By Dada Ahmed in Ajaokuta.
The Egbiras in Nigeria have been urged to brace up for active participation in the forthcoming national population census in the country.
The Publisher,Ebicom, Alhaji Seidu Ibrahim, gave the advice on Sunday in Ajaokuta while speaking during the End of the Year activities organised by Idu-Eyire People’s Forum, Ajaokuta Branch, Ajaokuta Local Area of kogi state.
According to him, this will enable the nationality concerned form a formidable population statistics that will be available to the federal government for national planning and guide in terms of allocating projects and other amenities to the people.
He reminded the Egbiras that, the more their population registered,the more they would attract the presence of governnent in their states of abode.
According to him, the Egbiras have no reason not to turn up enmasse for the exercise because pieces of empirical evidence showed that they constitude a formidable population in at least, nine of the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
He stressed that the large population of the Egbiras might not count unless they present themselves to be counted in the forthcoming census, to determine what facility or infrastructure they needed.
Contrubuting, the Kogi state Chairman of Jamatul Nasir Islam (JNI),Amb. Usman Bello, called on the Egbiras to unite and do things in unison, in order to achieve their social, economic and political aims and objectives in the political equation of Kogi state and Nigeria at large.
SEA.
Also speaking, the All Progressives Congress APC candidate for Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, Mr Sani Egidi Abdulrahim (SEA), who is vying for House of Representatives electíon scheduled for Feb. 25,2023, called on the Egbiras in the Constituency to vote for him.
SEA,who donated N100,000 at the occasion, promised that if voted, he would use the mandate to ensure quality representation to attract federal government presence, reduce poverty and ensure meaningful social and economic development in the Federal Constituency.
The candidate, who recalled that the area had been bedeviled with poverty, crisis and under development, however, commended the APC-led governnent in the state for doing its best possible to arrest the development.
He further promised consolidate on the achievements of the state government in the area by ensuring great improvement in the material condition of the people,if given the mandate.
Also speaking, a first class traditional ruler in kogi Senatorial district, The Ohiopisa Eyire, Alhaji Idris Okeji, commended the forum for organising such an activity and called on other fora to emulate it.
The Ohiopisa Eyire later broke the kolanut and prayed for the progress of all Egbira sons and daughters, whereever they may be in the world.
Our Correspondent reports that many dignitaries, including top state governnent functionaries, attended the occasion while cultural groups thrilled the audience with music depicting the rich culture and tradition of the Egbiras.
There was also donations and presentation of awards to some Egbiras who made possible impact in the forum, among others.
The Reporters reports that the people, formerly known as “Ebira”, now wish to be called “Egbira” and the nomenclature has been gazetted by the federal government.
The young drummer who amazed audience with his unique style of entertainment at the event.
The states where the Egbiras can be found residing include: Kogi, Nasarawa and Edo among others.
