Oghara Elite Forum urges unity for kingdoms’ development

Oghara sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora have been called upon to join hands with the Oghara Elite Forum (OEF), the foremost socio-cultural organisation in the kingdom, to enhance the socioeconomic and cultural advancement of the people.

This call was made by the President-General of Oghara Elite Forum (OEF), Dr. Jacob Ighere, during the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected officers to pilot the affairs of the forum for the next three years.

He prayed for divine enablement to achieve milestone accomplishments during his tenure.

Dr Ighere disclosed that the forum was founded 24 years ago with “the selfless mandate to pursue the socioeconomic development of members and Oghara Kingdom, the educational development and opportunities of the kingdom, the peaceful coexistence of the kingdom, political mobilization, justice and fair play in all human endeavours for the people of Oghara in particular, the state and Nigeria in general.”

The new president-general solicited the support and cooperation of major stakeholders, political appointees, and all sons and daughters of Oghara kingdom to ensure the new executive delivers on its mandate.

“It is my earnest prayer and desire that in my time, OEF will achieve milestones such as fostering peace among our youths, securing scholarships as well as educational and job opportunities for our children and people and promoting cohesion between the two major sections of Oghara, among other pressing needs.

“Some of our needs include cooperation, moral support, and encouragement from all relevant power brokers, agencies and the ruling class in Oghara and beyond to help us deliver our selfless mandates for the good and progress of our people.

“My request to the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, Noble Eshemitan Orefe III and his Council of Chiefs is to grant OEF a parcel of land to build a befitting secretariat for the Forum,” Ighere said.

In his address, a London-based legal icon, who chaired the ceremony, Olorogun Emmanuel Okpako Ganiga, charged the new executive members to work in collaboration with stakeholders and the people of Oghara to ensure that the selfless mandate of moving Oghara to greater heights is achieved.

Ganiga, who was represented by a former member of the House of Representatives representing Ethiope federal constituency, Dr Ben Rollands Igbakpa, assured the Forum of his collaboration whenever the need arises.

Speaking as a member of the forum, Dr Igbakpa called on the Ighere-led forum to rise to the challenge of restoring Oghara’s lost political glory.

“There was a time when Oghara stood tall politically, but today, we have lost that privileged position. There must be genuine political reconciliation for Oghara to move forward, and the Forum must act on it,” he stated.

Also speaking, Chief Joseph Ogunje, immediate past President-General of the forum, urged his successor and the Forum to focus more on addressing the issues of school dropouts and the rising involvement of youths in drugs.

The Ovie of Oghara kingdom, represented by Secretary of the Palace, Dr. Frank Emiko, congratulated the new executive members and charged them to ensure the preservation and respect of Oghara kingdom’s culture.

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