Evidently, the renewed clamour for the creation of Anioma State as currently being championed by the Senator representing Delta North, Prince Ned Munri Nwoko, received a boost during the recent South South and South East Zonal Senate Public Hearings on the Constitution Review held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom and Enugu States respectively.

Anioma State creation topped the agenda of the public hearings, thereby further consolidating the expectations that the new state will soon become a reality.

In this chat with with lagoscityreporters.com, Media Director, Anioma State creation, Chief(Barr.) Tonia Ositadinma Oganah, speaks on the remarkable progress so far made towards the creation of Anioma State, stressing that it is a timely and expedient demand aimed at ensuring justice, equity and even development.

He further calls on all Anioma sons and daughters to eschew rancour,bitterness, rivalry ,and support Senator Ned Nwoko to actualise his desire to see a new state created for Delta lgbo.

On the journey so far attained for the actualisation of Anoima State, Oganah a lawyer, publisher and an unrepentant Anioma State exponent, goes down memory lane, echoing: “Well, many may not know, particularly our younger generation, that the request for the creation of Anioma State began as far back as in l950s, led by the now late Chief (Barr.)Dennis Osadebey,Ojiba Ahaba and first Premier of the Midwestern Region.

Others included Chief Idisi Dafe (Ndokwa) Dr George Orewa, Chief Humphrey Iwerebon (Ika), traditional ruler of Idumuje Ugboko ,Obi Nwoko,(Aniocha),among others.

“Remarkably too, Anioma and Katagum States creation request remain the oldest in Nigeria,transcending over six decades of both civilian and military administrations in the country.” He said

The public affairs analyst further affirms :”Today, and to the glory of God, renewed impetus and vibrancy have been injected into the Anioma State creation request through a private bill presented to the Senate by Senator NedNwoko representing the nine local government areas comprising Delta North Senatorial Zone.

Nwoko who is schooled and versed in the intricacies of political brinkmanship has thrown his weight behind the quest for a new state for Delta lgbo, by lobbying his colleagues in the Upper House to endorse the creation of Anioma State, a request which has equally scaled through 1st and 2nd Readings in the Upper House.

Oganah, a community leader goes philosophical, affirming that the demand for Anioma State creation is one not only overdue, but imperative to correct the imbalance and marginalisation of the South East in terms of the number of states in the zone.

He adds:”Commendably too ,Senator Ned Nwoko has been able to get the endorsement of 89 senators out of 109 for the creation of the state. Even the widespread enthusiasm and massive support across various strata and sectors during the recent Senate Public Hearing on the Constitution Review has shown that God willing,Anioma State will be created soon.”

On the issue of opposition to the creation of Anioma State by some people, especially top political leaders in the state on grounds of its viability and inclusion in the South East,Oganah who admitted he is aware of such discenting voices,but sounds optimistic that such issues can be resolved amicably.
He further intones:”

Well, it will be naive for me or anybody to believe that every Anioma person or politician will support the creation of the proposed state.
Even Jesus Christ our Lord had 12 disciples out of which one of them,Judas Iscariot, betrayed him.”

“However, once majority of the people are on the same side,it then follows that at such point ,efforts will now be made to make those on the opposite side to see not only reasons,but the bigger picture.
For instance,there is no doubt that the creation of Anioma State will usher in an all- round and human and infrastructural development, employment opportunities,security , check marginalisation and promote ethnic harmony, among others.” He said.

On the issue of how best to actualise the Anioma State dream,Oganah affirms:”the main issue now is that we Anioma people, especially our political class, need to unite ,shun unhealthy rivalries, bitterness,rancour, selfishness and false narratives targetted against Senator Nwoko and other arrowheads in the state creation vanguard.
Rather ,we should all rally round the sagacious, pragmatic and progressive Senator Ned Nwoko to achieve his lofty dream of Anioma state creation.
Our senator needs to be commended,encouraged, and not vilified for his many good works in Delta North.
I believe he has done a lot of good works for Delta North in terms of quality representation, advocacy, philanthropy,provision of infrastructure,and above,his drive for a new state for Delta lgbo.”

The Onicha- Ugbo born Prince and high chief,also debunks the fears raised about the economic viability of the proposed new state.
He echoes: “l think it is laughable for any one to believe that Anioma State if created won’t be viable.
First, from available records,a large chunk of Anioma land ‘warehouses’ huge quantities of high grade crude oil and gas- Nigeria’s major revenue earner.
With these huge crude oil reserves,Anioma State when created ,will be receiving huge federal allocation as one of leading oil producing states in Nigeria.
Apart from crude oil,and most importantly, Anioma has a preponderance of top notch human capital in all spheres of human endeavours.
In Anioma land,l don’t think there is any family that has not produced graduates in today’s four dominant professions-Medicine,Law , Engineering and Computer Science or Information Technology (IT)This is so because our Anioma people place high premium on quality education.
Name it,is it in the banking sector,who can rival these Anioma born banking icons, Tony Elumelu(UBA) or Jim Ovia(Zenith Bank)
Then talk of renowned global technocrats,you will readily mention our own,Dr Ngozi Okonjo lweala,a former Finance Minister ;Chief Philip Asiodu,of the Super Permanent Secretaries’fame and Economic Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo;Prof Joy Ogwu,former Director-General of the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs(NIIA),Prof.Pat Utomi,etc.
In sporting and musical spheres,our own Jay Jay Okocha,Sunday Olise,Victor Agili;Ogbuogu Okonji,Don Jazy ,a contemporary musician and music producer,among others.

In the religious space, we have Pastor (Dr) Tony Rapu of *This Present House* who spiritually helped to transform Nigerian youths by taking them off the night clubs to churches through the Redeemed Christian Church of God(RCCG) in Lagos parishes
Infact,the list of Anioma high flyers in the professions,public service, academia,sports,music, religious,is endless.

We will harness and tap into this huge and diverse human capital in Anioma land for rapid development.
Oganah who was Ohaneze Ndigbo National Spokesman for six years under President- General, Chief Gary lgariwey , disagrees with those opposed to the proposed inclusion of Anioma State to the South East geo- political zone.
I posits that the present six geo- political zones arrangement in the country is mainly for political convenience and exigency,and has no constitutional backing.
Hear him: “The lgbo of the South East and Delta lgbo have remained the same historically and culturally.Though in the past, the now entire Delta lgbo, territory was part to the Western Region,yet our forebears belonged to the old Igbo Union across the globe.
History tells us that the NCNC was an amalgam of various unions,including the lgbo Union, which later coalesced into a political party.
However,such unions were banned by then Military Head of State,Maj.Gen.Aguyi lronsi after the 1966 coup
Also, it need be emphasised here that the present Ohaneze Ndigbo is an offshoot of the defunct lgbo Union. Interestingly too, our own Ogwashi-Uku born renowned diplomat and Publisher of *Africa Now* magazine,Chief Ralph Uwechue and the Biafran war veteran,Chief Joe Achuzia from Asaba, were former President and Secretary Generals of Ohaneze Ndigbo respectively.
Oganah further posits,that integrating the planned Anioma State with the South East zone will further
ginger the spirit of healthy competition, entrepreneurship and ethnic harmony in the new state.