By Ejiro Nesisa
Oghara Elite Forum (OEF) the foremost socio-cultural organization in the Kingdom has urged all sons and daughters Oghara both at home and abroad to collaborate with one and another as well as the organization to move the kingdom forward. This, the body said, is to enhance the socio-economic as well as the cultural advancement of the people.
The group made this known during the inauguration of new executive members which saw the emergence of Dr. Jacob E. Ighere as the elected President of the group to pilot the affairs of the body for the next three years.
In his speech, the President, Dr. Ighere said the Forum was founded 24 years ago with selfless mandate to pursue the socio-economic and educational development of members of the kingdom as well have opportunities, peaceful coexistence, political mobilisation of the kingdom as well as justice and fair play in all human endeavours for the people of Oghara in particular and the state and nation in general. He prayed God to enable his administration make milestone achievements.
His words:“It is my earnest prayer and desire, that in my time, OEF will make milestone achievements by fostering peace among our youths, seek educational scholarships, job opportunities for our people especially our children, pursue cohesion among the two major sections of Oghara among other glaring needs.
” I hereby solicit the assistance of my able and capable Oghara sons and daughters home and in Diaspora to help us deliver our selfless mandates for the good of Oghara Kingdom. Some of our needs are co-operation, moral supports and encouragement from all relevant power brokers, agencies and ruling class in Oghara and beyond to help us deliver our selfless mandates for the good and progress of our people. My humble and passionate request to HRM Noble Eshemitan, Orefe III, Ovie of Oghara Kingdom and his Council of Chiefs is give us, OEF, a land to build a befitting Secretariat for the Forum”
In his address, Olorogun Emmanuel Okpako Ganiga, a London-based legal icon who was Chairman of the ceremony, charged the new executive to work assiduously in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders and Oghara people to ensure that the selfless mandate of moving Oghara to much more enviable heights is achieved.
Olorogun Ganiga who was represented by Dr.Ben Rollands Igbakpa, the immediate past Member, House of Representatives (Ethiope Federal Constituency), assured the Forum of his collaboration with them whenever the need arises.
Speaking in his capacity as member of the Forum, Dr. Igbakpa called on the Dr. Ighere led Forum to rise up to the challenge of returning Oghara to its lost political glory, saying, there was a time Oghara was at the top politically but now, Oghara has lost its privileged position politically. His words:” There must be genuine reconciliation politically for Oghara to move on and the Forum has to act on it.”
On his part, Chief Joseph Ogunje, the immediate past President General of the Forum, charged his successor and the Forum to focus more on the issues of children’s dropping out of school and high rate of youths’ involvement in drugs.
While expressing confidence on Dr. Ighere’s ability to pilot the affairs of the Forum alright, he said, he was much aware that Dr. Ighere can use his wealth of his experience as an astute academic to make meaningful change in Oghara Kingdom.
On his part, the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom HRM Noble Eshemitan Orefe III who was represented by Dr Frank Emiko, Secretary, the palace of Ovie of Oghara Kingdom congratulated the executive and charged them to ensure that the respect and culture of Oghara Kingdom is preserved.