The premier web site of Edo speaking people.
Nation of people who are mostly located in the Midwestern part of Nigeria, Western Africa.
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EDO NATIONAL ASSOCIATION IN THE AMERICAS, INC.
12th Annual National Convention
Hilton Airport Hotel
Dallas, Texas, USA.
August 29 –
August 31, 2003
Communiqué
The Edo National Association in the Americas, Inc. (ENA) held its 12th
annual national convention in Dallas, Texas from August 29 through August 31,
2003. Edo International Union DFW hosted the convention, with the Chairman of
the convention as Mr. Felix Ogbeide. The convention was attended by
intellectuals, government functionaries, businessmen, businesswomen, and many
distinguished Edo sons and daughters from all over the world. Some of the
dignitaries in attendance included Barrister Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Secretary to Edo
State Government, Barrister Henry Idahagbon, Edo State Commissioner for Land and
Housing, Mr. Edwin Edobor, Deputy Consul General of Nigeria, Mr. Enaruna Imohe,
Consular Officer, ENA officers, all the members of the Council of Presidents
(COP) – Presidents of member organizations of the ENA, the Mayor of Grapevine
City, Mr. William D. Tate, Dr. Philip Oriaran, who gave the keynote speech on
“Challenges To Edo Leaders In The Face Of Developing Mega Trends and Changing
Technological Landscape,” Dr. Nowamagbe Omoigui, who delivered his brother’s (Nosa
Omoigui’s) paper on “The future of EDO people in the age of Information
Technology,” Professor Tony Ogiemien, who delivered a lecture on “Infertility
and paternity problems in the wake of advanced Technologies: The case of EDO
people living in America,” and Dr. Rosaline Okosun, who organized the children
program at the convention. The issues of focus
at the convention was how to fashion a way to move Edo people forward in light
of advancing technologies. As a way to ensure the attainment of common goals
and objectives with respect to socio-economic and cultural well-being, a
thematic cadence of technological advancement was the guiding principle
for the convention. Therefore, the convention has as its theme: “THE FUTURE OF
EDO PEOPLE IN THE NEW ERA OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES.”
In addition to providing a social forum for interaction and meeting old friends, the 12th annual convention of the ENA in Dallas also showcased cultural activities and events, the COP meetings for the deliberation of internal matters of the organization, speeches and lectures, presentation of papers, and a townhall discussion meeting, in which the participants reflected upon issues of concerns and interest to the Edo people. The issues and matters discussed or presented during these sessions formed the thrust of the official pronouncement of the convention. At the conclusion of all events, participants were infused with douse of optimism and responded affirmatively as follows:
1.
Recognized that the ENA has been a forum for Edo people to meet,
interact, and reflect upon issues of common concerns to Edo people.
2.
Resolved, at the COP meeting, to establish a library in Benin City and a
satellite library in each of the local government areas of the state.
3.
Accepted, with gladness and gratitude, the blessed gesture of the mayor
of the city of Grapevine, Mr. William D. Tate, who graciously, in an official
statement of proclamation in recognition and appreciation of the hosting of the
Dallas 2003 ENA Convention in the city, declared August 30 of every year,
effective 2003, the Edo National Association Day in the city of Grapevine.
4.
Recognized the need to work together through a trustworthy and
“disciplined leadership,” “disciplined action,” “disciplined thoughts,”
“disciplined process,” and “disciplined people” to create a technological
break-through to achieve sustainable development for Edo people.
5.
Expressed the need for Edo people in
the Diaspora to collaborate with Edo State government to ensure technology-based
development in the state.
6.
Resolved that the ENA and all Edo associations must continue to
complement the efforts of the government to facilitate the socio-economic
development of Edo State.
7. Expressed the necessity for Edo people to take advantage of our abundant human capital in the production and exportation of intellectual assets and commodities, while exploring our fluent English-speaking background as vantage in the competition for opportunity in information technology with the less fluent English-speaking competitors from Asian, Latin America, and Russia.
8.
Expressed the need for and enjoined the
government to create the necessary technology-oriented environment for the
building of solid infrastructure in the state.
9.
Expressed the need to revamp and moralize academic activities in our
universities to ensure quality assurance of the products as a way to boost and
encourage viable technological environment.
10. Emphasized the need for Edo people in the Diaspora to take advantage of the development in information technology and be more pro-active in Edo matters, be better organized, and work cooperatively with one another to help move Edo people forward.
11.
Called for Edo people to begin to network, patronize, and assist one
another as a way to better address all confronting issues of concern to Edo
people.
12.
Called for the creation of a central committee within the ENA to liaise
and work with the government to ensure better communication and rapport between
the government of Edo State and Edo people in the Diaspora.
13.
Recognized the need for the creation of one umbrella organization for Edo
people all over the world as a platform to prosecute and foster Edo unity and
forge a common Edo agenda. It was further noted that unity is a prerequisite
toward the social, political, and economic development of Edo people in the face
of modern technological advancement.
14.
Called for Edo people all over the world to enlist in the efforts for the
preservation, protection, and promotion of our rich cultural heritage.
Conveners also expressed the necessity to enlist in the struggle for the
repatriation of our stolen artifacts that have become alluring treasures
of museums in the western world or to request
the British government to finance the replacement of the stolen artifacts.
15.
Recognized that the children are our future and leaders of tomorrow;
hence, the need to ensure that Edo children born in the Diaspora are adequately
equipped with knowledge of Edo culture, while at the same time teaching and
imbuing them with effective leadership qualities. This was effectively done at
the convention through the children program organized by the vibrant Dr.
Rosaline Okosun.
16.
Resolved that Edo people in the Diaspora should find suitable niches for
ourselves, whether individually or collectively, to assist the development of
our people at home.
17.
Expressed the need for Edo people to understand how to handle the balance
between traditional values and the demands of modern technology in the areas of
conception and paternity.
Overall, the convention presented the forum and
opportunity for conveners to rub minds together and reflect on what can be done
to move Edo people forward in light of the advancing technologies. Conveners
also agreed that the ENA has become the most popular of all Edo associations in
the Diaspora, a fact attested by the increased attendance at the annual
convention and the conveners’ enthusiastic display of elation through out
the three days of events and activities. Prepared and respectfully presented by,
Hilary Odion Evbayiro (for the Convention Chairman & ENA Secretary-General)
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