ANIOMA STATE CREATION: Critical Stakeholders Back Bill; Commend Sen Ned Nwoko For Commitment To Its Actualization - By Eunice Emeyazia

As the agitation for the creation of Anioma state intensifies, an Anioma Stakeholder Summit has been organised by the office of the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, in Asaba the Delta State capital.

Tagged the Renewed Quest for the creation of Anioma State, the Summit drew critical stakeholders in the Anioma region including serving and past political leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders, women and youths.

In a keynote address, the Chief Host, Senator Ned Nwoko said that the bill for the creation of Anioma State had already passed through the first reading, adding that he was optimistic that it would soon scale the second reading, even as he expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would assent to the bill. 

Senator Nwoko clarified that he was not aiming at becoming Governor of Anioma State through the bill, neither was he bothered about which region the proposed Anioma state would be ceded to, pointing out that his interest was to ensure the independence of the Anioma people who he represented.

He reminded the people that the agitation for the creation of Anioma state had spanned over five decades, and urged the people to see the agitation as a collective responsibility, even as he paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers of the struggle, most of whom were of blessed memory, including the former premier of the Midwestern region, Dennis Osadebay, the late Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien, Senator Nosike Ikpo and George Orewa

Senator Nwoko said a new state would bring development closer to the people, and create rooms for more sons and daughters of Anima extraction to occupy leadership seats at the various levels.

Other speakers at the Summit including the member representing Aniocha /Oshimili in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ngozi Okolie, Hon. Ossai N. Ossai, Member representing Aniocha North in the Delta state House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, the 2nd Vice Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Obi of Ubulu-Unor, Obi Henry Kikachukwu, and the Ochendo of Asaba, Eng. Louis Edozien expressed support for the bill for the creation of Anioma state.

They commended Senator Nwoko for his commitment to the actualization of its creation.

The event featured a vote of confidence on Senator Nwoko, moved by Hon. Ossai N. Ossai, seconded by Dr. Roy Edozien.

Meanwhile and in a related development Anioma State Summit: Dein of Agbor, Keagborekuzi 1, has thrown his considerable weight behind Ned Nwoko and the quest for the creation ofAnioma state.

Veteran journalist, Andy Emephia, who was present at the Anioma State creation stakeholders summit which held at Grand Hotel Asaba, Delta State on Saturday, August 31st, reports that the revered traditional ruler declared his endorsement of the quest thus: 

"So long as it's not an illegitimate quest and not intended to disintegrate the country, the agitation for Anioma State is in order and needs to be encouraged by all and sundry".

With these emohatic words of endorsement of Senator Ned Nwoko,s Anioma State creation bill , the Dein of Agbor kingdom , His Royal Majesty Benjamin lkenchukwu, Keagborekuzi 1, unequivocally announced his support for the quest for Anioma State

The charismatic first class Guinness book of records traditional ruler who was a Special guest at a Stakeholders Summit convened by the Senator representing Delta North at the red Chambers of the National Assembly , Senator Ned Nwoko , at the Nnebisi Hall of Grand hotel Asaba on Saturday 31 2024, said there is legitimacy in an Anioma State.

Obi Keagborekuzi 1 , maintained that the agitation for the creation of Anioma State should not be politicized, but rather , taken as a collective dream of all Aniomas , due to the long term benefits that will accrue.

The Dein of Agbor paid glowing tributes to all those , living and dead , who have in no small way , ensured that the dream of creating an Anioma State, within the Nigerian federation, becomes a reality.

Said Keagborekuzi 1, "l am very much in support of any agitation that is not intended to cause disaffection or lead to national security concerns. I am fully in support of this Anioma State creation agitation in as much as it's not driven to distort the Nigerian federation. I thank the distinguished Senator representing Delta North Senatorial district, Senator Prince Ned Nwoko , for championing the cause of a truly homogenous state for Aniomas. It's a welcome development and we should ensure the entire process is supported".