ASABA

BY EBI NIEKETIEN

THE Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Asaba Branch, Engr. Ikechukwu Osunde has said the branch is desirous of partnership with Oshimili South Local Government Area to develop the engineering sector.

Osunde made the disclosure when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the council Chairman, Dr. Kelvin Ezenyili in Asaba, yesterday.

According to him, the visit was necessary because the synergy between engineering professionals and government is critical to achieving sustainable develop­ment and innovative solutions to the challenges faced by society.

Osunde noted that the NSE was dedicated to contribut­ing to the advancement of communities through technical expertise, capacity building, and infrastructural innova­tion, and as such, were ready to partner with the Council in areas where their knowledge and experience could be of service, particularly in designing and implementing projects that would positively impact indigenes of the local government.

Addressing the Chairman, Osunde said “As a body, we always come around government offices and parastatals to see how we can synergize and work together to develop the engineering sector where we find ourselves.

“We have engineers in your office and we have heard of the good things you have done, that is why we want to see how we can further develop that cordial relationship so that the local government can partner with the Branch in our activities for the coming year.

“The Branch has some activities lined up which we want the local government to be part of. These activities include; the Health, Safety, and Environment training, the inauguration of the EXCO, public lectures, seminars, and symposiums. We want our engineers and other staff of the local government to be sponsored for these activities.

“We are looking forward to seeing how this collabora­tion will take Oshimili South and the Nigeria Society of Engineers to a position whereby engineering develop­ment is first in all its activities’’.

In his response, the Chairman of the council, Dr. Kelvin Ezenyili, assured the engineers that he was pre­pared to partner with them in advancing engineering in the local government and the state.

Ezenyili noted that the Council would be ready to sponsor engineers in the different activities lined up by NSE, as it would allow them to have an enlarged knowledge in their field.

Urhobo Renaissance Society Vows To Promote Urhobo Culture, Language

UVWIAMUGE

BY ODEYA OGBETUO

A socio-cultural or­ganization, Urhobo Renaissance Soci­ety (URS) has affirmed its commitment in pro­moting and preserving Urhobo culture, language and tradition to enable the present and future generations to have a clear identity and be able to speak Urhobo language fluently with pride.

In his welcome address during the 2024 URS Con­ference at Urhobo House, Uvwiamuge-Agharho in Ughelli North Local Gov­ernment Area of Delta State, the President of Urhobo Renaissance So­ciety, Professor Hope Egh­agha, said that since the formation of URS in 2017, the Association has been committed to the interest of Urhobo people with the aims of advancing and promoting the Urhobo language, culture, welfare and socio-economic activ­ity of the Urhobo people in all spheres of life.

Speaking further on the 2024 conference with the theme “Re-thinking Urhobo Origin and Mi­gration, Cuisine and Mar­riage Rites, Professor Eghagha said that apart from promoting Urhobo culture and language, URS since inception has continued to engage the Nigerian state by joining in stimulating national discussions on restruc­turing, seaports, place of the place of minority in the affairs of Nigerian state, stressing that it has also joined in conversa­tion relating to education, agriculture and economic prospects.

Professor Eghagha stat­ed that Urhobo is one of the oldest tribes in Nige­ria which has survived for several centuries passing down their rich heritage despite the pressures of modernization.

According to him “We are concerned about the place of Urhobo in the state and National poli­tics, the state of Nigerian nation, investment op­portunities in Urhobo land.

The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, rep­resented by his Senior Political Adviser, Oloro­gun Emmanuel Agwaria­vwodo, commended the Urhobo Progress Union and Urhobo Renaissance Society for their efforts and commitment in pre­serving Urhobo language and culture. He urged Urhobo parents to speak the language from age 1 to 10 years and beyond for the young ones to be able to speak Urhobo language.

“Both UPU and URS have a duty to ensure Urhobo Language is spo­ken and taught in primary and secondary schools in Urhobo land.

The President Gener­al of Urhobo Progress Union, Olorogun (Barr.) Ese Gam Owe said that UPU is for all Urhobo sons and daughters and urged them to identify with Urhobo activities, appealing to them to al­ways attend Urhobo Na­tional Conference every December.

He commended the URS for their commitment and donations to flood victims and the Okuama community. The occasion was attended by some Urhobo traditional rul­ers and other important personalities.

The chairman of the or­ganizing committee, Chief Emma Avworo said that URS focuses on areas that would improve the socio-economic well-being of Urhobo people apart from promoting unity, cultural heritage, language and preservation of custom and tradition of Urhobo people.