Proposed Urhobo State Creation: 1st Town Hall Meeting Holds At Ughelli

By Andy Emephia

Stakeholders from the eight local government areas of Delta central Senatorial districts, including Okere , in Warri south , on Saturday 18th January 2025 , converged on the Ughelli kingdom hall , in Ughelli North , to unanimously endorse the movement for the creation of Urhobo State , out of the present Delta State.

They , in tandem with diaspora stakeholders of Urhobo extraction , based their agitation on the premise of the 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria , being less regarded in the State creation agenda by successive federal government’s since their Mid West state times.

Participants at the maiden Town hall meeting convened by the Urhobo State creation Committee , were unequivocal , that with comparative advantage in land mass, population , infrastructure on ground , abundant natural resources such as vast gas and crude oil reserves , power , as well as a rich human capital resource base , among others , Urhobo State would not only be viable and stand on its own, but was as viable as other states already existing, if not more

National Coordinator of the Urhobo State creation Committee , organizers of the maiden Town Hall meeting, Hon Chief Christopher Obiuwevbi, disclosed that the Bill for the creation of Urhobo State is ready , and would be presented before the National Assembly by Representatives from the area , in no distant time

The Urhobo State creation committee National Coordinator , affirmed that the creation of Urhobo State , which boasts of the largest oil and gas reserves in the nation , is the only way to compensate the fourth largest ethnic group for its age long neglect despite it’s humongous contribution to the Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) , even before independence , till date.

Lending his voice , the Committee,s Director of Publicity , and one time Executive Chairman of Ethiope West Local government Council, Hon Dr Wilson Odafe Omene , restated that on the basis of fairness , equity and justice , creation of Urhobo State from the present Delta State is long overdue.

Dr Omene who said that the largest gas reserves in the country are domiciled at Afiesere in Ughelli north , and Kokori in Ethiope East local government areas , also listed the abundant agricultural potentials evident in palm , rubber , cassavva aqua culture and so many other indices , as evidence that the 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria is long overdue to have its own state.

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In her contribution via zoom , the diaspora coordinator of the Urhobo State creation committee, Olorogun Mrs Omodoro Ogunlewe , told the august gathering that urhobos in diaspora were heavily involved in the agitation for a State of their own , and had commenced the needed advocacy to sensitize their kith and kin abroad , on the importance of the actualization for Urhobo State.

She charged all bonafide sons and daughters of Urhobo extraction, irrespective of their political and social leanings , to see the creation of Urhobo State as their project.

Highpoint of the maiden Town hall sensitization meeting , was the unanimous adoption of the motion for the pursuance of the Urhobo State creation which was put to voice vote and concurred by all.