AGBOR 2011 CONFERENCE: THE GATHERING OF GREAT MINDS

It was a gathering of who is who in Agbor kingdom on Saturday 10th December, 2011 at the Agbor Community Hall, Ime-Obi, as the Dein Royal Palace, Agbor hosted the maiden edition of Pan Agbor Conference. The conference which has the theme, "Harnessing the Strength in unity" was chaired by Prof. J.E Alika. Members of Agbor community from different branches across the country, including captains of industries, politicians, Chiefs, community and opinion leaders, businessmen, women and youths were all in attendance. It was an in-house thing for Agbor indigenes.

In her welcome address, Chief (Mrs) Ajuebon-Egbarin JP, thanked God for the Dein and the entire people of Agbor, saying that for there to be effective growth and development, all Agbor people must learn how to solidarise and work in unity with one another. While appreciating His Majesty, Mr. Jim Ovia, Ika weekly newspaper, the Queen Mother and Delta State Commissioner for Millennium Development Goals, Prince Adams Gbenoba, Sir Fortune Ebie, Gen Nick Agbogun and Dan Usifoh for the great roles they are playing towards the growth and development of Agbor, she enjoined all to put their differences aside and look for the way forward for their people.

The chairman of the occasion, Prof. J. E Alika, speaking on the topic: "Creating a Community Model for Development", identified the problems of disunity, selfishness, insincerety, greed, dishonesty and abject poverty as factors hindering the growth and development of Ika South Local Government.

He suggested that the problems could be solved if the following factors are considered first, that scholarship should be given to indigent students in the community. Two, community Micro-Finance Banks should be established and three, that all groups, in Agbor including landlords should contribute their quota to the development of their area.

He maintained that the economic model will serve as an engine room for development, failure of which development will remain unachievable. He urged all Agbor indigenes to learn how to appreciate efforts of those who are contributing or have contributed to the good of the land and humanity in general.

On his part, the Chairman of the organizing committee, Maj. Gen. Nick Agbogun, (rtd), speaking on the Contemporary Issues in Agbor kingdom expressed gratitude to the Dein, Ndiche Agbor, Chiefs and all Agbor people for their contributions so far, stressing that the Agbor 2011 conference should serve as an opportunity for all to put heads together to discuss the issues militating against the well being of the Kingdom. The General listed some of the factors to include institutional failures, complacency, insecurity, leadership, government neglect and lack of cohesion.

Maj. Gen. Agbogun decried the total marginalization of the Agbor kingdom since 1999 when the fourth republic started. He said the state of things in Agbor started getting worse when politicians began to see the area as a play ground, where they can play on the intelligence of the people. He blamed the Agbor people for their docility and for allowing some selfish politicians in the area to be used and dumped without contributing to their welfare and well being. "Things are not working the way they are supposed to be because our political representatives no longer consider the masses whom they are supposed to represent. "Our political representatives only represent themselves and report to nobody". We should not allow politicians to plunder our commonwealth. He called on the people to wake up from their slumber and to understand their rights as enshrined in the constitution.

Maj. Gen. Nick Agbogun posited that he is very passionate about the development of Agbor and its people, hence he will continue to play his part, in making sure that the kingdom moves forward. He explained that Agbor gave him the foundation upon which he built on to be a success in life, so he will as long as God keeps him alive give back to the kingdom through efforts and ideas that would move the kingdom forward. The retired army Maj. General talked extensively on the need for development, education for the youths, security and political education that leverage to universal adult suffrage. He condemned the high rate of criminality, cultism and moral decadence prevalent in the place.

Prince Adams Gbenoba in his submission, urged all Agbor people to be good followers and leaders as well, stressing that the idea of everybody wanting to be a leader in the area should stop. He opined that peoples efforts to the society should be appreciated so that they can do more. While asking all Agbor people to join hands together and move the area forward, he thanked Maj. Gen. Nick Agbogun and Members of his organizing committee for their patriotism as shown by the conference.

Sir. S.P.O Fortune Ebie, Basil Mahiagu as well as the representatives of the Agbor community branches from across the country i.e Lagos, Abuja, Jos, Port-Harcourt, Ibadan, Benin, Kano etc and others who spoke, called for the need for all Agbor people to start speaking with one voice so that they can achieve more for themselves as a people.

Earlier, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, His Majesty, Keagborekwuzi 1, thanked all that attended the conference, adding that he wants the best from his people, hence they should embrace honesty, equity and fairness in their day to day living with their brothers and sisters. He declared that 2012 would be a very good and promising year for all Agbor people as no form of division, faction or disunity will be welcomed in the kingdom. His Majesty said that he would want the conference to be an annual event and recommended that the preparations for the next one should start soonest. The Dein prayed for God’s travelling mercies for all those travelling back to their respective stations.

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