By DADA AYOKHAI
The 15th convention of the Afenmai world Congress AWC the umbrella body of all Afemai associations, clubs, and unions in the diaspora was held in the United States amidst fun and fanfare .
Top Afenmai dignitaries such as the Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu, and a host of others including Hon. Afishetu Braimoh, the former Edo State commissioner of Business, Trade, and Cooperatives and the royal father of Ekperi land, HRH DYE Kanoba, graced the occasion .
Past Presidents of the AWC also attended the convention. Their support and presence made all the difference.
For fifteen unbroken years now, the Afenmai World Congress (AWC) has recorded major successes in helping to showcase as well as propagate the Afenmai cultural heritage across the globe.
The theme of this year’s convention was “Afenmai Youth and Entrepreneurship”, and a delighted AWC President, Princess Fatima Dankono covered every inch of the blade of the event venue, trying to ensure that she and her team were able to deliver a highly successful convention.
Princess Dankono holds the record of being the first and only Afenmai woman to lead the all-powerful AWC.
The majority of the dignitaries and the other guests who attended the convention came from within and outside the shores of the United States.
Hon. Braimoh who was attending the convention for the first time came into public consciousness, particularly as a result of the profound dexterity she exhibited in the handling of her portfolio.
During her short but eventful tenure as a commissioner, she was able to breathe life back into the local MSMEs as well well as the bold way she pursued the “Made in Edo” policy of the state government, making sure it gained sound footing among the people .
In an interview with a sister online publication, Hon. Braimoh said she felt elated attending the convention, adding her joy tripled on knowing the AWC is headed by a woman, stressing that she is doing a fantastic job steering the affairs of the body.
She said “It gladdens my heart to know that the current AWC President is a woman. She is the first woman to lead the body. This is certainly the most successful convention in the fifteen-year history of the AWC”.
Hon. Shaibu, the state deputy governor, was the special guest of honour at the event.
In his speech, he acknowledged the massive contributions the AWC made in helping the state government overcome some of its developmental problems, saying the AWC was the only body that presented a cheque to aid the state government tackle the flood crisis which ravaged many communities.
In addition, the AWC responded to the clarion call at the peak of the insecurity by donating a large sum of money with which the state government added to, to procure security gadgets as well as vehicles.
In particular, Hon. Shaibu praised the AWC for realigning its focus to tackling contemporary social problems, insisting the theme of the convention was apt as it would help give Afenmai youths the reorientation and skills needed to excel and survive in a dynamic world.
The high point of the convention was the conferment of a chieftaincy title of
the Ekpedotse of Ekperi Clan, which means Tiger doesn’t buy beauty
on the AWC President, Princess Fatima Dankono by monarch of Ekperi land, HRH Alhaji D. Y. E. Kanoba .
