PREAMBLE Since the demise of the old and mighty Kwararafa, most of its original constituent groups have remained essentially one significant entity except unfortunately one (Egbira People). The Jukun has a variety in in the chamber ethnic group, but the two identify themselves as Jukuns. The Idoma is a group made up of such others as; the Igede, Agatu, and Adokas- speaking a very diverse variety, of the Idom Language. However, the three latter varieties, for greater ethnic significance and weight, all go by the name IDOMA and by God grace, they are relevantly happy for it. Also the Igala, has the Ibaji and Apoto as other variants of its people but who to all intent and purposes are Igalas-period! The result is a dominant Igala ethnic group in Kogi State. So, besides the tendency towards one centrifugal unit among the three major Kwararafa groups mentioned above, or perhaps because of it, each of them have significantly been grouped within the same major administrative units. They are each grouped in one state, where they each make a significant difference and are doing well for themselves. The Jukuns therefore being all together make a happy significant difference together in Taraba state. We know the Idomas are all together in Benue state. The Igalas on their part have been quite mobile in state citizenship. And so emblock they have moved from Kwara to Benue and now to Kogi state. Wherever they go, no one can afford to ignore their combined numbers. That is the name of the political (vote-might) game. Unfortunately this is not the same with our own variety of the Kwararafa group. Our variety of the descendant of Ohiku, have gone their variety ways and also go by variety of names such as Egbura, Ebira and Igarra (ETUNO). This seems un-Kwararafa, going by the example of other Kwararafa groups we have seen. The Egbura (Miyakaan or Koto) alone are split into three and insignificantly located in Kogi and Nasarawa state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Ebira (Opete/Tao) seemingly, are lucky to be together in Kogi state. But the Igarra (ETUNO) on the other hand seems to be lost to Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. IMPLICATIONS As a consequence, our collective Ohiku and Kwararafa cultural identity and heritage is fast fading away, as each of the group is being swallowed by the Hausa, the Yoruba or the Benin/Ishan culture respectively. Quite a pity! Yet these were the people who together were the main combatants or warriors that fought for the creation of Kwararafa Empire and, who in the 1963 census were counted to be about 3 million peoples and were ranked 14th among the 295 identified ethnic groups in Nigeria while in 2006 census, Egbira people were counted to be over 32 million peoples and were ranked 4th among the 300 identified ethnic groups in Nigeria. Egbira people cut across more than 8 states of the middle belts and midlands of the West African Savannah great land.Yet we are not together as formidable ethnic group. OHIKU EGBIRA DESCENDANTS UNION The organization is the OHIKU EGBIRA DESCENDANTS UNION. It was formed in 2002 through the vision of the vibrant late UMAR SULE OTU and our revered father Alhaji UMARU ABATEMI USMAN, may their great souls rest in perfect peace. The OHIKU EGBIRA DESCENDANTS UNION is a non-partisan socio- cultural organization embracing all the Egbira speaking people. As we know, the Egbira speaking people comprise the people we now know as Ebira (of Kogi central Senatorial District); the Egbura (of Koton Karfe and Mozum also in Kogi); the Egbura (of Toto and Umaisha (Opanda) districts of Nasarawa State); the Egbura (of Abaji in the Federal Capital Territory) and, the Etuno (of Igarra in Akoko Edo Local Govt. Area of Edo State). Each of these groups speaks a variety of the Egbira language. But it is established however that we are descended from one and the same ancestor “OHIKU”. It is in acknowledgement of this fact that the OHIKU EGBIRA DESCENDANTS UNION was born. OHIKU means Ancestor. PRONOUNCEMENT We have mandated, by our Royal Fathers ( OHIMEGE OF PANDA, OHIMEGE OF IGU, OTARU OF IGARRA, OHINOYI OF EBIRA, AND ONA OF ABAJI) and indeed all Anegbira, to tell Nigerians and the whole world that coming from one and the same ancestry, the so called “Ebira”, “Egbura” and” Etuno” are one and the same people and that henceforth, we that formerly known and differently called “Ebira,” “Egbura” and “Etuno” now want to be known and called “EGBIRA”. We are the three legs of one great ANCESTRAL SEAT (OHIKU). THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF OHIKU EGBIRA DESCENDANTS UNION The Ohiku-Egbira descendants Union as a non-partisan socio-cultural organization formed therefore with the following objectives; 1. To acknowledge the fact that we are of the same ancestry. 2. To rekindle, rejig, rejuvenate and revive our same but fast fading culture and cultural values. 3. To foster Egbira ethnic Nationality and interests. 4. To unite the entire Egbira people (i.e. Egbura, Ebira and Etuno) who are scattered in various state of the federation and the federal Capital Territory. 5. To stimulate the socio-political and economic unity is achieved. 6. To stimulate the socio-political and economic unification of the entire Ebira nation. 7. To rejuvenate and enhance our common socio-cultural heritage through conferences, seminars, work-shops and festivals. This would enhance a common identity and thereby aspirations of the Egbira nation. 8. To create a formidable machinery for conflict resolution within the Egbira nation through the encouragement and development of a virile, articulate and self- sustaining internal crisis resolution mechanism. 9. To make our voice formidable and relevant in local and national issues by rallying behind goal-getting and visionary leaders of our various communities, for the ultimate development and transformation of Egbira communities. 10. To fight the cause of Egbira nation through our definite resolve. Towards this end, we intend to invoke the maxim of “One for all and all for one”, through our collective and cohesive might determination. 11. The Egbira nation through the Ohiku- Egbira Descendants Union stand for one common destiny. It is therefore our resolve to press for government patronage and fair representation in government at all levels. 12. To identity our strategic interest and map out plans to project them, especially in a highly dynamic polity like Nigeria where there are several contending group interests and aspirations. 13. To ensure a good and positive political consciousness in our people through a vigorous information dissemination. 14. To be bound together in all ways, by all means as one entity with a common destiny. 15. To arrest the pull, the suction and the drift of the various Egbira groups towards and into the bigger ethnic groups around which we are located- a phenomenon which tends to deem, diminish and weaken our cultural ties and sameness. We therefore now want to pull back from that loose association and be integrated into a same and one group. As I stated somewhere, it is the current Nigeria’s body language- the more of the same, the merrier and may I add- the stronger. 16. To identify our common strategic interests and project and protect them. 17. To tell Nigerians and the world that we are one and the same people. TO GOD ALWAYS BE THE GLORY. For more Info call 08035900804 08033129138 08037869052 08036011439
Posted on: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 18:41:53 +0000
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