United Igbo Elders Council Worldwide, not against creation of ANIOMA State .
—- say that the Anioma people know best what is good for them by asking for a state of their own.
—- added that the creation of an Anioma State, will be a fair reward for standing for one Nigeria in dire moments.
By Chimaobi Nwaiwu
NNEWI.
THE United Igbo Elders Council Worldwide, yesterday said that it has no problem with the creation of an Anioma State; that the Anioma people know best what is good for them; and that the creation of an Anioma State will not jeopardize the creation of new states wherever else in Nigeria.
The United Igbo Elders Council Worldwide, reaffirmed their support for the creation of an Anioma State, adding that Igbo Elders find no contradiction between the creation of an Anioma and similar creations elsewhere in the country.
A statement jointly signed by His Lordship, Hon. Justice Anthony I. Iguh, CON .President General; His Lordship, Justice Alpha Ikpeama, Coordinator General;
H. E. Pastor Michael Obierika, Secretary, Board of Trustees; Professor Donald N. Okoli, Acting Secretary General; Professor Chinedu Nebo, National Vice President; Dr Nwachukwu Anthony Anakwenze, National Patron and Chairman Diaspora; Iyom Josephine Anenih, National Patroness; Professor Obasi Igwe, Director Media and Publicity; Professor Nick Eze, National Chairman Police Affairs; Nze Amadiebube Mbama, Diaspora Coordinator; Prince Richard Eze Ozobu, National Patron; and Archbishop Chibuzor Okpoko, Spiritual Father/National Patron, the Igbo Elders declared full support for the
creation of an Anioma State.
A part of the Igbo Elders statement read, “The United Igbo Elders Council Worldwide having been inundated with questions whether the creation of an Anioma State wouldn’t jeopardize the quest for new states in the South East, wish to categorically state that the Anioma people more than Igbo Elders know what is good for them and best positioned to champion their cause.”
“Igbo Elders find no contradiction between an Anioma State anywhere and other states elsewhere and, to that extent would lend whatever support and do whatever they can for its realization. Hence the United Igbo Elders Council Worldwide, comprising Igbo Elders from all the North Central, South East, South South zones and states of major or minor Igbo indigeneity, as well as those in the Diaspora, are in full support of the creation of Anioma State regardless of any new states elsewhere.
“The Council ably led by His Lordship Hon. Justice Anthony I. Iguh, CON (Okosisi Nimo), former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and former Chief Judge of Old and New Anambra States, is not interested in, or even advising Anioma people to leave or join any zone or region, but simply in the legitimate self-determination of the Anioma people which, certainly, would be beneficial to every Nigerian, including us.
“It is therefore, with enormous joy that the United Igbo Elders Council, Worldwide, received the news of the resumption of the quest for an Anioma State, to be created out of the present Delta State of Nigeria. We noted that many other groups in the same state, not even as homogenous as the Anioma, had in the past equally sought a similar statehood for themselves within Nigeria. And we particularly understand that there are far more solid grounds for the Anioma people in making the noble request.”
The United Igbo Elders Council, Worldwide
described the creation of an Anioma State as a long-standing demand of those generally known as West Niger Igbo, who may know themselves by so many other lexicons, for a state of their own outside the original Western Region, adding that the demand for Anioma State then was only partially met with the creation of the Bendel and later Delta States, which never solved the preexisting contradictions.
“The Anioma people despite a diversity of dialects equally appreciate their overwhelming homogeneity and singleness of purpose in vital respects, which is based on the firm bonds of unity between the people such as Aniocha North/Issele Uku, Aniocha South Ogwashi Uku, Ika North/Owa Oyibu, Ika South/Agbor, Ndokwa East/Aboh, Ndokwa West/Kwale, Olukumi Odiani/Ebu, Oshimili North/Akwukwu Igbo, Oshimili South/Asaba, and Ukwuani/ Obiarukwu.
“It was that unity of purpose and singleness of mind that stood the Anioma people apart as one of the greatest contributors to African liberation and Nigerian independence through the Ekumeku wars of national resistance to Nigerian independence in both the NCNC, the AG and other parties, same way many of their elites did during the national crisis in Nigeria, sometimes against dominant tendencies.
“The quest for an Anioma State will significantly enlarge the development potentials of both the new Anioma State, as well as the positive rump of Delta state comprising the Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri, and the Urhobo. Hence, for a new Anioma and Delta States, it will be win-win on both sides. With the creation of Anioma State, Warri and Asaba and other cities would develop optimally and cooperate as brothers and sisters.”
The United Igbo Elders Council, Worldwide, recalled that since the Asaba genocide of 1967 in particular and the civil war in general, the Anioma people have been crying for a healing and true reconstruction. Hence, the creation of an Anioma State would be a significant step towards some recompense and closure, just as it will serve as a reward for their patriotic stand for One Nigeria.
“Anioma is rich in oil, gas and other natural resource and human capital and will have no problem generating enough IGRs to sustain herself with or without central funding.
“Anioma State is therefore a legitimate right to self-determination for a people that have suffered for so long, yearning for understanding, and seeking an opportunity to contribute optimally to the development and progress of a united Nigeria in conditions of peace and harmony with her neighbours.”
