By Isaac Eranga
Edo indigenous movement (EIM) worldwide, also known as Edo Progressive Indigenous Association (EPIA), said despite the turbulence in the leadership of Edo State, Edo people remain the most United in the world.
Speaking under the auspices of World Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Edo Indigenous leader and President of EPIA, Chief Dr Bishop Omogiade Enoyiogiere Edokpolo said history shows that Edo people have a way of reuniting themselves after going through a period of political and social instability. He said Edo is a typical situational example of Marxist dialectics of thesis, antithesis and synthesis.
“We may have turbulence here and there in our leadership, but when the storm is over, we know all Edo indigenes will come back again.
“I see Gov. Godwin Obaseki and Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu working together before the next 4 years. So, Edo Indigenous people must be wise and say no to violence. The political leaders should focus on how they would deliver their agenda for a sustainable development to Edo Indigenes.
“EPIA is using this opportunity to call on the winner of Edo 2020 Governorship election to introduce the Ministry for Edo Indigenous Affairs and uphold law and other in the state.
“The vision of EPIA is to put Edo indigenes first and prioritize them in the area if of employment. We need Edo indigenes to be members of board of directors in every company in Edo State. We are standing for Edo Indigenous people alone.
Thus, we urge all leaders- political, religious, to support EPIA in order to achieve this vision. We have unanimous belief that Edo indigene will be the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is the responsibility of EPIA to let the world know that Edo is the most accommodating place in Nigeria. In EPIA, we don’t just see ourselves as Esan, as Afemai, as Beni, we simply believe we are all one, and that is why we see ourselves as one whole indigenous people. This is who we are. I want us to fasten our seat belt.
Speaking on the topic: Covid-19, politics and indigenous people, Prof. Omoruyi Ikponmwonsa, said the World Indigenous People’s Day is an attempt to recognize the plight of indigenous people of the world and then do something. He said the release of funds meant to tackle the scourge of Covid-19 was politicized.
“The release of resources to tackle the Covid-19, brought in politics. The politics manifested itself in figures, resource allocation and lockdown. Most times, the figures they release are blown up in order to attract money. That is the politics in it. Announcing that a particular amount was spent as palliative, where as most Edo indigenous people did not benefit from it, is also political. Some persons even refer to it as scam.
“We cannot depend on people to help us, we need to do things on our own. That is why in this era of Covid-19, the indigenous people have now decided to go to their root to help themselves”, said Prof. Ikponmwosa.
The University Don concluded by calling for the establishment of the office of High Commissioner for Indigenous People, just as we have for Refugees, Human Rights, etc.
