The podium received experts and zealous minds who spewed profundity and tyrade on the burning matter of insecurity ravaging the once peaceful communities of Weppa, Wanno and Uzanu, located at the northern part of Edo State.
The event was the Biennial Retreat of the Weppa Wanno Pyramid Club of Nigeria held at the Bon Hotel, Asaba, with the theme: “Addressing insecurity: A panacea to achieving food security and poverty alleviation”.
Weppa Wanno Pyramid Club of Nigeria, one of the foremost social cultural clubs in Weppa, Wanno and Uzanu extraction directed the entire focus of the biennial retreat on tackling menace of insecurity which not only disturb the peace of the communities, but gradually plodding the entire area into unproductivity.
The discussion centered on three major areas which are; assessment of the current level of insecurity, its impact on the communities and concerted plans to fight it. No angle was spared, no opinion was relegated and no option was omitted in finding a lasting solution to the challenge.
Papers presented on the matter of insecurity include
The impact of insecurity on socio-economic development in Weppa, Wanno and Uzanu by Major General Cecil Esekhaigbe Rtd
Addressing insecurity: A panacea to achieving food security and poverty alleviation by His Excellency Rt. Honorable Dennis Idahosa, Deputy Governor of Edo State
Rev Fr Anaedevha gave a vivid assessment of the situation on ground with a view to convey insight and suggestions on the way out.
From all presentations, the most fearful impact is the reduced farming activities by local farmers who now seldomly go to their farms for fear of being kidnapped, rapped (for women) or outright murdered. Food shortage is becoming a threat as farming output has begun to decline.
Speaking with CEM Television at the end of the session, President of Pyramid Club, Dr George Oboh expressed confidence on the commitment of the club to the implementation of the actionable plans contained in the communique that will be issued.
“You may have heard me when I was addressing members of the club after the presentations that after this retreat, if we did not take concerted effort to act on the outcome, the retreat would have amounted to effort in futility.
“In my final words, I called on Chapter Chairmen to mobilize their members; because, security doesn’t come cheap and security is everybody’s business.
“As a club, we want to been seen at the fore front towards securing our communities. A lot of things have been said here. Going out of this place, we must begin to act on the recommendation.
“We go home every year and we don’t want a situation where we will be afraid to go home. So, this is something that touches every member of the club, and so it beckons on every member of the club to make the necessary sacrifice.
“Incidentally, there is already a coalition, Weppa, Wanno and Uneme Coalition that is at the fore front and is now like a vehicle we are using to drive this process of fighting the insecurity menace in our communities. We will support this coalition to fight this war; because, it is an existential war and we will not relent until we win it.
Dr Oboh also expressed confidence in the channel through which the outcome of the retreat is expected to get to the table of government.
“Incidentally, we have a member who is a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, he was with us throughout today in the person of Hon. Kingsley Ugabi. For one who operate at that level, he took note of what we were saying. He is in a position to reach others in the house and possibly articulate some of the things we put forward today”; George Oboh said.
Hon. Kingsley Ugabi agreed that insecurity is now a menace as he lay credence to the commendation given to the Governor of Edo State, Sen. Monday Okpevholo.
“Insecurity is now a menace not only in Agenebode, Edo State, but globally.
“A lot of issues opened up here today where we heard some of the past presidents commending the government of Distinguished Senator Monday Okpevholo for all what he’s been doing. But unfortunately, insecurity has really affected the people of our communities turning what should have been a blessing into channel of threat. The River Niger is now being used by kidnappers, the rail transport which came recently is now being used also.
“…..The communique that will come out from here will form part of policy direction for the government to ensure that solution is proffered.
Hon. Kingsley Ugabi encouraged the people of Weppa, Wanno and Uzanu to remain focus until the war is worn
“I talk in pain and tears because lives have been lost and there is fear all over our communities. This is an issue we have to face head on. We should not be deterred. Just as we are meeting “now, other clubs are meeting, traditional institutions are meeting and the vigilante are being encouraged. It’s our home, we cannot run away from our home and by the grace of God, we will overcome this”; Hon. Ugabi said.
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