Benue: Idoma’s greatest challenge is lack of unity, not talent — Ochai
Idoma Association Leader Calls for Unity and Vision During Centenary Lecture
OTUKPO, Benue State — Edwin Ochai, President-General of the Idoma Association USA, emphasized the need for unity and a collective vision among the Idoma people during the 2026 Idoma Centenary Plus Lecture held on Saturday.
Speaking at the event, Ochai asserted that the major challenge facing the Idoma nation is not a deficiency in education or capability, but rather the lack of cohesion within the community.
“The greatest challenge facing us today is not a lack of education, intelligence, or human capacity. Rather, it is the absence of unity and a collective vision,” he said.
Reflecting on the discussions from the lecture, Ochai noted that the insights gained have broadened his understanding of the contemporary issues confronting the Idoma people and indicated a path toward a more promising future. He highlighted that despite producing notable professionals in various sectors, the Idoma nation has yet to fully translate its human resources into significant political, economic, and social advancement.
“Individual Idoma sons and daughters have excelled in various fields, demonstrating that we are not lacking in talent, knowledge, or leadership potential,” he said. However, he expressed concern that personal interests and political divisions often overshadow common goals, hampering the community’s collective strength.
“The Idoma people continue to excel, but their collective strength remains underutilized. A people united by a shared purpose can achieve far more than even the most brilliant individuals working separately,” he added.
Ochai called for the centenary celebration to serve as both a reflection on past achievements and a rallying point for enhanced unity and strategic leadership. With an upcoming election cycle, he urged the Idoma populace to prioritize competence and integrity when selecting their leaders.
Voters should evaluate candidates based on their track record of service and commitment to key issues such as development, education, youth empowerment, security, and economic growth, Ochai advised.
“The future of our people depends not on who speaks the loudest or spends the most money, but on who possesses the vision, competence, integrity, and commitment to advance the interests of the Idoma nation,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of leaders who can engage professionals, entrepreneurs, traditional institutions, women, and youth around a unified developmental agenda.
Ochai described the election season as a critical opportunity for the Idoma community to make informed decisions that would impact both present and future generations. He concluded with a call to action, urging the Idoma nation to embrace unity and visionary leadership as essential for progress.
“The time to act is now. The time to unite is now. Now is the time to make a wise choice,” he said.
