The reality behind resurging demand for Adada state
From Maurice Okafor,Enugu.
A new demand for the creation of Adada state has resonated once again. The demand whose dates for over five decades ago is a tall dream of the people of Nsukka Cultural zone and beyond who form the bulk of the present Enugu North Senatorial district was brought to the front burner through a visit to the national assembly by some elders and concerned citizens of the zone led by Chief Nnia Nwodo,former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo[worldwide] and Senator Chuka Utazi, who currently represents Enugu North Senatorial district in the national assembly, a fortnight ago.
Other members of the delegation were the leader of the Contact and Lobby Group for the Creation of Adada State, Engr. Vita Abba, His Royal Highness Igwe Simon Osisi Itodo, Igwe N.B.T. Ezeani, Igwe Spencer Ugwuoke, Chief Matthias Ome, Prof. Damian Opata, Dr. Fide Odo, Dr. (Mrs.) Selina Ugwuoke Adibua, Chief Frank Omeje, Chief Albert Nnamani and Barr. Amechi Nwodo, the secretary of the group, etc. Prior to the latest demand, a committee led by Major General Ugwuoke[rtd] had previously pursued the dream,just as the late Senator Isaiah Ani, a senator of the old Anambra state who represented the then Anambra North senatorial district,[ Nsukka Cultural zone and old Abakaliki province] in the second republic politics[ 1979 to 2003] was known as one of the empires of Adada state creation. Eventually the old Abakaliki province was carved to form the bulk of the present Ebonyi state from old Enugu state in 1996, after the present Enugu state[Wawa] was created in 1991. Thus,Adada state remains the only agitated dream state in the defunct Eastern region yet to be realized.
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THE AUTHORITY checks reveals that the strength for the demand of Adada state banks on the massive expanse of land vegetation with great agricultural potentials , mineral deposits and human resources to re define and re invent a future for people of Nsukka Cultural zone,who share common cultural heritage, to enhance their socio economic development satisfactorily by exploiting various mineral deposits and agricultural potentials in the area, and equally contributing to national economic growth. Beyond Nsukka cultural zone communities, some of the border communities which share same cultural affinity with some other communities in Benue,Kogi and Anambra states, will be enhanced socio infrastructurally in the new Adada state.
Further checks reveals that in addition to exploiting and boosting agricultural potentials,mineral deposits and human resource development of the people of Nsukka Cultural zone and beyond, the new Adada state will also provide a new hub in the nation’s transport sector, being the gateway to the North from the South Eastern part of the country. Already illustrious sons of the envisaged Adada state, are some of the major stakeholders in the commercial transport sector in South East and other parts of Nigeria. To mention but a few, The Peace Mass Transit[PMT], owned by Evangelist Prince Maduka Onyishi, Ifesinachi Motors, Royal Mass Transit and several others, contribute immensely in the stability of the nation’s road transport sector.
The current resurgence of the creation of Adada state is coming barely two years to the end of Governor Ugwuanyi tenure as governor of Enugu state. Analysts who have been following the trends of Enugu state,hold the view that the resonated demand for creation of Adada state is not hinged on marginalization from power equation of Enugu state, as the rotational principle adopted by the concerned elders of the state at the inception of fourth republic politics in 1999 has ensured that political leadership has transmitted across the three senatorial districts of the state from Enugu East senatorial district [1999 to 2007],Enugu West senatorial district[2007 to 2015] and currently Governor Ugwuanyi is occupying the turn of Enugu North senatorial district [2015 to 2023]. They hold the view that the demand is purely based on merit of realising the age long dream after some Cultural zones in Igbo land have attained their own separate state, even as the Igbo nation has been making case for an equalisation state comparable to the other Geo political zones of the country. In addition to harnessing and maximizing abundant economic potentials in Nsukka cultural zone for both local and national development.
The Analysts said that at no other time is the demand for Adada state ripe than before now,with the avalanche of political heavy weights from Enugu North Senatorial district, the Enugu state legislators and others at the national assembly harmonising on the project with Senator Chuka Utazi. In as much as the current Enugu state Governor,Rt hon Lawrence Ugwuanyi has been a three term national legislator before his present status as Governor of Enugu state. They tasked him to do all his possible best in ensuring that the age long dream of Adada state is realised this time around, as a legacy cum pay back for the political will he has consistently enjoyed from Nsukka Cultural zone for almost two decades.
The visit by the delegation on Adada state creation a fortnight ago to the National assembly was not in vain. The Senate President while welcoming them described the quest for the creation of Adada State as a constitutional and legitimate agitation. He said the creation of Adada State holds great importance to the people of Enugu State, and promised the support of the National Assembly to the agitation. He expressed hope that other stakeholders in the South-East would support the cause for the creation of Adada State.
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The Senate President further described Senator Utazi, representing Enugu North Senatorial district as being effective in his representation. He assured the delegation that he would work with Senator Utazi and other senators to heed their demand when the process begins.Likewise, the deputy senate President, Senator Omo-Agege commended the Adada movement for building strong consensus at home and urged them to extend their hands of fellowship to federal legislators from other parts of the federation.
Senator Omo Agege tasked the Adada State movement to intensify their lobbying because the matter would come before all senators at plenary for debate, subject to the public hearings that would also be held.
“I am glad that, in your own case, consensus appears already to have been built at home and across the entire South-East geopolitical zone in support of this request. So, I think it makes our job easier and I want to give a commitment that we will do all we can to support this exercise, subject to your team reaching out to our colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives,” he added
