TALES OF 2 BROTHERS THAT REDEFINED FACE OF ORGANIZED CIVIL SOCIETY IN EDO

By Osazee Edigin
The duo of Leftist Omobude Agho and Leftist Osazee Edigin who are born activists, fighters and reformists over two decades and are blood brothers as providence would have it.
The earliest among the many battles they have been part of, is the anti SAP riot in 1989, under the General Ibrahim Babangida’s military regime.
As much younger persons, we both joined others from Ekehuan road axis through Ring Road to Admiral Augustus Aikhomu’s residence in the GRA and a short stop at Tom Ikimi’s house. These movements were not without resistance from the police and the military with teargas, gunshots and arrest of some of us.
The ‘Abacha must go’ riot and Saro Giwa execution protest were other engagements the duo took part along the line.
In 2012, the fuel subsidy removal protests across many states and Edo state also saw the duo featured as committed activists all through the planning and execution processes as leaders of their individual organisations.
It was the unification and coming together of major activists and interest groups in Edo State that metamorphosed into the Edo Civil Society Organisations which the two brothers were part of from the embryo stage.
It wasn’t surprising that leadership positions fell on their shoulders on merit, not by chance of luck or nepotism. Leftist Omobude Agho became the Coordinator General of EDOCSO while his blood brother emerged as the Public Relations Officer of the network.
The two offices occupied by these two wonderful brothers gave tremendous growth and expansion to the network due to their wealth of experience and passion for activism in the last six years and more as executive office holders with others who are as convinced as they are in the struggle.
In the past six years and more as executive members of the network, they and others have never received a salary or allowance neither were there any government or private contract coming through for them.
The sacrifice of the executive council and members of the network have been selfless and have been taking their time and personal resources in keeping it afloat. Within the period under review, they have not been accusations of financial embezzlement, mortgage of collective struggle for morsel of bread or engagement in the collection of money to facilitate bail of suspects in security custodies.
As a matter of stringent policy, the network was barred from endorsing any politician or political party. Some persons have wondered where the strength was coming from when we were not seen involving in unwholesome activities capable of bringing shame and disrepute to the civil rights movement.
EDOCSO has become what it is today because committed and passionate men and women have resolved to hold dear what matters most for the betterment of the society.
No better gratitude to the Almighty God for bringing both of us together in changing our world as destiny and providence would have it. Greater feat and exploit we shall achieve more together as we go higher. I can’t wait to receive you stronger again in the struggle.
THE DUES HAVE BEEN PAID SELFLESSLY OVER THE YEARS. ONE LOVE MY BROTHER, MY COMRADE AND FRIEND IN THE STRUGGLE.
Leftist Osazee Edigin, is a
Human Rights Activist based in Benin City, Edo State.