Enogie, HRH, Igbinosun Godwin
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
Uzalla Village in Uhunwonde Local Government Area of Edo State is situated in a very serene environment, it is about three minutes drive from the By-pass and about 13 minutes drive from the city center along Egba road; off the Benin – Auchi highway.
It is predominantly an agrarian Village with abundant human and natural resources, it is the home of “Eko” (a clay like baked substance pregnant women mostly take it) found in abundance; it is the main source of income for the womenfolks who harness this nature’s gift for their benefits.
The Enogie of the Village, HRH Igbinosun Aghafekokhian Godwin who was installed in 2018, never fails to appreciate the very revered Monarch of the great Benin kingdom, Oba Ewuare II for the honour done him and his people.
Enogie Aghafekokhian described Uzalla as a very peaceful Village and that since his installation, the people have been more united than ever.
He asserts, there has also been tremendous progress and development in the Village, which he attributes to strict adherence to the instructions and rules of the Monarch, Oba Ewuare II.
The surging growth and development currently experienced in the Village is also due to the collective efforts of everybody: elders, men, women and youths, he said.
According to him, the okaighele (Headship of the youths) Saturday Osayande led a community effort to bring light to the Village thus; making it now look like a little London.
Also, the people of Uzalla have been liberated from the burden of walking long distance to fetch water from the stream, as they through self- help, have sunk an industrial borehole in the Village. Now, they have unhindered access to portable water for their domestic use.
The Enogie however pointed out that with all their personal efforts to ensure that they provide the necessary infrastructures for their own use, they still have challenges confronting them.
He therefore appealed to the Monarch, Oba Ewuare II and the State Government to come to their aid.
He listed some of the challenges to include; the deplorable condition of the Village access road from Egba road.
Annually, through community effort the road is usually maintained, as it is graded but this is only a palliative measure which does not last.
Once the rainy season sets in, it always become difficult for the people to access the Village due to the deplorable condition of the road.
The effect of this the Enogie laments; his people at their discomfort are made to pay high cost of transportation to and fro the Village, which spills over to affect the cost of farm produce.
Also, the only school in the Village is in a very bad shape, with dilapidated building and leaking roof all over anytime it rains.
In the prevailing situation, the people’s efforts which includes providing chairs and tables for the pupils are limited by adequate funding.
Hence they appeal to Government to come to their aid before the building collapses on the children, and teachers.
The Enogie further laments the absence of a functional hospital or Primary Healthcare Center in Uzalla which he said has a telling effect on the people; as they had to travel as far as Ehor or Benin City to access healthcare facilities.
Apart from these challenges, Uzalla remains a very peaceful Village as the people are law abiding, remains obedient strictly to the directives and instructions of Oba Ewuare II, and the Government.
The Enogie and elders particularly had the Okaighele (Headship of the youths) Saturday Osayande to thank for the prevailing peace, growth and development in Uzalla presently.
They sing the praises of his effective leadership, always on ground to mobilize the youths for various assignments which include: clearing the road verges, farm road and the general sanitation of the Village.
Under the leadership of Okaighele Osayande, Uzalla youths are said to be very law abiding, always submitting strictly to the directives of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, the Enogie and elders of the Village.
They never get involved in notorious activities of the outlawed Community Development Association (CDA): land grabbing, selling of land to more than one person or relocation of developers from one portion to another.
“…that is why you see people trooping into Uzalla from nearby Villages and the city center to acquire land.
“With the peace and unity in the Village, the indigenes who hitherto live outside are now coming back to reside here and contribute their quota to the growth and development of their fathers’ land,” the Enogie asserts
It is worthy of note also that Uzalla never had any internal crisis nor boundary dispute with neighbouring Villages.
Rather, the Enogie of Uzalla HRH Igbinosun Aghafekokhian Godwin mediates and helps in resolving issues of disagreement in neighbouring Villages.
Felix Aigbuza, a member of the Elders council in his comments said Uzalla is a place any person would want to reside because of the peaceful nature and its natural endowment.
He joined the Enogie in singing the praises of the youths under the able leadership of Okaighele Saturday Osayande.
According to him, they have been up and doing in their activities, law abiding and very peaceful, always working in cooperation with constituted authorities to take Uzalla to greater heights. “And this is heart warming to us; elders,” he said urging they should not derail.
“Here in Uzalla there is no fighting, there is nothing like land grabbing or anyone engaging in the banned Community Development Association activities, anytime the Enogie comes from the Palace of our father; Oba Ewuare II, he always call the youths together to brief them of developments and updates.
“He would always advise them not to act contrary to the instructions of the Oba and Government directives; to be on the safe side of the laws of the land.
“The elders normally hold the Village meetings every nine days and there has never been a reported case of land problem brought before them instead, they always discuss issues on how the Village would continue to progress and develop through self help.
“Instructions from the Palace through the Enogie is carried without disobedience, he (Enogie) always mediate, advising other neighbouring Villages on the need to embrace peace and not engage in actions that would bring about dispute.”
He informed that Uzalla Village had never been petitioned neither she having reason to petition any person or group. “I make bold to say that this is a plus to us and Uzalla Village is blazing the trail.”
Eneruwa Osamuyi, another member of the Elders Council and Evangelist Jolly Uwumarengie, the Village secretary said since the installation of the Enogie in 2018, there have been relative peace and progress in the Village.
They also praised the Okaighele, Saturday Osayande for ensuring so far that the youths do not involve in sharp practices.
They enumerated some achievements under his leadership of the youths to include: building of the Enogie’s Palace, installation of light in the Village, general cleaning of the Village, ensuring security and galvanizing the youths for service.
“He has really lived to the expectation of everyone in the Village, the efforts at ensuring peace amongst the youths, the development in the Village is what is now attracting people to acquire properties here: Uzalla.
“Any property acquired in Uzalla is sure and safe till the person has money to develop such land.”
About Author
