The Founder and President of the Urhobo Women Association of Nigeria (Worldwide), Olorogun Ambassador Dr. Mrs. Omodoro Adeseye-Ogunlewe, has unveiled an empowerment agenda aimed at tackling poverty among Urhobo women through skills development, entrepreneurship, mentorship and partnerships with women in the diaspora.
Adeseye-Ogunlewe announced the initiative on Saturday, October 10, 2026, during the association’s launching ceremony at the palace of the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom in Otovwodo, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
She said the association was established to unite Urhobo women in Nigeria and across the diaspora, strengthen their networks and promote their participation in economic and community development.
“We want to build a platform where Urhobo women at home and in the diaspora can connect, support one another, develop their potential and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of our communities,” Adeseye-Ogunlewe said.
She explained that the association’s vision was to promote the dignity, empowerment, development and wellbeing of Urhobo women, adding that its agenda would extend beyond financial assistance to include education, mentorship, skills acquisition, leadership development and access to opportunities.
According to her, the organisation would encourage entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, leadership development and community service while building partnerships with individuals and institutions committed to improving the lives of women and families.
The Founder and President of the Association, who is the wife of Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, a former Federal Minister of Works and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, urged Urhobo women to support one another, mentor younger women, share knowledge and resources, and celebrate one another’s achievements rather than engage in destructive competition.
She stressed that the progress of one Urhobo woman should be regarded as a victory for all, adding that women in the diaspora could play important roles in supporting development initiatives in their ancestral communities.
The association’s founder also encouraged younger women to acquire knowledge, develop their skills, uphold good character and remain proud of their cultural heritage while embracing opportunities in the modern world.
She said the association’s motto, “Virtue and Strength,” reflected its commitment to integrity, courage, resilience, unity and service.
Delivering the keynote address on the theme, “The Strength of the Urhobo Woman and Her Impact in the Community,” the Otota of Ancient Olomu Kingdom, Akpile Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, called for greater recognition of women’s contributions to cultural preservation, family welfare and community development.
Okorodudu said the strength of the Urhobo woman should be measured not only by the challenges she endures but also by what she preserves, builds and passes on to future generations.
“The strength of the Urhobo woman is not measured only by what she endures, but by what she preserves, what she builds and what she leaves behind for the next generation,” he said.
He noted that women play significant roles in raising children, transmitting cultural values and sustaining family livelihoods, adding that their contributions should extend to education, business, public service, professional development and social welfare.
The traditional titleholder urged the association to build an institution guided by integrity, inclusiveness, discipline and service, with achievements reflected in tangible improvements in people’s lives.
He said the association should create opportunities for young women, support entrepreneurs, assist vulnerable families and strengthen connections among Urhobo women across communities in Nigeria and the diaspora.
Okorodudu also called for sustained collaboration between the association, traditional institutions and community leaders, stressing that empowering women would strengthen families and communities.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Day, Olorogun Dr. Sir Ominimini Christopher Obiuwevbi, described the association as a platform with the potential to improve women’s economic prospects and contribute meaningfully to societal development.
“This is not just another social grouping of women; it is an organisation with the potential to empower women and help them access opportunities that can improve their economic circumstances,” Obiuwevbi said.
The former Special Adviser to the President of the Senate and spokesperson of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) commended Adeseye-Ogunlewe for establishing the platform and called on Urhobo leaders, government officials and other stakeholders to support its activities.
He noted that Urhobo women contribute significantly to family welfare, commerce, child development and community advancement, adding that their entrepreneurial activities help sustain households and improve society.
Obiuwevbi also highlighted the association’s reported registration with the Urhobo Progress Union and the state government, describing its institutional standing as an important foundation for its operations.
He urged stakeholders to demonstrate practical support for the association, noting that its success would depend on collective commitment to improving the welfare of women and their families.
Also speaking, the Delta State representative of the association, Dr. Veronica Mowunba, said the initiative was conceived to address the economic hardship confronting Urhobo women by connecting them with resources and opportunities that could improve their livelihoods.
Mowunba explained that Adeseye-Ogunlewe established the organisation after recognising the challenges faced by women in local communities and the potential of Urhobo women living abroad to support development at home.
“The vision is to mobilise Urhobo women in the diaspora, NGOs and corporate organisations to support women at home who are facing economic hardship and lack the resources to improve their livelihoods,” Mowunba said.
She said the association intended to mobilise assistance from diaspora women, non-governmental organisations and corporate bodies to support women who lack the resources to improve their economic circumstances.
Mowunba also disclosed plans to explore exposure and learning opportunities for selected women, potentially beginning with visits to other African countries, to enable them to acquire practical knowledge and skills they could apply to establish or expand businesses upon their return.
She said the initiative was intended to help women develop sustainable means of livelihood and reduce poverty in their communities.
The launching ceremony was attended by the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Evang. (Dr.) Wilson Ojakovo Oharisi III, who served as Grand Patron and Royal Father of the Day, alongside traditional rulers, community leaders, women leaders and other invited guests.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Body of Benchers and Ohoworode of Ancient Olomu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Albert Akpomudje, SAN, was also identified as a grand patron of the association.
The launch marks the beginning of the association’s efforts to organise Urhobo women across communities and the diaspora around a common agenda of economic empowerment, cultural identity and collective responsibility.
The long-term impact of the initiative will depend on translating the commitments announced at the ceremony into practical programmes that expand women’s access to skills, resources, business opportunities and support systems, particularly for those most affected by poverty.
