As I reflect on our mission and the meaningful progress we strive to achieve, I am reminded of a thought-provoking question from a recent article I read that deeply resonated with me. Its insights are not only relevant but also worth sharing as we continue to drive impactful change to promoting Ejagham heritage.
“Is your community large enough and strong enough to sustain anything?”
Now, let’s personalize this question for ourselves: Is Ejagham large enough and strong enough to sustain anything?
This is not a question to be answered hastily. It requires careful contemplation, supported by facts and figures that demonstrate the sustainability of past endeavours by Ejagham people.
In our pursuit to not just promote and preserve Ejagham heritage but also make our mark in the community of cultures, we must undertake initiatives that transcend us, efforts that will endure and strengthen our cultural identity. To this end, we must create initiatives that will:
- Showcase Ejagham local content, including music, stories, and cultural events.
- Preserve our cultural heritage through traditional music, folklore, and discussions.
- Celebrate our cluster diversity by providing platforms for the different Ejagham clusters to share their Ejaghamness.
- Empower individuals and groups within Ejagham communities to voice their heritage stories, ideas, and aspirations.
- Support Ejagham arts, crafts and culture by hosting live concerts, promoting local art shows and performances, and serving as a hub for oral histories and artist features.
- Reach remote Ejagham communities, ensuring access to cultural content and information that mainstream media may overlook.
- Revitalize Ejagham language by promoting its use and strengthening linguistic heritage.
- Disseminate timely and pertinent information that enables rural Ejagham communities to improve their lives, make informed decisions, and address socio-economic challenges.
All of the above ambitions can be encapsulated in one transformative initiative – an Ejagham Community Radio. While not the only transformative initiative capable of shaping our future, it surely holds the power to unite our people, restore our collective pride, and echo our language, stories, amplify our voices, promote and preserve our culture for generations to come.
This is our moment to ensure Ejagham voices are not only heard but remembered. But such ambitious transformative initiative cannot be built alone. It demands the strength, solidarity, and commitment of every Ejagham son and daughter.
Together, we can bring this vision to life. Let us rise to the call, because the future of our culture depends on what we do today.
I have shared this idea with a few Ejagham individuals, and now, I extend this conversation to you, all EjT members and the greater Ejagham community.
So, I ask again:
Please consider this question deeply and respond thoughtfully. As for me, my position could not be more obvious.
I invite you to share your thoughts by reaching out to:
Remember, we are stronger together than we will ever be, divided.
Jigi jigi nne ajigha ejeh.
Ekup na nkad.
President, EjT
