By Kehinde Aderemi
Members of Oro Forum, Ikorodu, Lagos, are still celebrating the inauguration of the newly-elected members of the executive who would steer the group for the next two years. Oro Forum in Ikorodu is an affiliate of Oron Union Lagos.
The members said they believed that the new leaders would transform the forum in no distant time.
Speaking shortly after the swearing-in ceremony, the National Patron of the union, Prince Robinson Edumoh, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the election. He described the process as transparent, free and fair and urged the executive members to see their new positions as an opportunity to serve the forum. Edumoh, who is a major sponsor of Oro indigenes in Lagos, also charged all the members of the forum to be focused and aspire to add value to one another’s lives. He urged them to continually promote the tradition of the Oro people wherever they find themselves.
“The election was a new beginning for the group. The newly-elected members should maintain some cordial relationship with the members.
“It is an opportunity to serve and I believe the leadership of the group is up to the task,” he said.
Earlier, in his acceptance speech, the president of the forum, Mr. Edet Essangenyi, expressed gratitude to members of the association for considering him worthy of their trust. He observed that the support given to him during the election was overwhelming and pledged to take the forum to greater heights.
Essangenyi said that he was convinced beyond all reasonable doubts that the newly-elected executive would move the group forward. He spoke about his plans to develop the potentials of each member of the group. He said that the new exco would secure a permanent site for the forum’s monthly meeting and pledged to initiate a co-operative group within the forum, to improve the welfare of all members.
“We also plan to set up an entertainment outfit that would promote the cultural heritage of the Oro people. We are also going into sports development; we will develop the sporting talents of our youths. As a group, we also have our community development strategy aimed at developing the Oro community. We will ensure that we organise an annual get-together and events that would bring all Oro indigenes in Ikorodu and its environs together.”
In his words, the First Vice President of Oron Union, Mr. Edet Abang, said the leadership of the union would continue to support the initiative of the forum. He noted that the election was remarkable, adding that the union had identified with the Ikorodu branch of the forum for its outstanding performances.
“Of all the groups under the umbrella body of Oron Union in Lagos that are of Oro extraction in Akwa Ibom State, the Ikorodu forum stands out as the best because the new leadership has exhibited great commitment to the growth of the body. As a union, we shall support them financially and morally just to ensure that all members of the group are motivated in terms of welfare and getting the best in life.”
Members of the new executive included Mrs. Rebecca Monday, Dennis Odokwo, David Etta, Uduak Effa, Blessing Asuquo and Etim Mathew. Others were Victor Asanam, Daniel Offong and Sunday Esu.
Pastor David Effiong, who oversaw the swearing-in of the executive, told the reporter that the result of the election was a true reflection of the wishes of all the members of the forum, adding that, that accounted for the joy and celebration that attended the event.
A group of dancers from Oro entertained the guests.