Governor Uduaghan, Ubulu-Uku Government Hospital: Worthy of Commendation

By: Charles Ikedikwa Soeze,

In beginning this feature, I have to quote Socrates (470-399 BC) who said “I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think”. In other words, with the developmental strides across the state, Deltans can now think whether there are great achievements or not in the Uduaghan’s administration in Delta State.

In addition, the people of Aniocha South Constituency and Ubulu Clan in general should also think whether their representative in the Delta State House of Assembly, Honourable (Mrs.) Amaechi Mrakpor performed competently well or not. From my own point of view, I think and believe that if it is possible for the dead Deltans to wake up and vote, they must vote in favour of these duos. If that is the case, one can now think what the living Deltans will do.

Obviously, for the duo, I think it may be appropriate to quote Plato in his masterpiece on Marcus Aurelius (AD 121- 80) who argued that the just state is ruled by the ones who know the Good, and at the top is the philosopher-king, a man born and quite literally bred to rule. Then, why can’t we think towards this direction on the current governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan? This is because truth is constant, does not wobble, and it requires no clutches. That is, it must be clearly seen and Deltans have seen the massive development in the state generally.

Furthermore, one can now move without fear of being molested or robbed on streets of the urban areas because of functional street lights executed by the current administration of Delta State. It is also on record that the same administration has drastically reduced the sufferings of Deltans on transport. With the provision of vehicles, the people of the state now move about their normal businesses by paying subsidized fare to board any Delta State vehicle. Happily enough these vehicles have air-conditions. Previously, people can only enter air-condition vehicle unless if they were being giving ride by the owner. However, today in Delta State air-condition vehicle is now for every Tom, Dick and Harry based on the intelligence and magnanimity of our governor. All these, I think and believe are worthy of commendation. There is also vast improvement in the health-care delivery system of the state. The government hospitals in Delta State are no longer mere consulting rooms or mortuary. Deltans can all believe that the Uduaghan’s 3-point agenda is not just a paper work but being implemented fully for the benefits of all. What about roads and bridges including other projects handled by the governor in all parts of the state?

I also think and believe this is the time for all Deltans for critical reappraisal and restrategizing to ensure that the millennium development goals (MDGs) of the state are achieved. The only way to achieve these is by rededication to duties and services by all Deltans both at home and in the Diaspora, and above all, loyalty and commitment to the cause of the state.

Ubulu-Uku, the latest town in Delta State with a government hospital, is situated some thirty kilometres (30 kms) west of the River Niger in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, eastwards; it shares a boundary with Ogwashi-Uku; westwards, with Obior; northwards with Issele-Uku and southwards, with Ubulu-Unor.

Statistical data shows that the people of Ubulu-Uku are the largest in the old Aniocha Local Government let alone Aniocha South Local Government. The people of Ubulu-Uku are economic, social and educational giants in their own right. Their spirit mercantilism and commercial dexterity including farming, original palm wine tapping, and traditional weaving of cloth (akwa-ocha) among others have made them universally ubiquitous.

Ubulu-Uku is a hilly town that could be easily compared to Agbor in Delta State, Auchi in Edo State and Ibadan in Oyo State. This hilly nature of the town accounts for the serious problem of erosion, which the town currently faces. The problem has made some of the streets impassable and completely out of use. However, thanks to the current administration in Delta State under the able and agile leadership of Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan and some other philanthropic, responsible and respectable people from Ubulu-Uku who contributed immensely and energetically to solving in some areas the devastating erosion menace in the kingdom. However, we need to do more and we do believe that the Delta State Government (DTSG) can also do better so that the people of Ubulu-Uku will not one day become a refuge in their own country as a result of devastating erosion menace.

It is abundantly clear that the ancient town of Ubulu-Uku nay Ubulu Clan had its origin dated back to the 12th century. From records, there were two villages under the leadership of two different men. One is called “Anugwe” and the other “Ekei”. Anugwe’s settlement is at the eastern part of the town known as Abuedo popularly referred to as “Abuisiyi”, which could be translated “first among equals”. While Ekei is at the western end of the empty space, then and currently known as “Ani Ekei”. Currently, many villages and quarters have emerged in Ubulu-Uku and Ubulu clan.

History revealed that for a long period of time, before the coming of the white-man, Anugwe the great Agriculturalist who believed in feeding properly his people took farming seriously and produced enough for consumption. As a result of this, he rejected intoto the issue of kingship because due process was not followed and he refused to protest against the ‘deal’ in order not to fuel crises in the kingdom because he believed in peaceful co-existence and producing enough food for his people and Ubulu Clan generally.

One can boldly, proudly and holistically say that Anugwe cooperated with everybody and partners in progress honestly and with open mind to make the people of the kingdom remain peaceable. Happily, this is still in place currently because Ubulu-Uku town has remain peaceful no youths restiveness and aggressiveness popularly referred to as “gbege” in some parts of Delta State. Anugwe never at any stage doubted his men. He was a gentleman and a progressive leader to the core who was kind almost to a fault. This could be clearly seen among his children.