– Seeks Ebira unity
The Ebira Peoples Association (EPA) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to take a patriotic look at the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Complex with the view to urgently bring it back on stream. Specifically, the Association advocated for a holistic redesign of the master-plan of the steel project and engagement of the original builders in order to come to terms with the overall capacity and function of the giant complex.
Giving its position on key challenges confronting the people of Ebiraland in a communiqué at the end of a one-day interface between EPA and civil society organisations in Kogi Central senatorial district held in Abuja last Thursday, the Association advised the federal government to create a Ministry of Steel Development or in the alternative, a National Steel Development Authority, “which shall be managed by metallurgical experts, with the responsibility of regulating the production and pricing of steel in line with international best practices.”
Hosted on the theme: “Unity of Ebira; A Panacea for Socio-Economic and Political Development,” the President General of EPA, Dr. Adeiza Abdulrahaman, in a welcome address harped on the preservation of the cultural legacies of Ebira people as well as the need to harness the strategic geographical location of the land as the gateway to the North and the South of the country for commercial viability.
Dr Abdulraham also enjoined Anebira to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness which would foster unity required for them to be politically relevant in Kogi in particular and Nigeria in general, for maximum developmental benefits.
“We need leaders in the mould of our forefathers, who sacrificed their comforts by converting the rooms, parlours and garages of their houses to dormitories for the indigent children of the community to have access to education,” he said.
The state government showed support for EPA with a high powered delegation led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, Arc Mumuni Okara, and Director General, Bureau of Lands, Hajia Ladi Ibrahim, as well as Chairmen of Adavi and Ajaokuta local government areas The communiqué was signed by the Editor-in-Chief of Blueprint Newspapers, Hajia Zainab Okino; Barr Zakari Aliyu, and Franca Aiyetan.
