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Tag: Anioma

  • Oganah urges Anioma citizens to unite behind state creation movement

    Oganah urges Anioma citizens to unite behind state creation movement

    The Anioma State Creation Technical Committee has issued a clarion call to all sons and daughters of Anioma to support the growing campaign for the creation of Anioma State. 

    Chief Tonnie Oganah, media and publicity director of the office the committee made the call while sharing 15 compelling facts tracing the historical, political, and constitutional journey behind the longstanding agitation.

    In a widely circulated message, Chief Oganah emphasised the need for unity, love, and collective prayers among Anioma citizens as they pursue a cause that promises development, equity, and representation. 

    “All Anioma citizens should support Anioma State creation in love, unity and progress with prayers to God as APC and its genuine members are truly supporting Anioma State creation,” he urged.

    The statement provided a detailed background of the state creation effort, dating back to 1951 when the idea was first proposed under the name Lower Niger State. 

    According to Oganah, the movement was led by prominent Anioma figures such as Chief Barr. Dennis Osadebe, the then Obi of Idumuje Ugboko (grandfather of current Delta North Senator, Prince Ned Nwoko), Chief Idisi Dafe of Obiaruku, Chief Humphrey Iwerebon of Ika, and Senator Nosike Ikpo of Ibusa.

    “These pioneers,” Oganah noted, “were active members of the Igbo Union, the body that evolved into Ohaneze Ndi Igbo after the civil war. At the time, there were no South East, South West, or South South geopolitical zones.”

    Read Also: State creation: How Anioma’s identity resonates with Southeastern region

    He argued that the zoning principle — often cited as a challenge to Anioma’s bid — has no legal backing in the 1999 Constitution. 

    “The concept of zoning is not mentioned in the Constitution. It was introduced politically by late Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme in the Second Republic and only gained prominence during the 1999 elections,” he explained.

    Highlighting the relevance of state creation in national development, Oganah pointed out that fiscal allocations in Nigeria are shared on a state-by-state and local government basis, not by zones. 

    He added that Anioma State, once created, would guarantee equal distribution of opportunities across all its communities.

    “There will be new jobs for our youths, contracts for our business people, and empowerment for women. New local governments will be created equally across our current nine LGAs, bringing the total to 18,” he said.

    Oganah also addressed perceived intra-Anioma inequalities, particularly the dominance of Ika political elites in benefitting from the current Delta State structure. 

    He cited the emergence of the first Delta State Deputy Governor and a state governor from Ika as evidence, stating that, “Aniocha Oshimili has always led the struggle for Anioma identity, yet the benefits have not been equally distributed.”

    On the case of Ndokwa Ukwuani, he lamented the persistent underdevelopment despite the area’s vast land mass, population, and economic potential. 

    “Ndokwa Ukwuani has the highest population, wealth, and land mass in Anioma, yet it remains the most underdeveloped. All that is set to change with the creation of Anioma State”, he said.

    Importantly, he dispelled the notion that the campaign for Anioma State is centered around Senator Ned Nwoko alone. 

    “Once created, the benefits will come to every Anioma person and not only to Senator Prince Ned Nwoko,” Oganah clarified.

    Reaffirming the political support behind the initiative, he praised the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its “genuine members” for backing the creation of Anioma State, and called on all stakeholders, traditional institutions, and youth groups to intensify advocacy.

    “The time is now. Let us rise in unity and purpose to support this noble aspiration,” he concluded.

  • Seven petrol stations sealed in Delta

    The Department of Weights and Measures, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, has sealed Seven petrol stations in Warri and Asaba in Delta, by for under-dispensing petroleum products.

    Mr Ibrahim Isah, the Head of the Surveillance Team in the ministry, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba on Friday, after inspecting petroleum product outlets in the state.

    Isah said that the stations were also sealed because they either operated without verification certificates or with expired ones, in violation of the Weights and Measures Act of 2004.

    He gave the names of the stations sealed as Anioma, Chyz and Irowil petrol stations all in Asaba, and Falcon Bay, Pedico, God’s Time and Lausa filling stations in Warri.

    Isah, who is also an Assistant Director, said that the department generated N6.3 million as revenue in Delta between January and August from fines and certification, among others.

    Read Also; Police rescue kidnapped Catholic priest in Delta

    He said that the department was concerned with ensuring that customers got the correct measures of any product they paid for and value for their money in any sector of the economy.

    “We are involved anywhere trade is going on, be it in the petroleum sector, breweries or manufacturing industries,” he said.

    Isah called on Delta residents, who felt being short-changed by petroleum product dealers, to always contact the department at Room 422, Federal Secretariat, Okpanam Road, Asaba for prompt action.

    He hinted that the department was in the process of introducing indigenous and uniform weights and measures of products across the federation.

    The assistant director said the pilot scheme on measures of grains had commenced in six northern states, pointing out that the scheme would soon be launched.

  • Idumuje-Ugboko crisis: Anioma congress wades in

    The kingship tussle, which recently cast a wave of violence over Idumuje-Ugboko Kingdom in Aniocha North council area of Delta state, showed signs of possible resolution last week as the highest Anioma socio-cultural organisation, the Anioma Congress, waded in.

    Idumuje-Ugboko had known no peace since its late king, Obi Albert Agbogidi Nwoko III, passed on February 6, 2017, as controversy had since bugged down the succession process, leading to series of violence and criminal activities, which had claimed a life and led to the destruction of property worth several millions of naira.

    However, to end the reign of terror in the kingdom, the Anioma Congress, led by former Delta state deputy governor, Chief Benjamin Elue, swung into action on Friday, July 14, 2017.

    The Congress’ task was to bring to an end the reign of terror, wanton destruction of property and death that have engulfed the town since May 25, 2017, when one person was killed and over 20 houses were torched by supporters and opponents of the incoming monarch.

    Informed sources said the group met with the Crown Prince Justin Chukwunonso Nwoko and some senior chiefs, among whom were Chief Chris Ogwu, the Iyase of Idumuje Ugboko, Chief Sunday Edemodu, the Odogwu, Chief Kennedy Illoh, chairman of the Land Allocation Committee (LAC), all of whom were victims of the violence that was unleashed on some persons who opposed the move to banish a former federal lawmaker, Prince Ned Nwoko.

    A highly placed source at the parley said the prospects of peace in the community were extensively discussed as the Congress wanted to settle the issues amicably.

    According to the source, who would not be named, “the Congress wants all the parties to withdraw all the cases that are in court, reverse the purported banishment of Prince Ned Nwoko, a former federal lawmaker, from the town.”

    The team left with a promise to study the proposals by the two camps.

    Efforts to get Chiefs Ogwu and Iloh to get their views to the development were unsuccessful as their mobile phone numbers were unreachable.

  • APC chieftain urges Anioma on consensus candidate

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Chief Emmanuel Ndoka Ogwuda, has urged the people of Anioma to pick a consensus governorship candidate ahead of the 2019 general election.
    He said this became imperative following the emergence of new political platforms and agitations, “seeking to alter political understanding hitherto established by leaders of thought to foster peaceful co-existence, mutual development and ethical harmony.
    Ogwuda said: “We have taken notice of ominous plots by some desperate politicians to scuttle the political zoning arrangement for the governorship position, which was established since 1999. When the current democratic dispensation took -off, Delta Central District was endorsed and massively supported to produce the governor.Then Delta South took its turn before it came to Delta North”.
    He said zoning of the governorship position must remain sacrosanct, adding that it should been respected by all parties, pressure groups and lobby platforms.
    “As far as committee members of the APC are concerned, the governorship position is non-negotiable and our party, the APC, should work in this direction to deliver a candidate of APC from Anioma extraction”.
    “I am therefore vehemently opposed to the rumoured plot to zone the leadership of Delta State chapter of APC to Delta North in the forthcoming party congress, with the plan to alter the governorship zoning arrangement in favour of another senatorial district .This ill-conceived agenda will strangle the rapidly booming popularity of the APC in the state and eventually kill the party as a widely accepted alternative platform in Delta State”.

  • Anioma cultural festival glitters with royalty

    Anioma cultural festival glitters with royalty

    Our past includes valuable culture that other people would appreciate if we preserve and promote it.

    Over 30 traditional rulers were among the huge gathering of Anioma people that were thrilled at this year’s Anioma Cultural Festival, the 14th edition, held on Easter Monday, April 17, 2017, at the Anglican Girls Grammar School, Asaba.

    Organised by the Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC), the culture umbrella body of Anioma people, this year’s fiesta lived up to its billing as the biggest festival in Delta State. From as early as 8.00am the venue reverberated with singing, drumming, dancing and cheering with about 117 musical, dance and drama troupes from all over the nine local government areas that make up Delta North Senatorial District otherwise known as Anioma nation.

    This year’s fiesta, with the theme: Let’s Celebrate Our Culture, was not only a carnival, as has been the tradition; it was also a championship for the active promotion of Anioma culture. The performances of the competing troupes were adjudged under seven categories and each group winner, runner up and second runner-up went home with mouthwatering prizes. OFAAC also awards big money prizes for three overall best performers from the various categories. This year, the heavyweight performers did not disappoint. Defending champions, Ayolo Troupe, an eclectic, mixed, youth dance troupe from Igbuzo retained the best overall performing group. Otu Chukwu Anyi Ri Mma, the well-costumed, energetic women’s dance ensemble, from Agbor-Obi were first runners-up while Onu Anioma, the war dance group from Owa Alero bagged the prize for the third overall best performers.

    There were also non-competing groups, such as the Otu Odu Enyi of Asaba led by Barr. Giwa Amu. The large number of performers included community and school-based troupes, church-affiliated bands, as well as amateur and semi-professional collectives. There were as well traditional wrestling and exhibition of arts and crafts of Anioma people.

    Speaking in his welcome address at the fiesta, president of OFAAC, Arc. Kester Ifeadi, showered praises on Delta State Government for its cooperation and support to the efforts of his organisation, “to promote and protect the rich culture of the Anioma people.” OFAAC has supported its cultural promotion activities with community development initiatives. Giving further kudos to the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi  Okowa who Ifeadi described as a long-time supporter of OFAAC and who was unavoidably absent due to an engagement outside the state, Ifeadi informed the gathering that “Only recently, we took delivery of two tractors which were given to us by the Delta State Government to boost agrarian efforts of our people.”

    To the royal fathers who came in large numbers, the OFAAC president stated that if not for their encouragement and support, the efforts of OFAAC would have been in vain. He thanked them immensely for their fatherly support and solicited continued cooperation.

    In his remarks at the occasion, the governor, who was represented by his chief of staff, Hon. Tam Brisbie, stated that, “We cannot have a future without a past. Our past includes valuable culture that other people would appreciate if we preserve and promote it. “We have a rich cultural history in Delta State that can bring people from other states and even abroad to Delta State.”

    He therefore urged OFAAC “not to relent in their promotion of our rich cultural heritage.”

    The long list of royal fathers whose presence and regalia added majesty to the fiesta included  Obi Obuenwe Ekpechi Ulu, the Ezemu of Emu Kingdom; Obi Vincent Nmor, the Obi of Ugiliamai; Obi Kikachukwu, the Obi Of Ubulu-Unor; Obi Samuel Otiegede III, the Obi Of Idumu-Ogo; Obi Martha Dunkwu, the Omu Of Anioma; Obi Emmanuel Offor, the Obi Of Adonte; Obi Theresa .U. Mgbo, the Omu Of Onicha –Uku; Obi Ayo Isinyemeze I, the Obi of Ugbodu; Obi Nezteh Marvin, the Obi of Akuku-Uno; Obi Onwelikwu Ogboli, the Obi of Ejeme-Aniogor.

    More of the monarchs whose royal presence spiced up the fiesta included the youngest monarch of Oligbo kingdom, Obi Nduka Ezeagauna II JP, the Obi of Issele-Uku; Obi Godwin Onyenweuwa, the Obi of Ewulu; Obi Sunday Olisenekwu, the Obi of Ogodor; Obi Emmanuel Offor, the Obi of Adonte. Also on the list of royalty were, Obi Mohanyem I, the Obi of Ezi; Obi Charlse Anyasi, Obi of Idumuju-Unor, Akor Engr. Osita Onwuka, the Akorr of Oko; Obi Victor Chukwumaleze, the Obi of Onicha-Ugbo among others.

    Other special guests and prominent sons of the state who were present at the festival were, Delta State commissioner for information, culture and tourism, Mr. Patrick Ukah; Engr. G.N. Konwea JP, who represented Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba; a strong delegation of Onu Ika led by Dan Osifo, Chief Dan Okenyi, among several dignitaries from both the public and private sectors.

    Through the years, Anioma Cultural Festival has attracted the attention and support of key national brands and products. This year, Zenith Bank, Union Bank, Seaman’s Schnapps, Cakasa Nigeria, and NorthWest Petroleum keyed in as event sponsors.

     

  • 2015: Anioma people endorse Jonathan

    Following the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by all organs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as its sole candidate for the 2015 Presidential election, one of the first ethnic groups that have thrown its weight behind him is the Anioma people of Delta State.

    Although in the months leading to the PDP’s endorsement, some other ethnic groups, organisations and associations had expressed their support for the President.

    The Anioma people met with Jonathan behind closed doors for about one hour at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday last week after the Federal Executive Council meeting.

    Leader of the delegation, the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chika Edoziem said: “As regards the endorsement of the President, we are very much in support of Mr. President.

    “We are here to confer with Mr. President on national issues such as insecurity that is affecting the country and the coming elections.”

    While Anioma people are the early callers to the Villa after the PDP endorsement, the State House will, no doubt, receive more of such visits as the 2015 general elections approach.

  • Delta 2015: Will Anioma produce the governor?

    Delta 2015: Will Anioma produce the governor?

    The question which has dominated public discourse in Delta State for some time now is whether the gubernatorial ambition of the Anioma people from the Delta North Senatorial District will be realized in 2015.

    In the face of stiff opposition by other ethnic groups, including the numerically superior Urhobo from the central senatorial district, the Anioma group, undoubtedly, have a mountain to climb in their quest to occupy the Government House, Asaba.

    The Anioma ethnic group’s claim to the top job is hinged largely on the rotational policy, which may count for nothing in the rough and tumble of Delta politics.

    The Urhobo ethnic group has not hidden its desire to reclaim the governorship position since Chief James Ibori left office and has left no one in doubt in that regard.

    In the build-up to the 2015 election, the tribe have remained the most visible, judging from the plethora of political platforms that have mushroomed over the last few months.

    These groups include the Urhobo Political Forum (UPF) led by Chief Ighoyota Amori, the Urhobo Political Congress (UPC) headed by Sir Tom Amioku and the Delta Central Political Movement (DCPM) led by Olori Magege.

    The mobilization and sensitization of the grassroots within the zone are on, but the reverse is the case in the Ibo- speaking areas of Delta North where there is perceived lethargy.

    The Delta South Senatorial District, which currently occupies the office, may decide to hang onto power with the emergence of an Ijaw candidate. This will effectively kill the Anioma dream, should it receive the backing of Chief E.K Clark.

    In this regard, the Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, who is nursing a gubernatorial ambition, may get the slot.

    But Protem Chairman, Anioma Agenda (AA), Mr. Alex Onwuadiamu, denies that political actors in Delta North are disunited and uncoordinated in their 2015 calculations.

    He said Anioma will ensure that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) abides by the principle of zoning and rotation of public offices. He claimed that these are enshrined in the Nigeria Constitution and the Constitution of the ruling PDP.

    “What we are saying is that the principle of zoning and rotation of public offices as enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria and the Constitution of the PDP be adhered to.

    “The governorship of Delta State has gone to central senatorial zone, it is now in the south senatorial zone and by that principle come 2015, and it will be the turn of Anioma people to produce the governor for Delta state that is all we are asking for”, he stressed.

    Onwuadiamu disagrees with the perception of complacence and perceived disunity among politicians of Anioma stock, stressing that the Anioma people will soon begin the process of sensitizing the populace.

    Onwudiamu said no political zone can win election in the state without the support of other groups, adding that the need to work with other stakeholders cannot be ignored.

    “How we will go about it is by consultation. We have said that we will consult with our brothers and sisters in the south and central districts, quite a lot of them are already working with us. We will mobilise our people, we will sensitise the entire populace on the need for equity and justice. Very soon there will be a lot of town hall meetings, seminars, symposia on this same issue. We are not just starting with a road show; we are consulting our people quietly and simultaneously.

    “We are consulting different political stakeholders on the need for equity, unity and justice in our polity. It is not something we can do alone, Delta State is made up of three senatorial zones and if any zone, like we have seen in the last election, feels that it can do it alone it will always meet with failure. That is why we will always seek for reasonable partnership from the south and central, that is how elections are won in Delta State. This one is not going to be an exception”, he added.

    A big obstacle to the realization of the Anioma dream is the considerable large number of wealthy and influential aspirants within the PDP who may refuse to step down for each other, thus leading to bitterness and rancour within the party.

    This may force many to seek their political fortunes elsewhere which would automatically deplete or divide an otherwise Anioma block vote for one of their own.

    Although none have declared his intention,apart from former Delta Commissioner of Finance Chief Clement Ofuani, one does not require the services of a clairvoyant to know that the under top politicians are eying the top job.

    These include the Speaker of Delta State House of Asembly, Mr. Victor Ochei, who represents Aniocha North Constituency; Ndudi Elumelu, member of House of Representatives from Aniocha/ Oshimili Federal Constituency, Senator Arthur Okowa from Delta North District, ex-presidential aide Dr Cairo Ojougboh, and Chief Godson Obielum. But, Governor Uduaghan’s Chief of Staff Dr Festus Okubor is said to be the dark horse.

    Others from different political parties are multi-millionaire businessman Okocha and Democratic People’s Party candidate in the 2010 senatorial election Mr. Ned Nwoko. Political watchers believe that this will work against the emergence of an Anioma person as candidate.

    Pundits believe a consensus candidate will be difficult as Anioma lacks a true leader with considerable political clout. Besides, signs of disunity may have started rearing its ugly head as the major opposition party, Democratic People’s Party (DPP), whose chairman is an Anioma son, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, dismissed such sentiments.

    He said his party will support any Deltan that emerges through a democratic process, stressing that DPP will not turn back any aspirant on the basis of ethnic consideration.

    According to him, the DPP does not recognise the principle of zoning within its ranks. His words: “I am a man with a very broad mind. When you talk about Anioma people clamouring, I will not say what anybody is doing is wrong or right or I am supporting or not supporting. The issue is I am in DPP and the state chairman for that matter.

    “You know that it has been clamoured long ago in PDP that Anioma man must be their candidate based on their zoning arrangement which I am not part of. As far I am concerned if an Anioma man comes to my party to take form, I will not deny him. And if an Urhobo man comes to take form, I will not deny him either because in my party there is no zoning arrangement for now, our party is open for all Deltans. What we believe in is not even who governs the state but who gives the people what they want, dividends of democracy. When you clamour Anioma, Anioma, Anioma, are you telling us that Anioma people were not in Ibori’s government”?

    Ezeagwu added: “Anioma man was a deputy governor in Ibori’s government, we had a lot of them who were commissioners, who were board chairmen, what did they achieve? At a time, I took a full page newspaper advertorial in a national daily calling on our people in PDP to protest and resign because of marginalisation against the Anioma nation.

    “The issue was that they created wards and made all the wards in the central and south two each, all the wards were divided into two each. And as at the time, Delta north had the highest local governments of 9, the then deputy governor his local government he could not add 10 wards to make it 20. The only thing they did was to add four. Even in Ika North East that hitherto had 14 wards could not attain 20 but those that were 10 in central and south senatorial districts got additional 10. So Delta north was completely marginalised and I called on our people in PDP as at the time that they must protest and resign but nobody listened to me and it is still like this till tomorrow.”

    Stakeholders agree that Chief Clark will play a major role in the emergence of the flag bearer.

    The Ijaw leader had opposed the imposition of Governor Uduaghan in 2007 by former Governor James Ibori and 2015 presents an opportunity for the Clark faction to wrest power with Ibori, who is in a British prison.

    Despite assurances of rapprochement between Uduaghan and Chief Clark’s factions, political analysts are of the opinion that the 2015 Delta governorship election is a struggle for political power between these two factions in Delta State than simply a struggle by the Anioma ethnic group for power.