By: Titus Oise, Benin.

A popular socio-cultural group in Edo State, Owan Conscience, has urged its people to support and align with the overall interests of the Owan man at all times, saying strength lies in Unity.

The Chairman of Owan Conscience, Barr. Richard Ofen-Imu stated this at the weekend during a well- attended town hall meeting in Afuze. His words, “Owan Conscience is a socio-cultural group, whose aim is to advance the interest, unity, and development of the Owan nation. We want to bring our people together across political, social, and generational lines. We encourage political consciousness and participation to ensure that Owan speaks with one voice when it matters most.

“The time has come for us to rise above division. Whether from Owan East or West, whether politically aligned or not, we must recognise that our strength lies in our unity. A divided Owan cannot stand, but a united Owan is unstoppable. We must participate actively in all elections. Elections are not won by noise; they are won by numbers. Let us not be spectators in decisions that shape our future.

Continuing, Ofen-Imu, who is also a former executive chairman of Owan Local Government Area, said, “We must begin to think beyond sentiments and align with the collective and Overall interest of the Owan man. Whenever an Owan son or daughter contests for any elective position, especially against Candidates from outside Owan. We must rally behind our own and mobilize support across communities. Our allegiance must first be to Owan”, Ofen-Imu posited.

In a communique issued at the end of the town hall meeting, it upheld the commitment of every indigene of Owan to the advancement of the Owan nation, reflected in the developmental growth of all Owan communities.

According to the communique, “the meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the organisation to the building of an Owan nationality in the psyche of every Owanite.

The meeting upheld the commitment of Owan Conscience to responsive and responsible political representation on the part of its elected and appointed political representatives.

“The meeting upheld the need for a coherent narrative that promotes the constituency interest of Owan politically.

It upheld that while Owan Conscience remains politically non-partisan, it will give political direction where such an action is seen to address a restoration of the Owan identity as desired.

The well- attended meeting also called for strengthening the already existing relationship with Akoko Edo to foster the needed strength in addressing the present anomaly.

Those present are Chief George Izobo, former president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), who chaired the session; traditional rulers from across the communities, and Owan students in various tertiary institutions.