Edo Continues To Be Cement That Holds Nigeria Together – Obaseki

… Says Edo was the first to welcome the Ibos back to Nigeria after civil war

In a keynote address he delivered at the 25th Anniversary of Edo Heritage Foundation Celebration in Southfield, Michigan, U.S.A. on May 19 2018, Dr. Kienuwa made several references to buttress his facts.

According to him, Edo was the first to welcome the Ibos back to Nigeria soon after the Nigeria-Biafra civil war; “our border with the East was not closed even when it was apparent the Biafra could easily invade the Midwest.”

He also referred to a time in Benin when a Yoruba man was installed the Iyase
( Prime Minister) of Edo Kingdom, known as “Oba Mu Iyase komi,” and that in 1951, an Ndi-Igbo man, named Chike Ekwuyasi was elected on Otu-Edo (Edo Association) platform to represent Benin in the national parliament.

Obaseki also recalled: “between September 12 and 28, 1966, afraid of disintegration, General Gowon summoned an ad Hoc Committee to discuss way forward for Nigeria and again between October 28 and November 4, 1966.

The result, he stated, was that all, but one (the then Midwest region now Edo) of the four regions, namely the East (Ndigbo); North (Hausa/Fulani) and the West (Yoruba) demanded the rights to secede from Nigeria. “Midwest opposed the right to secede and recommended the correction of injustices.”

Below is full text of Dr. Kienuwa’s keynote speech:

The Mayor of Southfield
President Dr. Charles Kerobo
Executives Members of Edo Heritage Foundation of Michigan
Members of Edo Heritage Foundation of Michigan
Distinguished invitees
All protocols observed

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to congratulate the leadership and the members of Edo Heritage Foundation of Michigan for organizing this 25th Anniversary Celebration. I am honored to have been nominated by the executives to deliver the keynote speech and to discuss the 25 years journey of this great organization.

Before I start my discussion, I would like to acknowledge my fellow pioneer of Edo Heritage Foundation, Mr. Uwaifo Osaigbovo and Chief Philip Omorogieva.

Also, I want to recognize Dr. Collins Arhebamen, Dr. Samuel Imarhiagbe who were part of the initial membership and gave Edo Heritage the support and momentum to carry on.

Then came Mr. Samuel Imalele, who dedicated his time to keep the flame burning and participated in the rotational meetings. I remembered we held meetings several times at his rented 2-room apartment as we rotated meeting places.

At times, we were three in attendance, but always kept our eyes on the price hoping this day we are witnessing will come. Thank God, we are here at last.

Twenty-five years of continuous meetings have certainly not been rosy, but Edo Heritage Foundation continues to wax strong. My special thanks to the Oviasu’s family who took it upon themselves as a challenge to grow the Organization.

They certainly gave me hope we can achieve whatever we set our mind on. We had our ups and down, but the brotherly love in us and that great Edo spirit kept us going. Chronologically:

• In 2004, Edo Heritage successfully hosted Edo National Association’s convention; An umbrella organization of which we are a part of and one of the pioneer organizations that conceived that great body.
• Edo Heritage also participated in the Detroit Annual festival at Hart’s Plaza; we took a stall and sold foods to earn money for the organization and also used the occasion to educate people about the Edo culture.
• We have held annual health awareness walkathon to educate the community, second time in a roll; Nurses and medical practitioners advise members and the community on good health practices.
• The good attribute of Edo Heritage is the ability to help members resolve issues and the willingness of the members to practice brotherly love, the recipe that has kept the organization going for the past 25 years.
• The loan levied on members for the purchase of Edo Heritage House; Particularly, those who opted for donation as opposed to the levy and those who stepped up beyond the general levy and risked their 401k to ensure the house was purchased:

o Mrs. Bose Oviasu
o Chief Philip Omorogieva
o Mr. Aigbe Enabulele

• • I also want to recognize my cousin Mr. Gregory Ogbeifun who donated handsomely; his gesture provided members the momentum and challenge to ensure the house was purchased.
  • I want to appreciate and thank Dr. Kerobo, Edo Heritage Foundation President for the good job he is doing, especially for good and effective leadership he has provided since assuming office.
  • The important role Edo Heritage continues to play in advancing the goals of the Edo National Association Worldwide.
  Edo Role in Promoting a stable Nigeria
  It is no hard-sell that Edo continues to be the cement that holds Nigeria together, especially in the promotion of good citizenship. Do you know:
  • A Yoruba man was once installed the Iyase or Prime Minister of Edo Kingdom; “Oba Mu Iyase komi” – Oba Eweka II or Akenzua II
  • In 1951, an Ndi-Igbo man named Chike Ekwuyasi was elected on Otu-Edo platform to represent Benin
  • Between September 12 and 28, 1966, afraid of disintegration, General Gowon summoned an ad Hoc Committee to discuss way forward for Nigeria and again between October 28 and November 4, 1966. The 4 regions among others demanded the following:
  o East (Ndi-Igbo) – Right to secede from Nigeria
  o North (Hausa/Fulani) – Right to secede from Nigeria
  o West (Yoruba) – Right to secede from Nigeria
  o Midwest (Minorities) – Opposed the right to secede and recommended the correction of injustices
  • It is no news, Edo were the first to welcome the Ibos back to Nigeria soon after the Nigeria-Biafra civil war; our border with the East was not closed even when it was apparent the Biafra could easily invade the Midwest.
  • In my conversation with Major General Samuel Ogbemudia of blessed memory, he told me after the war when he became governor, he offered free scholarships and stipends to many Midwest Ndi-Igbo and in fact made Okonjo-Iwella’s father, Dr. Okonjo the secretary of State of Midwest government.
  • Also, because of the deficiency in the Ijaw areas of the Midwest, he appointed Chief E. K. Clarke, an Ijaw man the commissioner of Education and charge him to address the deficiency of the Ijaw citizens of Edo State.
  • The election of Governor Adams Oshiomhole is an example of Edo people always seeking the best person for any position; He was not even a politician or belonging to any party, except his good record and was perceived as the only person who can rescue the State from the economic malaise caused by the previous government. This is how open and progressive thinking Edo people are.
  • Edo belief in a stable Nigeria is unsurpassed:
• It is on record that against all odds, many Edo stood firmly when the June 12, 1993 mandate was denied President-elect M.K.O Abiola; Professor Omo Omoruyi stood firmly on the June 12 mandate and almost lost his life through assassination order by Late General Abacha’s henchmen.
• Many Edo sons and daughters were at the forefront of the struggle to preserve Nigeria.
  Recommendations:
  1. Edo Heritage Foundation should make Members families stability a priority; meaning, we should intervene early in disputes to avoid being a statistic of the upsurge in family divorces among Nigerians or Africans in the US.
  2. Edo Heritage Foundation of Michigan should select/elect a strong and effective committee to study ways on how to encourage our children or the future generation to become interested in Edo Heritage Foundation activities, especially as we are all getting older; The average age of Edo Heritage is between 45 and 50 years old.
  Thanks for your attention.