Tribute to Ebira Peace Project (EPP)

Championed by award winning Alhaji Abubakar Imam and formed in mid 2005 by a group of Kogi central senatorial district citizens resident in Abuja, Ebira Peace Project (EPP)'s concept emanated from the degeneration of the hitherto peaceful socio-political and economic activities of Ebira community to the total breakdown of law and order in the area. Based on the geographical, political and the economic importance of Ebiraland to Kogi state and Nigeria as a strategically located area linking the North and South of the country, the formation of EPP was desired to gaurantee the safety of the lives of Ebiras, Kogites and Nigerians respectively living in and crossing the area on daily basis.

The sensitive nature of their concept and diffcult terrain choosen to operate therefore caused consultation, sensittization and mobilization to form the bedrock of their approach to the multifaceted problems of violence in Ebiraland. Their activities are holistically tailored at educating and re-orientating the perpetrators and potential breeders of violence in Ebiraland for an envisaged redirection of resources, energy and time for human and community development.

Some of their objectives were to facilitate and maintain peaceful and harmonious relationship for a sustainable political and socio-economic development of Ebiraland; contribute to the peaceful elimination of all forms and agents of violence in Ebiraland; awaken social consciousness through ethical re-orientation, enlightment, mobilization, information and education; advocate for the positive review and reform of existing laws, constitutional provisions, policies and practices that enhance violence in Ebiraland and influence policies and programs that will effectively eliminate in the society; collaborate with relevant institutions, organizations or individuals to attain the EPP objectives.

After the successful endorsement of their guide and working document, the EPP constitution, they urgently began the process of implementing its contents. They vigorously pursued and obtained their registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission and were eventually issued a certificate of incorporation on 3oth November, 2005. They then constituted the different organs and standing committees stipulated by the constitution including Project Site Managers at the Five (5) Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kogi Central Senatorial District. Afterwards, the Grand Patron was conferred on the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRM, Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Ibrahim on November 11th, 2005. This was followed by the continued process of nominating other patrons, which is being necessarily subjected to serious scrutiny in lieu of the ideals of the organization.

CRISES RESOLUTION
Within their limited power and resources, they have intervened and successfully resolved or curtailed the extension of some crises in Ebiraland. Perhaps some of these crises would have consumed the affected individuals, groups or streets, but their timely intervention was able to nip them in the bud. Thus, their gratitude goes to their network of information access and the parties involved for listening and positively responding to our intervention. Our youth were violently pitched against one and other in clashes that were not limited to Ozuwaya/Iruvucheba, Idozumi/Idoji, Adavi/Okengwen, Ozuwaya/Zango, Idozumi/Ahogede, Kuroko/Ozuwaya, Idoji/Inike, Inorere/Idanuhua etc. They appreciate the participation of Ebira elders and the Local Government Chairmen with whom they have collaborated at different times to intervene in some cases. Their intervention further exposed them to the nature of Ebira violent clashes, and informed their follow-ups and extensive consultations. To a very extent, these activity has brought peace to the groups and streets concerned for which some of the residents have actually expressed their written and verbal appreciation to EPP.

To save Ebiraland another calamity, EPP was also handy to quickly intervened in the litigation over the Ohinoyi stool that has been lingering since the corronation of the incumbent. When they learnt that the final judement was to be passed on 28th February 2006 and the supporters of the two parties concerned were already agitated, they took the bull by the horn. They met and pleaded with both parties - HRM Ado Ibrahim and the Ebira Human Right Group - to allow peace to reign in Ebiraland at such a critical time they were preparing for the Census excercise. They went further to consult the appropriate authorities in emphasizing the implication of passing the judgement in Ebiraland. Through this effort and possibly those of other well-meaning Ebiras and Nigerians some of whom they actually liased with, the case was then adjourned and Ebiraland was saved the agony of a probable bloodbath.

Adapted from EbiraView Magazine (Special edition on Formation and Evolution of EPP), watch out for its release to learn everything you ever wanted on the EPP.