Steel Town In Udu Is Not a Community, Says Oyibode

Olorogun Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode, the Executive Chairman of Udu Local Government Council, has clarified concerns raised by former employees of the Delta Steel Company (DSC), now Premium Steel, who claimed that DSC is a community in Udu. The clarification was made during a meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2025, at his office in Otor-Udu.

Addressing the issue, Oyibode emphasized that DSC is not a community, as some former workers had alleged. According to him, a community is typically a group of people living in the same area with shared cultural values, norms, and heritage. “Many of the people who worked at DSC are from various parts of Nigeria, including Kogi and other states. They do not share any unique culture or heritage tied to Udu,” Oyibode explained.

Oyibode further pointed out that when he asked some of the former workers about the deities associated with their ancestral homes, many of them could not provide satisfactory answers. Some even admitted to coming from regions outside Udu. “This does not qualify them as a community in Udu,” he added.

The Udu Council Chairman also highlighted the fact that the land on which the DSC was built was donated by several host communities, including Orhuwhorun, Aladja, Ujewu, Ekete, Igbogidi among others.
He stressed that these communities are the legitimate owners of the land, and it is they who should be recognized as part of Udu’s heritage.

Oyibode urged the former workers to shift their focus toward improving the township’s infrastructure rather than trying to define themselves as a separate community. “The focus should be on improving road development, electricity, and healthcare services,” he said. “The residents of DSC have been grappling with basic amenities, and these are the areas that need immediate attention.”

The ex-workers present at the meeting expressed their gratitude to the Udu Council Chairman for his ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure in the region. They voiced their agreement with his viewpoint, and the meeting concluded amicably.

Olorogun Oyibode reiterated his commitment to the development of Udu and assured that all residents, including those from DSC, would benefit from enhanced living conditions and better amenities in the future.

Press Unit Office of The Executive Chairman of Udu Local Government Council.