ANIOMA STATE AND ICONIC SUPPORT OF TRADITIONAL RULERS, BY GODFREY ODOGWU

The renewed quest for the creation of Anioma State effectively took off on the 31st of August 2024, when Distinguished Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, after months of consultations across Anioma land convened a Summit of Ndi Anioma at the prestigious Grand Hotel, Asaba, to discuss the agitation for Anioma and her future.

On that day, over three thousand Anioma sons and daughters, including over twenty five Traditional Rulers and dozens of High Chiefs from Aniocha/Oshimili, Ika, Ukwuani and Ndokwa, representatives of Professional bodies, students, youth organizations, artisans, women groups and Associations, all thronged into the Nnebisi Hall of Grand Hotel.

Those who could not find seats inside stood up at the upper level of the hall, while those who could not enter the hall were happy to remain outside dancing to the traditional music of Anioma, freely offered by various dance groups.

On that day, speech after speech by Anioma Traditional Rulers and Leaders ended with the same lines: “THANK YOU SENATOR NED NWOKO FOR CHAMPIONING THIS RENEWED QUEST” with unwavering affirmation – “WE WANT ANIOMA STATE NOW. “

This unanimous support of Anioma people led by our Traditional Rulers strengthened the resolve of Most Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko to push through bill calling for the creation of Anioma State as the 37th State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Today, that bill, having scaled through the first and second reading at the Senate have won the support of millions of not only Ndi Anioma at the Public Hearings but also millions of Nigerians represented by over Ninety Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and members of the House of Representatives. They have all given and even endorsed their unequivocal support for the creation of Anioma State. We are now poised for the passage of the bill at the third reading and getting ready to mobilize our people towards a 100% YES vote at the Referendum.

Today, I want to salute and pay a special tribute to all our Anioma Traditional Rulers. Not only to the twenty five of them who were at the Summit last year to voice their support but also to the thirty royal fathers, who again gathered at Ogwa Uku, Asaba on June 15, 2025, to attend the inauguration of the Technical Committee on The Creation of Anioma State of which they are all members.

I salute the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Asagba (Prof)Epiphany Azinge, the 14th Asagba of Asaba, who recognized, upheld and continued to support the quest for the creation of Anioma State following the patriotic advocacy of his late predecessor, HRM Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien who was another champion of the quest for the creation of Anioma State. The Asagba, an outstanding royal father and brilliant legal luminary in Nigeria, remains a shining light in our quest for Anioma.

I salute the Dein of Agbor,
His Royal Majesty, Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi who was not only personally present at the Anioma Summit last year where he spoke in support of the creation of Anioma State, but was also present at the Inauguration of the Technical Committee, sitting side by side with the Asagba of Asaba as co-Chairmen of the Committee at the historic occasion.

My tribute also goes to all the fifteen Royal Majesties who again travelled to Ikot Ekpene and Enugu to lend their support for the creation of Anioma State at both the Senate and House of Representatives Public Hearings last Month. The roll call is long but they are all worthy of being listed and appreciated:
Obi of Atuma, Obi of Idumuje Unor, Obi of Ubulu Uno, Ottah of Igbanke, Obi of Ejeme Aniogor, Obi of Nsukwa, Igwe of Abala, Obi of Ugboba, Ugoani of Okpanam, Igwete of Amai, Obi of Umutu, Odogwu of Asaba, Obi of Ashama, Obi of Obompka, Obi of Egbudu Akah, Olije of Igbanke and Obi of Idumuodin Igbanke.

Only last week, Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko received HRM Uche Erenuma, Obi of Abavo Kingdom, HRM Obi Chukwuka D. Ogbudo, Obi of Atuma and HRM Paul Ifeneziuche JP, Igwe of Amai Kingdom in Abuja. They all came to Abuja to reaffirm their unflinching support for the Senator and our collective quest for creation of our beloved Anioma State.

After the visit , the highly respected Obi of Abavo Kingdom put out the following message:
“ I, HRM Uche Erenuma the 2nd, the Obi and Paramount ruler of Abavo Kingdom from Ika Nationality hereby declares. I stand to support the creation of Anioma State, regardless of the Zone. The most important thing is for all the people of Anioma to have a State to call our own”.

This bold statement should reverberate across the whole of Anioma and beyond. Our quest for Anioma State has been on for over 71years. We are at the verge of getting it now. We must therefore not allow the insignificant sentiments of zoning to becloud our sound judgement of seizing and embracing the unique opportunity we have currently, to have our own State.

Yes, some of our traditional rulers and some Anioma prominent citizens may have expressed their preference in the past for Anioma State to be politically zoned to the South South rather than to the South East. I have no doubt whatsoever that the vast majority of Ndi Anioma just want a State of their own regardless of where it is zoned.

The focus should be on the immense political, economic and socio-cultural benefits that Anioma State will bring for the people of Anioma.

As I salute all our highly respected and revered Traditional Rulers of Anioma, who are indeed the custodians of our rich culture and traditions, I also urge them to embrace the spirit, wisdom and vision contained in the above statement of the Obi of Abavo. Their message to Ndi Anioma, as we begin to mobilize for the forthcoming referendum should be to “stand and support the creation of Anioma State regardless of the zone”.

Let this become our new slogan, the new song of unity and victory by a people who are about to receive their prize after a 71 year struggle.

A new era of quality, purposeful governance and development beckons for Anioma. A dream come true and freedom at last. Please let us unite and seize the time now.

A beautiful future is set to pamper Anioma, the good land.

Ogbueshi Godfrey Odogwu
Director General
Technical Committee on The Creation of Anioma State Secretariat.