Report on the Presentation of Relief Materials to the Victim of Ihima mayhem by EVI.

Posted by: Dr Joseph Ozigis AKomodi

Submitted by: Mallam Zakkariyawu

REPORT ON THE PRESENTATION OF RELIEF MATERIALS TO THE VICTIM OF IHIMA MAYHEM BY EBIRA VONYAN INTERNATIONAL (EVI)

FIRST MEETING

The first meeting on the subject matter by the EVI Nigeria based members was held on December 2^nd, 2006 at Dr FATTY’s residence (Obehira). In attendance were: Zakariyya Umar, Malik Suley & Family, Yakub Ochetengwun, Dr Fatty, Hajia Rabiat. The objective of the meeting was to redeem pledges by Nigeria based EVI members, discuss and map out strategies for the effective distribution of the Relief materials, Items to the intended recipients. Most of the home based redeemed their pledges those who were not present were called and they promised to remit their pledges to the Bank. The following activities were consequently agreed upon to be carried out the next day:

1. Gather Donations, Review the List of Victims and Types of Relief materials to buy.
2. Visit the newly installed OHI of IHIMA to inform him of our intention and when we intend to convene for the handover of the Gifts items
3. Fix a date for the formal presentation of the Gift items
4. Pay a sight seeing visit to the site of the Mayhem

The total donations stands at N336,000.00K comprising of $2000.00(N256,000.00) – from EVI members abroad; N50,000.00 from Malik/Zakariyya; N10,000.00 from Yakub Ochetengwun, N20,000.00 from Usman Anibasa(promised to remit to the bank).

We reviewed the list of 31 victims we had and decided that we obtain a more comprehensive list from the new OHI of IHIMA

Various suggestions were made with regards to the kind of items to be purchased for presentation and at the end we unanimously agreed to buy Bags of Rice and Clothing material.

Zakariyya offered to contact one of the textile factories in Lagos for the clothing materials and Hajia Rabiat was to arrange for the purchase of 45 bags of rice.

We reported to the OHI of IHIMA palace very early in the morning of the next day. Unfortunate, as at the time we got there, OHI was not at home. We were directed to meet him where he went and we immediately proceeded there.

He was full of praises for the EVI and what we stand for and expressed hope that such efforts will remould, re-orientate and transform the minds of most of our present day youths. He promised to relate the message to his kingmakers and the representatives of the two clans involved. He also promised to get a comprehensive list of the victims for us from the

After all considerations, the Gift presentation was fixed for around Christmas/.Eeidil Kabir period.

We made a site seeing visit to Ihima and level of destruction we saw was unimaginable.

RELIEF MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION MEETING

Presentation of the Relief materials around the Christmas/Eidil Kabir could not hold because we could not put up all logistics together as a result of the fuel scarcity that started exactly around the time. However, Yakub Ochetengwun was still able to travel home and together with other members at home we had conference call meeting with Malik and myself in Lagos and rescheduled another meeting for Friday, 5^th January 2007.

The meeting finally held on Friday, 5^th January, 2007. In attendance were Zakariyya Umar, Magistrate Ajinomo, Dr Fatty, Hajia Rabiat, Malik Suley(via phone conference)

We explored the possibility of contacting the victims directly without passing through the clan leaders but we were strongly advised against it by the new OHI of IHIMA to avoid further problems.

The list of Victims from both sides submitted by OHI was reviewed and the summary is as follows: EMANI CLAN(14 death, 128 houses/properties destroyed); OHONWA CLAN(10 death, 215 houses/properties destroyed).

The above list was far above our projection of 40-45 families. We therefore decided to discuss the best distribution method with OHI in a meeting scheduled for the next day. We also agreed to do the final relief material distribution Ceremony on Sunday, 7^th January 2007 by 4:00PM.

Our effort to get the local Radio Station to cover the event failed because their charges of N70,000.00 for logistics was too much and was not budgeted for.

We therefore decided to do a video coverage and later pass it on to the local Television Station to be aired.

We later agreed with OHI during our meeting with him to share all the relief materials equally for the two affected clans. He(OHI) promised to send to the two clan leaders but also advised us to personally contact the two leaders and inform them.

We then immediately left to inform the OBOBAYIN of IHIMA(Emani). The Obobayin thanked and welcomed us and promised to send some representatives to attend. He appealed that we advise our politicians to work together and present one candidate so that Anebirra can produce the next Governor for Kogi State. He wondered why this is so difficult to achieve among our politicians if they are truly vying for the position to serve the people.

The next point of call was to OBOBAYIN OF OHONWA. There we met him with all his king makers and other clan leaders. After our message, they thanked us for the efforts and the good gesture but expressed reservations about the VENUE which was originally scheduled to be in front of OHI of IHIMA’s compound. They insisted the venue is not completely safe for the two sides to meet and suggested ST PETERS CHURCH, IKUEHI. We promised them to discuss it and get back to them. The Obobayin of Ohonwa later prayed and thanked EVI for all the efforts.

At the end, we agreed to shift the venue to ST PETERS CHURCH, IKUEHI for the benefit of doubts. The change of Venue was also communicated to the EMANI side, of course citing other reasons for the change.

On the presentation day, we started by covering some site of the mayhems from 12 noon and ended with the presentation proper. The video cassette in VHS format will be converted to .avi or mpeg to enable direct viewing in our computers/laptops. These should be concluded within the next 2-3 days and shall be emailed to all immediately.

Present at the occasions were: The OHI of IHIMA; The Chairman, Ihima Welfare Association; The Chairman, Ihima King Makers, Representatives of both Emani and Ohonwa Clans, The Chairman, Okehi Local Government etc.

The Ebirra Peace Project representative also attended briefly on invitation from Justice Ajinomo. The video will reveal details of the presentation ceremony. The relief material was presented on behalf of EVI by Justice Ajinomo. The EVI message was also summarized in our mother’s tongue with a promise to make copies available to all.

In conclusion, the occasion was a very huge success. Both sides were full of praises and prayers for EVI. The Ihima Welfare Association Chairman, who received the Relief materials on behalf of the two sides, was also full of appreciations. The OHI later shared the Relief materials publicly as follows based on EVI advise:

1. Emani Clan – 20 Bags of Rice, 20 pieces of Cloths
2. Ohonwa Clan – 20 Bags of Rice, 20 pieces of cloths
3. Other Clan members whose properties were affected – 5 bags of Rice

The report will not be complete without recognizing the commitment, sacrifices, selfless and passionate service of the EVI team that made this a reality. The Regional Coordinator – Ya’akub Ochetengwun have had to travel home at least twice to ensure the success of this exercise, Justice Ajinomo offered himself fully and his Vehicles for the cause, His maturity and handling of issues very superb. Malik was also available fully where possible and on phone (conference call) where not available advising and offering suggestions. Dr Fatty was very wonderful during the entire exercise. Her organizational ability and follow up on issues are quite commendable. Hajia Rabi is another very mature and wonderful woman and a pride to EVI. Her vote of thanks on behalf of EVI as you will see on video speaks volume.

Although, Usman Anibasa was not able to make it to the presentation as he was away in SAUDI ARABIA for this year Hajj, he called directly from Saudi to offer suggestions and prayers.

Let me use this opportunity to say a big congratulation to Usman Anibasa for fulfilling one of the major pillars of ISLAM and pray that ALLAH accept the hajj as an act of worship.

I see a HOPE.

Statement of Account

Donations	Naira
EVI Abroad(Donation = $2000@128)	256,000.00
Home Based Donations	80,000.00
Total	336,000.00
Expenditure
45 bags of Rice@5400 each	243,000.00
Transportation and Labour on Rice	5,000.00
40 NICHEMTEX CLOTHING MATERIALS@ 1500 each	60,000.00
Taxi fare from Ikorodu(Textile Factory) to Ikeja	2,500.00
Sticker Printing Cost	4,000.00
Video Camera Rent	1,500.00
Video Coverage Assistants	2,500.00
Cloth Nylone wrapper@50/yard - 20 yards	1,000.00
Fueling and Transportations at home	4,000.00
Fueling To and from Lagos	9,000.00
Total	332,500.00
Balance	3,500.00
VHS conversion and airing of the event by NTA	?