A Call for Education, Unity, and Economic Reawakening in Kogi Central
Over the years, the Igala and Okun people of Kogi State have consistently demonstrated foresight, unity, and seriousness of purpose through the organisation of strategic summits focused on education, economic development, unity, and security. These summits are not mere gatherings; they are deliberate platforms to diagnose internal challenges and collectively chart a sustainable future.
As far back as August 21, 2011, the Igala Economic Summit was convened to deliberate on economic growth and development strategies for Igala land, laying an early foundation for long-term planning and collective responsibility.
In 2014, the people of Kogi West (Okunland) organised the Okun Education Summit with the theme “Community Participation in Education Monitoring and Quality Assurance in Okunland.” Despite being widely regarded as one of the most educated groups in the state, the Okun people still came together to interrogate challenges in their education sector and to propose solutions aimed at improving quality education, reducing mass unemployment, and addressing youth unproductivity.
More recently, in May 2025, the Okun people again showed leadership by convening a Summit on Unity and Security, where critical issues bordering on political cohesion and the worsening security situation were extensively discussed.
Not stopping there, the Igala people have sustained this culture of engagement. The Igala Stakeholders Summit 2025 is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the Multipurpose Hall, Federal Polytechnic, Idah, under the theme: “Consensus Building: The Right Path to Achieving Unity for a Greater Igala Kingdom.”
It is within this context of purposeful planning and strategic mobilisation by sister senatorial districts that the 24th Igala Education Summit becomes even more significant. The summit resolved, among other key issues, the urgent need to establish a standing committee to partner with local and state governments in building a solid and sustainable primary education system in Kogi State. The Igala Education Foundation, which last held its summit in 2024, has shown consistency and commitment through over two decades of structured engagement.
These developments cannot and should not go unnoticed by the Ebira people.
I strongly believe that the apex bodies of the Ebira nation including the Ebira Peoples Association, Ebira Youth Congress, and other socio-cultural organisations — are watching these events unfold across the senatorial districts. It is therefore time for them to wake up from political and economic slumber and confront the growing challenges facing Kogi Central.
Through our vibrant Education Task Force, a recent survey was conducted to identify youths interested in teaching. Within just two weeks, over 523 Ebira youths submitted applications for teaching positions. This overwhelming response clearly demonstrates the willingness and readiness of our youths to contribute yet the structures to absorb, train, and deploy them are largely absent.
If the Igala people have successfully held 24 editions of an education summit, we must ask ourselves critical questions: How many have we held? Where are our academicians? Where are our business tycoons? Where are our political stakeholders?
Even the Ogori–Magongo community has become more advanced and organised in the area of education. In Ogori–Magongo, private schools account for less than 1% of public schools. In sharp contrast, Adavi Local Government alone has more privately owned schools than the total number of government schools in Kogi Central, with about 95% of these private schools being mushroom and substandard.
In Igala land, there are over 143 government-owned schools.
Kogi West has over 96.
But Kogi Central has only about 45 government schools.
Economically, the situation is even more troubling. There is no notable small-scale industry in Kogi Central. The only visibly thriving “enterprises” appear to be endless day-and-night masquerade activities, offering no sustainable economic value or employment.
Culturally and linguistically, the danger is clear. Igala and Okun languages have been introduced and taught in schools within their districts. The Ebira language, however, has little or no presence in formal education. If urgent measures are not taken, Ebira risks gradual extinction as a living language.
The leadership of the Ebira Peoples Association must, as a matter of urgency, initiate programmes that will bring together all Ebira political actors, irrespective of party affiliation. This effort should be immediately followed by the organisation of a comprehensive Ebira Education Summit and an Ebira Economic Summit.
Furthermore, the Ebira Elders Advisory Council should be reconstituted without sentiment, bias, or political coloration, focusing strictly on competence, integrity, and genuine commitment to the collective Ebira interest.
The time to act is now. While others are planning, building, and securing their future, Ebira must not remain on the sidelines. The future of Kogi Central depends on deliberate action, unity of purpose, and strategic investment in education, culture, and economic development
– Comrade Abduljelil Umar Adabara
Okene
Contact: 08036415151
