By Dr. Harrison I. Okao, JP
Director General, Center for Good Governance, Development and Socio Cultural Advocacy.

Among the many profound expressions handed down by our ancestors is the Benin phrase Edorodion. For generations, it has embodied the belief that the Edo people are Odion a people of dignity, honour, excellence, integrity, and distinction wherever they may be found. It is a timeless expression of character, not a declaration of superiority.

Sadly, some have misunderstood the meaning of Edorodion, interpreting it as a claim that Edo people are superior to others. Nothing could be farther from the wisdom of our forebears. Our ancestors never preached arrogance. They taught responsibility. They never encouraged domination. They inspired honour. They understood that respect is earned through good conduct, noble character, and service to humanity, not through empty boasts.

The history of the Benin Kingdom bears eloquent testimony to this truth. Benin rose to become one of Africa’s greatest civilizations not because it proclaimed itself above others, but because it built enduring institutions, upheld justice, respected tradition, encouraged commerce, rewarded hard work, and consistently placed the collective good above personal ambition. These enduring values made the Edo people truly Odion.

Today, Edo sons and daughters continue to distinguish themselves across Nigeria and around the world. They excel as professors, captains of industry, entrepreneurs, diplomats, military officers, judges, traditional rulers, artisans, professionals, and political leaders. Their achievements are visible in virtually every field of human endeavour. Yet, despite these remarkable individual successes, our collective influence is often diminished because we remain divided.

No people can truly claim to be Odion while constantly fighting among themselves. Political differences, community rivalries, clan sentiments, personal ambitions, and the destructive pull down mentality continue to weaken our collective strength. Too often we celebrate personal victories while neglecting our common destiny. We expend more energy attacking one another than confronting the real challenges facing our people.

This must change. The true meaning of Edorodion is not that an Edo person is better than every other Nigerian or every other ethnic nationality. Rather, it is a call for every Edo son and daughter to strive to become the very best version of themselves through discipline, integrity, hard work, innovation, humility, and above all, unity.

Unity does not require uniformity. We do not all have to belong to the same political party or share identical opinions. Democracy thrives on diversity of thought. However, whenever the fundamental interests of Edo people are at stake, we must stand together as one people. We may disagree in debate, but we must unite in defending the progress, security, culture, and development of our homeland.

The Edo people have far more to gain from cooperation than from conflict. Our traditional institutions, political leaders, business community, youth organizations, women groups, religious leaders, professionals, and those in the diaspora must see themselves as partners in one common mission: building a stronger, more prosperous, and more united Edo State for generations yet unborn.

The younger generation must also appreciate that the greatness of our ancestors was never accidental. It was built on discipline, respect for constituted authority, communal responsibility, courage, sacrifice, and selfless service. These timeless values remain as relevant today as they were centuries ago. If they are abandoned, the title Odion becomes an empty slogan. If they are preserved, Edorodion will continue to inspire future generations.

As Edo people, we must reject every attempt to divide us along political, local government, clan, or religious lines. Our diversity within Edo is one of our greatest strengths, not a weakness. A united people command greater respect, attract greater investment, produce stronger leadership, and leave behind a lasting legacy.

The challenge before us is therefore unmistakable. Let us transform Edorodion from a cultural expression into a living philosophy. Let our unity speak louder than our words. Let our cooperation become our greatest strength, and let our achievements reflect the noble values handed down by our ancestors.

If we truly desire to remain Odion, then we must work together. History teaches one undeniable lesson: a united Edo people are difficult to defeat, impossible to ignore, and destined for greatness. The future of Edo is not the responsibility of one individual, one community, one political party, or one generation. It belongs to all of us. Only by standing together we can preserve the honour, dignity, and excellence that define the timeless meaning of Edorodion.

Oba ghato ‘kpere, Isee.