It is very disgusting to read a piece by Basil Okoh, filled with so much bile, hate and falsehood on the renewed quest for the creation of Anioma State and the person of Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko who is at the forefront of this renewed quest. Even more disgusting is the fact that this hateful and deceitful narrative is coming from a supposedly Anioma son and journalist.
We the people of Anioma have been agitating for a State of our own for over 70 years without success. It has been a dream deferred all these years until we elected Distinguished Senator Ned Munir Nwoko to represent us ( Delta North) in this 10th Senate. He prioritized the creation of Anioma State among the over 30 other acclaimed bills he has sponsored in the Senate on issues of national significance, all of which are at various stages of the process of enactment in laws.
He has mustered a combination of his passion, courage, resources, intellect, determination and love for Anioma to push the Anioma State creation bill through first and second reading, and a very successful outing by Ndi Anioma at the Public Hearings on constitutional amendments held by both the Senate and the House of Representatives this last July. Hundreds of Ndi Anioma comprising our professionals, youth associations, women associations, artisans, captains of industry, our high chiefs were led by over 25 Anioma Traditional Rulers to the Public Hearings to present our Memorandum for the creation of Anioma State. We spoke in one united voice to demand the creation of Anioma State.
Over 90 of Senator Ned Nwoko’s colleagues in the Senate have since endorsed their support for the creation of Anioma State. Yet, as we approach the finish line and the birth of Anioma State, we are now seeing a few enemies of Anioma, even among us, who are working extremely hard to thwart the efforts of Senator Nwoko and undermine the resolve of Anioma people who are supporting and encouraging him to see this 71 year old dream come true.
Many of us know and believe that Anioma is Igbo but our fear and denial of this fact have not only yoked us to the past but have also limited our relevance and impact in Nigeria today.
It is time for us to arise and accept that we are Igbo, Anioma Igbo and proudly so, without apologies. We share the same names, food, language, market days, festivals and other affinities with our compatriots in today’s South East Nigeria. We also intermarry with them and hundreds if not thousands of our children are of both Anioma and South East parentage. Why should we then continue to deny that we are Igbo? Why should will allow our children to inherit the falsehood that we are not Igbo? Igbo bu Igbo and the destiny of Anioma Igbo shall rise.
We never resisted or recorded our disapproval when, in this same country, Ndi Anioma were called Western Igbo, Midwest Igbo, Bendel Igbo and now Delta Igbo. We were obviously happy to be described as Igbo minorities in those regions because it is the truth.
It is also the truth that Senator Ned Nwoko, who by divine providence is championing the quest for Anioma State at this time, in consultation with his Senate colleagues, Ndi Anioma and many Anioma traditional rulers, agreed that Anioma State can be created as that EQUITY STATE that will become the sixth State in the South East Zone, and the 37th State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, according to the bill for the constitutional amendment for the creation of the state.
My argument therefore is this: If for over 70 years we have been fighting to get Anioma State created even in West or the South South without success, why should we not accept and even be thankful to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration if we get Anioma State created in this dispensation and zoned to the South East for the sake of federal balance, equity and the correction of decades of injustice. Why should we even care where Anioma State is zoned? After all, it will become just an additional independent federating State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the right to harness all her resources towards the development of the State and the betterment of the lives of Ndi Anioma. I therefore boldly say that Anioma State will not be a “yoke” on any region. It will be an independent and prosperous State in Nigeria with its recognized borders starting with the current nine Local Governments of Delta North.
Throwing insults and dirt on a brilliant and very successful and proud Anioma son like Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko and trying to rubbish his accomplishments because you hate his guts, his courage, his unwavering resolve and determination to deliver Anioma State to Ndi Anioma, is tantamount to fighting the divine destiny of Ndi Anioma. The spirits of Chief Dennis Osadebay and all the forbears who at one time or another have pushed for the creation of Anioma State since 1954, shall continue to prevail until victory day.
Anioma State is coming, an end to servitude is coming, joy is coming and we shall celebrate!
Finally, I ask:
Who is Basil Okoh to arrogantly decree in his last paragraph of his bile ridden piece that “Anioma State will not be created. Not under the watch of Senator Ned Nwoko.” Is he GOD? Please ask him.
