By Francis Ewherido
“Charity,” they say, “begins at home.” I am an indigene of Ewu-Otor in Ewu Kingdom. Okuama is part of Ewu-Ame in Ewu Kingdom. So, when I keep talking about Okuama, I am only beginning my charity at home. You can’t be a good Urhobo man without first of all being a good son/daughter of your community. Akpo r’isiodo ovo di’omamo r’akpo (Doing good elsewhere, while doing nothing at home is not a good life).
It is no longer news that Okuama was sacked and razed in the aftermath of the killing of 17 officers and soldiers by yet to be known people. Okuama people have gone to court demanding billions in reparations. Considering the slow pace of the justice system in Nigeria, are we going to wait for the outcome of a case that can go to the supreme court? No. I believe it is foolish to do so while Okuama people live like refugees in wretched conditions on your ancestral land.
What is the solution? The solution is to rebuild Okuama. Can Okuama people alone accomplish that task? Certainly not; they don’t have the resources to do it, especially with the destruction of everything they had. Can Ewu Kingdom do it? In ordinary times, we might have struggled to do something, but currently, Ewu Kingdom can’t do it. If we could, we would have seen the signs by now.
But can the Urhobo Nation do with egba v’okugbe r’Urhobo? Certainly, Urhobo Nation can! We can lift mountains? It has a tsunamic impact. But a nation of 24 kingdoms needs a rallying point to breath life into the slogan, “Urhobo ovuovo.” What is this rallying point? Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) can comfortably mobilise the Urhobo Nation to rebuild Okuama. Oja ohwo ovo, oja ihwo ekpe (Oja ohwo ovo, oja ihwo eje). Injury to one is injury to all.
But you need a UPU executive of people with character, integrity, capacity, people who can be trusted. That is why I am again presenting my team for the various positions in the upcoming UPU elections: President-General, Chief Simeon Ohwofa; first Vice PG, Barr. Mike Igini; Second Vice PG, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo; General Secretary, Mr. Patrick Origho; Asst. General Secretary, Dr. Benson Uwheru; Publicity Secretary, Prof. Sunny Awhefeada; Treasurer, Prof. Dicta Ogisi; Financial Secretary, Prof. Rose Aziza; Legal Adviser, Dr. Brown Umukoro; Assistant Publicity Secretary, Chief Veronica Ajuebon and Auditor, Mr. Matthew Ogagavworia.
I know all of them though some not personally. But I have personally worked with some of them. Chief Simeon Ohwofa is a man who has mastered the art of wealth creation, sustenance and protection. That’s why he is where he is today. His odova (Urhobo nickname) is “oricheko” (loosely translated to mean spending good money on yourself and keeping some aside to invest). If you hail him, Oricheko, he would respond, onyefenawo (that is the wealth). I have worked with him on many projects where we raised good money. He is a fundraiser per excellence. Some years ago, while he was still president, of Urhobo Social Club (USCL), the club did its annual thanksgiving in the Anglican Church in Uwheru. He used the opportunity to raise millions for ongoing projects in the church. Ohwofa is a community leader and benefactor in Uwheru.
Barr. Mike Igini, a prominent Urhobo son, known nationally, is the candidate for the first vice president of UPU. Barr. Mike Igini, is a man who has seen it all. He is the incorruptible former INEC Commissioner. What do you want to hear again about a man who is integrity personified? Res ipsa loquitur (the thing speaks for itself). I might have disagreed with him on UPU matters in the past, but I can’t deny the fact that he’s a great Urhobo patriot. Beyond integrity, he’s also got contacts. The cap fits him as a UPU first Vice PG.
We all know Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, the candidate for the second Vice PG of UPU very well. He’s a former editor of the Guardian from where he retired and came home to Urhobo land. He’s a business man and community leader in Agbarha-Otor. I worked with Ogbodo on two Urhobo projects. The first is the Okugbe Microfinance Bank project which is temporarily in the cooler due to the intransigence of the CBN under the former governor. But Okugbe Investment Company has been incorporated in accordance with the agreement reached by the subscribers. The company is managing the funds and investing the funds as agreed. This is just to satisfy the curiosity of the non-subscribers who want to know what’s going on. But the ultimate goal remains driving human and material capacity development in Urhobo land. He was the chairman of the fundraising committee. Raising funds is second nature to him because he has the goodwill, character and trust of the people.
Rebuilding Okuama is actually his baby. When he was chairman of the Okuama IDP Camp committee, where I worked in the background, he shared his blueprint for rebuilding Okuama with me. If the Urhobo Nation vote for these great sons and daughters of the Urhobo Nation, he’ll simply present the blueprint to the new UPU Executive for their input and action.
Mr. Patrick Origho is a former Delta State Head of Service. This means all the civil servants in Delta State used to work under him. You still want ask whether he is competent, knows people, has influence or can raise money? Isn’t that obvious? If you ask me, it’s a mark of humility and patriotism that he agreed to serve the Urhobo Nation as the National Secretary of UPU.
Dr. Benson Uwheru was the Secretary of the Okugbe Microfinance Bank Committee. So, when some individuals—especially certain youths—claim not to know who Benson Uwheru is, they merely reveal their unfamiliarity with their own environment. Here is a man who, in his early 40s, was awarded a Doctor of Science (Financial Management), Honoris Causa, by Michael and Cecilia Ibru University in 2019. Has the university ceased to exist in Agbarha-Otor, right in the heart of Urhobo land? Beyond this honorary recognition, Benson holds a Doctor of Science (Management), PhD, from the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
Professionally, Benson is an accomplished finance expert and turnaround specialist. He served as Partner at Ernst and Young, one of the world’s leading professional services firms, before becoming the Managing Director/CEO of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED).
In addition to his corporate leadership, Benson serves as a Member of the Governing Council of Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, contributing his expertise to shaping academic excellence, institutional governance, and long-term strategic direction. He is also the Chairman of the Board Risk Management Committee at Topline Nigeria Ltd, where he provides strategic oversight in governance, compliance, and risk management within the energy sector.
However, beyond titles and institutions, Benson is known for his commitment to lifting people, especially Urhobo sons and daughters. He has facilitated employment opportunities for many Urhobos across sectors. Ironically, among these beneficiaries is the son of an individual who recently authored a malicious petition against him, seeking to prevent him from serving Urhobo as Assistant General Secretary of the UPU. Not only did Benson secure the young man a job, he even facilitated his transfer to the United Kingdom office where he currently works!
For this same Benson, his repayment is betrayal because he desires to serve his people? What kind of heart condones such treachery? In Urhobo culture, such acts are known as egha and erivwin — serious moral violations that invite ancestral disapproval. Even as Christians, we understand that grace does not shield deliberate wickedness. Betrayal, especially of a benefactor, is spiritually dangerous. How does one conspire against a man whose home you entered, whose food you ate, and whose friendship you enjoyed? Oy’ekwakwa r’egha! But these unfortunate behaviours are secondary and will not deter Benson.
The truth stands firm: Dr. Benson Uwheru remains a pillar of development, a highly connected fundraiser, a bridge-builder, and one of the most credible and competent individuals prepared to serve the UPU with honour, dignity, and excellence. Benson, I dey wait for you to rebuild Okuama.
Prof. Awhefeada is ogbu r’ebe and a frontline Urhobo advocate. A man of tremendous goodwill, he will use his contacts to raise funds for rebuilding of Okuama. He has been in the frontline of Okuama advocacy. He will play a major role in rebuilding Okuama.
As far UPU is concerned, Prof Roseline Aziza has been a UPU person for many years. If her intellectual contributions are monetised, how does UPU want to pay? Thank you, ma, for your great service to Urhobo land. My late brother, Senator Akpor Pius Ewherido, had enormous respect for you; so, do I. Prof Aziza needs no introduction, please.
Prof Dicta Ogisi is another ogbu r’ebe. She’s vying for the position of treasurer. She’s obviously seasoned academic and financial administrator. With Prof Igisi alone as treasurer, all those reluctant to make financial contributions to UPU no longer have excuses. Prof is ifuen (antidote) to their excuses.
Barr. Brown Umukoro is not just a renowned lawyer; he is a community leader. But the icing on the cake as far as UPU is concerned is that he has a focus in reforming the UPU legal framework to promote justice, fairness and ethical standards. Is that not what the Urhobo Nation is yearning for? Good enough, he won’t be alone, Barr. Igini and Ogbodo who recently bagged a law degree will be supportive learned colleagues
Mrs. Veronica Ajuebon is an educationist. Anytime I hear educationist, what comes to my mind is no-nonsense, discipline and purpose-driven. My late father was an educationist, so it’s a familiar terrain. She’s also UPU grassroot mobiliser. Otareri (end of discussion). Welcome home to UPU, ma. Please just remember to deploy your mobilisation skills to raise funds for rebuilding of Okuama.
The last, but certainly not the least is Mr. Matthew Ogagavworia. Ogagavworia is oshare gogorogo with afro hair. But it’s not about his towering stature. He is contesting as the National Auditor of UPU. The new UPU executive will be made up men and women of integrity, so I don’t worry much about them. But I worry for the contractors who’ll work for UPU because I know the UPU will be a beehive of activities, so I advise them to Google Gianluigi Donnarumma. He is the giant goalkeeper of Man City who does not allow balls to pass him. He is agile like a cat but covers the goal area like a Goliath, making the goalpost look like the eye of a needle for strikers. Message delivered. Ogagavworia is a chartered accountant. Unlike his name, no amount of strength you have will make him to allow you to steal UPU money (Ogagavworia kakew’egba wokavwor’igho r’UPU u!). Ogagavworia is a past president of Atamu Club and core Urhobo patriot.
Looking at the team, I am leaping for joy like John the Baptist leapt for joy when Mary, Mother of Jesus, greeted her older cousin, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist: “Okpako me, miguo.” If you don’t have this greeting in your bible, you are reading a wrong bible. Jokes apart, this is a formidable team. Anyway, Team UPU, when you get there, please let rebuilding of Okuama be on the front burner. We have the capacity to do it with the power of okugbe (togetherness or common purpose).
Francis Ewherido is a son of Ewu Kingdom.
