CEM REPORT, SOCIAL WORKS | The Usagbe Club of Nigeria has released a Communique containing resolutions reached at the conclusion of the 2023 edition of its Annual Retreat/Convention held at Limoh Suites, GRA Benin City, from 7th to 9th July.
The 2 pages document signed by the President of the Club, Sir Paul Inape Izenuwa and the Secretary, Barr. Emmanuel Etiuzalle dwelt majorly on maintaining its disciplinary structure which has preserved the vision of the club over the years, as well as the developmental needs of Weppa, Wanno and Uzanu communities which they represent in terms of infrastructure.
The Communique reads;
The Retreat/Convention was attended by over 115 participants made up of Club members and guests including the Deputy Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Right Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, Hon. Kingsley Ugabi, Member representing Etsako East in the Edo State House of Assembly and Hon. Dekeri Anamero, the Member representing Etsako Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives who was ably represented.
With the theme ‘Sustaining Community in a Dynamic Political Environment’, the lead lectures that drove deliberations at the Convention were ‘Membership Discipline – Pathway to the growth of Usagbe Club of Nigeria’ delivered by a Past President of the Club, Emmanuel Imoagene, ‘Creating an Enabling Environment for Investment in Weppa, Wanno and Uzanu Communities: Focus on Education and Infrastructure’, by another Past President, Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and a health talk on “Prostrate Enlargement” given by another past President of the club Professor John Ikimalo. The conclusions were as follows:
- Members agreed that discipline among the membership of the club constitute the bedrock of fostering cohesion and regeneration and re-engineering of the ethics and ethos of the Club.
- Members agreed that there was a need to re-engineer and renew the Club in view of current realities and enable it face future challenges.
- There was a consensus that more youth were required to be recruited into the club and those already admitted should be challenged with critical roles as a way to achieve generational shift to sustain the mission and vision of the club as instituted by the founding fathers of the club.
- The lack of basic infrastructure at the grassroot and community level was noted as a strong disincentive for any viable investment in Weppa and Wanno Clans
- The need for synergy and collaboration between the government, local communities and political leaders to enhance economic development was stressed.
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- The cooperation and understanding of the elites from the Weppa and Wanno communities was strongly solicited to stimulate their interest to consider making commercial investment initiatives at the community level and the efforts of those who had done their best in this regard was highly commended and celebrated
- The importance of cultural and normative changes to foster development and unity within the community was emphasized
- Participants were delighted to hear that electricity supply to Weppa and Wanno communities would be improved in a matter of weeks with the connection of both clans to the national grid through the Okpella/Fugar trunk lines and that the inhibiting factors were being addressed.
- Participants noted with appreciation the announcement by the Deputy Governor that the State Government had concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dangote and BUA Groups for the construction of a link road between Okpella, Weppa and Wanno Clans.
- Participants acknowledged the need to discard and abolish certain native beliefs, norms and practices that are not only anti-social but also repressive of human and societal development.
- Participants were advised to take their health status seriously by a timely, regular and periodic health checks for early detection and prevention/therapy to avoid sudden health challenges like the enlargement of the prostrate among men
- Participants noted the assurance of the Deputy Governor of the resolve of the state government to address the shortage of teachers in schools in Weppa and Wanno clans through the EDOBEST program and that plans were in top gear to establish a University of Agriculture in Agenebode
- Participants further noted the assurance of the State Government to quickly deplore resources to repair the failed portion of the Auchi-Agenebode Road at Ayogwiri.
- Participants noted with applause that the State Government had commenced implementation of its plans to construct an airport in Afemai land.
The Club, through its President, thanked His Excellency, the Deputy of Governor of Edo State and representatives of the people of Weppa and Wanno Clans in the National and State Houses of Assembly for their attendance and active participation in the Convention.
