The Etche ethnic nationality in Rivers State has resolved to push her people towards sustainable development, recognition and repositioning for relevant roles in the political landscape of Rivers State and beyond. These issues formed key points for discussion during the recently held 2021 December Convention of Ogbakor Etche (The apex Socio-Cultural organisation of the people of Etche) with the theme, ‘Pathway for Etche Nation’s Development’ at the Obiri-Ukwu Etche, Umugwu, Okehi.
Speaking in her keynote paper as per the theme of the convention, Prof Love Akaja Akonye, dealt extensively on the ingredients needed to chart a sustainable pathway for development within the ethnic-nationality. According to her, mind shift, unity, infrastructural/human capital development, security, smart political alignment and addressing land use in Etche are some of the critical factors that would engender the desired environment for development in the area.
She highlighted the need for mind shift from self pity to that of progress, prosperity, sustainability and growth and advocated for a development agenda and commitment on the part of Etche leaders to actualise the development plan as well as new collective political thinking that would put the area in good stead in the coming political dispensation.
Prof. Akonye noted that no nation could grow above and beyond its thoughts. “Mind shift is beyond words, it is not by what we say alone rather by the actions that follow what we say. Our actions, conduct and attitude as Etche represent the true conditioning of our minds’’, she stated. She also explained that unity is a catalyst for the development of every nation and warned ahead of the 2023 political process, “We as a people must understand that the development and growth of Etche take precedence before our personal gains and ambition. If our status must be respected as a people, then we must conduct our activities and meetings with a sense of unity. May we use our voting strength to our advantage to creatively develop Etche”.
Earlier, the Chairman of the convention, Rev Father Donatus Ukulor, had drawn attention to various roles played by Etche people in the state and country and challenged the people on the need to appreciate where they have been, where they are now and where they would want to be in the future. He declared that the people of Etche must be courageous enough to push their agenda, especially, in political scheming and make moves now to position themselves in order to get to where they want to be in the near future.
In his own contribution, former commissioner for sports in Rivers State and frontline politician in Etche, Chief Alwell Onyesoh dwelt on strategies to harness the potentials and talents of the youth in the area rather than being quick to make them scapegoats. According to him, all hands should be on deck to develop and empower the younger generation, especially, by those, particularly, politicians and businessmen who have made it economically. “Opportunities should be provided for the youths rather than blaming them for most things that have gone wrong in Etche”, he said.
The Grand Patron of Ogbakor Etche and Ochie of Etche, His Eminence, Ochie E.N.B Opurum in his address had called on all and sundry to join hands and make Etche nation as great as it should be, while in their separate goodwill messages, chairmen of Etche and Omuma LGAs, Hon Obinna Anyanwu and Hon Chisom Nwaiwu, respectively agreed that everyone must come together to build Etche of their dream and all should be ready to do what is right now and always in order to achieve the target.
Among other dignitaries that attended the convention were, former chairman of Etche Council, Dr Reginald Ukwuoma, Member representing Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency, Hon Ephraim Nwuzi, traditional and religious leaders, captains of industries and businessmen.

By: Gabriel Nwanetanya