The vanishing glory of Ebiraland.
By Otori Ozigi
For starters, ebiraland is a tribe located in kogi central, north central, Nigeria.
It is a rocky enclave populated by hard working, energetic and well cultured men. The women are very beautiful, highly enterprising and industrious.
The elites are very intelligent, humble and proud of a heritage bound in hardwork,peace and industry.
The community had given the world eminent professionals, captains of industry, top brass crop of brave and patriotic members of the armed forces and the paramilitary.
The political class are loyal and competent men and women, imbued with vision and astute leadership qualities that have carved a niche for themselves in their various capacities and positions in the polity.
The academics are highly brilliant, leading lights and bright minds in their chosen field of endeavors.
The professionals are making their marks in the socio-economic architecture globally.
Once upon a time ebiraland produced men and women like late Abdulazeez Attah, the first Nigeria secretary to the federal government.
The enclave have given the world the likes of late George Ohikere, IGP Aliu Attah, DIG Abdulraheem Yusuf, late General Salihu Ibrahim,late Abdulrahaman Okene, late Mahmoud Attah, Iate colonel Omananyi, late Adamu Attah, Ambassadors Usman Bello, M.K. Ibrahim, S.A. Lawal,Late Alhaji Musa Etudaiye, General Yusuf Ahmuda, late Engineer Sule Aliyu, among others.
We also have the likes of Engr. Austin Oniwon, Alhaji Mohammed Adoke SAN, Engr. Sam Ohuoutu, late Engr. Joseph Makoju, Alhaji Mohammed Ataba, Alhaji Sanusi Abubakar. and late Onukaba Adinoyi Ojo,who are true mirrors of the community and role models to our younger generation.
Ebiraland, at last the count, have produced no fewer than 90 professors who are making their contributions to knowledge and nation building in the country.
These include Prof. Nuhu Yabub, Prof. M. S. Audu, Prof.Angela Okatahi ,Prof.Marietu Tenuche,,Prof.Tijani Abdulsalam,Prof.Mike Ogirima and Prof.Avidime, to mention but a few.
Among the political class, we have the likes of Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, Dr. Phillips Salawu, Chief Patrick Adaba, Chief Isa Ozi Salami, Senator Yakubu Oseni, Late A.T.Ahmed, Late Senator Pius Lasisi, Senator Barrister Natasha Akpoti and Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman.
Meanwhile, I am highly saddened that our generation may never groom any bonafide replacement to take over from our senior citizens in the nearest future.
What we have now are half baked politicians and professionals who are not interested in building a career worthy of global attention and repute.
What a vanishing glory.
– Otori Ozigi, a veteran journalist and PR Consultant, writes from Okene.