EGBA HERITAGE CANADA
I am well-traveled both locally and internationally. I have met and come in contact with numerous people from various ethnic backgrounds. One peculiar set of brave and passionate hearted people I have encountered are the Egba People. The Egba people are a subgroup of the Yoruba people, an ethnic group of western Nigeria
Before I continue; let me dazzle you about them and their legendary feats.
Do you know that-The first church in Nigeria was completed in 1898? The Cathedral Church of St. Peter which is the first church in Nigeria is located in Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The first hospital in Nigeria, Sacred Heart Hospital, is in Abeokuta and still functioning. The first bridge in Nigeria (Sokori Bridge-1903) built by a Nigerian (Mr. John Adenekan) without European supervision is in Abeokuta. The first Newspaper in Nigeria (Iwe Iroyin) was founded in Abeokuta in 1859. During the American Civil War (1861-1865) which interrupted the U.S cotton trade to Europe, Abeokuta exported cotton to England. The only South Westerners ever to rule Nigeria are from Abeokuta (Olusegun Obasanjo and Ernest Shonekan).
The Egba’s are highly industrious and hardworking people in Nigeria. It is said that the Egbas are warriors.
Egba Nigerian Canadians unite.
Warriors will always connect wherever they find themselves because of the common interest of harnessing strategic economic warfare, especially within the context of their tribe or clan. This was what gave birth to the Egba Heritage Association of Canada.
Egba Heritage Association of Canada is a non-profit and community-based Association founded in December, 2016 by some progressive sons of Egba Descend based in Canada. It was conceived by Hon. Olusegun Ajala who rallied round others .The maiden meeting of the Association was held at 44 Belcrest Drive, Brampton, Ontario, Canada at the residence of the former and pioneer President of the Association, Mr. Ayodele Sanni. Subsequent meeting at the residence of Mr. Jimi Alasela, got the Association christened "Egba Heritage". The Association moved swiftly to registration process with the Ministry of Government Services, Ontario and CRA.
The association’s core objective is to contribute to the development of Egba’s in particular and Nigeria in general among other visions.
Since her creation the EHAC has consistently being at the business of promoting charitable and benevolent gestures.
Egba Heritage Canada donates Covid 19 palliatives to Egba’s back home.
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the lives of millions across the globe. The effects of the crisis have been felt deeply, especially by vulnerable groups living on the fringes. Caught amidst the socio-economic fallout of the disease and the all-pervasive sense of uncertainty and anxiety, children face heightened threats to their safety and well-being.
All through the COVID-19 crisis and the lockdown in Nigeria, Egba Heritage association Canada has continued to network and rally support without any disruption to take up interventions to prevent abuse, assist children in distress and provide emotional support to their fellow Egba’s back home.
EHAC organized strategic palliative distribution through the office of the paramount ruler of Egba Kingdom, the Alake of Egbaland.
The Monarch, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo in his palace received delegates of the EHAC with branded bags of food items and cash donations to help cushion the effect of the virus.
The paramount ruler expressed gratitude to her Sons and Daughters for the timely intervention. He showered prayers and well wishes to all the Egba’s in diaspora.
EHAC has also been at the forefront of the COVID-19 response, and has been working closely with district administrations, child protection bodies, health departments, law enforcement, and civil society networks to disseminate information about COVID-19, distribute hygiene kits, food and medical supplies, and extend emergency relief and rescue for children and families affected by the crisis.
In a conversation with the Association's image maker and Public relations officer Mr. Jimi Alasela, he described the gesture as a timely and necessary step. He said the leadership of the association under the auspices of Mr. Jimoh Olaleye has been humanity geared, he said they will continue give back to the people.