ESAN PEOPLE ARE THE PROBLEMS OF ESANLAND –Prof Omo-Ojugo
By: Godwins Oriaifoh
The state of comatose and quagmire in the pace of development in Esan Land, has been attributed to the self-centeredness and individualistic tendencies amongst Esan people.
This assertion was made by Prof. Matthew Omo-Ojugo in a paper he presented, titled; “EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND UNITY IMPERATIVES FOR ACTUALIZATION OF ESAN AGENDA” on the occasion of the inauguration of “Esan Akugbe for Good Leadership Forum,” an event that held at Esan west secretariat council hall in Ekpoma on Saturday, the 24th of September, 2022.
Professor Omo-Ojugo who hailed several eminent personalities of Esanland that one way or the other, did Esan proud, the likes of Late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, Late Professor Ambrose Alli and Late Chief Anthony Aneni, including others like Chief Tomi Ikimi, Sir Chief Dr. F. E. Ulinfun, JP, Rt. Rev. Matthew Okpebholo, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Dr. Asue Ighodalo of Ewohimi, Chief Ikpea of Ewatto and Elder Pius O. Omofuma, amongst several others, said the Esan people should begin to learn how to rally round, support and appreciate their own, as evidence abounds that Esan people are fond of condemning prominent Esan people that have done Esan proud.
Describing the attitude of many Esan people as “Pull Him Down Syndrome”, Professor Omo-Ojugo said; ‘We recollect with great remorse and sadness the betrayal of late Prof A. F. Alli, when he was the first Executive Governor of the defunct Bendel State. The late Prof A. F. Alli died for his fatherland. He was accused falsely of embezzlement of public funds, even when he never had a house of his own. It was observed that some persons of Esan extraction testified against him during his trial…’
Continuing, he said. lack of cooperation and unanimity of purpose towards the attainment of a common goal, which is as a result of selfish inordinate ambition, is often responsible for what he called the Pull Him Down syndrome amongst Esan people.
Professor Omo-Ojugo also pointed out that, Edo state also at some point had another governor, Prof. O. A. Osunbor, of Esan extraction, but in the same vein, it is on record that quite a number of Esan people went rejoicing and jubilating when a court judgment removed Professor Osunbor from office.
Professor Omo-Ojugo however regrets to point out that; ‘…in spite of the fact that the position of the Chief Executive for Edo State would have eluded Esan land for 22 years by the year 2024, there are still a number of people of Esan extraction, who are ready and well prepared to fight and work for non-Esan persons to become the next Governor of Edo State come 2024’.
This unfortunate nature of conspiracy to betray political leaders in public offices by our people, he said, amounts to sabotage and derailment in attainment of our common goal in the development of Esanland.
The Professor, who said, unity and patriotism in pursuing laudable goals, does not imply that we should encourage corruption by people who hold public offices, however added that; ‘…the politics of pull him down resulting from hatred, selfish inordinate ambition should be condemned and abhorred’.
Lastly Professor Omo-Ojugo used the opportunity to urge the leadership of “Akugbe for Good Leadership Forum” to set up a body of enlightened Esan sons and daughters to serve in quizzing political aspirants for Esan people to hold them liable should they fail to meet up with their electioneering promises and vows.