By Otori Ozigi.
Typical Ebira man in ebira attire, show the rich culture of Ebira extraction.
This list comprises of notable men of honor and impeccable integrity, who are bonafide great achievers that have made significant contributions to humanity and the country,with positive impact on the good image of Ebiraland, over the years.
They are the true mirrors of the community and role models to the younger generation in the land.
They individually and collectively hold the banner of Ebiraland aloft to the world,and have committed themselves in acts of patriotism and nationalism to the community.
This list is not in any particular order.
Feel free to add your own to enrich our knowledge and history.
1.His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State.
He has singlehandedly transformed Ebiraland to a place of eldorado in the areas of infrastructure, health, education and rural development during his 8 years tenure in office.
His giant strides in Ebiraland include the establishment of the Confluence University of Science and Technology located in Osara, the Reference hospital Okene, the 100 beds mother and child hospital located in Iruvuochinomi, Adavi Local government area, the new Ohinoyi palace, Okene, the ultra modern central mosque, Okene, the various construction of township and link roads across Kogi central, the reconstruction of the Technical college Oboroke, Ihima, which was fully equipped with necessary technology equipment for effective learning.
He was also able to rehabilitate and renovate several primary health centers and hospitals across the senatorial district.
The former governor also reconstructed several federal government roads that are now being put to use by motorists and other road users.
In the area of security, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello was able to enthroned an era of relative peace and tranquility in Ebiraland during his tenure in office.
He is credited with the smooth and peaceful transition of political leadership trajectory that ushered in the administration of Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman.
2. His Excellency, Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman, the 5th Executive Governor of Kogi State,who was inaugurated recently and had since hit the ground running, with a resolve to entrench the consolidation and continuity of the legacies of Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello
His administration holds a lot of promise and expectations for Ebiraland.
It is on record that Alhaji Ododo singlehandedly constructed a well equipped hospital located at Upogoro town, while he was the Auditor General of Local governments ,Kogi state.
3.Dr.Phillips Omeiza Ozovehe Salawu PhD, the former Deputy Governor of Kogi State.
He is credited to be the brain child behind the creation of the Ohi stool in Ebiraland, when he held sway in office as the number 2 citizen of Kogi State.
Dr Phillips also facilitated the construction of several major roads in Ebiraland, particularly the Ege/Ihima road and Obehira junction -Ihima – Ayere federal roads.
He is a peace loving political leader who practice what he preach in the political space.
4.Chief Patrick Adaba, the former Deputy Governor of Kogi State.
He is an amiable gentleman who is deeply involved in the peaceful environment and development of Ebiraland in recent years.
5. Dr.Tom Adaba, the former Director General, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission,NBC.
He is credited to be the one who pioneered private broadcasting stations in Nigeria,during his tenure in office.
He was also involved in the commencement of the first private radio stations in Ebiraland with the establishment of TAO fm radio station.
He is a lover of his people,who is a reservoir of knowledge and wisdom for the younger generation in the community.
6.Prof. M.S.Audu, the former VC, Federal University of Technology,Minna,Niger state.
He is credited to have used his good office to offer employment opportunities for hundreds of his people and sponsored indigent students to higher institutions in the country.
7.Prof.Nuhu Yakub, the former VC of the University of Abuja and a VC of another state University in the country.
He is a lover of his people with notable involvement in community projects across the Kogi State.
8.Prof.Sadiq, the former pioneer VC, Confluence University of Science and Technology located in Osara.
9.Sentor Yakabu Oseni who was the former Chairman Senate committee on ICT and Cyber crime.
It is on record that he used his good office to attract a number of constituency projects to Kogi central .
He also facilitated a number of federal employments to scores of our sons and daughters while in office.
Senator Oseni also empowered several youths and women in vocational training and gave them startup capital for their business.
10.Chief J.O. Omuya is ,one of the Elders in Ebiraland that have generated employment opportunities for our sons and daughters .
He is the owner of AFIM group of hotels in Ebiraland.
He is a respected opinion leader in the community.
1.Rear -Admiral Hamzat Sani RTD, the former Commander, Western Navy Command, Nigeria Navy.
He is an employer of labour, who is fully committed to the cause of peace in the community.
12.Alhaji, Ciroma Mohammed Ataba ,a former Clerk of the National Assembly.
He is a Philanthropist,a leading light and promoter of peaceful coexistence among the citizens in the land.
13.Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi,a business tycoon and Philanthropist who is a lover of his people.
14. Senator Mohammed Ohiare,a people- oriented grassroots political leader, who is also a former aspirant for the office of the Governor of Kogi State
He is a lover of his people who have facilitated employments for hundreds of Ebira sons and daughters into federal government establishments and paramilitary.
He is deeply involved in various community development initiatives in Ebiraland.
15.Alhaji Isa Ozi Salami ,a technocrat and administrative guru.
He was a former boss of Nigeria Paper Mill,Jebba.and PAN , Kaduna.
Alhaji Isa,who is a renowned politician in Nigeria,is on a board of several organizations and federal government agencies in the country.
He is a lover of his people,with an imprint in several community projects across Kogi central.
He is one of the revered and respected elder statesmen in Ebiraland today.
16. Ambassador Usman Bello,who was a seasoned banker and former Executive Chairman of Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue,BIR,is one of the highly respected elders in Ebiraland today.
He is a leading voice in the Islamic religion circle in Nigeria and a lover of his people.
17.Ambassador M.K. Ibrahim,who is a notable politician in Kogi State,is a member of Ebira Elders forum.
The amiable senior citizen is a revered voice in the community and a role model to the younger generation.
His level of patriotism and commitment to the cause of Ebiraland is unquantifiable.
18.Rth.Honourable Abdullahi Bello.
He is a former Ag. Governor of Kogi State and former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly.
He is a courageous, visionary and dogged political leader in Kogi State, with a great passion for the cause of Ebiraland.
19. Rth.Honourable Momoh Jimoh Lawal, fondly called Kennedy.
He is an amiable political icon with unassuming personality.
He was able to attract a number of constituency projects to his constituency while he was in office as a state law maker in Kogi State.
20.Senator Engr.Abubakar Sadiku Ohere, the immediate past representative of Kogi central at the upper Chambers of the National Assembly.
He was previously the former Commissioner for Works and Housing, Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kogi State
He is a people oriented grassroots political icon,with life-changing impact on the community while he held sway in office under various capacities.
He is one of the new breed political leaders in the community with a lot of promise.
Otori Ozigi, a veteran journalist and PR Consultant, writes from Okene, Kogi State.
