Jungle-Journalist.Com reporting from Toronto, Canada
An aggrieved member of Edo indigenes, Umbrella Association based in the USA, Edo National Association Worldwide (ENAW) Emmanuel Aigbadion has alleged that certain members of the group are using it to carry out dubious businesses.
Aigbadon particularly, is accusing members of the executive of alleged plans to sell a property donated to the association by late Captain Wells Hosa Okunbo.
To this end, Mr. Aigbadion is calling on on relevant authorities in Edo State, including Oba’s Palace and the state government to intervene and call the leadership of the Association to order.
Aigbadon in a statement, made available to Jungle-Journalist.Com, he alleged that the Association has been hijacked by a cabal.
He said as a member of the Association with vast knowledge on the rule of law, integrity and ethics, and as a proud Benin person, such injustice should not be allowed to stand.
In his claims, he stated that the new executive hurriedly decided to sell the Emotan Garden Property donated to ENAW by Late. Capt Hosa Okunbo, during the 2018 ENAW convention in Toronto, Canada, and are also spending the association’s funds, reimbursing a certain individual for money he advanced to the lawyer. While the president recently unilaterally sent huge sums of money to a lawyer to defend the case, without the proper procedure of approval.
According to the statement, the new council of Presidents Chairman who was sworn in under questionable circumstances and amidst protest by members kicking against the electoral process in 2022, also went ahead to cancel the ENAW yearly medical mission to Edo State, which the mission has over the years established itself as a primary medical expedition to assist the people back home, instead of building on the already existing foundation to assist millions of underprivileged and indigent people.
He also alleged that they amended the constitution to expunge Article VI Section 4C to allow the current president said person to contest again next year.
He called on Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba Ewuare the second and Citizens to call the Council of Presidents Chairman
of the Association to order.
Edo National Association Worldwide has roughly 60 clubs and organization of Edo diaspora indigenes in North America, specifically in the US and Canada.
ENAW is a registered organization with the US IRS, and has a working and functioning constitution, with the 6 organizational structures comprising 3 branches: the Executive, the Council of Presidents Chairman, and the Board of Advisers.
In his response to Jungle-Journalist.com, Mr Frank Omoruna who is the Board Chairman affirmed that there was a small disagreement within the organization. He however said that as a family, they were currently handling the issue to ensure that everything is resolved and they resume activities as one united Edo family.
Also speaking on the matter, Chief Dr Patrick Eholor told our Diaspora Reporter that the parties in dispute are all gentlemen whose overriding interest is the development of Edo State and it’s people. He also expressed confidence that the matter in ENAW will be resolved in the coming days.