By Sunday Apah
The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has been formally inducted into the Urhobo Hall of Fame in honor of his significant contributions to state governance.
This prestigious recognition occurred during the 93rd Urhobo National Day Celebration and Grand Reception held on Saturday at Urhobo House in Uvwiamuge, Agbarho, within the Ughelli North Local Government Area.
At this landmark event, the Urhobo Council of Traditional Rulers, led by HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, bestowed upon Governor Oborevwori the esteemed title of “Omorotomo of Urhoboland.”
In his speech, Governor Oborevwori highlighted that the celebration’s theme, “Repositioning the Urhobo Nation for More Prosperity,” resonates deeply with the goals of his MORE Agenda. This agenda emphasizes sustainable social and economic development through infrastructure renewal, youth empowerment, and the support of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
He proudly announced that through the Delta Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) program, over 203,000 individuals have received business support packages. Additionally, 5,426 people have benefited from cash grants aimed at assisting petty traders, artisans, and female entrepreneurs, while 6,000 farmers have been equipped with agricultural inputs to enhance food production within the state.
The governor also mentioned the distribution of fertilizers to farmers across all 25 Local Government Areas, reinforcing his commitment to family economic growth and food security. He outlined further initiatives under the D-CARES scheme, including a N1 billion counterpart funding to empower 2,000 farmers in food production, livestock, and aquaculture.
In his remarks, he introduced the MORE Biz-Up program, aimed at supporting at least 2,000 emerging entrepreneurs facing economic challenges. The governor expressed gratitude to the Anioma, Ijaw, Isoko, and Itsekiri communities for their electoral backing and called upon the Urhobo people to unite for the collective political and socioeconomic advancement of Urhoboland and Delta State as a whole.
Governor Oborevwori emphasized that his administration is focused on critical infrastructure projects, such as the Ayakoromo Bridge and various roads, to expedite their completion. He urged unity within the Urhobo community, pointing out that regardless of political differences, the overarching goal should always be the well-being of the people and the state.
He also appealed to parents to prioritize their children’s upbringing and serve as positive role models, indicating that the deterioration of family structures is manifested in the youth’s pursuit of rapid wealth. Furthermore, he encouraged Urhobos residing abroad to invest back home to support job creation and foster economic growth.
The governor took a moment to express condolences to the Okuama community of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom over the recent death of their President-General, Pa James Oghorokor, while in military custody due to the ongoing Okuama crisis. He assured the community that the government is in contact with the military authorities and would ensure a thorough investigation, including the publication of the autopsy results.
Chairman of the event, Olorogun John Oguma, praised the UPU on its 93rd anniversary and commended Governor Oborevwori for his notable achievements in governance. He urged the community to rally behind the governor to realize the objectives of the MORE Agenda and encouraged their support for his re-election in 2027.
Olorogun Ese Gam Owe, President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union, acknowledged the contributions of past UPU leaders and expressed appreciation for the governor’s efforts, including the State Contributory Health Scheme and the provision of free healthcare services to citizens. He also praised ongoing infrastructure projects in various parts of Urhoboland and the state at large.
Celebrating this milestone, representatives from the Itsekiri, Isoko, and Ijaw communities offered congratulations to the Urhobo nation and acknowledged Governor Oborevwori’s impressive developmental strides across the state, affirming their pledge of support for his administration well beyond 2027.
The 2024 Urhobo Day celebration attracted numerous dignitaries, including the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and other notable figures, all coming together to honor the significant contributions of the Urhobo people.
