Delta State Deputy Governor Prof Amos Utuama, SAN, has called for greater unity among the Urhobo ahead of the burial rites of the late President General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Chief Maj Gen. Patrick Aziza (rtd), which begins next month.

He made the call at the weekend when he paid a formal condolence visit to the family of the late Gen Aziza and members of the UPU Executive Council at his Ugolo Adagbrasa, Okpe Local Government Area country home.

Utuama, who described Gen Aziza as a courageous soldier and leader, said as the fifth largest ethnic group in the country, said the Urhobo stand to gain a lot if they can stand together in unity.

He said: “The late Gen Aziza was a courageous soldier and leader. As an Urhobo leader, he was elected the President General of UPU and was fully committed to the cause and progress of the Urhobo nation. He worked very hard to see to the completion of the Urhobo Cultural Centre (UCC) at Uvwiamuge. He was committed to its completion. I am sure if there was one thing he would regret by his untimely death, it was his inability to complete the project, which I am sure is very dear to the Urhobo nation.

“As a soldier, he served his country meritoriously as a gallant officer. He played important roles in the military administration of our country when he was appointed the first military governor of Kebbi State and initiate and initiated the development of that state. He was also appointed as Minister of Communication and later as the Minister of Commerce and Tourism. He was also a member of the defunct Provisional Ruling Council (PRC), the highest policy making body in the land at a time. If we are united, our voices would be heard in very high quarters.”

Responding, Acting President General of UPU, Chief Joe Omene, JP, thanked the deputy governor. He enumerated various steps he took to ensure that the late Gen Aziza got the best treatment before he eventually died. He promised to keep the vision of the late Aziza, which was essentially to rally the Urhobo together as a formidable entity for the development of the Urhobo nation.

•Photo shows Delta State Deputy Governor Prof Amos Utuama, SAN, signing the condolence register opened for the late Maj Gen Patrick Aziza (rtd), the President General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) at Ugolo Adagbrasa, Okpe Local Government Area. With him is Ag. President, Chief Joe Omene, JP…at the weekend.

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