COMMUNIQUE FOR EDO UNITY CONFERENCE 2003, MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM

Edo Unity Conference was called by the Edo Global Organisation (EGO) in the recognition of the fact that Unity is a crucial factor in the process of development of a people. Conference recognises that the failure to engender the spirit of unity amongst Edo people has been our undoing in getting our fair share of the national dispensation relative to our people�s contribution to Nigeria�s continued corporate existence and development.  This is despite a rich, cohesive, and common history for all Edo people wherever they live today.  Knowledge of our historical heritage should encourage us to remember our past, to ask questions about these past, including of course questions about the present economic state of our homeland.  Conference accepts that whatever injustice happens to one Edo person should be seen as injustice to all and therefore encourages all Edo people to begin to live as our brothers� keeper.

In view of the continued deterioration in the living conditions of our people at home compared to the large number of Edo citizens in the diaspora.  Conference notes that Edo citizens ought to begin to work together to make a collect positive impact in the social economic status of our homeland. Conference also calls for concrete steps to be taken by all Edo organizations in Europe in particular and other parts of the world in general to begin to work together from such a common platform for the attainment of these goals.

Further to the above, Conference notes the unacceptable level of poverty and insecurity which should not lead us to neglect working towards attracting investment to Edo-land.

Conference further notes that some of the best Edo brains, most highly trained and skilled manpower live in the Diaspora. Conference was reminded of the high and unacceptable level of unemployment amongst Edo youths, coupled with the failed educational system.  We Edos in Diaspora notes the new trend of recognizing influence above humanness, money and power over the accepted traditional norms and therefore calls for a thorough evaluation and study of the reasons for these.

Conference notes that our people have been left without a culturally based developmental agenda in the educational and institutional structures in the state.

Conference extends her appreciation to Omo N�Oba N�Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin for His Royal Majesty�s message of goodwill sent through the Chief Priest, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure. Special thanks also go to our other guest speakers, Professor Prince Iro Eweka, Professor David Awanbor, and Dr Esohe Aghatise for contributing to the discussions in proffering advice on means to unite the Edo people.

Conference reiterates the urgent need for our �Edo-ness�, and calls for a return to our unique form of governance within a true Federal structure in Nigeria.  Conference accepts that it is the politicians who sets the tune of social behaviour and therefore calls on all Edo politicians to give the necessary leadership in returning our homeland to the path of economic recovery, growth, and prosperity.

Conference concludes that the essence of Edo unity should include the following:

1.     Changing attitudes and the revival of our cultural/traditional moral values;

2.     The education and empowerment of our youths and women as the custodians of our common future;

3.     The conservation and re-evaluation of Edo human resources and the need to tap into this resource base worldwide;

4.     The need for investment in developmental activities for the provision of alternative sources of livelihood to the people;

5.     Reviewing the current socio-cultural and moral values of our people and the need to correct their distorted ideas of life in diaspora;

6.     The re-education and enlightenment of the populace on Edo socio-cultural values;

7.     Certain dysfunctional family values and structures in Edo-land and their effects, especially of polygamy, on the psychological development of our families and children are noted. There is a strong need for research on these issues and their effects on the dysfunctional state of the Edo family unit in the present time, including the place of polygamy in Edo families in the 21^st century. 

8.     Female empowerment in a symmetrical balance, which respects gender rights, for the attainment of developmental objectives;

9.     Need for indigenous research on women and on the status of Edo women;

10. The existing cultural vacuum has led to the proliferation and self-serving commercialisation of religious activities and its usage to hold the people in cultural, social, and economic bondage;

11. Political ineptitude and poverty in the global sense;

12. Re-engineering of spiritual and political leadership of the traditional rulers and its revival.

13. There is need for the emergence of a common platform for all Edo organisations worldwide to operate for the common good of our homeland. Such an organisation should work towards the setting up of focussed leadership for our people.  

Signed:

Philip Idaewor

Esohe Aghatise

Tina Iyare

Benson Osawe