The Ovie of Umiaghwa-Abraka in Delta State, retired AVM Lucky Ararile, has called for sustained peace, unity, stability and development across Urhobo land.
Ararile made the call on Thursday in Abuja during the 2026 Ukoko r’Ighelle Festival, organised by the Abuja branch of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Ighelle.
The annual cultural festival, themed “Igniting the Power of the Youth for a Stronger Urhobo Nation,” brought together Urhobo sons and daughters from different backgrounds to celebrate their cultural heritage and strengthen community ties.
The traditional ruler said lasting peace and unity were essential to harnessing the potential of young people and advancing development across Urhobo communities.
“We must continue to sue for peace, engage our youths and harness their potentials in the development of Urhobo nation,” Ararile said.
He urged community leaders and other stakeholders to create opportunities for young people to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities, while encouraging stronger engagement between generations.
Earlier, the President of the UPU Abuja branch, Olorogun Felix Edewor, said the festival provided a platform for showcasing Urhobo culture, promoting networking and encouraging youth participation in community development.
Edewor, who was represented by the association’s secretary, Israel Eseoghene, said the gathering also enabled young Urhobo men and women living in Abuja to connect with one another and interact with elders on cultural values and traditions.
He said such connections could help strengthen relationships among Urhobo communities and create networks that support social and economic development.
The association’s youth leader, Bezi Oghenekevwe, also emphasised the importance of cultural preservation, unity and youth participation in building a stronger Urhobo community.
The festival attracted Urhobo indigenes from different walks of life, including playwright, television producer and former Nigerian Television Authority Executive Director Peter Igho, as well as traditional rulers.
The call for peace comes amid broader concerns about political tensions and social cohesion in parts of Delta State. In September, Urhobo traditional rulers expressed concern about rising political tension, hostility and thuggery across Urhobo areas and called for harmony among the people.
For Urhobo communities, the emphasis on peace, youth engagement and cultural cohesion highlights the role of traditional institutions and community organisations in supporting stability and creating an environment conducive to development.
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