We faced ethnic cleaning in the state of the delta, forced to deny that it is …

The people of Anioma in the Delta were called to fully embrace their identity of Igbo and join their eastern brothers in the construction of a stronger and more united Nigeria.

The senator who represents the Delta North Senatorial District, Prince Ned Nwoko, made the call to ASABA while addressed to the participants in the conference organized by the IGBO unification movement in collaboration with the socio-cultural organization NDI NA ASU BIA, with the theme “IGBO BO OFU” (IGBOS I am one in ASABA.

The Movement of IGBO and NA ASU BIA unification have become strong defense platforms that support the cultural, historical and political unit of the IGBO language communities throughout Nigeria, including Anioma (Delta North Senatorial District), Igbanke in Edo and other border areas.

The groups argue that the recovery of a collective identity of Igbo is crucial for the political force, the cultural awakening and the correction of decades of distortion of identity.

Speaking to the event, Senator Nwoko praised the organizers for their courage and vision, observing that their efforts align themselves with his longtime philosophy on the identity of anioma and the need for an anioma sculpted by Delta North.

“There is no discussion on our Igbo. I understand the story very well. I have a degree in history. I know the migration of the IGBO people and I clearly know that we, the anioma, we are Igbo. The time has come to reverse the old narratives that separated from our brothers through the Niger,” said Nwoko.

The legislator, who recently sponsored a motion for the creation of the anioma states in the national assembly, said that agitation does not concern politics or personal ambition but the correction of historical imbalances.

It is not APC, PDP or Labor Party. These are identity, justice and equity. I have no interest in being governor, but I want Anioma to get up with his own state, with Asaba as a capital. In this way, we also realize the dream of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who has always recognized the anioma as one of the States of Igbo, “he said.

Nwoko also recalled his childhood experience during the Nigerian civil war when the Anga communities faced ethnic cleaning and were forced to deny their IGBO identity to survive.

He said that the persistent identity crisis of that era must now give way to truth and reconciliation.

He also praised academics and activists, including Professor Abigail Ogwezzy of the University of Lagos, whose research on linguistics and history of the heoms have shed light on the Igbo roots of the people.

Highlighting the wider meaning of the rally, Nwoko said: “The Igbo man is Igbo everywhere, whether from Delta, Imo or Abia. Just like a Chinese man remains Chinese in any part of the world, the anioma must rise to embrace his identity. This is the only way to achieve the unity and political relevance.”

The senator has urged the Movement of IGBO unification, ndi na asu Bia and other cultural organizations to continue their defense, education and mobilization, underlining that only through this collective effort can the dream of a united nation of Igbo and the creation of anioma state be realized.

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