By Abel Johngold Orheruata
Stakeholders from the three Federal Constituencies of Delta North Senatorial District, have backed the proposed bill seeking for creation of Anioma state.
The stakeholders declared the total support yesterday in Asaba, at an interactive session to enlighten the public comprised of community representatives, civil society organizations, journalists and other interest groups on the creation of Anioma State from the territory of the present Delta State.
Speaking at the interactive session, the National Coordinator of Ukpe Anioma, Chief Alex Ikpeazu, represented by the Ebubedike of Igbodo Kingdom, Chief Fred Obuseh, Ugo Anioma Movement, former Dean of Novena University, Ogume, Delta, Dr. Godwin Ossai, former Delta State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Tourism, Hon. Dan Okenyi including others expressed a form of appreciation to Senator Ned Nwoko for resurrecting the issue of Anioma state which had been in abeyance for decades since the time of Dennis Osadebey. Noting that it was kind of put to rest when Delta State was created, and not that it was totally forgotten.
While saying that there was no doubt that people of Delta North were in position to benefit from the creation of Anioma State, the interactive session admitted that, similarly, the people from Delta central and South were also in position to benefit from its creation because what use to come as one package would now be two packages with all the dividends that come from it.
In their separate positions on the viability and size of the geographical areas, Senior Special Assistant to Senator Ned Nwoko, High Chief Ugo Asibelua, Convener of Ugo Anioma Movement, Apostle Victor Sorokwu and renowned academic, Dr. Godwin Ossai aligned with the notion that Anioma has the landmass, the population, we have the intellectual capabilities to drive the economy, human and physical resources to become a viable State. And there is a general acceptance of its creation.
While cautioning that having the State created was better than expressing fear of marginalisation from the core South Easterners, Dr. Ossai appealed to the media and evey other persons to help disseminate and build consensus, truth, and commitment among the constituents of Delta-North’s to manage emerging distractions.
He noted that the whole purpose of state creation was to bring the government closer to to the people. insisting that there was need for it, there was benefit for having Anioma State.
“Let’s face the more controversial aspect of it, and that’s the State to be in South-East zone. We have to be pragmatic about it, you can’t say because we don’t want to be in South-East, therefore, we can’t have Anioma State.
“For those who have strong feeling against it being in South East, it is not a South-East government, it is a zone and not even constitutional but just for political convenience arrangement to help to bring people together to collaborate.”
In his contributions, Hon. Chief Dan Okenyi noted that the agitation for the creation of Anioma state dated back many years ago, then, as a movement, that it was disappointing to hear certain persons kicking against its creation.
He stated that he was pained to hear people agitating against the creation of Anioma state, that the State they were asking was for the nine Local Government Areas in Delta-North and no other town or community in the South-East is to be added to the proposed Anioma State.
Okenyi disclosed that the two Senators from Delta-South and Delta-Central senatorial districts are supporting the creation of Anioma State.
“This agitation is not about Senator Ned Nwoko; yes, it is true that God is using him to champion the project.” He added.
Concluding, the Convener of the stakeholders interactive session on the creation of Anioma State, Apostle Victor Sorokwu, hinted that the agitation for Anioma State dates back to the period of regional government in the country and should not be seen as an embodiment of one man.
