COMMUNIQUÉ AT THE END OF THE OHIKU EGBIRA DESCENDANTS UNION (OEDU) NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS’ CONFERENCE HELD AT ABUJA, ON 1ST JULY, 2023.
PREAMBLE:
In continuation of its advocacy, the Ohiku Egbira Descendants Union (OEDU) hosted a Stakeholders’ Conference comprising stakeholders from the three zones of Egbira Opete, Egbira Miyakan and Egbira Etuno at Abuja on the 1ST of July, 2023 under the Chairmanship of Justice Suleiman Galadima JSC Rtd., OFR, CFR, with the Theme: “Uniting the Egbira Nation for Greater Cohesion and Prosperity”.
RESOLUTIONS
The Conference resolved *That* :
1. The sacrifices of the Founding Fathers and that of the current OEDU EXCO must always be appreciated and supported by all Egbiras.
2. Unifying the Egbira people from the three zones under a common name, EGBIRA, is far more beneficial to our socio-political and economic well-being than remaining divided and ‘irrelevant’ in our small enclaves, under different labels, with no significant impact on the national discuss.
3. Since it has been long established that Every descendant of Ohiku is an automatic member of OEDU by birth, ALL sons and daughters of the Egbira nation must work in unison and contribute in all ways, towards achieving the unity and development of the Egbira nation.
4. In view of the fact that the Egbira nation is blessed with abundant natural and human resources, descendants of Ohiku should massively invest at home while also attracting outside investors (domestic and foreign) for the overall development of Egbira Nation.
5. The issue of sensitization is most paramount, and must be pursued vigourously especially at the grassroots and zonal levels and among women and youths
6. While commending OEDU for its advocacy so far in spite of meagre resources, OEDU should not relent but step up its advocacy to spread the Message of Unity as clearly and widely as possible, for everyone to grasp and get the desired buy-in or supports.
7. The OEDU upcoming advocacy visits to some States, especially, in the South West and North West zone is laudable and should be accomplished soonest because of the very large population of our indigenes that reside in these areas.
8. The Census sensitization must be continued with intensity to achieve adequate penetration and compliance.
9. OEDU shall setup a reliable Data Base for purpose of targeted audience Outreach Advocacy Programs and Mobilisation.
10. OEDU shall intensify its efforts to incorporate Leaders of different Egbira Groups and Associations across the zones and outside, into the Umbrella OEDU mainstream platforms so that they shall in turn carry the OEDU message back to their members, thereby, becoming a veritable source of self sensitization.
11. The Zonal Chapters of OEDU must rise up to their mandate in this regard to ensure the message of OEDU sinks in deep and spreads wide and far within the respective zones.
12. OEDU should convene as early as practicable, a massive Abuja Meeting of all Egbiras to make a powerful statement concerning who we are in Abuja and our locus in the comity of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.
13. Adopting the Family Level Sensitization strategy will offer greater impact in the long run starting with ensuring that our children bear Egbira names and speak the Egbira language as the primary medium of communication from the homestead.
14. On the issue of Funding, strenuous efforts shall be made to expand avenues for independent funding of OEDU programs, such as establishment of Business Ventures that generate funds primarily through Share-Funding by members, in addition to canvassing for patronage from all available links and well placed political leaders of Egbira in positions of authority.
15. OEDU shall set up a powerful committee of Prominent Egbira Stakeholders and few EXCO members for Fund Raising purposes.
16. OEDU shall fast-track the on-going process of providing Scholarships and other empowerment programs by establishing a Dedicated Trust Fund for the Needy and the Vulnerable by canvassing for funds for take-off.
SIGNED
Hon. Musa Ahmadu PhD, OON
National President, OEDU
Prof. Yusuf Ibrahim Ohida
National Secretary, OEDU.
