Afemai Development Summit over the weekend in Abuja made a passionate call for the creation of Afemai State, emphasizing the need for equity, justice, and fairness.
The summit, which brought various issues to the forefront, emphasized the need for a special education trust fund to foster both economic and human capital development in Edo North and promote unity in the region.
Osilama Emmanuel Osilama, in his keynote address, underscored the significance of unity, education, and human capital development for the progress and prosperity of the Afemai people. He stressed that the creation of Afemai State is not merely about development but also about securing Edo North’s rightful position within Nigeria.
Osilama urged the people of Edo North to collectively address the challenges facing the Afemai people, including poverty, political instability, and lack of access to education and healthcare. He emphasized that education is the key to unlocking the potential of the Afemai Nation and advocated for the establishment of educational endowment funds and a retirement fund in every community.
He also highlighted the importance of addressing adult literacy and urged the elders in the area to take proactive steps in this regard.
The summit was attended by various stakeholders, including former Governor of Edo State and serving Senator of Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomoleh, represented by his aide, Victor Oshioke, and Deputy Governor of Edo State, Omobayo Godwins, also represented by his aide and a host of others.
Osilama stated, “We deserve to have our own state, and the time is now. Let us seize this moment to forge a stronger, more prosperous future for our people in unity of purpose and contentment.”
He went on, “An Afenmai State can exist despite its small size if Bayelsa State, Imo State, Ebonyi State, Akwa Ibom, and Ekiti State can. The time for its creation has arrived.”
The senior aide to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Victor Oshioke, outlined the senator’s accomplishments since taking office and promised to maintain the high standards he established as governor, now that he is in the Senate.
Attending the Summit, Barrister Sule Shu’aibu, the Anthony General of Kaduna State and Commissioner of Justice, said it was the best thing that had ever happened to the Afemai people.
The Okpella Ute Youth Association, on the other hand, expressed their dissatisfaction with the slow rate of development in the community and drew attention to the discrepancy between the Okpella community’s substantial economic contributions to Edo State and the lack of investment and advancement in the community.
Mr. Ofodi Friday, one of the youth group’s representatives, contended that it is unfair to ignore a community like Okpella, which is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and draws in investors, but is denied its proper share of the money generated by the sale of limestone. He emphasized that it is critical that the forum establish a venue for the evaluation and criticism of local politicians following their election to office.
