AEP rallies support for development drive

…Unveils July fundraising plan

From Bimbola Oyesola

The Association of Esan Professionals (AEP) has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating development across Esanland, unveiling plans for a major fundraising initiative aimed at expanding community projects and mobilising more support for educational and social interventions in the region.

The association said the fundraising engagement, scheduled for July, would serve as a platform to unite Esan sons and daughters across the world towards a common goal of sustainable development in the five local government areas that make up Esanland in Edo State.

Speaking on the initiative, chairman of the AEP Fundraising Committee, Barrister Emmanuel Ogbebor, described the planned exercise as a call to service and collective responsibility for all Esan professionals.

“This is another opportunity for Esan professionals worldwide to put themselves forward to be counted,” Ogbebor said.

He noted that the association had consistently contributed to the development of communities in Esan land, particularly in the education sector, but stressed that greater collaboration and stronger financial support were needed to expand its impact.

“While we thank members of the association for the job done so far over the years, we are also using this opportunity to invite more people to join the group,” he stated.

According to him, many Esan indigenes may not yet be aware of the activities and achievements of the association, adding that AEP remained committed to creating meaningful opportunities for growth and development across the region.

“Esan land is great and we also have great and wonderful people as Esan sons and daughters. As much as we believe they have been contributing their quota to the development of the communities one way or the other, I personally believe coming together will strengthen us more and boost the resources for continuous development,” Ogbebor added.

He urged professionals of Esan extraction, both at home and in the diaspora, to identify with the association and contribute towards projects that would positively impact younger generations and underserved communities.

“It is possible some of them are not aware of this group and what we do, so this is to let them know that we are here and prepared to take Esan land to the next level. Their membership will be highly appreciated and fruitful,” he said.

The association’s renewed development push comes on the heels of its scholarship programme introduced last year for Esan students in tertiary institutions across the country.

President of the Association of Esan Professionals, Dr. Henry Egbiki, had described the scholarship scheme as part of the group’s Corporate Social Responsibility aimed at supporting indigent students and encouraging academic excellence among Esan youths.

According to Egbiki, beneficiaries of the programme received scholarships worth N150,000 each, with no fewer than 50 students selected from the five Esan local government areas.

The beneficiaries were drawn from Esan Central, Esan South-East, Esan North-East, Esan West and Igueben Local Government Areas of Edo State, with 10 students selected from each council area.

Egbiki explained that the scholarship initiative was designed not only to ease the financial burden on students and their families, but also to inspire young people in Esan land to pursue education and leadership opportunities.

“The association organised the programme to give back to Esan land, and the scholarship grant will be a yearly affair,” he said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Scholarship Screening Committee, Mr. Judge Okoyo, commended the association for its consistency in community development and urged other socio-cultural and professional groups to emulate AEP’s example by investing in education and youth empowerment.

Stakeholders at the event described the association’s latest fundraising initiative as a timely intervention capable of strengthening community development efforts, while calling on wealthy individuals, professionals and corporate organisations of Esan origin to support the drive to build a more prosperous and united Esan land