By Anne Azuka
Some stakeholders and Interest groups in Delta State have declared their support for the proposed creation of Anioma state, appealing to the people especially those from the Delta North Senatorial District to equally do same for the betterment of the people.
It would be recalled that Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District at the red Chamber had in a bill presented recently before the Senate, proposed carving out the Anioma state from the present Delta State in the South-South region and making it the sixth state in the South East region.
The stakeholders spoke at an interactive session with the media and Interest groups in Asaba, Delta State capital.
Speaking at the forum, Dr. Godwin Ossai, ex-dean of Novena University, Ogume, Delta State who hails from the Ndokwa/Ukwuani federal constituency, said the creation of Anioma had been generally accepted among the people of Delta North Senatorial District.
According to him, wherever the issue of the creation of Anioma is discussed, there is a general acceptance of its creation.
He urged the media to help disseminate and build consensus, truth, and commitment among the constituents of Delta North’s nine Local Government Areas to manage emerging distractions.
Dr. Ossai cautioned that having the state first was better than expressing fear of marginalisation, stressing that it does not stop their association with the South South and other regions in the country.
On his part, Mr. Dan Okenyi, former Commissioner for Lands and Survey, said that the agitation for the creation of Anioma state dated back many years ago.
He said some of them met the issues in 1977, then as a movement, it was disappointing to hear certain persons kicking against its creation.
Mr. Okenyi said, “We are pained to hear people agitating against the creation of Anioma state; the state we are asking is for the nine local government areas currently in Delta North; no other town in the South East is to be added to the proposed Anioma state”.
“We had a meeting with the Igbo senators, and because of the marginalisation in the South East, it is proper to create Anioma state to make it six states in the region.’’
According to Mr. Okenyi, the two senators from Delta South and Delta Central senatorial districts support the creation of Anioma state.
He said that the creation of Anioma state could be done under the doctrine of necessity, adding that the people of Anioma should rather be happy and grateful.
While urging the media to support the move through adequate education and enlightenment of the people on the immense benefits of its creation, Okenyi expressed hope that the Anioma project would be realised.
“This agitation is not about Senator Ned Nwoko; yes, it is true that God is using him to champion the project,” Mr Okenyi said.
Also, Apostle Victor Sorokwu, President-General of Igbo Media Journalists said that the agitation for Anioma state dates back to the period of regional government in the country.
According to him, the agitation for Anioma state must not be seen as an embodiment of one man but for all to grab the benefits.
He said there was a need to sensitise the people about why the Anioma state should be created.
Sorokwu urged the people not to see it as a political structure because it’s non partisanship and should not be used for propaganda of some vested interest.
He expressed the imperatives of having a body of Think-Tank in the various communities of Delta North, stating that having Anioma State is a win-win situation for all Anioma people, job opportunities, political vacancies, amongst others.
Equally, Comrade Churchill Oyowe Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council added that if Anioma State is created, it would enhance cultural identity and preservation.
Oyowe stated, ” it will be a plus to Anioma people. Both human and natural resources in the state will make it have that capacity to be independent, having all it takes to be a State”.
However, the National Coordinator “UKPE ANIOMA” , Mr. Alex Ikpeazu said members worldwide and the teeming members from the nine LGA across Delta North unambiguously support the creation of Anioma state.
Mr. Ikpeazu who was represented at the occasion by Chief Fred Obuseh, the EBUBE DIKE of Igbodo Kingdom said, “when Anioma state is created, we the Anioma citizens will be the greatest beneficiaries”.
He advised those opposing the creation of Anioma state to look at “our alternatives or options? Should we remain as we are-an inconsequential
minority within a national minority?
God forbid; We should strive very hard and speak with one voice to get our Anioma state irrespective
of the zone as that will usher in more opportunities
viz more money, appointments, jobs, etc”.
“If we fail to support Senator Ned Nwoko’s aggressive drive for the creation of Anioma state, because of
geopolitical Zone, which is not in the constitution nor basis for political appointments and money sharing,
we will be further divided and rendered politically irrelevant forever.
“After all, we are all Igbos speaking the same dialect of NNUA & NDO and none is superior to the other. We are all Ohaneze and the President-General
position is rotated round the 7 Igbo states.
” The Late Oguluzame Ogwashi Uku, Chief Ambassador Ralph Uwechue was once President-General of Ohaneze
which was once called the Igbo union?
So, we must all seize the opportunity of the moment and support Ned Nwoko on his indefatigable drive for the creation of Anioma state as the sixth state in
the South East geopolitical zone”, Ikpeazu pointed out.
