*Expansion of Aladja Steel Company
*Turning Usubi into an international airport with maintenance centre
*Urhobo language academy
*Launched Partners for Sustainable development (PSD) and Technical Working Groups(TWGs)
*Revitalisation of Urhobo culture, others
The Urhobo Foundation has unveiled a 25-year master plan to catapult the Urhobo Nation into an industrial hub of international level by 2050.
This positive development was brought to light by the Urhobo Foundation,an intellectual forum generating economic and sociocultural ideas for developing human and environmental assets in Urhobo Land when it successfully convened a landmark Global Webinar themed “Advancing Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Urhoboland:
‘ Strategies for 2030 and Beyond”, bringing together a distinguished panel of thought leaders, professionals, government representatives, and Urhobo stakeholders worldwide.
TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG ) reports this was contained in a communique signed by the conveners, Dr. Benson Uwheru, Prince. Randolph Eruma Gborie Secretary, Organizing Committee Chairman, Organizing Committee
Urhobo Foundation.
The webinar focused on galvanizing collective action towards the effective implementation of the Urhobo Nation 25-Year Development Master Plan, a people-centered framework rooted in the vision of an industrialized, prosperous, and inclusive Urhobo Nation.
READ major outcomes below:
Key Outcomes and Resolutions include: 1. Launch of the Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD) Platform .
The Urhobo Foundation will establish a PSD platform to serve as the primary coordinating mechanism for the implementation of the 25Year Development Master Plan.
2. Formation of Technical Working Groups (TWGs)
Sector-specific TWGs will be constituted for each of the 14 strategic target areas to develop detailed action plans, performance indicators, and resource frameworks.
3. Urhobo Development Fund
All Urhobo Sons and Daughters have been encouraged to contribute towards creating a dedicated Urhobo Development Fund to catalyze strategic investments.
4. Federal Government and Infrastructure Revitalization
Distinguished government officials, legislators and patriotic Urhobo Sons & Daughters are encouraged to demonstrate commitment and work collaboratively to:
i. Reactivate the Delta Steel Company in Aladja.
ii. Revive the Sapele Port to boost trade and logistics in the region.
iii. Extend the Osubi Airport runway and develop export hub facilities in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Aviation. iv. The Osubi Airport should be upgraded to an aerotropolis- international airport and should include hosting a 5-Star airport hotel, aircraft maintenance hangars for D-checks, Agric Export Terminal, International Conference Centre, Golf Course, Film Village – a metropolitan hub that will be a springboard for the development of the Urhobo nation
5. Cultural Revitalization Initiatives
A key resolution was the establishment of an Urhobo Language and Cultural Academy to be facilitated through the Urhobo Foundation.
A passionate and consistent campaign to promote the Urhobo language and culture for primary and secondary schools including tertiary institutions is encouraged.
6. Diaspora Engagement and Youth Development
The creation of a Diaspora–Homeland Youth Network to facilitate the transfer of skills, knowledge, and experiences between global Urhobo youths and local communities is encouraged.
7. Entrepreneurship and Access to Capital
The Urhobo Nation should partner with DFIs such as Bank of Industry (BOI) to:
i. Design investment vehicles for development projects.
ii. Provide awareness and access to SME funding opportunities.
8. Local Economic Development
Emphasis was placed on launching cottage industry initiatives across Urhobo villages to enhance local food processing, craft production, and job creation.
9. Blended Finance Strategy
A blended finance structure should be developed to leverage public and private capital, including Federal Government grants and donor funding.
10. Youth Engagement and Social Rebuilding
§ The Foundation should consider convening youth town halls to address moral, social, and economic issues.
§ Continuous engagement of Urhobo Clubs and Associations is encouraged as the implementation of the plan takes primacy.
11. Policy Advocacy and Lobbying
A dedicated lobbying arm will be established to engage government institutions, donor agencies, and multilaterals for policy support and funding.
12. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
A robust M&E framework will be developed to track implementation progress across all 14 target areas.
Success stories and case studies from past Urhobo development initiatives will be documented.
13. Strategic Communication and Collaboration Tools
Digital platforms will be created to coordinate volunteer activities under each strategic pillar and target area.
The planning committee will compile and circulate the full list of webinar attendees with their roles and interests.
14. Next Webinar and Progress Review
The next progress webinar will be scheduled by the Team, where pillar leads will present reports and updates.
15. Knowledge Management and Archiving
The Foundation will publish a documentation of the 25-Year Master Plan and the webinar proceedings for institutional memory and global dissemination.
16. Next Steps
Immediate establishment of the PSD platform and activation of TWGs (June 2025)
Compilation of attendee list and WhatsApp group setup (May 2025)
First Progress Webinar and Reporting (Q4 2025)
Conclusion
The Global Webinar marks a transformative milestone in Urhobo history. It reinforced the urgency of collective ownership, collaboration, and commitment to a shared vision of prosperity and dignity for all Urhobos.
The Urhobo Foundation remains steadfast in its role as a catalyst for coordination, accountability, and excellence.
Urhobo Ovuovo!
Unity is Strength.