Urhobo Delegation Visits Nigeria

A three-person delegation of the Urhobo Progress Union, North America (UPUNA) has left the US for Nigeria to participate in the Urhobo National Day celebrations and the Urhobo Annual Congress. This is the first such celebration under the dynamic leadership of Chief Benjamin Okumagba (JP) as President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), the mother organization and the spirit of Urhobo nationalism worldwide.

An invitation to attend and participate in the festivities was sent to Urhobo people in North America through Dr. Ona Pela, President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union, North America (UPUNA). Dr. Pela leads the delegation which also includes Chief James Onori, a member of UPUNA's Board of Trustees.

During the past weekend, the delegation took part in the three days of activities which included the convocation of the Urhobo Annual Congress on Friday, December 1 when issues affecting Urhoboland were discussed; a cultural fiesta on Saturday, December 2, and an interdenominational service on Sunday, December 3.

Apart from attending the UPU activities, the UPUNA delegation will meet with the leadership of UPU, ivie, political and community leaders during its two-week trip to Urhoboland. It will also tour areas of Urhoboland devastated by the recent spate of oil pipeline fires especially lbada-Elume, Egborode, Adeje and the Oviri Court. See:

Tragedy as Ibada Elume River burns

In a telephone interview with Dr. Pela before his departure for Urhoboland, he reiterated his earlier observation to delegates attending the 7th Annual Convention of UPUNA (formerly The Urhobo National Association [TUNA]) on September 2, 2000, that "Our premier voice and spirit, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), has emerged unified behind the leadership of Chief Ben Okumagba following the elections of December 1999. The change in guard reflects the rebirth of the Urhobo nation as we begin the 21st century. It is my hope and wish that we in North America can also begin anew as we seek unity and strength in our diversity even when there may be differing viewpoints."

Dr. Paul Egbo, UPUNA's Director of Publicity, views the invitation to this year's Urhobo National Day activities as "auspicious and a reafirmation of UPUNA's commitment to work with the mother-organization (UPU) at home toward the development of Urhoboland." He said that UPUNA is living up to the challenge which its members willingly adopted at the September 2000 Convention to become more involved in working with Urhobo at home toward the development of Urhoboland, and in finding solutions to problems.

Issued by: The Directorate of Publicity 

Urhobo Progress Union, North America (UPUNA)

P. 0. Box 431663 Pontiac, MI 48343, USA 

Phone: 248-332-4184; 

Fax: 248-332-3329

Contact: Dr. Paul Egbo, Director of Publicity Urhobo Progress Union, North America (UPUNA)