A clinical application specialist, Dr. Bernadette Aluele-Amao, has proposed the establishment of a mobile healthcare outreach programme that would deliver medical services directly to underserved communities across the five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Edo State that make up Esanland.
The LGAs are Esan West, Esan Central, Esan North-East, Esan South-East and Igueben.
At the recently concluded 10th annual convention of the United States of America/Canada chapter of Esan World Congress (EWC), held in Dallas, Texas, USA, Aluele-Amao said that the objectives can be achieved through partnerships with Primary Healthcare Centres and the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH).
In a deeply emotional and thought-provoking presentation titled, “Renewing Esanland: Our Health, Our Heritage, Our Collective Responsibility”, she called attention to the healthcare crises confronting communities across Esanland.
Using the heartbreaking story of a young child who died due to a lack of oxygen access in a local clinic, Aluele-Amao challenged the diaspora community to move from concern to action.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice and an Epic-certified Clinical Applications Specialist based in the USA, Aluele-Amao also advocated for diaspora-supported solar power infrastructure for ISTH, emphasising the urgent need for stable electricity to support surgeries, emergency care, and patient safety.
A Nigerian-born author, Ms. Caroline Omoifo Ilogienboh, who presented a paper on “Fruitfulness”, explored the physical, emotional, and social dimensions of community well-being while addressing the damaging effects of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Female Genital Pressing (FGP), practices still affecting some communities in Esanland.
The retired probation officer described both the womb and the heart as life-giving centres essential to the health of families and communities. She highlighted the lifelong trauma, reproductive complications, emotional pain, and family instability caused by harmful traditional practices and called for collective action to end all forms of genital abuse.
Her paper emphasised that healthy families are foundational to healthy communities, urging
The President of USA/Canada chapter of EWC, Dr. Eromosele Idahosa, stressed the importance of unity, visionary leadership, and shared responsibility in resolving the developmental challenges facing Esanland.
Idahosa, who is also the Chief Medical Director of Diamond Medical Services LLC, USA, urged Esan people globally to remain committed to preserving their rich cultural heritage while contributing meaningfully to the social, economic, and political advancement of Esan communities both at home and abroad.
The Secretary General of the host group, Prof. Ehiyamen Osezua, highlighted several institutional milestones achieved since assuming office in October 2023.
According to him, the organisation has undergone significant administrative reforms, strengthened leadership structures, expanded global engagement initiatives, and improved operational coordination to reposition the Congress as a leading diaspora institution.
Osezua, a renowned scholar, leadership strategist, author, and international development advocate and public policy expert, noted that the secretariat successfully established official communication frameworks, enhanced internal coordination systems, expanded affiliate participation, and introduced professional administrative procedures that have improved accountability and organisational efficiency.
He further noted the successful organisation of the 2024 and 2025 EWC Leadership Summits, which convened respected scholars, professionals, and thought leaders to discuss issues relating to Esan heritage, governance, leadership, and legacy preservation.
Among other major accomplishments, the Secretary General informed participants about the successful publication of two editions of the EWC Journal of Organisational Leadership, describing the journal as a growing intellectual platform dedicated to governance discourse, leadership studies, and developmental advocacy concerning Esanland and the African diaspora.
On governance reforms, Osezua, who is also a resident researcher at the University of Texas at Austin and member of the Austin Christian University Advisory Council, USA, listed the successful ratification of a new EWC Constitution in September 2025, alongside the documentation and coordination of numerous executive, general, and committee meetings aimed at strengthening institutional stability, transparency, and continuity.
A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, Mrs. Philomena Ihenyen, who represented Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, conveyed the governor’s call for unity among the Esan in the diaspora and congratulated them for organising a successful convention and sustaining the spirit of Esan unity and development abroad.
A major highlight of the convention was the comprehensive review of the Congress Constitution by the Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Engr. Sunny Udabor, who presented key amendments and recommendations aimed at strengthening the operational framework, governance structure, and future sustainability of the group.
The event brought together distinguished Esan sons and daughters, traditional stakeholders, professionals, scholars, community leaders, youth representatives, and diaspora affiliates from across North America and beyond.
Hosted by the Esan Progressive Association (EPA) Dallas, under the leadership of Mr. Daniel Arhewoh, with Mr. James Ogbagha serving as Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, the convention marked a decade of sustained commitment to unity, cultural preservation, leadership advancement, and developmental progress for Esan people worldwide.
The three-day convention featured keynote lectures, leadership engagements, cultural exhibitions, strategic policy discussions, youth empowerment conversations, and networking sessions centred on the theme of renewing Esanland through collective responsibility and diaspora collaboration.
Delegates commended the leadership of the congress for promoting unity, professionalism, intellectual engagement, and strategic advocacy while strengthening collaboration among Esan associations across North America.
The convention made a renewed calls for peace, unity, cultural preservation, youth investment, educational advancement, and increased diaspora participation in developmental initiatives across Esanland.
Special recognition was given to EPA Dallas for its outstanding hospitality, organisational excellence, and successful coordination of the historic event.
The congress also expressed appreciation to delegates, elders, affiliate organisations, sponsors, volunteers, and members for their contributions that ensured the success of the convention.
The EWC USA/Canada reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to promoting the welfare, unity, cultural identity, and developmental aspirations of the Esan people globally.
