URHOBO Nationalists Movement (UNM), an ethnic pressure group, had written the United Nations, announcing the readiness of the Urhobo ethnic nationality in Delta State to embark on a new phase of non-violence struggle for self-determination.The movement in a correspondence, jointly signed by its president and secretary, Mumakai Unagha and Friday Otobrise Esq. respectively, addressed to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban ki Moon, recalled that since 2000 when the people declared a dispute with the government and people of Nigeria, the matter has not been addressed.The document, entitled, 'Memorandum and Article of faith of the Urhobo nation seeking for self-determination in the face of marginalisation, oppression, deprivation and intimidation by the government of Nigeria,' was copied the President of the African Union, President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President, Senator David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and others.According to the group, 'the case of the Urhobo nation is founded on the marginalisation, oppression, economic, social and political deprivation which the government of Nigeria has committed and still committing against the Urhobo people. These wrongs are continuing arising de die in dem (day-to-day), thereby resulting in the gradual but steady erosion and corrosion of our people's psyche'.'The government of Nigeria has violated the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy when President Goodluck Jonathan constituted his cabinet without an Urhobo, the first in history.'The Urhobo nation made up of twenty four independent kingdoms covering an area of 10,000 square kilometer with a population of 2.450 million is completely abandoned. As old as other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, the Urhobo have faced and surmounted challenges in their collective life as a people in the area of infrastructural development, educational, social and cultural development with political uncertainty of the present and future.'There are over 15 oil and gas fields and about 400 oil wells all located in Urhobo land where the Urhobo nation contributes substantially to the Federal account. It is worthy of note that a highly rated quality of crude and gas is found in Urhobo land with the largest gas plant in Africa at Utorogun, in Ughelli South local government, Urhobo land.'Urhobo communities also host a refinery, a petrochemical plant, a gas company and the Delta Steel plant at Aladja. These are companies where the Government of Nigeria is sapping the people without return. Today, the various oil fields in Urhobo land have been sold to agent of the Federal Government and non stakeholders whose sources of wealth are from the oil. The Delta Steel Company, the only functioning steel plant industry in the country has also been sold to themselves all in the name of privatisation,' they stated.
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