Eggon Traditional Rulers, Elders, Stakeholders Bless, Endorse Moves Towards Reconciliation, Development In Eggon Land
Arising from a re-union banquet recently held at Manyi Royal Suites (precisely on 19th September, 2020), a committee was constituted to dig into the challenges confronting the Eggon people in all spheres of human endeavour – politics, economy, education, agriculture, culture etc – and proffer the way forward out of these challenges.
The committee, named Eggon Re-Union and Development Committee, is made up of the following: Pro U D Mohammed – Chairman; Mr Matthew Kuju – Secretary; Alhaji Yakubu Angyo; Prof Peter Agu; Mrs Esther Samuel Alu; Dr Mrs Victoria Usman, Mr David F Allu, Barr Anthony Akika and Alhaji Abdullahi Yahaya Muhammad.
Immediately after the banquet, the Committee hit the ground running by mapping out work plan which it has been adhering to in the discharge of its assignment.
It was against this background that consultative meetings are being held across the State and beyond with the mandate of hearing out the challenges that brought the Eggon nation to the present state and proffer the solutions to the challenges identified.
The Committee has been meeting with a cross section of traditional rulers, Council of Elders, associations and groups in Eggon land.
In all the meetings thus far held, the assignment being carried out by the Committee has been endorsed and commended by the people. The calibre of the people that make up the composition of the Committee was highly commended by all the traditional rulers and stakeholders the Committee has met thus far.
On Thursday November 5, 2020, the Committee met with the Aren Arikya, Alhaji Usman Abbas Babba.
The meeting, which held at the NUJ Press Centre, Makurdi road, had in attendance many District and Village Heads as well as Traditional Title Holders from Arikya Chiefdom.
To crown it all, the position paper of the Arikya people was quite good, frank and instructive. The presentation was done by Alhaji Ibrahim Massalaci Isa, holder of traditional title of Magajin Mallam Arikya.
On Friday 6th November, 2020, the Committee was at the palace of the Aren Akun, Akpata where the Chairman briefed the traditional ruler and most of the District and Village Heads of the Chiefdom who were present about the assignment of the Committee.
In his response, the Aren Akun, Alhaji Usman Galadima Umbugadu appreciated the visit and declared his support as well as blessed the work of the Committee.
Later in the afternoon of the same day, stakeholders from Nasarawa North Senatorial District converged at the Community Hall, Ubbe where they were briefed about the committee’s work.
Some of the stakeholders bared their minds on what they felt were the challenges confronting Eggon people and how those challenges could be overcome.
Some of the stakeholders submitted memo t the Committee.
The Consultative meeting with the Aren Eggon held on Thursday November 12, 2020 at the Aren Eggon palace.
The consultative meeting It was well attended as most of the District and Village Heads were in attendance.
It should be reported that leader of Igbo, Yoruba, Tiv and Fulani tribal groups residing in Nassarawa Eggon Local Government were also in attendance.
The meeting was moderated by the Wazirin Eggon, Honourable Justice Ahmed Ubangari and the Dangaladiman Eggon, Dr James Angbazo represented the Aren Eggon. The Re-Union Committee was led by the Chairman, Prof U D Mohammed.
Others present are: Alhaji Yakubu Angyo, Dr Mrs Victoria Usman, Mrs Esther S. Alu, Abdullahi Yahaya (AY) and the Secretary, Mr Matthew Kuju.
The chairman was able to adequately explain the essence of the committee and the people present overwhelmingly accepted the project.
The Aren Eggon eventually blessed the project and wished the Committee well. Photos above tell some of the story of the event.
On Friday November 20, 2020, the Re-Union Committee was in Keffi, precisely at Eggon Hall, Tudun Amama, where it met with Eggon stakeholders from Nasarawa West Senatorial District, in continuation of the consultative meetings to address the hindrances to development (political, economic, social, cultural, educational, etc) in Eggon land.
At the meeting, the Chairman of the Committee, Prof U D Mohammed led other members of the group.
Present at the meeting were Eggon cultural and community leaders in Keffi. Although the turnout was not as high as anticipated, there was fair presence of Eggon people from Keffi, Kokona and Karu areas.
After the prayers, the Committee Chairman took over. He first introduced the Committee members present and took time to explain the assignment.
When chance was offered for contributions and presentations by the stakeholders, it was noticed that many people wanted to air their views on the challenges confronting the Eggon people and the way forward as many hands were up. However, due to time constraints, five people were identified to speak on behalf of others. One person who though not among the five but was given special privilege was the immediate past ECDA President, Comrade James Ali Manzah who also bared his mind.
The people who spoke were indeed frank with their positions (problems and solutions) which were well noted down.
According to the Committee, plans were still on ground to meet other Eggon stakeholders from within and outside the State.
