I have a unique connection to Afeimailand and people; Etsakor, Owan, Akoko-Edo and all within the Edo North District (END) of Edo State, land of hospitality, industry and touristic splendour.... Apart from the fact that my hometown of Ewu is the boundary between Esanland and Afeimai at Etsakor, there are many other connections and affinity that we share in common. Afeimai was the land of my matrimony and my other home. My cousin, Godsent Jomo, has been able to successfully establish a homestead and business at Auchi peacefully to the point of marrying an indigene and they are blessed with children. He tells me that Afeimai people are hospitable to a fault. I can confirm that by the opinion of my inlaws who are not only accepted by the Owan people as if they were born natives, they are also encouraged to excell peacefully in their adopted land. The bestman at my wedding, a young businessman who inspires me in many ways unknown to him, Stephen Enakhena, is an Etsakorman. I have observed the openness of minds and the hospitality of Afeimai people, even here in this forum. The following persons, among others, Ojealaro Friday, Patricia Falowo and Oshioke Mamudu, demonstrate this claim. They are diplomats, cerebral, relatively open minded and friendly. As a growing young man in Benin City, in primary school, I dreamed of visiting Ososo and Igarra panoramic tourist sites, great wasting economic potentials that Edo State has continued to leave untapped. As I grow older, I took a personally paid tour across the 18 LGAs of Edo State to get to understand my people well, including every major towns in Etsakor; Ososo, Igarra, Fugar, Ibie, Afuze, Okpekpe, Ibillo, Uzebba, Sabo-Gida Ora, Avbiosi, Otuo, Ihievbe, Ogbona, Auchi, ofcourse our own Jagbe and Agbede, both of which are our kits and kins in Ewu (parts and parcel of pre-1939 Ewu), we were together until 1939 during the unfortunate beginning of the decline of Ewu (which wad former Rest House for the Governor General of colonial Nigeria with concentration of horses and ranches) necessitated by the Monarchy tussle that saw the loss of three pillars of Ewu to other LGAs (Idoa to current Esan West LGA, while Jagbe and Agbede to current Etsakor West LGA - Hopefully the three gone-away brethren shall be returning soon to join the rest seven in the ancient Ewu Igbe-Igbe (ten) should my proposal for the creation of AFEISAN LGA/LGDC which we are preparing to send to the EDHA for consideration be successful. Afeimai is a beatiful land and I love all the people of the land. Afeimai produced lots of Rice, Vegetables (both legal and illegal), Cocoa, Oilpalm and Rubber. But what is happening today? Let us return to the farms and multiply prosperity. It is better to pull resources together and live in peace and hospitality. Continue to be your brothers keeper. There is nothing in this life than to live and lets live. Afeimai boasts of some of the finest Nigerians and Edos in history. Michael Imoudu, The Momoh Brothers (Owners of Daily Independent and Channels TV and former Minister for Information), Otaru of Auchi, Oba of Uzebba, Oba of Agbede, Okuokpilagbe of Okpilla, Adams Oshiomhole, Mike Ozekhome, Admr. Mike Okhae Akhigbe (former VP of Nigeria), Julius Ihonvbere, Abdulazeez Garuba, Chief Julius Momo Udochi (the first Nigerian Ambassador to the United States), Gen. George Agbazika Innih (former Governor of Bendel and Kwara States), General Abdul Rahaman Mamudu Former (former Commander Nigerian Army Signals Corps and Military Administrator Gongola State), Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi (Chairman/CEO Africa Independent Television), Sen. Franca Afegbua, (first Nigerian Female Senator,) Chief Inu Umoru, (fornmer Chairman/CEO, Setraco Ltd), Commander Anthony Ikhazoboh, (former Minister of Sports and Transport), Aret Adams (former GMD NNPC), and ofcourse our own Ahmed Musa of the Super Eagles who is also partly from Owan, to mention only a few. Afeimai are proven lovers of high achievements and education. I am proud of Afeimai and I am happy to be connected to this special part of Edo State. Most of the communities of Afeimai trace their origins to the Motherland - Benin City. And many share very close affinity and even language with Esan. To that extent we are interconnected in a unique way. Today I celebrate the Afeimai people. I salute the great people from the hills of Etuno to the plains of the Ieuleha and through the forests of Afuze through the riviera of Agenebode. Etsakor Mo! Ogbor? Opuno! Owan Ese! Etuno! I wish you could hear me whistling.....Oya respond jare! May we continue to live in peace and prosperity. Ameen! Edo Di Fure! NEdo Ghaa Ma! Oba Gha Tor Okpere, Isee! Afeimai naegbea!
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 16:05:03 +0000
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