Anioma State Creation: Lessons from Ebonyi

There’s a decent case for Anioma State to be in the South East rather than the South South geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

While some supporters argue that being fully captured in Niger Delta related budgets is enough motivation to remain in the South South, other supporters think otherwise as they look towards a wider human capital and economic development.

The lessons from Ebonyi anchors on improved human capital development for entities such as Ebonyi (Abakaliki & Afikpo Divisions) who left today’s South South and joined the South East

How did this happen?
Abakiliki and Afikpo used to be divisions in the Old Ogoja province from the 1930s alongside divisions such as Obudu, Ogoja,Ikom, Obubra.

Only Abakiliki and Afikpo divisions who were Igbo comprised over 60% of the Ogoja provincial population

In 1959 due to the minority agitations, outcome of 1958 Willinks Commission, claims of Igbo domination and ahead of independence, the 6 divisions of Old Ogoja Province was split in half into Ogoja and Abakiliki Provinces. Interestingly, Abakiliki Province still had the Obubra division that was not entirely Igbo.

The new Abakiliki Province comprised Abakiliki, Afikpo and Obubra Divisions while Ogoja Province now comprised Obudu, Ogoja and Ikom Divisions

In 1967, when Gowon created 12 states from the 4 groups of provinces, Obubra Division was excised from Abakiliki province and merged into the South Eastern State that became across Cross River State in 1976 while the remainder Abakiliki and Afikpo Divisions were merged into the new East Central State

It was not until 1996 that Ebonyi state regained full autonomy, was put in the South East zone instead of the South South where it was placed during the colonial era and Ebonyi has being the best performing state in terms of Human Development Index of the 6 states created in 1996 by Sani Abacha.

After the submission of Mbanefo’s report, six new states were created in 1996: Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Nasarrawa and Zamfara states

A similar trajectory is forecasted for Anioma who are well gifted in natural resources and human capital.

Lest we forget, the Anioma area (Asaba and Aboh Divisions) was the catalyst for the creation of the Midwest region in 1963 through the overwhelming support of the Eastern Region, NCNC party and personalities such as Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Michael Okpara

Anioma needs to regain full political autonomy like the Ebonyi people so that they can pursue human capital development at their pace.

The former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa has invested heavily in tertiary institutions that will be in the future Anioma state: University of Delta in Agbor and Dennis Osadebay University in Anwai, Asaba.

He also established the University of Science and Technology in Ozoro in Delta Central. Current Governor Sherrif Oborevwori is building a Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences in Kwale

Ovie Omo-Agege using his federal might as a Deputy Senate President relocated the proposed Polytechnic in Kwale, Delta North to Orogun his native hometown in Delta Central

As regards the Niger Delta and Oil politics, Anioma boasts of very rich oil and natural gas reserves while being strategically positioned in the Northern extremes of the Niger Delta geological basin and eclipses into the Anambra basin.

This area hold significant natural gas potentials and Anioma has uncontested claims to the land and everything that lies beneath.

There’s the 939 MW gas fired power plant in Okpai, Ndokwa as evidence of development of the gas potentials of the area. Most the gas in this area would find local market in Anambra and Enugu states.

Just like Anioma has significant oil and gas potentials, Abakiliki has significant agricultural potentials and the state government continues to invest in that area.

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