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Ebira And Her Identity By Onuru-oyiza M. Sanusi
I noticed that people were consoling a crying colleague of mine, for she was rubbed. Where? Okene! My home town! Every one turned to look at me. “Are you from that wicked place?” cold sweat came over me. My mouth opened, no word. Times you hear news about Ebira on NTA, printed media or verbal it is disgusting, very shameful.
Few people started to calm me; I did not know I was shedding tears. I did not shed tears for the rubbed woman but, my land. Okene is definitely not the only place where rubbery is committed but, it is certainly the only place where brothers kill themselves for no just cause. A place where political crisis reigns for years yet no political position. It is a land where it is either killing for clannish differences or over nothing. What answers do we give when another ethnic groups ask why the killing and burning in our land always? I do not know whether those at home know the shame and challenges we outside the land always face. I thought I should do something but what? Do we still have listening ears in Ebiraland? Are there elders, good elders, some where in the land anymore? I picked my pen to write yet where do I start?
The problems of Ebiraland are many but can be summarized into political, clannish issues and “abstract”- no reason, incomprehensible cause. Our political front-liners empower our youth indeed, with guns for destruction instead of empowering the youth with scholarships and job (factory) for development. Tuggary is now a means of living for our teaming youths. Stopping the tuggary (crisis) is like retrenching workers, unless a civil alternative is provided. How many guns and ammunitions are there in Ebiraland as at today? Can these weapons be retrieved back? Ask the “gun-providers”
Knowing that Ebiraland is no longer in peace, the gun-providers (and others) now reside in Abuja (and elsewhere) with their children, while our children can no longer go to school. Would WAEC/NECO wait for Ebira candidates? Other peoples candidates would write and further their education then, in future will we say we are being marginalized (in education)? Thanks to our leaders who are suppose to be the light and spokesmen of the land. They use poverty as bait and tool to manipulate and influence people. They give people small, small money thereby blocking their reasoning faculty. Thus, how will they sincerely reduce poverty by establishing factories or vocational centres? If they fear their businesses or buildings would be burnt, who empowers the youths with weapons? It is very unfortunate that most of the youths have little or no exposure and enlightment. The children of those thug-employers are possibly outside Ebiraland or abroad, to come back and be “oza-obanyi” over the youths (thugs) and the youths’ children. It is quite pathetic the youth are being discouraged from schooling by this “lucrative” thuggery. Our schools even, the primary schools are dilapidated, none of the so called “elites” think it fit to help old school. Old school students clubs; where in Ebiraland?
Ogori-magogo was one out of ten (10) political wards that made up of Okene Local Government council, LGC before Ogori-magogo LGC was created. That one ward Ogori-magogo is now ten (10) wards equally as that of Okene LGC. Ebira would not agitate for more LGC (or state?) The dualization of Abuja-Lokoja road terminates just at Ebiraland boundary. Ajaokuta is rusting away, Ebira would not agitate for Ajaokuta but they could fight (kill) and burn houses because a brother is naturally and innocently another clan. Where are the “Ohajas”- the traditional leaders?
Cultures of other people like “Arugungu”, the Durban and Igala day are attracting foreigners and boasting their economic status but, Ebira cultural festivals are even scaring away the indigenes nonetheless, attracting other ethnic groups let alone foreigners. The clannish problems ravaging the unity, identity and progress of Ebiraland are as cumbersome as the custodians of our traditions have been polarized to bias, injustice, and of course politics. Instead to accept and support any one that is of proven integrity and capability to go to an elective position, they would decide backwardly on which clan is he/she from? The elders at home would prefer their own children to gun and die than to allow, accept and support someone from another clan. The competitive nature of our masquerades and “Ikede” is being transferred to politics. Ebira is on the verge of losing her identity. The bad, very bad image and effects of these negative vices are giving us are so shameful. Insults one dose not know how to rebuke.
National assignments do no longer reach our land especially the assessment of schools and water supply carried recently through out the country. Ebira around Ihima did not enjoy the free rounds of immunization in 2006, making our children who are future leaders liable to diseases, death and deformity. National census monitors/supervisors could not assess Ebiraland. What is our population by 2006 census? Thanks to our leaders. Now, to gain admission into higher institutions by our children is getting very difficult. Employing our jobless youth is another worrisome concern. How can Ebiraland develop when people are afraid to even travel through the land let alone establish. Worse still, our leaders are not providing jobs and businesses. Our value and recognition before government and individuals are steeply declining. Some Ebira of political and financial influence are aware of all these setbacks yet are silent until election time when someone will come from nowhere. And people who have ran away from their houses, who have cried over lost child (ren) will forget the past shortly. This is why I say serious, intensive and sustainable prayers and meetings (dialogues) are needed.
Who will help us when once in power they never want to relinquish, they want to win at all cost. The government seems deaf and dumb to the cries of Ebiraland. After all, government is politicians and her machineries. That is why those Anebira in academia, business, religious and traditional institutions MUST put hands on deck to rescue and restore the lost glory of Ebiraland. There are places where a ward councilor is a Ph.D holder. Ebira needs such educated and widely traveled people to represent her. We should not allow some bad politicians and historical abuses to intimidate us. There is a need to have a formidable council of elders to mediate, dialogue and select issues (representatives). These elders MUST be people of tested integrity, from the academia, business, religious and traditional groups and of course, the politicians. I advocate for power rotation among clans and LGCs. Individual Anebira in various places should live a better EBIRA- attitudinal change. I believe Ebira can still regain her glorious values and virtues if our dear leaders shed their swords, guide their tongues (and pen). Forgiveness, togetherness and dialogue are the watch words. May the Almighty guide us and our dear land.
Onuru-oyiza M. Sanusi, Minna |