Images of Ebiraland

By: Farouk Ozigi Onimisi  ( The White Orator ) The annals of Kogi Central's history are marred by tales of violence, fear, and uncertainty. During the era of past governments before the administration of Yahaya Bello, the region witnessed some of its darkest days. Political thuggery, extrajudicial killings, and wanton destruction of properties were rampant.  The mere sound of gunshots would send communities into hiding, with homes becoming prisons and survival depending on the whims of those in power. Our youths, particularly the "boiz," would vanish into the night at the slightest hint of police presence, leaving innocent civilians to bear the brunt of the violence. The infamous police raids, where young men were rounded up and shipped off to Lokoja to suffer behind bars, are still etched in our collective memory. The politics of that era was characterised by a culture of impunity, where those who orchestrated violence were often tipped off and allowed to esc...

By Abdelghaffar Amoka  16/02/2025 Electric power engineering was never among the courses of my choice before getting to the university. It has always been medicine: Yes! I wanted to be a Medical Doctor. However, physics chose me when I got to the university. After the Nation Youth Service in 2001 and with the coming of GSM in Nigeria and the internet becoming popular, I found interest in telecommunication. Fiber optics and photonics was of particular interest. I remember borrowing some books on photonics from IEE, now IET library in London, as a student member of the Institute.  A few years later, I found a new interest in dielectrics, a branch of physics with applications in high voltage equipment. That was how my PhD work got me into high voltage engineering, a branch of electric power engineering. High voltage engineering became my first love since I could not find a wife then. At the end of my PhD in 2012, I realised that Nigeria's electric power in...

10th January 2025 Egbiraland, once a place known for its culture of beauty, pride, and traditional values, now stands at the crossroads of moral decay. What was once a flourishing society with its women revered for their striking black beauty has now descended into an abyss where vanity and desperation fuel dangerous, demeaning practices. From the rising trend of prostitution in local hotels to the scourge of skin bleaching, the fabric of the community is unraveling at an alarming rate. It is in the heart of this transformation that the true horror of the situation is most evident. Hotels in Egbiraland, once peaceful havens for travelers, have become something else entirely — clandestine rallying points for a troubling new trend. Women, once symbols of respect and dignity, have become mere commodities, their worth now dictated by their ability to please and entertain men for monetary gain. Young, unmarried women, as well as married ones dissatisfied with their homes, are tu...

By Akonyi Ibrahim It is imperative that traditional leaders, custodians of our cultural heritage, address the pervasive exploitation of masquerades within the context of the eku-echichi (afternoon masquerades) festival. The increasing frequency of masquerade appearances is leading to a significant devaluation of our cultural practices. *Masquerading Ethics and Cultural Integrity* There is an urgent need to re-establish standards of dignity and adherence to cultural policies surrounding masquerade activities. Historically, masquerade presentations were governed by strict taboos and formal invitations, primarily occurring during designated events such as the Echane festival, burials, or the coronation of titleholders. These events required appropriate permits from local government authorities, thus serving both a cultural and economic function. In stark contrast, contemporary practices have resulted in indiscriminate masquerade appearances on various occasions, including wedd...

The Meridian Annual Al-Firdous Conference; my takes Kudos to Ustaz Bello Muhammad Tahir BMT the founder of Al-Firdaus Humanitarian Foundation to have come up with this noble ideas. The Annual Firdous Conference at the Afims Hotel in Okene organized by AL-FIRDOUS HUMANITARIAN FOUNDATION on 2nd January 2025 called on Muslim parents and the role mothers to prepare the social and family environment for our children to develop into good Muslims. Sheikh Luqman gave a good will message, which was basically about good parenthood. Sheikh Abuyatama encouraged the audience to prioritise raising of righteous children by ensuring that they dedicated themselves to a lifestyle of worthy emulation. In his conclusion emphasized that as a parent, particularly as a mother can play an important role in shaping the character of a child for the betterment of the society while sighted the words of encouragement from   Sheikh Adam Abdullah El-Ilori's mother, urging her son Sheikh Adam as...

By Onimisi Nurudeen The "cultural heritage" of Ebira masquerades holds a unique place in the hearts of some people of Kogi Central, like every other tribe in Nigeria. This tradition transcends the average religious-minded individuals and unites them in celebration, creating memories cherished by many. However, the recent events involving clashes between masquerade supporters and security personnel, coupled with persistent disruptions to public order, underscore the urgent need for reform in how these festivals are conducted. The Kogi State Government, through its Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has a golden opportunity to address these challenges while preserving and elevating the "beauty" of the Ebira masquerade tradition. Establishing a well-coordinated central cultural ground or arena for masquerade displays can transform these festivals into a harmonious and celebrated cultural event. This dedicated space would serve multiple purposes: 1. A Safe Pla...

For quite a while now, less than a year, after the ascension of HRM, Alhaji Dr Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, Ohinoyi Egbira, to the throne, many natives are witnessing a sudden trend and usage of native apparels especially the traditional woven clothes popularly known and called Ita-Inochi amongst the Egbira Opetes.  Authoritative historical documents and oral narrations have it that Egbira men were known as warlords, herbal medicine practitioners, farming, hunting, carvings, fishing and even black smithing chores were a dominant Republicans in the old Kwararafa kingdom.  The women folks of Egbiras are well known for domestic schedules, cooking, harvest duties in the farms, child bearing  and the most pronounced earlier recorded history of Egbira women vocation and trade is cloth weaving, starting from sowing of cotton seeds, harvesting cotton wool, spurning the wool to fine threads and eventually in an intrinsic manner wove clothings from locally constructed o...

By Abdul Mohammed Lawal Leadership is often seen as a fragile bridge of trust; built with vision, maintained with integrity, and, most times, tested by the actions of others. His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is an example of the strength needed to overcome such tests. His leadership in Kogi State broke barriers, empowered ordinary people, and set a "New Direction" for governance. Yet, it was not without its share of betrayals, challenges, and eventual redemption. From the beginning of his administration, Bello’s leadership was focused on empowering the average Kogite. He broke away from the old system of privilege, and gave opportunities to those who might never have had a chance to rise to prominence. By trusting these individuals with important responsibilities, Bello redefined governance and opened doors for many. This vision brought beautiful results. Many of those Yahaya Bello empowered became successful leaders, and proved his ability to recognise and nu...

Our attention has been drawn to the barrage of unwarranted and provocative social media rants and devious commentary by some misguided political enemies of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello (CON) to create disaffection between the former Governor and his father and eternal political leader, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. For the avoidance of doubt, Former  Governor Yahaya Bello holds President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the highest esteem as his father and benefactor and this will continue to be the case between the father and the son no matter the evil machinations of fifth columnists and disgruntled elements who are bent on destroying the relationship between Mr.President and the former Governor of Kogi State.  Ex-Governor Bello whose towering political influence has angered many of his distractors has been consistent in mobilizing political will behind Mr. President particularly among emerging leaders in...

 By Michael Onimisi Ajibade Faithfulness is defined as fidelity, the act of being loyal and true; it is steadfastness in affection and allegiance to a person, a cause, or a belief. It is unwavering devotion to a friend, a vow, or a cause. This is exactly the personae of a servant who stood reliably and outstandingly with his principal from the days of aspirations to The New Direction Government and The Let’s Do More administration. And that faithful servant who is incontrovertibly unassuming is Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman the candidate of APC in the November Governorship elections. Unbeknown to many, he was doing so much behind the scenes that the public did not know. Simplicity, humility, and humanity are his essential guide and watchwords. Ododo distinguishes  himself by being one of the less reverberating names amongst the members of the GYB administration yet the public acknowledged and adjudged him as one of the most generous and strategic givers GYB has nurtured...

ADAMU CROSSES PATHS WITH A DESTINY HELPER In the quiet embrace of a dawn that heralded Friday's arrival, the sun began to paint the sky with hues of gold, casting a hopeful glow over the world. Amidst this unfolding day, a story was about to weave its intricate threads, guided by the hands of fate. At precisely 10 am on this life-altering Friday, the stage was set for an unforeseen encounter, where life's intricate plotlines converged.  His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, embarked on a journey to the nation's capital, Abuja, summoned by the urgency of an event of national and state significance. As the governor's convoy advanced, its momentum was halted abruptly by an unexpected barricade. A crane truck, attempting to pull off an accident-stricken tanker also got stuck, creating a complete gridlock at a village called Gada Biu, along Abuja-Lokoja road. An unfortunate twist of fate had rendered the crane inoperable, ensnaring the road within...

By Salami Anne Aminat History is always handy when we reflect and judge ourselves on our actions and inactions. The Ohinoyi of Ebira:  In 1954, Anebira rose up against their king, the first recognised paramount ruler of Ebiraland. In the time, some supposed enlightened natives started the Igbirra Tribal Union (ITU) whose cause is to raise issues against the King for highhanded reign and many unfounded allegations. Many Anebira at that time quickly forgot the many good things Atta Onoruozia did, they drank from the Waterworks taps he facilitated, they were able to get criminals jailed in the prison the Atta built yet they called him names, they prayed in the mosque he built yet they derided him. Even when a weaker Igbirra Progressive Union (IPU) came on board to fight for the king and remind Anebira of the king's goodwill, they were silenced by the thunderous voices in the ITU who vilified the Atta and orchestrated his exile. In the event of the Atta's death, the sam...

By Abdullahi O. Haruna (Haruspice) In his heydays when he littered everywhere with tangible traces of real governance, late political maverick, and bulldozer, Alhaji Abubakar Audu - the Adoja of the universe was famously and boisterously called 'The Prince of the Niger'. It was an appellation carved on the marble of reverence, prestige, and royalty. In his days as the Executive Governor of Kogi State when democracy was rebirthed in 1999, Prince Abubakar Audu was the rave of the nascent democracy, he shone so brilliantly that his traces illuminated everywhere in infrastructure, security, and prosperity. He brought the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to not just Kogi state but Igalaland - Anyigba to be precise! Audu perhaps brought the first sitting president to igalaland- Similarly, Governor Yahaya Bello Adoza just replicated this rare feat by bringing president Muhammadu Buhari to Okene- the headquarters of Ebira civilization. To a mere looker, this is a me...

1. Ebira Youth Congress (EYC) is miffed by the abject connection of Ebira youths to the recent Owo church onslaught in Ondo state as may have been confirmed by authorities.  2. It is quite a thing of great concern and unfortunate event to have supervened amidst the prevailing security threat daring the federation. We uphold the undeniable sanctity of human life and any contravention can naturally stand to face the resistance of the prosperous Ebira people. As the act stands wholy condemned, we are appealing to the government at all levels to beef up security architecture that lives and properties may be safe and criminal suspects, brought to book.  3. For any proactive Chief Executive, the unpredictability of situations in the country today should beckon to extra work on security, which is an agenda taken very seriously by a subsisting Ebira Governor in Kogi state. Just as the Ondo State Governor himself attests, Ebira people are a very good people, hospitable and hardworking...

In the early hours of Friday, July 29th, 2022, Hon. Salihu O. Halimat (mama-taofiq) received the audience of TeamOhere4Senate in her residential house at Oziokutu, Adavi Local Government Area, Kogi State. In their opening speech, the team expresses solace and confidence in Mama-taofiq political prowesses and noted that her political landscape in Adavi Local Government Area remains a force to be reckon with by any serious politician.  The speaker of the team Hon. Kenyi-kenyi said, that Hon. Ohere specifically hashtags the importance and value of Hon. Salihu O. Halimat in his ambition as that which will resonate the women's interest because she represents the women folks. They acknowledged mama-taofiq invaluable contribution in the past as a proponent of APC victory in the State which was why they have come to appreciate and solicite towards 2023. While speaking, mama-taofiq also expresses her joy, happiness and reservations as regards the government recognition of her st...

Understanding the intrinsic value and human petals of a figure is the characteristics of identified personality, a humourous clamour & plea of coalition of groups and friends across kogi and beyond yearning to convince Dr. Sanusi Ohiare (DSO) with the interest to take lead in governance of the state. The call was made at a dinner organized in hornor of Dr Sanusi at the Royal Hall of the Palms Hotel in Central District area of FCT, Abuja during the weekend. Going by his progressive antecedents, DSO possesses the requisite experience, exposure, track record and integrity capable of leading the state to continue the developmental achievements brought by His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello in the state as exemplified in Rural Electrification Funds in REA as Executive Director. Similarly, Dr. Sanusi has overtime proved to be an acute leader with mind to develop the society to the next level as records also have it that he has provided employment opportunities, payment of WAEC and scho...

By :*Comr A Arivi* " _Semediyehuni ireche oporokoto oidaku enwu oniri enwu oyidu_" This piece has everything in connection with the seizless- failed attempt at which some of the sons and daughters of the land are hell-bent in casting aspersions against our very own sons and daughters in and outside the media space.  Have we forgotten so soon,when things fell apart, the center couldn't, hold, anachy was loosed upon the land and the falcons didn't listen to the falconers ?  Nostalgically,Let's go back memory lane. Those who have been following the trend of issue since 1999 till 2016, we agree with me that the years mentioned were characterized with tumultuously dicey experiences that we can never wish for our enemy again let alone for ourselves where communual Crises, kidnapping, killings, rubbery, assasination,arson( malicious burning of properties)youth restiveness, thuggery and many more were the major trend.  Have we forgotten so soon that terrorism got ...