The need for collective action in Egbaland

Collective action is traditionally defined as any action taken together by a group of people whose goal is to enhance their economic, political and social status.The need to encourage collective participation in the socio-economic development of Egbaland cannot be over-emphasized. The current attitude of some Egba sons and daughters towards the socio-economic development of Egbaland […]

Collective action is traditionally defined as any action taken together by a group of people whose goal is to enhance their economic, political and social status.
The need to encourage collective participation in the socio-economic development of Egbaland cannot be over-emphasized. The current attitude of some Egba sons and daughters towards the socio-economic development of Egbaland is condemnable, when compared to the heights Egbaland attained in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s when the indigenes were highly committed. The Egba have allowed partisan politics, sectionalism and petty rivalries to pollute the manner they now handle issues relating to the development of their land.
It is common knowledge that for any nation to develop, its citizens must contribute effectively and selflessly to its development. Looking back at the history of Egbaland, one can safely conclude that the feats achieved by its progenitors resulted from their selfless contributions, hence we still celebrate them till this moment. If we x-ray the life of “Lisabi Agbongbo Akala”, we will conclude that Lisabi embraced and utilized the ideology of collective action, which was evident in his “Egbe Aaro” (mutual aid). The ideology of both military prowess and welfarism made it possible to liberate the Egba people from the shackles of the Ilaris.
There are lessons to learn from the history of Lisabi. The first is unity. If the various Egba groups in their homestead had not been united by their suffering, there could not have existed now an Egba nation or Egbaland. The people would have been scattered in little groups all over Yorubaland without any common platform to relate together or/and identify themselves as belonging to the same primordial culture.
Second, the people were able to adapt to changing circumstances for effective survival. Third, they gave their unflinching services to Egbaland without counting the costs.
The present crop of Egba people tends to possess fissiparous tendencies, which can only be counter- productive to the land’s unity and socio-economic development. The Egba should work to eliminate from their midst dysfunctional tendencies that will not only tear them apart, but will also kill slowly their political, social and economic strengths for which they are reckoned in the community of tribes in Nigeria.
When the Egba nation works at change, be it traditional or cultural, it should be evolutionary and not revolutionary. On this, I want to commend Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland who has been championing genuine unity and evolutionary changes for sustainable socio-economic and political development in Egbaland.
There is the need for collective action towards what can sustain the strength of the Egba and ward off threats. Only a united Egba people can achieve the desired goal of robust socio-economic and political status.
March 9 to 15 is another wonderful opportunity for all sons and daughters of Egbaland to come together to celebrate the 2015 Lisabi festival and move the Egba nation forward.
Abolade Mann is of the Sopein-Mann Dynasty of Itesi Ake, Abeokuta