Deltans in Nigeria
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Anioma is the indigenous Igbo people of Delta State. They make up about one-third of Delta State, and for administrative purposes they are referred to as Delta North thus contrasting Delta Central and Delta South densely inhabited by the Urhobo, Ukwuani, Isoko, Ijaw, and Itsekiri, the other ethnic groups inhabiting Delta State. The Anioma region has a total population of 1,114,055.[1] The population figure quoted here does not include those of Anioma communities located outside Delta state.

Some Anioma population can be found in neighboring Edo State specifically in Igbanke (Igbo Akiri), Oza and Ekpon. The term Anioma means 'Good Land' in Igbo and is also an acronym derived from the four original local governments i.e. (A) for Aniocha, (N) for Ndokwa, (I) for Ika, (O) for Oshimili, M and A are common denominators found in the four original local governments. The coinage was made by the founding father, Chief Dennis Osadebay in 1951 and has since remained the preferred indigenous name by which the people collectively refer to themselves. Thus, A-N-I-O-M-A. Sentimentally, there are also Anioma people in Anambra State i.e. Onitsha, Ogbaru, Akwukwu Obosi, Ozobulu, Ogidi. Some are in Imo State i.e. Oguta, Rivers State i.e. Ndoni. Anioma people who had one destiny prior to the coming of the Europeans were balkanized after they lost the Ekumeku War of resistance against the British imperialism in 1914 after 31 years of fighting.

The Ekemeku War was the longest resistance against British imperialism in Nigeria.

Contents [hide]
1 Geography
2 Languages
2.1 Traditional life and culture
2.2 Nigerian-Biafran war
3 Civil War Genocides
3.1 State creation
4 Anioma in Delta state
5 Anioma in Ohanaeze Ndiigbo
6 Economic prospects
7 Ethnic identity crisis
8 Notable Anioma people
9 See also
10 References
11 External links
Geography[edit]
Anioma is the Western portion of Igboland. It is located in the areas of the West Basin of River Niger, south-south within the present Delta state of Nigeria, it encompasses a land mass of about 6,300 km2. In the political matters of the state, Anioma is often referred to as Delta North as against the other peoples known as the Delta south and delta central in the same state. Anioma is bounded on the East by Anambra State, south-east by Imo and Rivers States, south Bayelsa State, south-west by Isoko, west by Urhobo people, north-west by Edo State and north by Kogi State. Anioma may therefore be regarded as highly contiguous to very many neighbours ethnic groups. The people have drawn experiences as a result of lying contiguous to numerous other towns, communities and states which characterizes the Anioma as one of the most peaceful regions in the country. (See Kunirum Osia, Anioma Association Inc, USA, May 24, 1997)

Languages[edit]
The Federal Government of Nigeria recognises Igbo, Ukwuani and Ika as distinct ethnic nations but are classified as a group of languages with linguistical similarities(igbo and igboid languages). Nigerians can always refer to the constitution whenever the need arises. Igbo language, Ukwuani language, and Ika are the indigenous languages spoken in Anioma with varying dialects that include Enuani, and Aboh, etc. Other languages spoken are: Ozzara, Igala.

Traditional life and culture[edit]
Anioma social structure is dominated by the use of lineages which are based loosely on the concept of uno, eboh', and idumu, which are major blood lineages; while ogbe and obodo are open and much more political. Uno is a small family unit comprising husband, wife, and children. The next lineage was Eboh, which includes the primary or nuclear family, the daughter or son in law, and the grandparents and the grandchildren. The Ogbe is a large structure which allowed non-blood relatives; it comprises the Idumu and some outsiders and it is best classified as a quarter in terms of demographics. The maximal concept is one that looks like a small town; this is the Obodo.[2]

Nigerian-Biafran war[edit]
Main article: Nigerian Civil War
The Biafran war caused disaster for the people of Anioma in several ways even though, the region was not included in the map of Biafran at the declaration of the young republic. One was the federal recapture of the Midwestern region after it was invaded and occupied by the Biafran troops commanded by Colonel Victor Banjo on August 12, 1967. Here Biafran troops encountered the Nigerian troops attempting to take over Onitsha which also caused disaster for the people of this region. The Federal troops stationed at Umunede on the main Benin-Asaba road and pushing through Isele-Uku, finally took over the Anioma town of Asaba on 8 October 1967. The special Biafran force headed by Colonel Ogbugo Kalu which later grew into the 63 Brigade, from across the Niger moved northwards and westwards to take over other Anioma towns. Ogwashi-Uku, Ibusa and Oku where also reportedly captured with many enemy stores and equipment also found by the Biafran troops, many of these equipment which could not be brought into Biafra were destroyed. However, the Biafran Army was able to re-establish their presence once again in the region.

"Colonel Nwawo was quickly dispatched to assemble whatever troops he could find and organise them into a fighting force. While 2 Division was carrying out massive public execution of all adult males in Asaba..."[3] This region at the time of the Nigerian civil war was invaded and declared the "Republic of Benin" which lasted six weeks (8 August-20 September 1967) In essence, the Anioma region was volatile to both Biafran and Nigerian troops during the Nigerian civil war.

Some of the Biafran war commanders were of Anioma origin but the most famous of them all were Colonel Joseph Oseloka "Hannibal" Achuzie (Retd) and Capt. Anuku, who was the commander of Biafran Navy. Achuzie was a militiaman who played active roles in the invasion of Midwestern region which included his home town, Asaba. Achuzie can again be remembered for the very active roles he played in the defense of Onitsha against series of attacking efforts made by Colonel Murtala Mohammed to take over the city and constitute threat to the Biafran bids. He was often accused of propaganda gem. There was also Colonel (Later Brigadier) Conrad Nwawo another Anioma indigene who was Administrative Officer, Biafran Army Headquarters, former Divisional commander of the Biafran Army and a one time Nigerian Defence Attache in London. Others are Major Ananaba who effectively defended the main Uzuakoli-Umuahia road which was effectively achieved, Colonel Michael Okwechime was another Division commander of the Biafran army and once the Adjutant-General. Colonel Ben Nwajei formerly of the 53 Brigade was the first commander of the 14 Division, as the commander of 53 Brigade he never lost any battle for a relatively short time. He finally captured Oguta for Biafra. He was soon removed from command of 14 Division and all military duties by Colonel Ojukwu after he lost Owerri and told some members of delegates that visited him that it was so because he had no ammunition. Ojukwu accused him of demoralizing the civilians and attached him to Civilian Fuel Directorate. There still numerous numbers of Anioma indigenes who commanded the Biafran Army.

Civil War Genocides[edit]
The genocide of Anioma by Gen. Murtala Mohammed and Major Gen. Ibrahim Haruna (Retd), during the Nigerian Civil War started on the 21 of September, 1967 on the recapture of Benin City from the Biafrans sweeping large Anioma towns of Asaba, Ogwashi-Uku, Ibusa, Otutu, Ishiagu, Igbodo, Aboh and Ushisha but the massacres carried out in Asaba remains the most severe and unforgettable in which mostly helpless women, youths and children were killed in rapidity by the federal troops. It has been noted that the massacres were organized and mostly carried out under the supervision of Maj Gen Ibrahim Haruna (Retd) and the reason was that Gen Murtala Muhammed was aggrieved and suspicious of the Anioma as having aided their Igbo kinsmen to invade the Mid west.

Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Retd) the then Head of State would later apologize to the Igbo community, while Major-General Ibrahim Haruna, the General officer Commanding (GOC) Two Division of the Army during the Civil War while testifying at the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission Panel aka Oputa Panel held in 2004, insistently maintained that he had no regret for the Asaba massacres in which the Igbo were killed by his troops since it was motivated by sense of duty to protect the unity of the country, he stated this under cross examination by Ohanaeze Ndiigbo group.

State creation[edit]
After the independence of Nigeria, A few Nigerian groups desired their own identity separate from forced colonial political and social institutions. The Anioma were no exception. As a wave of demand for state creation in the 1970s permeated the Nigerian political landscape, included in this movement was the yearning for Ndi-Anioma, land of the Aniomas as a separate political state for the Anioma people.[2] This agitation gave birth to the demand of Anioma State, which though remains unrealized. In 2007, the National Assembly of Nigeria announced its willingness to allow the creation of one more State for the Igbo people, a committee to adopt a State for the Igbo was set up and led by Chief Emmnauel Iwuanyawu, this committee which failed in adopting any State for the region, threw out Anioma, stating that the creation of Anioma State would amount to an additional State for South-South region of the country. The Anioma people have renewed this agitation once again following another recent announcement by the National Assembly that seven more States may be created in the country to create balance among the various geopolitical regions in the country.Among pro Anioma Activist is Henry Ogochukwu have been promoting the creation of Anioma State through Anioma Peoples Association. Henry Ogochukwu is the President General of Anioma Peoples Association

Anioma in Delta state[edit]
Asaba (an Anioma city) has been the capital of Delta state since the creation of the state in August 1991, by the then Military president, Gen Ibrahim B. Babangida (Retd). This development continues to generate criticism from the people of the Delta south notably Professor Itsay Sagay, an Itsekiri, Dr. Temi Akporhonor and Professor Obaro Ikime backed by Urhobo Historical Society. In an article in The Guardian, August 15, 2002 Professor Itsay Sagay openly campaigned for the relocation of the state capital from the Anioma city of Asaba to the town of Warri in Delta south. This was preceded by the reaction of Dr Cyril Uchenna Gwam published in the defunct Post Express Newspaper of June 1999 and several internet forums in reaction to the publication of Obaro Ikime in which he argued amongst others that centrality factor had never been the major criteria for the location of State or Federal capitals.[4] This was also followed by another article be Clem Okonji published in The Guardian, July 8, 2002 in which he maintained that Asaba had come to stay as the capital of Delta state. He further stressed that the peoples constituting the state are all located within the Delta region. Reactions in favour of the stay of Asaba as the capital of the state has since been supported by Henry Ogochukwu, Michael Ozah, Emeka Esogbue, Tony Odiadi, Emma Okocha and others alike. Dr. Temi Akporhonor would call for a political arrangement whereby governorship power would remain with what he termed 'The real Deltan' because according to him the capital of the state is located in the Igbo speaking town of Anioma. (Whither Delta state?, The Guardian, May 23, 2002) The strong resistance of this call has ensured that Asaba remains the state capital. Though all would unilaterally admit that a separate creation of another state from the present Delta state to constitute Anioma with the capital at Asaba, and Delta with state capital at Warri is necessary.

Anioma in Ohanaeze Ndiigbo[edit]
On November 29, 2008, Ohanaeze Ndiigbo, the apex Igbo sociocultural organization announced the election of Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, an Anioma indigene as its President-General to pilot its affairs for the next two years. He was nominated by Delta State branch of Ohanaeze as their consensus candidate in a resolution reached at the palace of the Asagba of Asaba after the position was zoned to Anioma, one of the seven units that make up Ohanaeze NdiigboBut in his acceptance speech, Uwechue expressed gratitude to all and called for unity among Igbo, which is said to possess the talent to and wealth it would take to take to address national issues, while also noting that the position given to him has created confidence that the Igbo from Delta State are accepted as brothers and sisters in Ohanaeze. Finally, he promised not to disappoint Anioma people as the race is for Anioma home and abroad. The leadership of Ambassador Uwechue has come under severe criticism by the people of Anioma over his acceptance to administer the Pan-Socio Organization.

Economic prospects
Anioma has abundant oil deposits particularly in Ndokwa land, Akumazi, Umunede, Ute-okpu, Ute-erume, Ute-Ogbeje, Ekuku-Agbor, Nsukwa, Olodu, Ewulu, Idumuesah, Ejeme and other Anioma regions. Records also indicate that oil was discovered in Ubulu-Uno and Ubulu-Uku in 1958 by Shell B P Petroleum Company two years after the first discovery was made in Oloibiri now in Bayelsa state, but exploration of the oil was not carried out by the Federal Government. Anioma region is also rich in other mineral resources such as rubber.

Ethnic identity crisis
In recent times, the Anioma people have become piqued with the Igbo of the southeast on whether the Anioma are of Igbo ethnic group or not. The diverse history of origin of the people have made it quite difficult to classify the people and continues to set the people against the Igbo of the southeast, so that while the Igbo are of historical views that the people are part of the larger Igbo community, an argument that the Igbo continually debunk. Though the Anioma people speak some dialects of Igbo and oftentimes take Igbo names
Chief. Sonny Iwedike Odogwu, A Great Business Mogul
Dr. Andrew Azukaego Moemeka
Dr. Cyril Uchenna Gwam, Diplomat, international civil servant and international environmentalist
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current Managing Director of World Bank
Dr Elizabeth Isichei, prominent historian
Dr. Isaac Nwaise, Epidemiologist and health economist
Chief Chris Agbobu, Former Minister Of State for Defence and Agric/Rural Dev. Ministries
Air-Marshal Paul Dike, former Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria
Professor Augustine Onwuyali Esogbue, The only African included in NASA and Scientist
Professor Buchi Emecheta, London Based Author
Chukwurah Joseph Udeh OFR, Former Comptroller-General Nigerian Immigration Service
Prof Eric Opia, Former Governorship candidate of Delta State
Mr Jim Ovia, M/D Zenith Bank
Prof. Joy Ogwu, Former Mangaging Director of Nigeria Institute of International Affairs
Professor Pat Utomi, Presidential Candidate and Founder of Lagos Business SchoolTony Elumelu, MD of United Bank for Africa
Chief Philip Asiodu, Former Federal Minister
Obi senator Nosike Ikpo, Former Senator of the Federal Republic
Chief Sabastine Adigwe, former MD, Afribank NIgeria PLC
Godswill Obielum, Former Governorship Aspirant, Delta State
Peter Okocha, Governorship Aspirant, Delta State and Business Mongul
Eddy Egwuenu, Distinguished and accomplished banker,Co-founder Zenith Bank
Austine "Jay-Jay Okocha, Former Captain of Super Eagles of Nigeria
Sunday Olise, Former Captain of super Eagles of Nigeria, Current manager/coach of Super Eagles of Nigeria
Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, Former Super Eagles captain and Malian National Football Team Coach
Nduka Ugbade, Nigeria's former football player and the first African to lift the world cup
Demas Nwoko, Prominent Sculptor of Nigeria
Jude Chukwudi Dike, energy economist and prominent youth leader
Henry Ogochukwu, President General Anioma People's Association and the Presedent Skill and Ideas Development Initiatives
Dr. Newton Jibunor, The famous Sahara traveller
Nduka Odizor, Former Lawn tennis Player
Bonny B. N. Umeadi PhD, Technologist and Inventor of Micro/Nanosensor Devices to monitor oil and gas pipeline system
Dr Uche Honnah, President of Anioma, USA
Arc. Kester Ifeadi, Chairman/CEO Contemporary Group and President Organisation For the Advancement of Anioma Culture(OFAAC)
Engr. Emma Onyekwene, MD/CEO, Coolman Oil Services
Oga Phillip Ijeh, Shift Manager Apm terminals

MOI OPINION:
IF The deltans refutes the idea of being an igbo descent its no problem for the igbos
a famous philosopher once said "to know where you are going you first have to know where you came from"
although most of them migrated from imo state.

Historian, Deltans are not Igbo and will never be. Aniomas may have some Igbo Affiliation, so stop misleading people with your bogus claim

Somebody wan start war here... But on reading the full article I think op is confuse as the topic did not match what he posted

jgu

myners007:
Historian, Deltans are not Igbo and will never be. Aniomas may have some Igbo Affiliation, so stop misleading people with your bogus claim

have you been to anioma? Pls can you Tell me how many villages you know there(anioma)...do you that ngwa in abia state do have some varitions in dialect?, Then how come there are regarded as one clan in igbo land?. On the same note do you know that no one speaks anioma...but they speak their different clan dialect. Do you also know that there are many dialect within the igbo community? Eg lets take a look at isuikwuato LGA in Abia state, do you know that there are two different clans(Uturu & isuikwuato) with distinct dialect and culture making up this LGA. Do know that every clan in igboland has its own distinct culture and dialect?... Do you also know that something connect them all(these clans)? And do you know that among these things that connect them together, the language called igbo is the grand of all!?and do you know that igbo izugbe(general igbo) can be understood by all igbos instinctively (including the good people of anioma)... Do you know that there are many cultural similarities peculiar to all igbos? Do you know that that clans with similar language, culture and history are termed an ethnic group? then i ask who are the anioma? Do they have the same dialect? If no what is their common language? Is their general language the same with the general language of other similar clans in SE & some part of rivers state?
SOme Times lies said over and over again to one's self becomes the truth to that person over time...

Blakjewelry:
Somebody wan start war here... But on reading the full article I think op is confuse as the topic did not match what he posted

i think there is only one wrong thing with the topic. Igbos are subset of the set delta state...hence one of the more appropriate way of heading it should be "SOME PART OF DELTA STATE ARE IGBOS" Because saying "deltans are partly igbos" will mean then that igbos is not a subset but a character that every element in the set have. Meaning all deltans are partly igbos which is wrong

Scholes007:
i think there is only one wrong thing with the topic. Igbos are subset of the set delta state...hence one of the more appropriate way of heading it should be "SOME PART OF DELTA STATE ARE IGBOS" Because saying "deltans are partly igbos" will mean then that igbos is not a subset but a character that every element in the set have. Meaning all deltans are partly igbos which is wrong

Spot on

see biafran officers from the so called SS, yoruba propaganda machine created identity crises in them and that one is their business

myners007:
Historian, Deltans are not Igbo and will never be. Aniomas may have some Igbo Affiliation, so stop misleading people with your bogus claim

guy you must be from Madugri,don't make comment on what you don't know.

why are you taking nonsense.
delta are fulani.
why is half of the oil block fulani?

you go school at all?