By Ogbueshi Godfrey Odogwu
The House of Representatives Constitution Amendment Committee is currently in Enugu to deliberate on key national issues including the request of Ndi Anioma for a state of their own.
Two weeks ago we presented the same request at both Enugu and Ikot Ekpene during the Senate public hearing.
The quest for the creation of Anioma State is as old as I am. It commenced in the year I was born- 1954, when one of Anioma most distinguished sons, Chief Dennis Osadebay presented a request to the Colonial Office in London for a West Niger Province to be carved out from the Warri and Benin Provinces.
Between 1954 and 2014 when the Jonathan Administration’s Constitutional Conference recommended the creation of Anioma State, there had been eight other formal requests, from one Administration to another, whether military or civilian. These requests were made in 1975, 1980, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1995, 1999 and 2014 – for the creation of Anioma State.
Thus the request for Anioma State is the oldest agitation for a State of their own by Anioma people in the history of pre independent Nigeria and had remained unanswered till this day.
So I ask, why has this grave error of injustice and denial of self determination against the people of Anioma been sustained in the past seven decades?
Therefore, since this dream eluded my grandfather’s generation and my father’s generation (both now deceased), I am determined that this just and equitable cause will not elude my generation and the generations of Anioma children yet unborn.
I am therefore thankful to Almighty God that a time Ndi Anioma were becoming weary and unsure of whether Anioma State will ever become a reality, He positioned another worthy son and leader of Anioma to pick up the baton from where his predecessors stopped, and take us to the finishing line.
Senator Ned Nwoko’s extraordinary passion, determination and hard work as the Senator representing Delta North, powered by his overflowing love for Ndi Anioma and the massive investment of his personal resources to this just cause have brought us to where we are today.
He successfully pushed the bill for the amendment of the Constitution to create Anioma State as the 37th State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the first and second readings in the Senate.
Now we are poised to present our proposal for the creation of Anioma state at the House of Representatives public hearing this week at Enugu.
Our proposal will certainly stir the conscience of these Honourable members of the 10th National Assembly to correct the age old injustice against Ndi Igbo and grant us Anioma State.
I cannot here begin to recount for you the enormous benefits that will accrue to us the people of Anioma State when the new State is born.
I believe that the dream of Ndi Anioma – a dream and a burning desire that had lasted for 71 years will become reality.
I appeal to Ndi Anioma to remain United and unrelenting as we pursue our just cause.
I can see the silver lining and I can hear the sounds of victory and rejoicing.
Long live Ndi Anioma!
Long Live Anioma State
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Ogbueshi Godfrey Odogwu
Director General , Technical Committee Secretariat on the creation of Anioma State.
