DISCORDANT TUNES AS ANIOMA STATE BECKONS - By Patrick Omagbemi

 The filibustering around the noble cause of Anioma State creation as proposed by distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko is captivating just as it is tantalizing and remarkable.

I admire and cherish the prospects for creating a state, as being championed by its proponents, that is capable of self sustainability. Although the Bill has scaled first reading in the Nigeria Senate, it is therefore wondering that those against it are within the Anioma circle. This lack of consensus can hinder a justifiable, unified push for this justifiable state creation.

Firstly, it is important to outline majorly the benefits that awaits Anioma State. They include:

* It is also important to state that the potential benefits is not only limited to the good people of Anioma Kingdom, but Southern Nigeria. It will promote more economic development and political representation for the region - such that ensures that any percieved feeling of marginalisation in the region can be addressed through statehood.

* Increase representation at the National Assembly, State Assembly, while giving Anioma a stronger voice to manage their affairs and determine their political destiny both at the national and state levels.

* The Anioma people will have improve resource control over their resources, enabling them to allocate it more efficiently to meet local needs.

* The creation of a state means the creation of more local government areas as this would ensure the creation of more wards in the state for both national and state purposes, allowing even spread of infrastructural development while creating jobs.

* A new state would focus more on internal security to address specific concerns and local challenges.

* The reality of Anioma State strengthens the identity of the Anioma people. It promotes their unity of purpose, cultural heritage and historical background. It gives them the ability to assert themselves more collectively

The foregoing are among other benefits of Anioma State creation too numerous to exhaust. It is therefore baffling that rather than unite behind this noble cause of Anioma statehood being projected by the charismatic debt relief magnate, in the person of, Prince Senator Chinedu Ned Munir Nwoko to achieve the feat, Aniomas are singing discordant tunes. 

The bigger picture of Anioma State creation is a test of Nigeria's democratic will. It is a test of the ability of the political class to redraw the geographical sub-nationals in ways that encourages cohesion, while meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

My Anioma brothers must not be their own worst enemy to let this slip away. This opportunity must be utilized to engage themselves, work together, unite as one as other players within the regions of Delta State and beyond are interestingly muted, holding their breath, watching, fully conscious that the reality of Anioma State means thier own reality too.

As the pros and cons rages on, whether Anioma State will belong to the South East or South South should not be the main concern, but rather the focus should be the benefits it brings to the anioma people. 

The good people of Anioma must own this pursuit to show unison to the whole world that they are indeed behind Senator Ned Nwoko. That they believe in the democratic process of actualising the reality of Anioma State...the benefits it will bring. God willing, it shall come to pass.