Urhobo Nation Has Lost Its Place Of Pride In Delta, Needs A State –Chief Wilson Omene

By Daniel Dafe

Prominent Urhobo elder statesman and former Chairman of Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State, Chief Dr. Wilson Omene, has lamented the state of things in Urhobo Nation, saying that the ethnic group that once stood tall in industrial, academic and political accomplishments has lost its place of pride in the state.

Chief Dr. Wilson Omene, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke to journalists in Mosogar on Sunday.

He said: “I actually woke up in deep thoughts about how far we have fallen. Today, it’s even hard to proudly say you are Urhobo among your peers. We’ve become pawns in the hands of those who once respected us,” he said.

According to him, the Urhobos have been turned into a laughing stock in the oil rich state despite that they are the majority in the state.

ALSO READ: The Humanity Of Power: The Soludo-Son Example

He added: “It’s very sad. Our tradition is going down. A very serious matter will arise in Urhobo and you don’t even hear it.”

Chief Omene said “the most important matter now is the creation of Ethiope State for the people of Urhobos,” just as he hinted that on Saturday, 19th July, 2025, there will be a Public Hearing for the creation of Ethiope State by the House of Representatives Committee on State Creation and Constitution Review.

Speaking further, he said: “I care about the Urhobo as a nation that is being rubbished. Taking Tantita as an example, there are PIA laws. If you have anything with Mosogar, the community is the local content. If you’re dealing with the Mosogar people, let a Mosogar indigene be there. If it is Oghara, an Oghara man should be there not someone from Ologbo an Itsekiri man. If such a thing is coming, we have it for the Urhobos. We Urhobos are the fourth largest in the country, we produce the highest quota in the common wealth of the state. Our people are silent. Why can’t we have a State of our own?”

Asked if the call for Ethiope State is not late since the agitation for Anioma State creation began much earlier, he expressed optimism that though some think the Urhobos are starting late, there was still hope.

Meanwhile, he hinted that the 10 House of Assembly members and other Urhobo leaders including UPU have signed for the creation of Ethiope State.

Adding: “All efforts have been made to make Senator Ede Dafinone to move the motion on the floor of the house as a Bill,” saying it was yet to yield any result.

The outspoken Urhobo leader hinted that the said public hearing will hold at Yenagoa in Bayelsa State, while commending Hon. Etanabene, the House of Reps member representing Sapele, Okpe and Uvwie for pushing the Ethiope State matter.

Furthermore, Omene blamed politicians in Delta Central for what has become of the Urhobos, saying that “eighty percent of the political problems in Delta State today are caused by Urhobo people.”

“We are the majority, yet we’ve made ourselves irrelevant. Our voice is no longer heard, even on serious issues affecting us,” he said.

While reflecting on the enduring legacies of Urhobo icons such as Olorogun Michael Ibru, Chief D.O.D. Dafinone, the Salubis, and the Okumagbas, Omene called on contemporary leaders to emulate their patriotism, vision, and tenacity.

Chief Omene concluded with a passionate appeal to political leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups, and civil society actors across Urhobo land to rally behind the renewed push, describing unity as the most vital ingredient for success in the state creation quest.