UPU Election: Taiga Assures Urhobo Monarchs of Dignity, Honour and Respect If Elected (PHOTOS)
LAGOS DECEMBER 1ST (URHOBOTODAY)-As part of his on-going consultations to Urhobo Kingdoms, communities, personalities and other stakeholders, Olorogun Moses Taiga, the Adjerese of Olomu Kingdom and an aspirant for the seat of President-General (PG) of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide, was at the Palaces of the Idjerhe, Oghara and Mosogar Monarchs where he expressed his readiness to ensure that Urhobo Monarchs, as Royal Fathers and custodians of tradition, get the dignity, honour and respect among others they deserve, saying he will be in close touch with them through quarterly briefings and regular consultations.
He also reiterated his mission to restore Urhobo to the path of glory and as well take UPU to greater heights. Olorogun Moses Taiga, during his visits to the Monarchs, namely: HRM Edward Otadaferua, Erhiekevwe 1, JP, Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom; HRH Samson Omene, Udurie I, Ovie of Mosogar Kingdom; and HRM Noble Oyibo Eshemitan, Uku-Ogharaname, Orefe III, Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, acknowledged that “Kings are ordained by Almighty God” and so Urhobo Royal fathers deserve all honour, dignity, respect and care of their subjects, the Urhobo nation and the UPU. He said if he emerges President-General he will be briefing the monarchs regularly on UPU activities and will hold quarterly meetings with them, adding that whatever decisions that the Kings make on issues to move Urhobo nation forward will be greatly respected.
Olorogun Moses Taiga, who was accompanied by Chief Godwin Ogbetuo, Prof. Peter Ekeh, Chairman, Urhobo Historical Society (UHS); Prince Godwin Ogbon and Chief J.A. Itebu, related to the monarchs how, on four different occasions, he was invited to take up leadership of UPU. According to Olorogun Moses Taiga, in 1998, then Governor James Ibori sent his SSG (Secretary to State Government), Odjogri and Chief Sefia to him over the UPU PG position but he declined, equally relating how he also declined the moves of the late Ogor Monarch and later Dr. Esiri to draft him into the position.
The fourth time, he said, was when Senator David Dafinone spoke to him about the position, shortly before the end of Benjamin Okumagba’s tenure but eventually Okumagba drafted Senator Felix Ibru into the race. He declared that he is prepared to steer the ship of Urhobo Nation and poised to returning UPU to its past days.
He told the monarchs that his administration will be project-oriented and will include renovation of Urhobo Cultural Centre at Uvwiamuge, renovation cum upgrade of Urhobo College, establishment of an Urhobo University to be named Mukoro Mowoe University, Microfinance bank for the womenfolk (Ewheya) and the resuscitation of Sapele and Ogor Technical Colleges to give Urhobo youths quality, technical education that will ensure that are empowered to become self-reliant.
On their parts, in their separate responses, the three Monarchs extolled Taiga’s virtues, declaring that indeed his good deeds and name are known within and across Urhobo. They showered him with royal blessings and prayers, just as they prayed for peace, unity, growth and development of the Urhobo Nation and the UPU.
At the palace of the Idjerhe Monarch, the amiable HRM Erhiekevwe 1, JP, a retired Produce Examiner regaled the visitors with stories from his working days, impressing the visitors with his knowledge of topical issues.
At Oghara, HRM Orefe 111 spoke highly of Taiga, who is a Chartered Accountant as the Oghara King. The Monarch equally hailed Prof. Peter Ekeh for his Urhobo cultural activism through painful research works, just as he praised Chief Ogbetuo for his struggles for Urhobo cause. He, however, frowned at the exclusionist method of UPU, saying it is operating like a social club where only members can participate, informing that every Urhobo person is a member of the UPU.
Over 20 Chiefs including Uzzi, Chief Samson Takpor, Iyasere of Oghara; Chief William Usabor, Unugbrogodo of Oghara; Chief Felix Orovwigho, Unuevworo of Oghareki; Chief Isaac Udjo, President-General of Oghara Kingdom; and Chief Gabriel Ofotokun were on hand to receive Olorogun Taiga and his delegation.
At Mosogar, HRM Udurhie 1 enchanted the visitors with his humorous personality. A former federal Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office, Udurhie told the visitor how the four of them, led by the late Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa, who were permanent secretaries and colleagues in the same Cabinet Office became monarchs, one after the other, beginning with the late Oba of Benin. One became the Etsu Nupe, another, now late, became the Osemawe of Ondo and he became the Ovie of Mosogar.
Udurhie 1 praised Taiga for his role in the coronation of His Royal Majesty, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin. Moses Taiga was the only non-bini in the Coronation Committee of the Oba. The Monarch acknowledged that Taiga was capable of leading the UPU, though prayed that God should let whoever is best suited and will take UPU to greater heights should emerge next PG. He prayed for Taiga and blessed him with his royal horse tail.
Urhobo Voice