By Theophilus Onojeghen
The proposed National Conference by the Federal Government of Nigeria has been described as one the good things to have happened in the history of country, claiming that a dialogue where people from all parts of the country could sit and discuss the future and unity of the is country was long overdue, as various challenges bedeviling the country’s development need urgent discourse.
Urhobo Interest Initiative (UII) in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Sunny Basikoro yesterday in Warri, Delta State said there is no better time for the people of this country to come together and discuss the future and unity of the country than now.
Comrade Basikoro commended President Goodluck Jonathan genuine and courageous effort towards bringing Nigerians from all works of life to the table and discuss the challenges facing the country, expressing that Nigerians had long expected dialogue of this nature.
According to the statement, “we members of Urhobo Interest Initiative (UII) wish to commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for having display genuine and boast step towards bringing Nigerians together to dialogue on the challenges bedeviling our country. We wish to state that, the National Conference is timely and long overdue.
“There is no better time to have a dialogue of this nature. But we are saddened to state that, the committee still needs to carry out awareness campaign to the hooks and crannies of the Nigeria community.”
The group observed that the National Dialogue should reflect the wish of the people, reasoning that all ethnic groups in the country should be represented at the confab, as that is one of the ways of overcoming the country’s problems.
Meanwhile, Urhobo Interest Initiative has congratulated Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo on his recent swearing-in as the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly. The group maintained that Senator Aguariavwodo will bring its wealth of experience to bear towards the advancement of Urhobo people, describing him as a tested and trusted public officer.
It charged the new senator to unite the entire Urhobo people irrespective of their political or religious affiliation for the betterment of the Urhobo people. The statement added that, “Senator Aguariavwodo should continue with the solid foundation laid by the Late Senator Pius Ewherido. He should use his relationship with Mr. President to close-rank the marginalization of the Urhobo people most especially the revamping of the ailing Delta steel Company (DSC) Aladja, Delta State.”
The statement appeal to the new senator to push for the creation of Urhobo state, as its rich vast land and population are enough reason to push for its own state as the fifth largest ethnic group in the country.
It stated further that Senator Aguariavwodo should see himself as a unifying force within the Urhobo people and closely consult with Urhobo apex body, Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) for ideas that will move Urhobo people to an enviable height in the country’s socio-political system.