…Embarks on fundraising drive in July
…Urges other socio-cultural, professional groups to emulate AEP by investing in education, youth empowerment
The Association of Esan Professionals (AEP) has restated its commitment to expediting action on the development of Esanland.
This is just as the association prepares to organise a groundbreaking fundraising initiative aimed at providing community projects and mobilising more support for educational and social interventions in Esanland in July.
According to AEP, the fundraising will serve as a platform to unite Esan sons and daughters all over the world towards a common goal of sustainable development in the five local government areas that make up Esanland in Edo State.
Speaking on the initiative, Chairman of the AEP Fundraising Committee, Barrister Emmanuel Ogbebor, said that the planned fundraising event is not only a call to service but also a collective responsibility for all Esan professionals all over the world.
According to him, “This is another opportunity for Esan professionals worldwide to put themselves forward to be counted.”
AEP, Ogbebor said has consistently contributed to the development of the communities in Esan land, particularly in the education sector, adding that greater collaboration and stronger financial support were needed to expand its impact in the land.
” We thank members of the association for the job done so far over the years and we are also using this opportunity to invite more people to join the group,” he said.
Many Easn sons and daughters, he noted may not be aware of the activities and achievements of AEP, adding that despite that the body is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for growth and development across the region.
According to him, “Esanland is great and we also have great and wonderful people as Esan sons and daughters. As much as we believe they have been contributing their quota to the development of the communities one way or the other, I personally believe coming together will strengthen us more and boost the resources for continuous development.”
He call on professionals in Esan extraction, both at home and in the diaspora not to only identify with the association but to also contribute to projects that would positively impact on younger generations and underserved communities in Esanland.
He pointed out that some Esan sons and daughters may not be aware of AEP, its activities and the impact it has made in Esanland but with the fundraising coming up in July will help to showcase what the association is doing and is commitment towards taking Esan land to the next level.
Recall that in 2025, AEP introduced educational grant programme for Esan students in tertiary institutions across the country.
Speaking on the educational grant then, in Lagos, the President of AEP, Dr. Henry Egbiki, explained that the educational grant was part of the group’s Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) aimed at supporting indigent students and encouraging academic excellence among Esan youths.
Egbiki said that the beneficiaries of the programme received grant worth N150,000 each, as no fewer than 50 students selected from the five Esan local government areas benefitted.
The beneficiaries, he reiterated were drawn from Esan Central, Esan South-East, Esan North-East, Esan West and Igueben Local Government Areas of Edo State, with 10 students selected from each council area.
Egbiki further explained that the grant was designed not only to ease the financial burden on students and their families, but also to inspire young people in Esan land to pursue education and leadership opportunities.
In his words, “The association organised the programme to give back to Esanland, and the scholarship grant will be a yearly affair.”
Also speaking, Chairman of the Scholarship Screening Committee, Mr. Judge Okoyo, commended the association for its consistency in community development and urged other socio-cultural and professional groups to emulate AEP’s example by investing in education and youth empowerment.
Also in December 2025, AEP honoured the Governor of Edo State, Senator, Monday Okpebholo and 14 distinguished sons and daughters of the land who made outstanding contributions and sacrifices towards the growth and development of Esanland and its people.
The AEP boss had further explained that the move to reward the ,15 men and women of Esanland is in keeping with AEP’s tradition of honouring excellence
‘We have chosen to recognise fifteen outstanding sons and daughters of Esanland who have distinguished themselves through service, leadership, and commitment to our homeland. They are worthy sons, daughters, ambassadors and role models for present and future generations,” Egbiki said.
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