By Ewere Okonta
08037383019
www.ewereokontablog.org.ng
The monthly IPC Hot Seat session, known for its no-holds-barred discussions, recently featured Mr. Williams Eghebi, the current Board of Trustees Chairman of the Ika Peoples Congress (IPC). A trained teacher, communicator, publicist, community advocate, and businessman, Eghebi did not mince words as he addressed pressing issues affecting the Ika Nation.
During the session, Eghebi passionately called for unity within the IPC and Ika Nation at large, stating, “I want us all to make IPC stronger because if IPC fails, Ika will further drift apart. I want the leadership to put their partisan leanings aside and reconcile the aggrieved.” He emphasized that fostering unity within the IPC is critical to ensuring the association remains a formidable platform for driving positive change in Ika land.
When asked about strategies to unite the Ika Nation, Eghebi was blunt: “Our politicians have failed us by not doing much to unite us and address the Azun Agbor and Azun Owa dichotomy.” This long-standing division, he argued, continues to hamper progress and cohesion within the community.
Eghebi did not shy away from addressing the issue of abandoned government projects scattered across Ika land. He described it as “very unfortunate” and expressed his disappointment, stating, “There is no justification for abandoning projects in Ika land, especially given the massive support this present state government received from our people.”
On the topic of Ika politicians, Eghebi painted a stark picture, describing them as “notorious liars” and accusing them of double-speaking. “What they tell you privately is different from what they say publicly,” he remarked. He criticized their lack of integrity, noting, “Most of them tell lies they know people are aware of, but they do not feel perturbed by their moral deficit. They appreciate you privately but destroy you before the power brokers. They are leaders with internal anger.”
The Ika Peoples Congress, formerly known as Ika Village Square, is a vibrant association comprising young Ika professionals from the Ika Federal Constituency and Ika-speaking communities in Edo State. The group is currently led by Barrister E.A. Uzum, a former Delta State Director General for the Bureau of Orientation.
The IPC Hot Seat program, anchored by Ewere Okonta, a social media influencer and lecturer at the University of Delta, Agbor, provides a platform for critical conversations about the Ika Nation’s progress and challenges. Eghebi’s session is sure to spark intense discussions among the people, especially as the call for unity and accountability grows louder.
Stay tuned for the next IPC Hot Seat session. Are you ready to take the hot seat?
Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media. He writes from the Department of Business Administration, University of Delta, Agbor.