badagry branch and UPU worldwide for the progress and growth of the Urhobo nation, the fifth ethnic tribe in Nigeria. He noted that the UPU Badagry branch will galvanize Urhobos through different initiatives and programmes that will benefit the teeming Urhobo youths and elderly particularly those that the new branch can reach via its programmes and initiatives.
He commended the UPU President-General worldwide, Chief Barrister Ese Gam, and his members of EXCO for creating the new branch and says the Badagry branch will leave up to expectation and do all it can to continue to promote the welfare and progress of the Urhobos.