By Enakeme Aghogho, Ogun State
The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja (Engr) Noimot Salako Oyedele, has hailed the Urhobo people as the most peaceful people living in Ogun State.
The Deputy Governor, who was Special Guest of Honour, made this assertion at the inauguration and swearing-in ceremony of the Executive Council of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Ogun State Chapter held at Sango-Ota on March 20, 2022.
Engr. Noimot Salako Oyedele, represented by her Senior Special Adviser to the Governor, Hon Kola Salako, said that despite the large population of Urhobo people in Ogun State, findings showed that an Urhobo person was rarely fingered among those who have committed crimes or caused a breach of peace in the State. Elated that the President of UPU Ogun State resides in, and is a Chief of Ota, her constituency, the Deputy Governor assured Urhobo people of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led Government’s provision of security for lives and property including social amenities to the citizens of the State, irrespective of ethnic background.
She advised Urhobo leaders to mobilize their members to register and obtain voter cards to enable them to vote for credible candidates of their choice in the 2023 elections
In his remark, earlier, the Olota of Ota, His Royal Highness, Oba (Prof) Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege, whose speech was delivered by His Majesty, Oba Onimupin of Mupin-Ota, praised Urhobo people in the State for hosting the event in his domain, particularly that the President is not only residing in his domain but also a Chief. He assured the Urhobo of the cooperation of the palace and his people.
In his acceptance speech, Olorogun Clement Takisi Obiogun, the newly-inaugurated President while thanking the Deputy-Governor, said that as a Union, UPU, Ogun State would continue to appraise the activities of the state government, commend and encourage the government on programs geared towards the well-being and amelioration of the plight and suffering of the masses.
The new President also used the occasion to correct two impressions about the Urhobo people. Firstly, the common reference by the Yoruba that Urhobos are “Omo Ibo”. He said Urhobo, which is the fifth largest ethnic group in Nigeria and from the South-South region, would not accept to be subsumed or over-shadowed by any other tribe in Nigeria. He also corrected that the exclamation “Urhobo wayo” is “Urhobo Wa do”.
Olorogun Obiogu, who holds the title of Fiwajoye of Mupin-Ota, in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government of Ogun State, thanked the royal fathers, political leaders, government, and people of the State for their hospitalities and open-heartedness in accomodating strangers to pursue their legitimate human endeavors. He sermonized that Urhobos are well-known for their faithfulness, humility, honesty, reliability, bravery, truthfulness, and consistency. He said Urhobo are stable people who always pursue any course they believed in, diligently and to a logical conclusion without fear or favor”
In his short remark, the Osu r’Urhobo Iv of Lagos State, High Chief Vincent Ahwi, commended the Urhobo People in Ogun State for their unity and advised them to make themselves relevant in the Urhobo nation by contributing towards her political and physical developments. He said with the election of Chief Obiogu, who he has known for a long time, Urhobo Progress Union, Ogun State will make waves.
Also present at the occasion were Okakuro, Fidelis Odia, President, UPU, Ikeja; Olorogun & Olorogun (Mrs) Godspower Ikpimi, Olorogun Ovie Oghenekaro, President, UPU, Apapa Branch; Mrs. Rachael Enakeya, Olorogun Samson Emiejirhe Mr. James Onafete, and Supol Itobore of Nigeria Police.
Others are His Royal Majesty, Oba (Alhaji) Moroof Adio Alagbe, Elegushi of Egushi; Kabiyes Alomaja , and Oluwoyin of Iwoyinland, Akoko, Ondo State. Delegates from the state UPU sub-branches including Abeokuta (headquarter), Ayila, Efire, Abigi, Ibiade, Iwopin, J4, Ogun Waterside, Ogbere, Ijebu-Ife, Ije-Mushin, Itele, Atakobo, Ijebu-Ode, Odogbolu, Ijebu-Igbo, Ikenne, Sagamu, Ilishan, Iperu, Papalanto, Ilaro, Ifo-Ota, Owode-Idiroko and Sango-Ota (host) were also in attendance.
Executive members sworn in at the occasion were Chief Joseph A Odia, Chief Donald Ogheovo, Chief Emmanuel Ovonogbaro, Vice Presidents and Coordinators, Egba, Ijebu, and Remo zone, respectively. Others are Barrister Ovo Ireruke, General Secretary and Legal Adviser; Dr. Solomon A, Anuta, Chairman and custodian of the State headquarter Abeokuta; Chief Pius Esiegbe, Otota; Chief Colombus Agbele, Treasurer; Monday Joseph, Financial Secretary; Mr. Victor Akpobome, Welfare Chairman; Mrs. Mary Oyubu, Women Leader; Ifere David, Assist Secretary, and Enakeme Solomon Aghogho, Publicity Secretary.
 Oyedele, has hailed the Urhobo people as the most peaceful people living in Ogun State. ){kind=link}