By Enakeme Solomon Aghogho.
A pan-Urhobo group, Urhobo Heritage, has condemned the violence that erupts in Urhoboland over issues of national dimension, including the recent protests that rocked Udu, Uvwie, Warri, and others over the frustrations experienced by Nigerians in the new Naira swap.
In a statement issued in Warri by their Coordinators, Mrs. Omonigho Faith, and Efejedia Erhiurhorore Godfrey, the group appealed to Urhobo Traditional Rulers and their Chiefs, Local Government Chairmen of the Delta Central Senatorial District, Presidents-General of various Communities in Urhoboland and the apex body of Urhobo Nation, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) to quickly intervene in nipping in the bud violence that takes place in Urhoboland anytime there is resentment on a national issue.
The Forum stated that they were disturbed by the recent destruction of Banks’ properties in Urhoboland over the scarcity of the newly designed Naira note, describing “the destruction as unwarranted and uncalled for.” The body noted that if proper measures to curb this frequent activity are not taken, it may spin over into the Governorship election, hindering the elections of good representatives for the Urhobo nation.
Urhobo Heritage wondered “why it is that every recent violent nationwide protests that occurred as a result of issues affecting Nigeria started from Urhoboland. Why is it that this kind of violence has not been carried out by the youths of the Northerners?”
Citing the October 2020 END-SARS protest, which started from Ughelli, the body stated: “There is a need to appeal to our Urhobo Leaders to quickly employ means of town-criers, radio and television jingles to enlightening the youths on the consequences of violent actions as they need to abstain from such activities.
“No violent action does any good. The same youths who destroyed the bank properties would suffer the consequences with their families and innocent citizens tomorrow. It may take the banks over six months to restore operations, but where would the same youths go to get their savings?
“Apart from these, some of the staff of these Banks are Urhobo indigenes who are earning their living from the Banks.
They further urged every well-meaning Urhobo son and daughter to join hands in getting rid of destructive and shady characters from Urhoboland.
Recall that violent protests erupted recently due to the scarcity of the newly designed Naira notes. Some banks in Urhoboland were vandalised or burnt, just as some souls died.
