Effurun, Delta State — Dr. Ejiro Imuere, a prominent advocate of Wado City, has issued a strong warning to business owners, church leaders, and other establishments against mislabeling Uvwie, Osubi, Jeddo, Agbarho, and Udu as part of Warri.
In a post on his Facebook page, Imuere emphasized that these areas are distinct from Warri and should not be incorrectly associated with it. “Uvwie is not Warri, Udu is not Warri, Agbarho is not Warri, Osubi is not Warri, and Jeddo is not Warri,” Imuere stated, urging the public to respect the geographical and cultural boundaries.
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He further explained that while these areas were historically placed under the Warri Province by British colonial authorities, they are not inherently connected to Warri. “We are Urhobos, we are not Warri people. The fact that the British placed us under Warri Province doesn’t make us Warri people. We are Wado people,” he declared.
“Dr. Imuere’s comments are part of a broader campaign to correct what he views as historical inaccuracies and cultural misappropriation. He pointed out that Osubi and Jeddo fall under Okpe Local Government, not Warri.
Similarly, Agbarho is under Ughelli, while Udu and Uvwie have their own Local Government Areas. Each of these areas has its own traditional ruler and is not under the authority of the Olu of Warri, who is the king of the Itsekiri people.
Imuere is the convener of the Wado City Advocate, a movement dedicated to renaming Urhobo territories within Warri Township to Wado City. The initiative seeks to preserve and promote the distinct identity of the Urhobo people, ensuring that their lands are not mistakenly subsumed under the Warri label.
The ongoing efforts by Dr. Imuere and his followers reflect a growing desire among the Urhobo people to assert their cultural and geographical identity, separate from the historical constructs imposed by colonial powers.
