FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Association of Enigie in Edo South Senatorial District has thrown its weight behind the ban placed on Okaigheles by the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki.
The Enigie in a statement signed by its President and Secretary, Professor Greg Akenzua and Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen, stated that the need to curb the excesses of the Okaegheles is one that should elicit the support of all right-thinking citizens.
They noted that there is no room for indifference on this matter or the making of political capital out of it.
“We call on decent people of our land to play our respective roles, to put an end to what has become the brigandage of youths under Okaegheles in desecration of our cherished tradition.
“We, members of the Association of Enigie, join in expressing our concern about how the traditional role of Okaegheles had in recent times become a monster in Edo South Senatorial District.
“We recall that it is because the excesses of the so called Community Development Associations, CDAs, had reached an alarming proportion, that their ban was greeted with such popular acclaim, when His Royal Majesty, Oba of Benin, Ewuare 11 in his coronation address about eight years ago, pronounced the ban on Community Development Associations,” the statement said
They said this was followed by and given legal backing by the enactment of Private Property Protection Law by the Edo State government.
Clearly the ban on CDAs is what paved the way for the re-emergence of Okaegheles as the Head of the Youth Age Grade in the Benin Traditional System.
“Having derived authority from the elders, the Okaeghele (Head of the Youths) was strictly supposed to be under their control and supervision. Unfortunately, in a short period of time, this turned out not to be the case. “
According to them, with the immense resources derivable from the sale of community land at their disposal, Okaegheles and their supporters, like the Community Development Associations of old, became a law unto themselves. Okaegheles now decide policies and sometimes choose who should be Odionwere and who should not,” they stated .
The Enigie alleged that they corrupt the corruptible and put at their beck and call lawyers, policemen, soldiers, other security agents and palace functionaries who are amenable to being corrupt.
Also, to maintain their hold, they acquired sophisticated firearms, created their army of armed thugs and found solace and strength in the membership of secret cults with local and national spread, which they put to use as they deemed fit. Little wonder, the wanton needless taking of lives that is now the order of the day in Edo Land. They dispose of huge parcels of land cheaply and sometimes in exchange for cars and invariably end up living lavishly, building hotels, vast estates, promoting and funding cult rivalry.
Invariably, as available land is not inexhaustible, they (Okaegheles) started resell lands earlier disposed of, and instigated boundary disputes between communities that before now had lived in peace and good neighbourliness.
In this sordid tale, the elders in the community lost control and often play second fiddle out of fear for self preservation.
They alleged that contrary to the well planned road network, for which our ancestors received accolades from time immemorial, today, new areas are characterised by narrow roads that cannot accommodate two vehicles driving side by side, roads that come to abrupt end, cities with no provision of land for public schools, markets, playground, parks or cemeteries. In the era of land grabbing that defined the roles of the Okaeghele, every piece and parcel of community land is available for sale, to fill their private pockets.
It is with all of the above in mind that we can understand the reaction of Governor Godwin Obaseki, following the last Edo State Security Council meeting, wherein the decision was taken to ban the position of Okaegheles in our society.
Initially, we observed that there were shared concerns over the excesses of Okaegheles between the government and the Palace of the Oba of Benin, as was the case when CDAs were banned. But this was until those who seek to politicise all issues went to work.
The Enigie of Edo South Senatorial District harped on the need to curb the excesses of the Okaigheles, adding that it should elicit the support of all right thinking citizens. There is no room for indifference on this matter or the making of political capital out of it. We call on decent people in our land, to play our respective roles, put an end to what has become the brigandage of youths under Okaegheles, in desecration of our cherished tradition.
