Proudly Anebira Group, a Commitment to Grassroots Development

By Muhammed Bougei Atta

In what appeared like a friendly virtual chat five years ago on ways to proffer solution to the perennial and communal challenges confronting the Ebira people of Kogi State, Proudly Anebira, PA as its fondly called has transformed from a mere chat room among friends to a mega of like minds, incorporating varying personalities such as intellectuals, opinion leaders, political office holders, professionals, groups and associations within and in the Diaspora. Founded on the foundation of love and development, Abubakar Imam alias Mayor, originated the dream.

Today, PA hosts an average of a hundred community leaders of Ebira descents bringing in unprecedented voluntary actions of development to the people and the area. Indeed, PA is witnessing its five year of transformation from good to better.

Committed to a new regime of developing a culture of responsibility, PA recently adopted a structure of guiding rules and regulations, administered by a 10-member think -tank that assist the day-to-day discussion and information sharing among the teeming members. In its five years of existence, PA has partnered with several organizations including Ebira people Association (EPA), Ebira Youth Congress (EYC), Kogi Central CSO Network among others. Other groups include but not limited to Perfect House of Friends (PHF), Club 10 Okene among.

It collaborated with Kogi Central CSO Network and EPA to host the January 2016 interactive session with political candidates on constituency reportage and community outreach as well as the Bi-annual retreat for CSOs from Kogi Central civil society organizations. The group is also known for its active role in the annual Ebira carnival. From supporting individuals with medical and social needs, PA graduated to community projects.

Some of the popular projects executed included the Okunchi water supply, Bore-hole in Okene General Hospital, sponsorship of our 50 school children to the National Mathematics competition. Other areas are collaborating with Honourable Abdulrahman Badamasuiy computer literacy centre in Adavi local government, regular support to host EPA meeting and special donation to the re-building and programme of Tao FM radio.

In active partnership with Kogi Central CSO network, PA recently donated series of books and materials to Okene Library in response to the increase need to provide the library with the needed support for books. It has as its future plan to assist and equip the library with computer and accessories assist our teeming youth with IT skills and computer literacy.

Only recently, PA acted as the first organization to recognize and award Miss Fati BomBom being the 2015 best graduating student of Nigerian Law School in Abuja. Several individual and organization from Ebiraland have received similar gestures from PA in the past. Proudly Anebira group includes such membership as the EPA President, Dr. Abdulrahman Adeiza, Hon. Abdullaahi Bello, Rt. Hon. MomohJimoh Lawal, Hon. Tijani Damisa and Dr. Halima Salihu of Tao FM among other personalities of Ebira decents.

PA also showcases such great Ebiraa men and women in persons of J. O. Omuya, Mrs. Lami Onayi Ahmed, Hajia Rabi Abdallah of NTA and representative of Sen. M.S. Ohiare.

From the regular individual donations to identified projects and outreach sponsorship of same, PA recently adopted the membership registration and monthly dues that have galvanized the group to a higher and more responsive level of service to the people with a four men signature to her bank account. PA has developed a transparent and accountability process of award through the admnistrators and final approvals through the general forum. It constantly enjoys donations from well-meaning individuals and organizations which are channeled towards community projects.

To review its activities and program as may be identified from time to time, PA regularly set up  committees and sub-committees to discuss and review issue for presentation to the house. It means once every year, particularly in December to take stock, share innovative ideas and way forward in a simple but planned get-together.

As the group grows from strength to strength, it is saddled with more responsibilities which are largely community development and social re-orientation. Its future plans include rehabilitation of community hospitals across Kogi Central, support to the administration of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello the executive Governor of Kogi State in the rehabilitation of roads and other infrastructure needs in the area.

It is now regarded as Proudly Anebira in one blood, one love, one Anebira yesterday, today and forever.