The owan people from Edo district under the auspices of owan conscience recently held a submit where the issue of marginalization within the senatorial district and betterment of the zone took a front burner .
The owans occupies two local government of the 6 local government areas of Edo north
The convener of Owan Conscience and former chairman of Owan West Local Government Council, Richard Ofen-Imu who doubles as the chairman of the planning committee of the maiden edition of ‘Owan Summit held in Afuze ,posited that Owan is battling with a myriad of challenges ranging from underdevelopment, disunity, political marginalization and insecurity.
Ofen-Imu who described the
Owan Summit as apt and timely said,”I welcome you to the maiden edition of this event,christened Owan Summit.The event which is the first of its kind in the history of Owan, is intended to bring Owan sons and daughters together with the aim of charting a new path for our collective growth.This Summit was principally put together to underline our plight as a people and explore all possible avenues to enhance our betterment.
“Owan Conscience was put in place as a response initiative to give proper placing to Owan people in the political and economic space of Edo State.Currently, Owan is battling with marginalization and insecurity.”
On his part, a university don and Zonal Coordinator of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),Benin Zone, Prof.Monday Igbafe who gave the key note address delivered at Owan Summit titled ‘Transcending The Miasma Of Ethnic Chauvinism: Towards a people centred development in Edo North’, called for fairness and equity in the sharing of political power among three (3) sub-ethnic groups of Edo North/Senatorial District.
“Surely, the summit is germane against the backdrop of growing sense of ethnic dominance, marginalization, relegation and alienation in Edo North Senatorial district by one sub-ethnic group against others.
“Edo North of Edo State comprises three sub-ethnic groupings of the Etsako, Owan and Akoko-Edo. Administratively, this area is organized under six (6) Local Government Areas. Etsako has three (3) Local Government Areas (Etsako Central, Etsako East and Etsako West); Owan two (2) Owan East and Owan West); and one (1) for Akoko-Edo (Akoko-Edo). The miasma of ethnic chauvinism is reflected in unfair, inequitable and ethnic dominance in the politics of ‘who gets what, when and how’ in Edo North.
“At the receiving end of this miasma of ethnic chauvinism are the Owan and Akoko-Edo sub-ethnic groups, evident in undisguised political repression and marginalization. The ingredients of political repression include the sheer insensitivity to the single shot of 4 years each by Owan and Akoko-Edo respectively at the Edo North Senatorial seat in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria since 1999 while Etsako is running 16 years in the Senate without break.
“The expressed fear of ethnic dominance which was the reason for this clarion call made last year is today more germane because the palpable fear has become a reality. The reality is that the Etsako sub-ethnic group with just three Local Government Areas is running (16) sixteen years in the Senate in a row, while the rest three Local Government Areas of Owan East and West and Akoko-Edo are marginalized “
Also Speaking, Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku adviced owan people to come together, saying it will no longer be an appendage to other ethnic groups in the scheme of things.
His words:”The Owan Summit is long overdue, but it is never too late. Owan will no longer be an appendage to other ethnic groups. Let us avoid pull-him-down syndrome. If an Owan man is excelling, an Owan man will want to pull him down. Equity and fair sharing are also very important, for progress, development and peaceful co-existence. Owan Nation has been marginalised for a very long time. Now, we need to take the bull by the horns. Rest assured, I will stand for Owan people anyday, anytime.
“I want to thank you, as the Speaker representing you in Edo State House of Assembly. You
