By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By
History was made at the 27th Annual Convention of Ugbajo Itsekiri USA Inc. as the renowned Itsekiri diaspora organization elected its first female president, Dr. (Mrs.) Mejebi Toritseju Mayor (née Otubu). The landmark election was, in New York, USA.
Dr. Mayor, in her acceptance speech, expressed deep gratitude to members for the confidence reposed in her leadership. She pledged to work tirelessly with executives and members to “take Ugbajo Itsekiri USA to an enviable height,” while calling for unity and collaboration throughout her two-year tenure.
She emphasized that her leadership will be anchored on transparency, inclusivity, and renewed commitment to the association’s founding ideals. “I cannot do it alone,” she told members, urging them to join hands with her to sustain the legacies of past leaders and build new pathways of impact.
Other executives elected to serve alongside her include Weyinmi Okupa (Vice President), Oduore Ojo (Secretary), Charles Jemine Omagbemi (Publicity Secretary), Pastor Dr. Utieyin Edema-Eyen (Financial Secretary), Tinuke Amajuoritse Fadairo (Assistant Secretary), and Oritsemoyogbemi Bowen (Treasurer).
Founded nearly three decades ago, Ugbajo Itsekiri USA Inc. has distinguished itself as a beacon of diaspora-driven community development.
The organization has consistently supported educational scholarships, healthcare projects, and empowerment initiatives for the Itsekiri ethnic group in Delta State, Nigeria.
Beyond philanthropy, the association also serves as a cultural hub, preserving Itsekiri traditions, language, and heritage among members abroad. Annual conventions, such as the one held in New York, are a rallying point for members to reconnect with their roots while discussing strategies to support development back home.
Outgoing executives hailed the election as a milestone for gender inclusion and the growth of the organization. One member described Dr. Mayor’s emergence as “a bold step that reflects the evolving dynamism of Ugbajo Itsekiri USA,” adding that her victory demonstrates the association’s belief in competence over gender barriers.
The election of Dr. Mayor has been widely applauded not only within the Itsekiri diaspora but also among stakeholders in Delta State, who see her leadership as an opportunity to deepen ties between the diaspora and communities at home.
With her emergence, expectations are high that Ugbajo Itsekiri USA will continue to expand its reach, strengthen its impact, and chart a new course for progressive leadership that inspires younger generations of Itsekiris both in Nigeria and the diaspora.