It is not only sad but mistaking and unprecedented that our Urhobo brothers with whom we share one state could advocate for the relocation of Delta state capital from Asaba to Warri, Ugheli or any one “true Delta” town as they put it, a development they further claim the Delta state House of Assembly can handle in order to make it peaceful one in so far the Aniomas decide to dialogue it.
This idea is still unwarranted and laughable because it suggests that Asaba is not a geographically located within the Delta of River Niger or that the Aniomas are not part of Niger Delta region. We leave this particular question to Geographers to answer. If today Edo state, Akwa Ibom state, Cross River state, Abia State amongst others all form part of Niger Delta we wonder why areas such as Ibusa, Asaba, Oko, Okpanam, Ndokwa towns and villages all located few square miles away and lying at the Delta of this river cannot be part of the Niger Delta. Will “Niger Delta” not now amount to mere nomenclature only in existence for the description of Urhobo, Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri and the possession of oil?
Perhaps we forget too easily that at that time there were two states in agitation namely Delta state and Anioma and the then Military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida decided to make something out of the two states in proposal and the best he could arrive at was creating Delta state and situating the capital at Asaba. He might have tried hard to please these two blocs. One Urhobo indigene was to later describe this act as a “creation of Delta state from Babangida personal bedroom” Will it not have pleased the Aniomas if Anioma state had been created with the capital at Asaba? Is the Delta south more dissatisfied that their agitation was not met? If the Aniomas are so pleased with this development why has the agitation for the creation Anioma state continued even till this day? Today history is fast establishing that there is nothing wrong with the situation of Delta state capital at Asaba because the town has met all the criteria necessary.
The Anioma people have distinctiveness having been westernized any historian of whatever origin can tell that common language is one value which holds Aniomas together, a unique bond that has united the people of this area from time immemorial. Granted that the various Anioma towns and villages have diverse history of origin and development but they all have something in common.
Some people have argued that the Ndokwas should not be referred to as part of Anioma. In fact a particular school of thought went further to state that the Ndokwas formed part of the defunct old Delta province. It is an incontrovertible fact that the Ndokwas have had more cordial relationship with their Anioma brothers from time immemorial and share similar historical values, customs, culture, tradition and linguistics. The Ekwumekwu movement is a well known resistance carried out against the British imperialists within the Anioma region and the contributions of the Ndokwa people along side their brothers in this region is well known and recorded. We also know that it was the loss of these wars that led the British in their typical imposing manners to divide the Anioma region and place them under different provinces. This they hoped would weaken wherever they derived their sources of strength from which they viewed as togetherness. It is unnecessary to state here that one bad effect of this movement was the permanent loss of Onitsha, Obosi, Oguta and environs to the South-East geo-political zone as presently constituted. Even the Nigerian Government has failed to address this sad development several years after independence.
Was it not chief Obafemi Awolowo who pointed out that in creating states cultural as well as linguistic affinities should first be considered above other factors? I refuse to accept that tribally the Ndokwas are closer to the Urhobos, Ijaws, Itsekiris, and Isokos because I know that mere communication cannot take place between these “true Delta states” and the Ndokwas.
Something derivable from all these challenges being faced by the Aniomas within the enclave called Delta state is that the creation of Delta state is still necessary and relevant for the growth and development of these two blocs and this is what all of the past 11 governors of the state have implicitly told us through the policies they have so far implemented in the state usually to the favour of the “true Delta towns”
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of identification does a 15 year old ...
By: frieda | 26-08-2008
what kind of identification does a 15 year old need to fly on a domestic flight?
What kinds of food can you take on the flight? can ...
By: Jonzie | 26-08-2008
what kinds of food can you take on the flight? can you take a 1oz.can of tuna salad? we will be flying from lax to atlanta ga.
Delta bandsaw
By: jmlinnan | 25-08-2008
trying to locate a manual for a delta bandsaw model 28-100
I have heard that the water in the southern part ...
By: katzie | 25-08-2008
I have heard that the water in the southern part of Staten Island comes from New Jersey. When there was a water main break in New Jersey, my water was off for an hour.
My question: Where does my drinking water come from in Southern Staten Island? New York or New Jersey?
How do I transfer miles from account 2067746855 to ...
By: Rjnsj3 | 23-08-2008
How do I transfer miles from account 2067746855 to account 2102018419
Delta shield
By: DebraGill | 20-08-2008
I am a soror who needs a copy of the shield to place on a sorors only high school reunion group page. Can I have one to post?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest News and Society Articles
Why Just Go Green?
By: Michael DeVries | 05/10/2008
It's in vogue for advertisers to tout their green initiatives from how much paper they've saved through online billing and paying systems to recycling, reusing, and replenishing valuable resources.
And, certainly I-ShopTheWorld does not question the integrity of this need to preserve the environment.
We are "green" in that context, for sure,...
The Gift of Fairy Magic
By: John Hill | 05/10/2008
Throughout the world, fairies are known for their timeless beauty and powerful magical gifts. Fairies are believed to be descended from supernatural beings from another world that came to this earth to begin their civilization anew. With so many different stories, legends, myths and tales about fairies, it has become...
My Armageddon - Part II
By: RibOne | 30/09/2008
I hope you managed to catch part I. But don't worry if you missed it, the rest of the story is the most stirring!
Day 10. Thursday 20th March
At 4:45am, a strange time, the Lagos marines were finally discharged from their 'guard' duties and allowed to fly back to their home...
Fun Facts About Christmas
By: Gary Tallon | 27/09/2008
1. Christmas (believe it or not) is not festival celebrating gluttony, drunkeness or consumerism. The festival now often referred to by busy people as 'Xmas' is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus of Nazareth (7-2 BC/BCE-26-36 AD/CE), also known as Jesus Christ, is the central...
Bridal Dress Inspirations From Around The World
By: Sue Jackson | 26/09/2008
If you want a truly unique bridal dress on your wedding day, you can look for inspirations from the wedding attire of different cultures. You can veer away from the traditional white gown, the trendy strapless bodice, the long veil, and the seed pearls and embroidery of your peers'...
What is Sustainable Development
By: Marcilio David | 24/09/2008
Sustainable development is a broad concept that refers to meeting the needs of people without hurting the environment. The concept covers meeting economic, environmental and social needs of everyone without hurting anyone or anything in the process.
What is sustainable development? The concept was brought to life and named by The...
The Effect of Brain Drain in Developing Countries
By: Brent McNutt | 24/09/2008
The global opportunities have provided many doors for skilled workers and professionals all over the world. The compensation presented by the developed countries is very inviting. Many workers from the third world country are leaving their home to look for greener pastures. No one can really blame them. They would...
Funeral Limousine Services in Toronto
By: Rafi Michael | 21/09/2008
Toronto funeral limousine is part of limousine services offered in the Greater Toronto Area, which the many companies have introduced to accommodate its customers as they transport loved ones who have passed on. The company has professionally trained staff who specialize in car services to offer chauffeured services to those...
More from Emeka Esogbue
2008 Failed Igbo Day: Ohaneze Nd’igbo Do Something Today
By: Emeka Esogbue | 06/10/2008 | Politics
This write-up is deeply rooted on the September 2008 failed Igbo Day in Enugu State and condemned in totality the attitude of the Igbo leaders and Pan-Umbrella, Ohaneze in finding a way out of the present predicament of the nation in Nigeria. This article tells it more.
Nigeria at 48: Anything to Celebrate?
By: Emeka Esogbue | 01/10/2008 | Politics
This write-up written on the 48 anniversary of Nigeria laments the situation of Nigerians who have become impoverished as a result of bad governance and corrupt practices by the leaders of the nation, pointing out the complete bad state of every sector in the country.
A Tale of Non-existent Government-owned Hospitals in Nigeria
By: Emeka Esogbue | 28/09/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
This article is critical of of the state of government-owned hospitals in Nigeria where patients are expected to pay exhobitant fees before they are treated. It seeks the place of the less-privileged in the Nigerian society and just how they can afford to cater for themselves medically in NIgerian hospitals. The rude attitude of Nurses in this hospitals also comes under heavy criticisms and described as unethical. This article is really touching
Igbuzo or Ibuzo: What is the True Native Name of Ibusa in Delta State?
By: Emeka Esogbue | 16/09/2008 | Culture
This Author is amazed by the different names in which Ibusa, a town in Delta State is known even in the face of argument by some indigenes of town on the actual native name of the town before the British colonial government Aglicized the name. Igbuzo, Ibuzo, Igbuzor or Ibuzor. Find out the true native name of Ibusa. Your discoveries here will thrill you.
Meet Ogbogu Okonji, the Anioma King of Traditional-highlife Music From Nigeria
By: Emeka Esogbue | 14/09/2008 | Music
Ogbogu Okonji is a traditional musician from Ibusa, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State, South-south, since 1978. He has distinguished himself in music very ably with over thirty albums to his credit, bringing joy to defferent families. He said recently, "I am happy because I make people happy" find out in this write-up how this Ekobe-Highlife musician makes you happy.
Bakassi Handing-over: Nigeria, a Failed Giant of Sleeping States
By: Emeka Esogbue | 08/09/2008 | Politics
This article laments the on the fate Nigerians following the handing-over of Bakassi to cameroon and the roles played by individual Nigerians. It questions the ability of the Federal Government of Nigeria to defend her own territory against external aggression and irredentist claims as the case of Bakassi showed. Read on.
Where in Igboland is the Isu Home of Umejei, the Founder of Ibusa?
By: Emeka Esogbue | 07/09/2008 | Politics
This piece deeply probes into the ancestral Isu home of Prince Umejei, one the founders of Ibusa from the various Isu communities of Igboland. It further recommends for historical researches to enable Ibusa people know their true original land where from where Umejei hailed.
The United States and the Arduous Task of Curtailing Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Arab Nations, Gulf Wars, Armament, Disarmament,
By: Emeka Esogbue | 05/09/2008 | Politics
with the USA seriously threatening to deal with Iran over the later development of what she has termed nuclear facilities, and the official visit Iranian delegation to the Nigerian government promising to help the nation stabilise her power generation through the use of nuclear facilities, what awaits the the USA in in the fight for the anti-proliferation of nuclear weapons? Just Read on.
News and Society 
About the Author:
i was glad to see your work, Jikebe Sir.