All roads will lead to the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos as the sons and daughters of Urhobo nation of Delta State celebrate the maiden Urhobo Day on November 16.
Already, the national body governing all Urhobos across the world, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) has extended invitation to all well-meaning sons and daughters of Urhobo as well as some notable leaders, including the governors Delta and Lagos State, senators, House of Representatives members and top class traditional rulers to the occasion.
It was learnt that the organisers have lined up a series of events to thrill the guests, including the rich Urhobo cultural display as part of the activities marking the celebration.
An unspecified number of Urhobo kinsmen are expected from UPU branches in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.
The history of UPU in Lagos is intrinsically interwoven with that of what are today the Apapa and Ikeja branches of the Union.
Apapa branch has an existence that dates back to November 4, 1934, just some three years into the life of the UPU itself.. The branch, at that time, was privileged to have prominent Urhobos such as the late Chiefs T.E.A Salubi, F. O. Esiri and J. E. Odiete as early members who served in various capacities before moving up to the revered position of President General and National Secretary respectively of the UPU .
Ikeja Branch of UPU on the other hand, was established on May 31, 1964, according to records from the then colonial administration of of Lagos Colony, “out of the need to organize Urhobo people around the municipality of Lagos including the adjourning towns of Lagos Colony”. The first president of the branch was the late Chief Tanure Kodesoh after whom the popular Kodesoh Street, Ikeja was named and remains a testimony to his service to Urhobo people in that area of Lagos.
Formal recognition was granted the branch on June 10, 1964 when then President General of UPU, Chief Salubi visited Ikeja as part of his nationwide tour of UPU branches of that era.
According to organisers of Urhobo Day, the November 16 event at the Indoor sports hall of the National stadium is a bridge between the old and new era of development of the Union in Lagos.
The version to celebrate Urhobo Day in Lagos came from the Okobaro R’ Urhobo in Ikorodu, Lagos, Sir Philip Edemete.
Speaking in Ikorodu, the Okobaro said; “After the formation of the UPU in Lagos in 1934 it spread into two main sub branches of UPU Island and UPU Mainland. The Island sub branch was later changed to UPU, Ajegunle sub branch while that of Mainland was changed to UPU Mile 12 sub branch”.
Another step in the development of the Union in Lagos came in 2001 which effectively brought UPU Lagos in tune with modern realities of the 21st Century as new leadership emerged for the Union at sub national and national levels.
Speaking further, the Okobaro, who is one of the 21st Century leaders of the Union in Lagos said: “In 2001, I led a five man delegation to the National headquarters of the UPU to formally request the upgrading of the two sub branches to full branch status. This request was granted by the late Chief Benjamin Okumagba-led National Executive Council. Consequently UPU Ajegunle sub branch became UPU, Apapa branch while UPU Mile 12 metamorphosed into UPU Ikeja branch”.
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