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… Appeals for State, Federal Presence
By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
The UDU Primary School main-field, Uwheru venue of the grand reception in honour of five personalities was filled to rafter as sons and daughters of Uwheru Kingdom and their well-wishers converged to “give honour to who honour is due, as well as correct the age long impression that a prophet is not known in his country.”
The first of its kind in the annals of Uwheru Kingdom, the event was organised by the Uwheru Development Union (UDU) under the leadership of its president general, Chief Cassidy Akpodafe, and the palace of Odion r’ Ode of Uwheru Kingdom, HRM Agbaovwe Afugbeya Oyise 11.
In an address, the president general of Uwheru Development Union, Chief Cassidy Akpedafe, said there was every ample reason to celebrate and eulogize Uwheru sons and daughters who had made the kingdom proud due to their exploits and contributions to the advancement of society, “which they achieved through a sense of purpose, education, passion, consistence, courage and dint of hard work as well as their selfless service to humanity.”
He said: “Our shining stars that we are celebrating today are in no doubt product of these noble virtues and qualities.”
According to Chief Akpedafe, who is also the proprietor of Apex Academy, Uwheru, apart from the legendary farming and wrestling which the UK (as it is referred to) is reputed for, has produced the greatest numbers educationists and teachers in former Bendel State and the present Delta State and today the people of Uwheru have extended their frontiers and become trail blazers in politics, sports, security, armed forces and others. This makes us immensely proud as a people.”
He said one of the esteemed recipients of the honour, Chief (Prof) Patrick Muoboghare, a renowned activist, “is one golden fish that cannot be hidden. He is presently on a second missionary journey as a commissioner for Higher Education under Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa after serving in similar capacities under former governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.
“Another person that is among those to be honored is Sir Chief Simeon Ohwofa who is a brand name in the field of animal nutrition and animal science in Nigeria. As a politician and business mogul, he has also gained the reputation of being a passionate and patriotic Urhobo personality. Sir Ohwofa in several ways has rendered selfless services to not only his Uwheru Kingdom, but has been called upon several times to perform critical assignments for the Urhobo Nation, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU Worldwide) and Urhobo Historical Society,” he said.
He also disclosed that “UK has the enviable records of producing the first Urhobo councilor in Lagos State, who now holds the record of being the first Urhobo and Deltan/Bendelite to become a Federal lawmaker representing Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency. This trail-blazer of note is our own son Honorable Prince Oghene Emma Egoh. The same joy was witnessed across Urhobo land when it was announced that Chief (Mrs.) Gladys Puegeren has been made permanent secretary Ministry of Oil and Gas, Asaba. Incidentally, she is the junior sister to Hon Oghene Egoh.”
He also recalled that the Urhobo nation and entire Delta State “erupted in joy when another of own son in faraway Lagos state, Mr Samuel Egube was appointed as commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning of Lagos state by Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu after Mr Fola Arthur-Wurrey, who was a former commissioner for Lands and Housing and former solicitor- general/director of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State.
“Recently, Dr Benson Uwheru was invited to London for an assessment exercise by the top management of Ernst and Young. The exercise drew employees of reputable multinational professional services from across the world to London. Of the over 2000 employees gathered, our own Dr Benson Uwheru was the only one of the black race inside the hall. Dr Benson Uwheru is currently the youngest Ph.D (honoris causa) of the Cecilia Micheal Ibru University, Agbarha Otor.”
He also stated that “it is heartwarming that our political titans, Hon (Barr) Igho Arhagba and Hon (Barr) Clement Osieta are also serving as the legislative aide to the deputy – senate president, Abuja and senior special assistant to the governor of Delta State in Asaba.
“While we honour these distinguished personalities, it is also important to mention that there are other Uwherus equally conquering their various fields of human endeavors. “For example in August 2019 , our own Raymond Ekevwo got gold medal for Nigeria and became the fastest man in Africa following his 9.96 seconds finish in the men’s 100 meters at the 2019 African Games in Morocco . In 2018 Oghenemega Omoferi Akpedeye scored 340 in JAMB’s UTME. He was declared the highest in South-Southern Nigeria. He is currently studying Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He was the only Urhobo on the Merit List.”
He also used the opportunity to decry the lack of infrastructures, state and Federal government presence in Uwheru Kingdom and appealed to Uwheru sons in authority to address the lack of infrastructure in Uwheru land.
“The basic amenities and institutions befitting a modern kingdom in this 21st century are grossly missing. Uwheru deserves state and federal presence, like institution of higher learning, well-equipped hospital and ultra-modern town hall. I call on you to deploy your arsenal of socio-political and economic contacts, networks and influence to change the face of Uwheru Kingdom.”
In an interview with journalists Chief Okagba Egoh, the Odion of Urede quarter urged those honoured to use their power to draw federal government attention to the menace of herdsmen. “Please tell the federal and state governments to come to our aid, Fulanis are depriving us of farming, raping and maiming our people every dry season.”
In their separate interviews, Olorogun Caccius Okiki, CSP Benjamin Igemeti and Chief Joseph Egoh applauded the bold initiatives of the organizers of the grand reception in honour of illustrious indigenes of Uwheru, held under the distinguished chairmanship of Prof Simon Umukoro.
They said the award will not only spur the recipients, but will also inspire others to put in their best wherever they found themselves, and called the youths to emulate the sacrifice and dint of hard work of the recipients as they too can get to such positions if they imbibe the spirit of hard work, love and unity of purpose.
They said most of the recipients were not born with silvers spoons, but they worked hard under excruciating and militating conditions in their early life and assisted their parents as they were children of farmers.
“I wish to thank the organizers who packaged the ceremony. Admittedly, there were flaws which can be corrected in subsequent editions. The occasion showcased the essence of unity and benefits to be derived if we are united. Everybody expressed joy and for once all Uwherus came together in one accord and for one purpose,” said Benjamin Igemeti.