President of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Youth Wing (Ighele) Worldwide, Comrade Blessed Oghenero Ughere, has declared that Urhobo youths are the pride, glory and future of the Urhobo Nation, noting that many young people of Urhobo extraction are making significant contributions and bringing honour to their people both in Nigeria and across the globe, while also calling for the release of the leaders of Okuama-Ewu Community currently in military custody.
He made the remarks during his address at the 2026 Urhobo Youth (Ighele) Worldwide Congress, held at Urhobo House, Uvwiamughe, Agbarho, with theme: "The Future Begins With Us: Using Urhobo Youth for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development."
According to Ughere, Urhobo youths are distinguishing themselves in various fields and making their people proud through excellence in their chosen endeavours. "We celebrate Young Ovie, our global STEM champion, who at 14 stood as World Champion in Mathematics among 54 nations. Others like Erigga and Divine Oduduru have also demonstrated Urhobo excellence. It is not history; it is destiny," he said.
Ughere stressed the need for the Urhobo Youth Development Plan to move beyond being a document on paper and become a practical framework for action, adding that the plan should prioritise funding for education, protection of enterprise, development of digital capital, access to healthcare and meaningful participation of youths in emerging opportunities, employment and leadership, particularly within the proposed WADO City initiative.
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He also called on the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and other elected political office holders of Urhobo extraction to ensure the clear implementation of an action plan that localises the Sustainable Development Goals.
He identified environmental sustainability, out-of-school children, child labour and the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act as areas requiring urgent attention, particularly to protect women and girls, while also urging political leaders to avoid actions that could diminish the dignity and prospects of Urhobo youths, warning that failure to invest in the younger generation could produce "subdued and diminished" leaders in the future.
He also appealed to Urhobo leaders not to forget the Okuama-Ewu leaders currently in military custody, urging them to rally around efforts to secure their release.
Father of the Day, Chief Andrew Oru, urged Urhobo people to rally around Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, whom he described as "an achiever and a performing governor" urging Urhobos to support the governor irrespective of political affiliation, stressing that the progress of the Urhobo Nation depends largely on the collective efforts of its people, particularly the youths.
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