As Ebonyi State advances in development and recognition, voices rise calling for lasting tributes to the unsung patriots who laid its foundation, Lawrence Egede writes.
In the rolling echoes of history, some names thunder with glory while others vanish in silence. But silence must not be the end for those who carved the foundation upon which Ebonyi State proudly stands today. In this heartfelt yet piercing reflection titled "The Creation of Ebonyi State: The Dues of the Laborers in Memory," I join the voices calling for proper recognition and immortalization of those who labored—some even to the point of death—for the birth of our beloved state.
Ebonyi State, carved out in 1st October 1996 from parts of Enugu and Abia States, did not emerge from the political terrain by mere executive whim. It was a result of fierce advocacy, deep intellectual engagements, strategic lobbying, and relentless sacrifice by sons and daughters—known and unknown—who believed in the destiny of Ebonyi as a standalone entity. Today, the glory of that dream has become reality. But with time, memory fades, and with it, the names of those who paid the price.
Drawing inspiration from 2 Corinthians 12:14, “For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children,” the message here is not a demand for entitlement but a reminder: those who prepare the future deserve gratitude, not neglect. Just as parents lay foundations for their children, so too did our forebears lay the pillars of Ebonyi's statehood.
Yet, like the forgotten medicine that healed a now-invisible wound, many of these men and women have faded from public remembrance—no monuments, no mention, no memorial. Their efforts risk being swept away by the tide of time.
One such example is the late Reverend Nwafor Oriuzor, whose life was reportedly cut short during the early agitation for state creation. His name barely surfaces in our political retrospectives. He represents a multitude—those whose contributions were quiet but consequential. Their families still walk among us. But does the state remember?
There are others, too—unlisted, unrecognized, omitted—whose legacies lie buried under the triumph of the outcome they helped achieve. It is high time the state made an intentional effort to uncover, document, and honour these individuals.
The call is simple but sacred: Do not let the labours of the past be forgotten. Specifically:
Immortalization through Infrastructure: Name roads, bridges, schools, or public parks after those who championed the state’s creation. Let their names become part of our daily journeys.
Inclusion in State Protocols: Extend privileges and courtesies to surviving contributors and their families. Their sacrifices warrant recognition in both ceremonial and governance spheres.
Annual Honours or Memorial Events: Establish a state day of remembrance or a heroes’ day linked to the creation of Ebonyi State, to teach future generations the price of statehood.
Publication of a Memorial Registry: A documented, state-sponsored publication listing all known contributors to the state’s creation will serve as an archive of pride and history.
While acknowledging that successive administrations have made some commendable efforts, especially in recognizing high-profile champions of the struggle, much remains to be done. Appreciation is due, but history demands more. Even a fowl, as the Igbo adage goes, remembers the hand that plucked its feathers in the rain.
To forget those who bore the burden of history is to erase the soul of our identity. The future is not only built with bricks and policies but with stories, scars, and the memory of sacrifice. As Ebonyi State rises in strength, economy, and culture, may it also rise in honour.
Let us remember. Let us reward. Let us never forget.To God be the glory forever.
Lawrence Egede writes from Abakaliki. He is a commentator on public policy, heritage, and history. This piece reflects the views of Noble Media on the legacy of Ebonyi State’s founding fathers.
