Innovator90:

Why do you think we need another state carved out from an existing very functioning state? Enugu is functioning very well and developing, why do we need to balkanize it further? A lot of people might disagree with me... I don't want any new Igbo states created from existing states...makes no sense strategically!

Anioma State is something we Igbos should be clamouring for as another state since it has to be carved out from Delta. The people in Asaba are majority Igbo and have always identified as Igbos. It will be close to Onitsha; so we need Asaba as another huge commercial town and for the water.

I'm often surprised when Igbos kick against state creation in today's Nigeria. For one thing, state creation will bring development nearer the grassroots. Anioma will pay better attention to Asaba, Adada will pay better attention to Nsukka and so on. Unfortunately, regionalism is dead... the confab also made no effort to resurrect it. In Nigeria of today, how much you get and how much weight you throw around ultimately depends on how many states you have. That's why the NW can bully the rest of the zones. And the homogenous SW with 6 states has a decided political advantage.
If in the future we choose to return to regionalism, then I'll have no qualms about Igbo states forming a merger. But this present system will shortchange us if we opt for a merger.

passion007:
I'm often surprised when Igbos kick against state creation in today's Nigeria. For one thing, state creation will bring development nearer the grassroots. Anioma will pay better attention to Asaba, Adada will pay better attention to Nsukka and so on. Unfortunately, regionalism is dead... the confab also made no effort to resurrect it. In Nigeria of today, how much you get and how much weight you throw around ultimately depends on how many states you have. That's why the NW can bully the rest of the zones. And the homogenous SW with 6 states has a decided political advantage.
If in the future we choose to return to regionalism, then I'll have no qualms about Igbo states forming a merger. But this present system will shortchange us if we opt for a merger.

I am also against further balkanization.

Apparently this is not a very popular opinion, but my reasons are that we also need to build economically viable states.

Remember governance in Nigeria is expensive and state creation will astronomically increase recurrent expenditure which may not necessarily be balanced by revenue generated by the new state, this will only put further strain on our economy.
LG tier of government is moribund in most states so if you have a corrupt state governor, the state is gone and the grass root development is thrown out the window.

I am for creation of Anioma state and tagging it a SE state.

IGBOSON1:

^^^The price tags on the shelves give away your location Spyder! Unless of course the rate of inflation has hit 1000% in the last few days in England, i'd wager a safe bet that you're still in Enugu!

Chei! Enugu kids are enjoying! See all those nice toy trucks and jeeps!!

Don't mind me bro, North London and Enugu North Just trying to see if there is any difference between them.

tandj:
Pls what happened to the oba international airport of yonder yrs promised?
Is it a dead issue now?

Thought a land mass has been mappd out for it

As an Igbo guy you have made a very good point ...that oba is not designed as an airport it was an airstrip which was used during the war. That settled

In IGBO land today we have designed cities or do I say that those cities have naturally taken its place

Enugu is an admin capital of east
Owerri is tourism capital of east
Nnewi and aba are today manufacturing cities
Onitsha is what is trading and commerce town
Ebonyi now is seen as agricultural hub
Now oguta is going to be a port town

Asaba is seen also as an admin. Town I.K charge of Igbo town in the western Igbo areas

Port Harcourt is an oil city but ownership is majority IGBO while minority still have some stakes

Now in terms of admin the only governor I can't vouch is abia...but eastern governors are doing a good job

eaglechild:
I am also against further balkanization.

Apparently this is not a very popular opinion, but my reasons are that we also need to build economically viable states.

Remember governance in Nigeria is expensive and state creation will astronomically increase recurrent expenditure which may not necessarily be balanced by revenue generated by the new state, this will only put further strain on our economy.
LG tier of government is moribund in most states so if you have a corrupt state governor, the state is gone and the grass root development is thrown out the window.

I am for creation of Anioma state and tagging it a SE state.

Same here with you but the question. Are ika they are confused on igbo ness

passion007:
I'm often surprised when Igbos kick against state creation in today's Nigeria. For one thing, state creation will bring development nearer the grassroots. Anioma will pay better attention to Asaba, Adada will pay better attention to Nsukka and so on. Unfortunately, regionalism is dead... the confab also made no effort to resurrect it. In Nigeria of today, how much you get and how much weight you throw around ultimately depends on how many states you have. That's why the NW can bully the rest of the zones. And the homogenous SW with 6 states has a decided political advantage.
If in the future we choose to return to regionalism, then I'll have no qualms about Igbo states forming a merger. But this present system will shortchange us if we opt for a merger.

You're not alone. It's very clear the Aboki understands the dog-eat-dog game that is Nigeria more than us. Revenue is shared according to states and local government areas and here we are arguing whether states creation is of any benefit to Ndigbo. This is while the South east is losing out every year in trillions of Naira. What about the aspect of political representation at the two chambers of the National Assembly? Voting on those resolutions that would affect our socio-economic lives?

spyder880: The government is scattering bus stop stands like it's going out of fashion, very close proximity to each other.

Only one one noticeable flaw, they don't have names of the bus stops written on them.

omicron: In terms of commerce and development, onitsha has always been the bigger horse. Commercially, is it true and right that onitsha has expanded to Asaba, but never in terms of geography (which was what Joe's assertion appeared to suggest).

Before being the state capital, Asaba was a 'village town'. Its development infrastructurally as it is today is because of its status as state capital. Socially and commercially, its development is derived in part due to its proximity to onitsha.

Although, there is still the argument that Onitsha is under-commercialising Asaba, but that is a different arguement all together.

You made a valid point. Onitsha its a factor for Asaba development the way kuje owes its development to Abuja. The way otta and agbara mowe etc owes its development to Lagos. That's not debatable.

What is debatable is airport in Onitsha and Asaba ... Viability of them

Respect yourself mr man.i am from Ika and also igboman.

tonychristopher:

Same here with you but the question. Are ika they are confused on igbo ness

eaglechild:
I am also against further balkanization.

Apparently this is not a very popular opinion, but my reasons are that we also need to build economically viable states.

Remember governance in Nigeria is expensive and state creation will astronomically increase recurrent expenditure which may not necessarily be balanced by revenue generated by the new state, this will only put further strain on our economy.
LG tier of government is moribund in most states so if you have a corrupt state governor, the state is gone and the grass root development is thrown out the window.

I am for creation of Anioma state and tagging it a SE state.

my dear,Anioma and ikwerre dont need to be in S,E before them become igbos.hausa and yroubas want to cause problem but it has back fire them.my reasons are
1.have you asked urself why ohanaeze and ogbako ikwerre have not said anything about these so called identity crisis?ikwerre people knows where they belong to,if them come open and say we are igbos,what will be the case of ph city today?it will be like Asaba because we openly accept our igboness.
2.Anioma state should be in S.S not in S.E my reason are these=if we create Anioma and teg it SE it make no sense.since every region is going to have nine states each and Anioma is one of the state to be create in s.s for me is a good news for all igbos because s.e will now have four new state from persent se which is good for all igbos in terms of developments.
Godbless Ika
Godbless Anioma
Godbless igboland.

eaglechild:
I am also against further balkanization.

Apparently this is not a very popular opinion, but my reasons are that we also need to build economically viable states.

Remember governance in Nigeria is expensive and state creation will astronomically increase recurrent expenditure which may not necessarily be balanced by revenue generated by the new state, this will only put further strain on our economy.
LG tier of government is moribund in most states so if you have a corrupt state governor, the state is gone and the grass root development is thrown out the window.

I am for creation of Anioma state and tagging it a SE state.

Stop using the word balkanization, the right word is re-organization to achieve equal representation.

Passion007 is right in his analysis. Nobody can deny that Abakaliki is what it is today because of states creation. The same for Uyo, Awka, Dutse,Yenagoa or even Osogbo. Apart from spreading development, States are also the basis for political representation, revenue allocation, siting of federal projects such as universities, Federal medical centers and many more. It is only silly of any Igbo to say they want to be under represented in Nigeria and receive the least amount of revenue.
There is a reason why the north is filled with states, even states that don't have enough population of two local governments in a state like Imo or Anambra.Yet, each of those states have equal numbers of senators and representatives as Enugu, Delta or Oyo. Those reps and senators are using in pushing where major projects are sited, who leads the house and how quickly the house will approve funds for projects in the north compared to the SE.

I am from Anambra and can say the new states will not benefit me and therefore I should kick against it. But the truth is that we will be short changing ourselves of federal representatives and senator who are needed to make our gradually fading Igbo influence and voices heard in Nigeria. We must have equal number of states with the other major ethnic groups in Nigeria to be fairly represented in Nigeria.

ChimaAdeoye:

Stop using the word balkanization, the right word is re-organization to achieve equal representation.

Passion007 is right in his analysis. States are a basis for political representation, revenue allocation, siting of federal projects such as universities, Federal medical centers and many more. It is only silly of any Igbo to say they want to be under represented in Nigeria and receive the least amount of revenue. There is a reason why the north is filled with states, even states that don't have enough population of two local governments in a state like Imo or Anambra.Yet, each of those states have equal numbers of senators and representatives as Enugu, Delta or Oyo. Those reps and senators are using in pushing where major projects are sited, who leads the house and how quickly the house will approve funds for projects in the north compared to the SE.

I am from Anambra and can say the new states will not benefit me and therefore I should kick against it. But the truth is that we will be short changing ourselves of federal representatives and senator who are needed to make our gradually fading Igbo influence and voices heard in Nigeria. We must have equal number of states with the other major ethnic groups in Nigeria to be fairly represented in Nigeria.

I understand, it is only my opinion which is not exclusive to the SE but the country as a whole.

That is why I support Anioma being created and added to the SE.

What will fix some of the anomalies is an accurate census.

eaglechild:
I understand, it is only my opinion which is not exclusive to the SE but the country as a whole.

That is why I support Anioma being created and added to the SE.

What will fix some of the anomalies is an accurate census.

we dont need to be in S.E before becoming igbos,what we need is an Anioma Gov.

Energito: Respect yourself mr man.i am from Ika and also igboman.

My brother I am sorry I did not mean to hurt you but there are these Benin sons of miscreants and migrants in your midst that its causing confusing in ika.

That's what I meant not for sons of soil like you.

Energito: we dont need to be in S.E before becoming igbos,what we need is an Anioma Gov.

My brother your an igbo that's a fact but try warn sons of Benin exiles in your midst

Yes your correct my brother. Your igbo and anioma will work

Energito: we dont need to be in S.E before becoming igbos,what we need is an Anioma Gov.

You're so much correct. Being a true Igbo is first of all a thing of the mind. Physical administrative enclaves should be secondary. The elite Biafran officer corps were from Anioma irrespective of the tactical decision made in respect of the map of Biafra. Yet they defended their father land and at a heavy price. Western Igbos are a great people with a long history. In 1937, two of their sons Denis Osadebay and Ogoegbunam Dafe muted the idea of the "Ibo State Union", together with Zik and Muokwugwo Okoye it bacame a reality. It later became what we all call Ohaneze Ndigbo today.

Some of us just have to learn to think like members of a majority ethnic group. Afterall, there are Hausa Fulani enclaves all over the North, even wanting to push down wards. Knowing who you are and identfying with the cause of your people is much more important. All would have been well If the same spirit was in Rivers state.

Michael Okpara square, Enugu. On a busy day.

Rotting away quietly in the centre of the city, the Hotel Presidential Enugu.

spyder880: Rotting away quietly in the centre of the city, the Hotel Presidential Enugu.

This is so sad.
If this hotel cannot be revived to compete, it can be converted into a specialist hospital, perhaps a stroke or cancer treatment and rehab. center or a type of training institute or even elementary school.

So sad to watch this building waste away!

cjrane:

This is so sad.
If this hotel cannot be revived to compete, it can be converted into a specialist hospital, perhaps a stroke or cancer treatment and rehab. center or a type of training institute or even elementary school.

So sad to watch this building waste away!

If igbos don't adopt capitalist approach in managing our infractruture,i am sorry we are doomed.

Foreign hotel investors are needed to take over the hotel from the state govt. There are world class hotel groups such as Hilton, Carlton and Holiday Inn amongst others. Also closer to home are NICON NOGA or SHERATON hotels in Abuja. Enugu needs a world class hotel as the city grows and attracts more visitors.

spyder880: Rotting away quietly in the centre of the city, the Hotel Presidential Enugu.

Ubomeze: Foreign hotel investors are needed to take over the hotel from the state govt. There are world class hotel groups such as Hilton, Carlton and Holiday Inn amongst others. Also closer to home are NICON NOGA or SHERATON hotels in Abuja. Enugu needs a world class hotel as the city grows and attracts more visitors.

You don't nee a foreign investor here. We have capable igbo sons who can buy that facility.

Look at modotel owerri it was sold now its the flag ship hotel in owerri rivaling Concord hotel.

Do


They can put it up for sale but while doing that we should remember the principle of group economics which igbos and Jews are noted for.

Udo diri unu

tonychristopher:

You don't nee a foreign investor here. We have capable igbo sons who can buy that facility.

Look at modotel owerri it was sold now its the flag ship hotel in owerri rivaling Concord hotel.

Do


They can put it up for sale but while doing that we should remember the principle of group economics which igbos and Jews are noted for.

Udo diri unu

One billion likes for this comment.

But sieving through all the crappy opportunists who would apply to buy it in order to find the right folks to sell it to is like searching for a needle in a hay sack. Modotel was able to do it because it was a private enterprise, government is notoriously fond of selling to the wrong group who are able to bribe and influence due process.

Anyhow, one hopes the State government puts the hotel up for sale and ensure the right group that can manage a 5 star hotel is handed the edifice.

Where are your capable Igbo investors? The world today is a global village investor can come in from anywhere in the world. Do you think that hotels in London or New York are built and owned by the British and Americans exclusively? No they are not. But since you have so much faith in Igbo investors let us wait for one to turn up be it from IMO, ABIA, EBONYI, ANAMBRA and ENUGU.quote author=tonychristopher]

You don't nee a foreign investor here. We have capable igbo sons who can buy that facility.

Look at modotel owerri it was sold now its the flag ship hotel in owerri rivaling Concord hotel.

Do


They can put it up for sale but while doing that we should remember the principle of group economics which igbos and Jews are noted for.

Udo diri unu[/quote]

spyder880: Rotting away quietly in the centre of the city, the Hotel Presidential Enugu.

^^^That hotel is a sad metaphor for all that is wrong with governance and administration in this country: mismanagement and lack of maintenance of public property!

You see why i say that our political elite are part of the problem? Other elite from other parts of the country (both thieving and legit') invest their stolen and legitimate wealth in their regions (the Oriental Hotel in Lagos being a case in point)! Yet back home, upon all the billions stolen from the coffers of the 5 South East states over the years, we can't find one investor willing to stick his neck out and salvage what should be a thing of pride and a monument to Ndigbo! If you look around Enugu i'm sure you'll find a couple of thriving hotels owned by current and past politicians!

M I Okapra built both the ones in Enugu and Port Harcourt at the same time yet as the one in Port is going from strength to strength and waxing stronger by the day; the one in Enugu has gone to seed!

My problem with Enugu politics is pettiness.

There's no reason on earth why Chime should abandon Hotel Presidential & the International Conference Center.

Enugu also needs to do more on business - AVOP and other industries are moribund. Nnamani did well to bring Nigerian Breweries, but more should be done.

spyder880: Michael Okpara square, Enugu. On a busy day.

Heard it is presently hosting the FGBM national convention.

Ubomeze: Where are your capable Igbo investors? The world today is a global village investor can come in from anywhere in the world. Do you think that hotels in London or New York are built and owned by the British and Americans exclusively? No they are not. But since you have so much faith in Igbo investors let us wait for one to turn up be it from IMO, ABIA, EBONYI, ANAMBRA and ENUGU.quote author=tonychristopher]

You don't nee a foreign investor here. We have capable igbo sons who can buy that facility.

Look at modotel owerri it was sold now its the flag ship hotel in owerri rivaling Concord hotel.

Do


They can put it up for sale but while doing that we should remember the principle of group economics which igbos and Jews are noted for.

Udo diri unu

Yes your correct but we don't want a repeat of what happened. Having investor is nice but its better having investor from your place its called group economics

Dstv invested in Nigeria yes they employ Nigerian but take their money outside

What if an igbo opens a business and takes the money and keeps its within igbo land. Its better.
forget globalization that's what the west is using to decieve Africa to gain market.

I seemingly believe in protectionism

HappyJoe: My problem with Enugu politics is pettiness.

There's no reason on earth why Chime should abandon Hotel Presidential & the International Conference Center.

Enugu also needs to do more on business - AVOP and other industries are moribund. Nnamani did well to bring Nigerian Breweries, but more should be done.

I find that very perplexing.

IGBOSON1:
^^^That hotel is a sad metaphor for all that is wrong with governance and administration in this country: mismanagement and lack of maintenance of public property!
You see why i say that our political elite are part of the problem? Other elite from other parts of the country (both thieving and legit') invest their stolen and legitimate wealth in their regions (the Oriental Hotel in Lagos being a case in point)! Yet back home, upon all the billions stolen from the coffers of the 5 South East states over the years, we can't find one investor willing to stick his neck out and salvage what should be a thing of pride and a monument to Ndigbo! If you look around Enugu i'm sure you'll find a couple of thriving hotels owned by current and past politicians!
M I Okapra built both the ones in Enugu and Port Harcourt at the same time yet as the one in Port is going from strength to strength and waxing stronger by the day; the one in Enugu has gone to seed!

IGBOSON1:
^^^That hotel is a sad metaphor for all that is wrong with governance and administration in this country: mismanagement and lack of maintenance of public property!
You see why i say that our political elite are part of the problem? Other elite from other parts of the country (both thieving and legit') invest their stolen and legitimate wealth in their regions (the Oriental Hotel in Lagos being a case in point)! Yet back home, upon all the billions stolen from the coffers of the 5 South East states over the years, we can't find one investor willing to stick his neck out and salvage what should be a thing of pride and a monument to Ndigbo! If you look around Enugu i'm sure you'll find a couple of thriving hotels owned by current and past politicians!
M I Okapra built both the ones in Enugu and Port Harcourt at the same time yet as the one in Port is going from strength to strength and waxing stronger by the day; the one in Enugu has gone to seed!

The hotel was run down by extremely poor and corrupt management over the years.
Nike lake was salvaged because it was handed over to Protea at a point in time.

cjrane:

One billion likes for this comment.

But sieving through all the crappy opportunists who would apply to buy it in order to find the right folks to sell it to is like searching for a needle in a hay sack. Modotel was able to do it because it was a private enterprise, government is notoriously fond of selling to the wrong group who are able to bribe and influence due process.

Anyhow, one hopes the State government puts the hotel up for sale and ensure the right group that can manage a 5 star hotel is handed the edifice.

Thank lord you have the same economic mentality with me. Igbos have one of the best hotels in Nigeria. So having a buyer won't be a hard issue.

Have you seen ibeto hotel lately in Abuja

We need protectionism in capitalism

Brilliant comment.

IGBOSON1:

^^^That hotel is a sad metaphor for all that is wrong with governance and administration in this country: mismanagement and lack of maintenance of public property!

You see why i say that our political elite are part of the problem? Other elite from other parts of the country (both thieving and legit') invest their stolen and legitimate wealth in their regions (the Oriental Hotel in Lagos being a case in point)! Yet back home, upon all the billions stolen from the coffers of the 5 South East states over the years, we can't find one investor willing to stick his neck out and salvage what should be a thing of pride and a monument to Ndigbo! If you look around Enugu i'm sure you'll find a couple of thriving hotels owned by current and past politicians!

M I Okapra built both the ones in Enugu and Port Harcourt at the same time yet as the one in Port is going from strength to strength and waxing stronger by the day; the one in Enugu has gone to seed!

spyder880: Emmm....... can't I get more candy bars? I need to buy some great gift for my children and loved ones back in Nigeria.

I am at North Sussex, England now

I found it disturbing that most of those product are made mostly in Ogun State or Lagos State. Really disturbing.