THE Urhobo in Lagos have identified unity as the necessary ingredient for the growth and development of Urhobo land. At a gathering of prominent Urhobo sons and daughters resident in Lagos, yesteray, the meeting rose with a resolve to ensure that the Urhobo Nation speaks with one voice.

To this end, Urhobos in Lagos agreed to come up with a larger body drawing membership from prominent Urhobo Clubs in Laogos and other Urhobo sons and daughter resident in Lagos. The committee set up at the meeting will articulate the views of Urhobos on all issues and in conjunction with Urhobo Progress Union the traditional institution and stakeholders in Urhobo land and speak with one voice for the Urhobo Nation.

Speaking at the gathering, the President General, Urhobo Progress Union Worldwide, Olorogun Moses Taiga said “Urhobo can win again. Yes, we can achieve speedy growth and development,   if we exorcise the demon of disunity, divisiveness and selfishness fingered as threats to our growth as a people.”

Speaking in the same vein, the President Austin Enajemo-Isire, said it was imperative for the Urhobo nation to stick together like a bunch of broom and become a formidable entity, maximizing its enormous potential.

Isire also bemoaned the high level of insecurity in Urhobo land, saying it can scare away potential investors and hinder development.

Chief Goodie Ibru, who also spoke at the event, said “Urhobo sons and daughters should be encouraged to set up big businesses because it is big businesses that will create wealth and employment.”

The chairman of the Board of Trustees of Urhobo Social Club, Lagos, Chief Johnson Barovbe, said the time had come to abolish the dichotomy between the male child and girl child. He also spoke against the attitude of treating daughters as outsiders once they got married. He said Urhobos must embrace their married daughters and their sons-in-law.

Among prominent sons and daughters who graced the event were: Olorogun Moses Taiga, Chief and Mrs. Goodie Ibru, Chief Johnson Barovbe, Ambassador Dan Arhavwarien, Chief Edoreh Agbah, Hon Solomon Edojah, Dr Austin Eruotor, Dr. Robinson Egerega, Chief Simeon Ohwofa, Chief Omah Odoh-Tadafe, Hon. Emma Egoh, Gen. Oviemo Ovadje, Chief Jacob Diedjomahor, Chief Bernard Okumagba among many others.