Proposed Urhobo State will expedite development of Niger Delta region – Group

As agitation for the creation of additional states intensifies, members of the Urhobo Youth Leaders Association (UYLA) insist that the proposed Urhobo State would expedite the development of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

UYLA’s Abuja chapter, at a parley held over the weekend, drummed up support for the creation of Urhobo State from the current Delta State.

In a statement jointly signed by the Chapter President and Secretary of the UYLA, Comrade Kennedy Ejename and Mr Jonathan Idonor Ibrebru, the group contended that Urhobo State would bring governance closer to the people and enhance resource allocation for the speedy development of the new state within the Niger Delta region.

UYLA noted that the proposed Urhobo State would be the most viable state when created, considering its huge population of over 7 million people, abundant deposits of oil and gas, and rich natural resources.

Noting that the call for the creation of the proposed state is based on the fact that the Urhobos are the largest ethnic group in Delta State, they urged all Urhobo sons and daughters, both at home and abroad, to unite behind the clarion call for the creation of Urhobo State. They also encouraged them to emulate the ingrained legacies of past Urhobo patriots such as the Late Chief Mukoro Mowoe, Late General David Akpode Ejoor, Late Chief Senator David Omueya Dafinone, and Late Chief Daniel Okumagba, who, throughout their lifetime, fought for the creation of a pan-Urhobo State.

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UYLA stated: “We understand that the creation of a new state in Nigeria is a constitutional matter that certainly requires a constitutional amendment. Thus, we are calling on all federal lawmakers from Urhoboland to be the foremost vanguard for the creation of Urhobo State.

“Hopefully, this will make for efficient governance and drive economic growth and sustainability within the oil-rich Urhoboland. Those in the corridors of power know for sure that achieving the creation of Urhobo State in our dispensation and lifetime would be our biggest tribute to the memory of our past heroes, who, throughout their lifetime, fought for the economic liberation and cultural preservation of the Urhobo people.”

UYLA’s position comes against the backdrop of a list of 31 proposed states that were recently submitted as private member bills before the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Amendment, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.