The women wing of Ohaneze Ndigbo has thrown its weight behind the creation of Anioma State out of the present Delta.
The group therefore called on Igbo women and mothers across Nigeria and in the diaspora to give their support for the actualisation of the proposed state now reawakened by the senator representing Delta North zone, Ned Nwoko.
In a statement jointly signed by the national women leader of the wing worldwide, Chief (Hon) Amb. Rita-Daniels Chukwuji and the Secretary, Chief (Mrs) Ifeoma Amadi (JP), the women front of the pan Igbo socio-cultural body urged all relevant stakeholders needed to actualise the Anioma project to work in unison.
“Igbo women everywhere should come together to support the ongoing lobby for the creation of Anioma State. Our women today have evolved and many of them are strategically positioned to make the Anioma dream a reality. Global icons such as Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, HRH, Obi Martha Dunkwu (late), Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, and Iyom Josephine Anenih, to mention just few. As women and mothers, we should travail for the birth of Anioma State.
“We appeal to our distinguished and eminent womenfolk to heed this clarion call and lend unflinching, unconditional support to the Prince of Anioma and Senator representing the good people of Delta North in the Senate and other South East representatives in the National Assembly to actualise the creation of the sixth state of the South East.
“We also appeal to our political class in Anioma and the South East to shun divisive, discriminatory, and selfish tendencies, but rather work together to achieve this political quest.
“Anioma State is homogeneous to the rest states of the South East (culturally, socially, politically and economically) and stands out from the pack of new states proposals at our disposal. Asaba would remain the state capital and it is common knowledge that Asaba is the fastest-developing capital in Nigeria today.
“The capital city boasts of modern infrastructure, an entrenched bureaucratic culture, an efficient civil service structure, a virile, productive and capacity-driven manpower. Aside from being the capital of the oil-rich Delta State presently, the bourgeoning positive influence of Onitsha and Nnewi markets and traders in the overall development of Asaba cannot be underestimated.
“The mutual benefits that would emanate from the new Anioma state are innumerable and it would be a win-win situation for all stakeholders, especially Delta State and the present South-South region. After all, the Urhobos, Ijaws, Isokos, and Itsekiris had always wished that the present Delta had its capital within the core areas of the old Delta province.
“With the creation of Anioma State and domiciled as the six states of the South East, the new state would be sandwiched in-between the two regions and would become the stabiliser”, Ohaneze women leaders espoused.
The group expressed optimism that the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has continued to show the requisite willpower to make decisive socio-economic and political reforms aimed at redirecting Nigeria on the path of national rebirth, growth, and development.
“One thing we must not take away from President Bola Tinubu is the uncanny resolve and willpower to address thorny challenges confronting the progress, unity, and cohesion of Nigeria.
“We are very confident his administration will redress the imbalance currently persisting in the South East region in the context of the six geopolitical equations of the Nigerian federation,” the statement added.
