By Dr. Dickson Jesuorobo
While other ethnic groups are spending time developing economic policies and implementation plans for their states, some of our Edo people are busy spewing out venom and negatively criticizing the well-intended efforts of others, thereby, reinforcing the stereotype of uma igba n’edo. I challenge those that are passionately and aggressively trying to destroy the work of others to spend the same energy and resources towards developing a blueprint for the advancement of Edo people economically and politically. I will join in that noble cause. I bet very few will step up to accept the challenge because it is easier to engage in saber rattling than in efforts that require thought and research. Those that are struggling to become relevant in the ENAW community by any means necessary should realize that they would never attain relevancy because of their sordid history in our community and the incessant cry for attention/recognition.
The history of the Edo people in America is not different from that of any other immigrant arrival on the shores of the United States of America, with similar political and cultural shocks.
More often than not, the realities encountered fall short of the stories, myths and expectations that inspire such long and arduous undertakings to come here.
The reality, however, forces us to seek ways to bond together to form basic support systems for ourselves and to pool resources together for the benefit of our communities here and at home. Contributions made by us in this generation are what our children and grandchildren shall remember, live and judge us by in the future.
The Edo Association of Washington, DC. Metropolis has many projects designed to lend a helping hand to those in need. To actualize our objectives, we have engaged in creative ways and will continue to look for avenues to generate the necessary funds for project implementation.
The upcoming Flavour’s concert, which some ENAW members have distorted for self-aggrandizement, is one of the ways we have chosen to partially fund our two-and-a-half million dollar ($2.5 M) Edo Cultural and Exhibition Center project.
I have attempted to take the high road all along from the noise emanating from some quarters until now. In as much as I will continue to allow those that peddle on false narratives that Flavour’s concert was ever an ENAW event or the centerpiece of the convention to show their true colors, I will be remiss if I do not correct the distorted narrative.
While other ethnic groups are spending time developing economic policies and implementation plans
for their states, some of our Edo people are busy spewing out venom and negatively criticizing the well-intended efforts of others, thereby, reinforcing the stereotype of uma igba n’edo.
I challenge those that are passionately and aggressively trying to destroy the work of others to spend the same energy and resources towards developing a blueprint for the advancement of Edo people economically and politically.
I will join in that noble cause. I bet very few will step up to accept the challenge because it is easier to engage in saber rattling than in efforts that require thought and research.
Those that are struggling to become relevant in the ENAW community by any means necessary should realize that they would never attain relevancy because of their sordid history in our community and the incessant cry for attention/recognition.
Let us not forget the non-too distant dark history of this illustrious organization that led to one court case after another. Those that were responsible for hand picking leaders that nearly sank ENAW are back again to sow the seeds of discord to torpedo ENAW peace and progress
The deliberate and vicious attempt to vilify the National president and members of the National Planning Committee, who had ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the concept, planning and the execution of Flavour’s concert, is absurd.
The concert was NOT an ENAW event, therefore, not subject to discussion at any level of ENAW leadership echelon. The timing of the event to coincide with the convention was nothing short of a brilliant marketing strategy to capitalize on the projected huge convention attendance.
Those that are taking misguided victory laps for the rescheduling of the concert may want to rethink their premature celebration. The event, as it is to be executed now, is still not an ENAW event.
As William Shakespeare once said, “the evil that men do lives after them.” The lies put out there today will remain in print forever and may turn out to be the Achilles’ heel for the perpetrators.
The Edo Association of Washington, D.C., the host of the ENAW convention for 2019 is an independent organization that will not succumb to the whims and caprices of the vocal minority. We will always define the field and parameters for our actions and success. Long live EAWDC and ENAW.
Dr. Dickson Jesuorobo is the President of Edo Association of Washington, D.C. Metropolis and the Chairman of the ENAW Convention Planning Committee.
