The Ebira Renaissance Group (ERG) has read with keen interest the publication of Kogi East Elders’ Council on the Graphic newspaper of Wednesday, the 3rd of February, 2016 and is quick to place it in context in order to humbly but appropriately react to it for appreciable mutual understanding given the tone of the subtle threats contained in the write up. A man can be as good as his words especially when a group of distinguished elders representing a community make a statement, the benefit of doubt should be given to assume that they are as worthy as their words. A deeper look at the characterization of KEEC and its aversion would quickly earn them a similitude to the fictional characters of the “Chichidodos” who hate excrement with a passion but feed on maggots. It is in this light that the ERG would want to make the following clarification and comments.
The title itself is an admission that hitherto, the government of Kogi State has not been working in the interest of all, we are happy with this admission. Indeed, we cannot agree any less with the KEEC that the story of Kogi State for more than two decades now is a tragedy but its disastrous consequences in every facet of the state cannot be trivialized to a level of comparative discourse with the loss of individual lie or self-serving agenda of any senatorial district. Clobbered by the mis-management of its potentials and manacled by continuing acute corruption, Kogi State has been burdened by entrenched mediocrity in leadership and ethnic bigotry. This precarious situation demands an urgent redemption and deliverance for the good of all no matter whose ox is gored.
Expectedly, the new Kogi State Executive Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello with an insight into the stench of KogiState has vowed to rigorously undertake a “rescue mission” for the state. To achieve this, we do not need anyone let alone any group in the name of elders who could not bring all Kogites together “in keeping with their “historical bonds” to plan effectively for the “inevitability of power shift” or “power rotation” among the three senatorial districts in the State. It is curious to realize that these self-serving elders have suddenly found fairness, equity and inclusiveness in their dictionary very late in the day. Very Sad Indeed!ERG however understands that a group of elders whose paths are dogged by questions of impropriety and political hegemony would naturally be champions in the advancement of socio-economic development of their ethnic group rather than lofty national ideals and focus of statesmen. What Kogi State needs now is a team of elders whose wise counsel may see the state out of the woods. It should be instructive to KEEC that what we stand to gain collectively as the sum total of the whole is greater than that of the individual or group. KogiState can no longer be circumscribed within the narrow and blurred world view of some elders whose world starts and ends in Kogi East or any other hegemonic group for that matter. The world has moved on! Some men are exploring the moon presently while some states in Nigeria are being packaged digitally for sustainable development but Kogi State is still wallowing and groping with analogue! Haba Elders! It is this mockery of Kogi people that is “abhorrent and unacceptable”!
His Excellency, Yahaya Bello has started very well by his first appointments which are evenly distributed among the three senatorial districts but with the East taking the most powerful position for now. We want to pause to ask these self-serving elders if they can say in all sincerity that they have leaders in the East with this large heartedness. We would like to assure these self-serving elders that Yahaya Bello shall be fair to all not because of the covert threats from these elders but for who Yahaya is; a typical Ebira man with a heart for equity, fairness and inclusiveness; Yahaya Bello shall be fair plus, plus! The ERG sympathizes with the KEEC for their nostalgia or is it lamentation over alleged several deprivations suffered by Kogi East, the “demographic majority, being more than 50% of landmass and the population of the State but in reality a sociological minority. We couldn’t agree less with This Day newspaper columnist, Eni-B who said: “It is dishonest to describe any of the ethnic nationality in Kogi State as majority and the others minorities. The fact is that the three groups in the State are all minorities where not one is totally dominant the way the Tiv are in Benue State”. (This Day Newspaper, February 2, 2016, pg. 48).
Furthermore, it is the political economy of Kogi State population that should be the major factor to be considered in political appointments, distribution of development projects and revitalization of the public service. The public service is the bulwark of any government and it is institutionalized on professionalism not mediocrity or individual whim in order to attain maximum productivity that would enhance social security for the citizenry. We do understand the apprehension or is it desperation of our brothers from Kogi East but they should be more reflective and sober instead of arrogating to themselves imaginary power of auditing the present government and serving as its watch dogs. How ERG wish this watchdog had been there 24 years ago.
We wish to conclude our reaction by sincerely appealing to His Excellency, AlhajiYahayaAdoza Bello, to remain steadfast in fulfillment of the change mantra of his administration. He should be accountable to God-Almighty by whose divine grace he became the Executive Governor ofKogi State. In so doing, he would have been accountable to not only the entire people of Kogi State but to statutory government agencies charged with the responsibility of overseeing governance in this country and not any self appointed elders.
He should not be swayed by publication of vituperation in the media or any other form of assault on his character which his detractors may resort to. He should be focused and be strong willed He should take all unfair comments as tests of his faith and manifestation of the fact that the guilty are afraid.
Signed:
Pastor Suleiman, Joseph Manjoe
Coordinator, ERG
Alhaji M.I. Japa
Secretary, ERG
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