President-General of Urhobo world-wide re-affirm commitment to change
September 05, 2004, Newark, NJ

In an effort to re-assure all Urhobo that Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), the socio-cultural and non-partisan umbrella organization of Urhobo people world-wide is posed for modernization and change, the President-General of UPU, Chief Benjamin Okumagbe re-affirmed his commitment to step aside following the completion of his second 3-year time in December 2005. The occasion was the 11th annual convention of Urhobo people in North America, under the banner of Urhobo National Association of North America (UNANA) representing the more than 50,000 Urhobo people in the United States and Canada. The occasion was momentous as it represented a re-affirmation of Urhobo unity in the North American continent following the resolution of a protracted discord that slowed the pace of change and progress.

As he has done consistently for the last 3 years, Chief Benjamin Okumagba, President-General of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), the socio-cultural and non-partisan umbrella organization of Urhobo people world-wide was present along with other illustrious Urhobo sons and daughters to witness history being made. The guests from Urhoboland in Delta State of Nigeria included Chief S. A. O. Agboro, Chief of Staff, who represented the Governor of the State, Chief Onanefe James Ibori; Chief C. I. Amori, former commissioner of education in Delta State and currently senior political advisor to Governor Inori as well as Chief A. A. Atuma, member of the UPU executive council. Also present was Mrs. E. O. Ibru, among others.

The effort to internationalize UPU by fudging a linkage between Urhobo in the homeland and the North American continent began in 2000 when Dr. Ona Pela led a delegation to the annual Urhobo Congress held at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State. At a meeting held between the delegation and leadership of UPU in the residence of Chief Okumagb, an agreement was reached to pursuer a range of efforts which included uniting all Urhobo across the globe, ensuring accountability by leadership, assurances that leaders will not seek to perpetuate themselves in office and ways to get all segments of Urhobo people involved in UPU. In a brief telephone interview with Dr. Austin Atiyota, President of UNANA, said that he applauds the courage and determination of Chief Okumagba for honoring the promise he made to the Urhobo leadership from North America.