UPU America Ohio President Calls for Urhobo Unity, Proposes Urhobo University

The President of the Urhobo Progressive Union America (UPUA), Ohio Branch, Olorogun Dr Louisa Ukochovwera PhD, has called on Urhobo people in Nigeria and the Diaspora to unite and work collectively towards the development and advancement of the Urhobo nation.

Ukochevwerha made the call while addressing the National Convention of the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), where she stressed the need for Urhobo people to put aside political, community and personal differences in the interest of the ethnic nationality.

She said although Urhobo people may come from different kingdoms, communities, families, political backgrounds and professional fields, they remain one people bound by a common identity, culture, language, traditions and history.
According to her, “A united Urhobo voice will command greater respect and create greater opportunities for our people.”
The UPU America, Ohio Branch president also emphasised the important role of Urhobo indigenes in the Diaspora in contributing to the development of their homeland.

She noted that Urhobo people across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe and other parts of the world were making significant contributions in education, medicine, law, business, technology, politics and academia.

She urged Urhobo leaders in Nigeria and the Diaspora to strengthen cooperation and create platforms through which knowledge, investment, technology, education and opportunities could be channelled towards the development of Urhobo land.
Call for Urhobo University
A major highlight of her address was a proposal for the establishment of an Urhobo University at the Uvwiarmuge Cultural Centre.

Ukochevwerha said the proposed institution should go beyond being a conventional university, but should serve as a centre of excellence for education, research, culture, history, leadership, technology and the preservation of Urhobo identity.
She said the university would provide young Urhobo people with access to quality education while also exposing them to the language, culture, history, traditional institutions and contributions of their forefathers.

She further proposed the establishment of a Hall of Honour within the university, with appropriate facilities named after distinguished Urhobo leaders who had contributed significantly to the unity, education, development and advancement of the people.

According to her, such an initiative would preserve the sacrifices and achievements of past Urhobo leaders and inspire younger generations to embrace service, courage, integrity and responsible leadership.

Diaspora, Stakeholders Urged to Support Project
The UPU America president stressed that the proposed university should not be regarded as the project of an individual, community or political group, but as a collective Urhobo initiative.

She called on traditional rulers, UPU leaders, political leaders, professionals, academics, philanthropists, business leaders and Urhobo organisations in Nigeria and the Diaspora to collaborate on the initiative.

Ukochevwerha also proposed the establishment of a credible committee to examine the legal, academic, financial, land, administrative and institutional requirements for the university and develop a comprehensive master plan.

She expressed confidence that the initiative could receive the necessary institutional attention and support under the leadership of Barrister Ese Gang Owen, in collaboration with relevant Urhobo stakeholders.

“Let Us Leave Institutions Behind”
Ukochevwerha challenged the present generation of Urhobo leaders to focus on building lasting institutions that would benefit generations yet unborn.

She said: “Let us not leave them only with stories about what Urhobo once achieved. Let us leave them with institutions.”
She identified research centres, cultural institutions, educational opportunities and strong businesses, alongside a united people, as part of the legacy the present generation should strive to establish.

The UPU America, Ohio Branch president further called for the strengthening of the UPU, preservation of the Urhobo language and culture, investment in education and stronger connections between Urhobo communities in Nigeria and the Diaspora.

She maintained that unity did not mean that members of the ethnic nationality must always agree on every issue, but that disagreements should not be allowed to undermine their collective interests.

Ukochevwerha concluded by urging Urhobo people to put the interests of the nation first and begin the process of establishing the proposed Urhobo University at the Uvwiarmuge Cultural Centre.

She expressed optimism that the project, if realised, would become one of the most significant legacies the present generation could leave for future generations of Urhobo people.