The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevewori, on Wednesday set up Ewu IDPs Management Committee to cater for the welfare of Okuama indigenes in Ewhu (Ewu), Ughelli South LGA, Delta State.

This camp should have been set up before now, but it was hindered by the army’s activities in Okuama.  The accounts of what led to the unfortunate death of the 17 soldiers are varied, but they are firm and uniform that the condemnable act took place in the river, not inside Okuama village.

All well-meaning Nigerians agree that the killing of those soldiers is dastardly and unjustifiable, but the army also has no justification for razing and levelling Okuama. In anger management classes, you are taught not to act when aggrieved or angry.

The destruction of Okuama is more out of anger and a vengeance mission, than seeking justice for the dead soldiers.

I am happy about the setting up of an IDP camp within Ewhu Kingdom. Beyond the army siege on Okuama, I learnt other factors that caused the delay in setting up the IDP camp are getting a suitable location, security of the Okuama people while in the camp, convincing them to come out of hiding, etc.

I hope enough trust has been built to enable them come out of the bushes where they are exposed to the elements of the weather, venomous reptiles and dangerous wild animals. More gladdening to me is the appointment of Mr. Abraham Ogbodo as the chairman of the IDP Management committee.  Ogbodo, Dr. Benson Uwheru and my humble self-spearheaded the efforts of Olorogun Moses Taiga, the former President General of Urhobo Progress Union Worldwide, to set up Okugbe Microfinance Bank to assist Urhobo women and youths, especially, to set up small businesses.

We surpassed our target and the capital base for an MFB, but all efforts to get an operating licence have so far been fruitless. The project is being hampered by the notorious Nigerian factor. Ogbodo is lead of the Okugbe MFB committee, while I am his vice. He has displayed remarkable transparency to the delight of all subscribers. Those who got tired of waiting have had their subscription money refunded to them. The balance of the money belonging to Urhobo patriots who have vowed to ensure that the project comes to fruition is very safe in the bank.

In Ogbodo, Okuama people are in safe hands. Ogbodo spent his early days as a teacher in Ewhu. He has no choice but to deliver. We have heard stories of stealing of money and diversion of relief materials meant for the displaced people in other IDP camps, and so I am charging the indigenes of Ewhu in the committee in Ewhu dialect: Avwa vw’osho r’Oghene v’arodovwen r’iniovo r’avwa r’Okuama vwo ruiruo na. Ukuotoroyen, ebruphiyo r‘Oghene kadia k’avwanwhekpen. Avwa di rui’ogbigbiru, erivwin kayor’avwan (Please handle this assignment with fear of God and empathy for your kith and kin of Okuama. At the end the blessings of God will be with you, but if you pilfer the money for the relief materials or divert the materials to personal use, you are committing an abominable act and it goes with grievous consequences). Some other members of committee are either former or current political office holders, so it should know that this is a humanitarian, not a political, assignment. Thank you for being part of the efforts by the Delta State Government to alleviate the pains of Okuama people.