By Dada Ahmed.
The 2021 World Ohiku Egbira Descendants Day Convention which took place in the historic town of Kotonkarfe, Kotonkarfe Local Governnent Area of Kogi State last Saturday has come and gone with participants relishing its flavour and reflecting on the relevance of history to man and societal development.
To an average historian,there comes a time in the life of a nation when citizens take a critical look at the history of their existence, examine that within the presence reality, with a view to improve the future, to ensure social, economic and political development and general life uplift.
This is what the people of Egbira extraction, formerly known with different spellings in their nomenclature, demonstrated when they trooped to Kotonkarfe,an ancient but thriving social economic and political human settlement in Kotonkarfe Local Governnent Area of Kogi State,to mark the 2nd World Ohiku Day Convention.
The Palace of the traditional ruler of Kotonkarfe, The Ohimege-Igu of Kotonkarfe, HRM Alhaji Abdulrazak Gambo Sani Isa Koto,was full to the brim as it the venue of the event with the thousands of Egbira descendants in attendance.
The Palace was a mission by electrified with the display of the rich culture and tradition before the world not only by his subjects but other Egbira descendants from Edo, Nasarawa, Plateau states as well the host state, Kogi.
The Egbiras are one of the constituents of the famous Kawararafa Kingdom of 13th to 18th in Africa, known for its exploits in social economic and political development, difficult to be eclipsed by its contemporary.
From time immemorial,the adage which maintains that if a man does not know where he is coming from, he will not know where is going to, once more stands the test of time as Egbiras converged at the venue to trace their history for them to move forward to the next level developmnt in pursuit of ends meet.
Various authorities on the subject believe that the essence of history to man and society cannot be overemphasised as it forms the formidable basis that propels the force that wheel his determination to strive for excellence and thrive in various endeavours, not the least, scientific and technological advancement.
Reflecting on this philosophical assertion, 75-year-old Alhaji Usman Mohammed, a man who has seen it all in terms of the history of the constituent called Egbira Nation and a native of Kotonkarfe said,”I am happy that my people have been able to reflect on this adage with the display of our rich culture and tradition in an atmosphere of tranquility during this all important convention.
“It shows that just as man is not a slave to his environment,he is also a master of history as man have used that to foster unity and positive developmnt. What we are doing today bears relevance to this assertion.
“We are a force to be beat when it comes to an enduring history of rich cultural expression depicting our origin, the once famous Kawararafa Kingdom which lasted for about 500 years.
“While the Kwararafa Kingdom lasted, history reveals that our forefathers made great impact in the history of the then Nigerian area, the traces is this Ohiku Day.
” Our gathering here today is a further confirmation of cherished developmnt in the history of man.”
The old man’s remarks summarises the mood of Egbira sons and daughters from far and near that trooped to the palace of the Ohimege-Igu, with great excitement,zeal and enthusiasm to witness the convention as they indulged in pleasantries and other convivial expressions with one another.
According to Wikipedia, Kwararafa kingdom was a multiethnic state and/or confederacy which centered along the Benue River valley in what is today called central Nigeria. It was Southwest of the Bornu Empire and South of the Hausa States which rose to prominence before 1500.
The social media platform recalls that the people of the once great kingdom were involved in conflict with their more powerful neighbours in the 17th century, a development it said reduced the Kingdom to a small tribute state by the 18th century.
Besides showcasing their rich cultural substance, the Egbiras maintain that the greatest impact of the event that will linger in their minds for years is the adoption of a generic name for the nationality by the management of the Ohiku Egbira Descendants Union, with retired Mohammed Christ Alli as the National President.
The agitations for one name started many years but came to fruition 20 years ago, according to the Chairman, Ohiku Egbira Descendants Union(OEDU),retired Maj.-Gen.Mohamned Chris Alli.who is also the Oseze Ogbanyi of Egbira Nation
Addressing the cheering crowd at the occasion, Alli,said the decision for the three branches of the Egbira Nation- Ebira, Egbura and Etuno/Igara- to adopt one name,”Egbira” in their nomenclature was an idea whose time had come in ensuring the actualisation of the new direction in unifying the dispersed Egbira citizens,home and abroad.
He said that adopting the use of the”Egbira”” perhaps,one of the most pragmatic and important decisions that OEDU has ever taken which was overwhelmely accepted by the Royal fathers and indeed, the entire Egbira Nation about 20 years ago.”
According to him, the unification of the ethic national also became necessary “because the Egbira Nation was fast dispersing, moving in different directions, operating as totally different entities and totally oblivious of the fact that we are one entity, speaking the same language.”
He recalled that since the demise of the famous Kawararafa Kingdom, most of its original constituent groups had remained essentially one significant entity, except for the Egbira stock.
“For instance,our other Kawararafa brothers each have dialectical differences within each group, but for obvious inherent advantages of unity, each bear one generic name,” he noted.
Alli argued that apart from the advantages of greater ethnic, socio-cultural and political relevance,the forgoing strategy would accord the people concerned greater respect,locally and nationally among other advantages.
He described OEDU as non-partisan,socio-cultural body, dedicated, solely, to unifying the Egbira people and promoting activities that would enhance their wellbeing and overall developmnt, world wide.
The Chairman further elucidated that the unification of name would put pay to the contrary tendencies among the Egbiras which had diminished their strength and status,vis-a-vis other ethnic groups.
In his good will speech,Sen.Tunde Ogbeha,an prominent son of Egbira Nation, captured the vivid picture of the epoch-making event when he said that:” The event symbolizes the movement to bring all the Egbira people together as a unified entity bounded by one language and culture. The Egbira people have a long-cherished history and culture similar to those of their other Kwararafa brothers.
“This convention is an important meeting point for all sons and daughters of the Egbira nation just like the first convention in Okene of which I was privileged to participate in. From what I can see here, this convention has already lived to its expectation as a meeting point for all of us, all over the nation and in the diaspora.
‘ It has created an avenue for us to interact, socialize and exchange ideas on how to move the Egbira nation forward and also elevate the Egbira nation to the enviable position that it rightly deserves.
“In addition, it is a platform for us to reflect on our dwindling fortunes characterised by the progressive decline in our cohesiveness and unity as an ethnic group which we must arrest before too much damage is done.
“There is no doubt in the fact that the axis from Igarra to Okene, Abaji and up to Umaisha are inhabited by our people, speaking basically the same language irrespective of dialectical differences.
“Unfortunately, we still have not fully come to the reality that we are one, bound by a common language and culture facing same challenges.
“There is no doubt that these challenges can best be combated if we work together in unison.
“This is why I fully endorse the various resolutions that have been reached over time at the convention and various conferences held by the Ohiku Egbira Descendants Union including the Board of Trustees meetings of which I am privileged to be a member. The adoption of a common name and same spelling which seems to be one of the major objectives of the Egbira nation is very apt and we must do everything to ensure its full implementation in the very near future.
“We all know the advantages of numbers, which will confer on any group several social, political and economic advantages. It will also confer respect and prominence to the Egbira Nation which it rightly deserved in the committee of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.
“The Egbira nation must not be left behind but be properly situated so as to take their rightful place in the committee of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.
“In addition, this gathering is also a platform for us to reflect on our common heritage and culture with a view to rededicating ourselves towards coming up with policies that will uplift the Egbira people as a whole and arrest the tendencies towards losing our language and culture.
” The upliftment should also include coming up with ideas to enhance the economic fortunes of our people and the entire Egbira land.
Our region is very well blessed with natural resources, both agricultural and solid minerals as well as human resources. We need to harness all these resources to ensure that we enhance the standard of living of our people.
The message and essence of the Ohiku mission is well amplified in this gathering and I am personally fulfilled to be a part of this event.
“For some of us who were not privileged to grow up at home, this event will rekindle the “Egbiraness” in us and spur us to do much more for the upliftment of our people.
” I want to urge all my brothers and sisters to eschew bitterness and come together to work for the socio-cultural and economic development of our people in unison.
“I must dare say that without working in concert as a team, we will not achieve much. Personally, I am privileged and proud to be a member of the Board of Trustees of Ohiku Egbira Descendants Union, a platform for which I will continue to support towards the achievements of all the noble goals of the Egbira people.
Finally, and very importantly, I strongly recommend that the entire Egbira nation should continue to give unflinching support to the government in combating the insecurity that is facing us today.
” As you are aware, maintaining security is cardinal for any meaningful development in any community or nation. However, I must not fail to commend the efforts of our communities in partnering with government towards achieving peace and tranquillity to our region.
I want to thank all our brothers and sisters that have found time to come here today and wish you all journey mercies back to your various destinations. Keep the flag flying!”
Governor Yahaha Bello,who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner For Local Governnent and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Abdulsalam Ozigi, aligned with the union’s decision and enumerated various adavantages derivable from the new name.
Bello expressed delight over the unity prevailing among the three branches of the Egbira Nation and called for of its sustanance.
The Governor,who recognised for ensuring relative peace in the state that earns it the most peaceful of its kind in the country,promised his continued support for the realisation of the aims and objectives of the union and the constituent.
He expressed optimism that unity of purpose among the Egbiras would enhance the much needed unity among,boost their commonwealth, identity and ensure meaningful developmnt for greater heights.
As the people dispersed the venue of the occasion on a happy and peace note, amid hugging and exchanging pleasantries, relishing each other,especially with their brothers and sisters they have not seen for years, they believe that the generic name would further boost the existing unity among them.
According to them, it would also enhance their image among the comity of tribes in and out side the shores of Nigeria, among other advantages.
A former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Kogi State, Alhaji Tijani Isah, who said he was among those who started the idea of the generic name for the Egbiras, described the struggle for such name as as a dream come true.
The Commissioner said:” I am extremely happy over this positive developmnt in our history.
“The generic name will give us a much stronger voice to pursue our political, economic and social aspirations in the country and help us embark of programmes to fight glaring poverty among our people.
“By the time all the branches of our tribe imbibe the concept of new name, “Egbira”,wherever they may be, we will be close to fourth or fifth largest population in Nigeria.
“This is a strong weapon for us to use in bargaining for amenities from our political leaders, particularly in ensuring a robust agricultural economy that will boost food production,enhance food security and invariably reduce poverty.”
Other participants, however, called for improvement in crowd management in subsequent editions of the event.
The Egbira people from Igara in Edo state as well as those from Toto in Nasarawa and Plateau states also graced the colourful occasion.
Some of the Egbira branches, according to history, include: Opete, Tao,koto, Egayin,Toto, Mosun and Igara.
The Ohimege-Igu Igu of Kotonkarfe,HRM, Alhaji Abdulrazak Gambo Sani Isa Koto and other traditional rulers, Drs Musa Ahmadu, National President, OEDU and Ibrahim Ohida, the National Secretary,other prominent citizens and members of other segments of Egbira Nation attended the occasion.
In all, participants left the venue of the 2021 convention with a great sense of fulfillment, reconnecting with their history, treated to the rich cultural heritage, in an frenzy yet tranquil atmosphere, where masquerade mingled with people in peace and above all,with gratitude to almighty God for a successful occasion.
They, however, called on the organisers to improve on crowd management in next edition and ensure full implimementation of the new name.
Ahmed, an Egbira citizen, is also a blogger and media consultant.
ahmeddada008@gmail.com.
