By. K S S Enebe
First and once again, I sympathize with the innocent lives lost in Owo sacrilege and every other innocent lives taken by few heartless monsters amongst us across Nigeria so far so sad.
Among the verse responsible and concerned Egbira tribal people of Nigeria, I lend my voice, condemnation and prayers to the unfortunate incident in Owo and never anticipated any Egbira extraction to be or can be involved in the forbidden act by any typical Egbira people.
“Egbira” as we are known and called means “good character”. Therefore, in the history of Egbira sons and daughters are known for Transparency, accountability, humane, love non indigens, abhors cheating, struggles for uprightness and dint of hardworking at home and in wherever they find themselves which has placed Egbira notable sons and daughters in responsible leadership positions worthy to mention but a few notable Egbiras to remind and educate people more about the sacred Egbira people who have In no small way contributed to the unity and progress of Nigeria in their various committed chosen endeavors which includes:-
✓1953- Historic visit of the great sheik Ibrahim of kaolakh of senegal to Egbira land due to the humane and unique characters of Egbiras who eventually married a beautiful Ebira girl, Hajiya Belikisu Abdumalik.
✓ Engr. Mark A. Icha – First trained hydraulic engineer in the northern Nigeria
✓ Abdulmalik Atta- First Nigeria High commission to Britain.
✓ J.U .Ohikere – First chairman of Nigeria port authority..
✓. Abdulramman okene – First secretary to kwara state government and Chairman,AREWA consultative.
✓ Abdulazeez Atta- First secretary to the federal military government during Gowon regime.
✓ Alh Adamu Atta – First civilian executive governor of kwara state.
✓. Habib Raji Abdallah – a bold ,forthright Egbira son and a front
Liner in the struggle for Nigeria independence to whom the British handed over the “UNION JACK” as the symbol of the Republic of Nigeria.
✓ Engr A.T Ahmed- First Managing Director of Nigeria Airport Authority who built (14) fourteen airports at the various states of Nigeria to his credit.
✓ Dr. Tom Adaba- First Director General, Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation
✓. Prof. Yaqoob Nuhu, former vice chancellor of University of Abuja, under whose tenure actualised the relocation of the university from temporary to permanent site.
✓ Alh.Aliu Atta – Inspector general of Nigeria police
✓. Gen. Sahilu Ibrahim – Chief of Staff,Nigerian army.
✓ Engr.Joseph Makonju – MD NEPA and Group MD Dangote group of companies.
✓ Justice, Moses Bello – First president, Federal customary court of Appeals.
✓ Hon Mohammed Adoke Minister of justice and Anthony general of the Federation.
✓ Mr. Austin Olusegun Oniwon former GMD- NNPC
✓ Alh yahaya Adoza Bello – First youngest Elected Executive governor of Kogi state and in Nigeria who has demonstrated the abhorrence of Egbiras for laziness, cheating, uprightness, criminalities of any form which has globally earned him and by extension Egbiras the safest and insecurity containment sitting governor within kogi state and environs among his contemporaries. Above all, the afforementioned Egbira personalities have left legacies at home and at the various places of services.
Ladies and gentlemen, respected positive minded readers, let me add that Egbira extraction by extension and blood relationship has occupied positions of leaderships across some states of Nigeria which includes the former governors of Bauchi state,H.E. Alh. M.A. Abubakar, Ondo state, H.E, Olusegun Mimiko and Oyo state, H.E Dr. Lam Adesina. with the few extracted positive facts presented above about the Egbira people of Nigeria you will agree less with me that the stereotype tagged on the Egbira people by any individual, groups or authorities, ethnic or race are done out of ignorance/envy and must be properly readdress by relevant stakeholders and authorities. It must be noted, that other ethnic tribes leaves their lives in Egbiraland which includes Hausa/Fulanis, yorubas and Igbos who occupied the business space without fears likewise Egbiras whose individual wrongs should not be used to derogate their tribal reputation for whatever motive or motivation than making the culprits to face the consequences of their offences. The Egbiras are principled, Just and Forthrights as a rear breeds which are the requirements of moral Citizens …..
Once more again Egbiras are in support of a unified and progressive Nigeria therefore, is and will not in anyway support any wrongs by whoever is involved contrary to the Laws and peace of Nigeria who should be made to face the consequences of their offences.