₦airaland Forum

The traditional ruler of Idumuje-Unor in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty Obi Charles Chukwunweike Anyasi III, has affirmed that the people of Delta North Senatorial District, popularly called Anioma, are Igbos.

Speaking during a special TVC interview programme, Behind the Headlines, Obi Anyasi III said while there are claims of different ancestries, Aniomas are “statutorily Igbos,” adding that Senator Ned Nwoko was correct in his classification.

Explaining the origin of the term “Anioma,” the monarch recalled that it was coined by Sir Dennis Osadebay, with “A” standing for Aniocha, “N” for Ndokwa, “I” for Ika, and “O” for Oshimili, while the letters “M” and “A” were added for poetic effect. He described Anioma as “empowered by nature,” with a land mass of about 6,000 square kilometres and a population of roughly two million, blessed with a strong workforce, industries, cultural artefacts, and vibrant traditions.

Tracing the history of Anioma statehood, Obi Anyasi noted that the agitation began in 1954 under the Lyttleton Constitution, considered Nigeria’s first true federal constitution, with Osadebay leading the struggle. He said the push for Anioma has witnessed nine phases of agitation and gained renewed momentum after Senator Ned Nwoko introduced a bill for the creation of Anioma State in the 10th Senate.

“This agitation represents a natural desire you cannot take away from the people,” the monarch stressed.

On which geopolitical zone Anioma should belong to, he said:

“If you ask me personally, I would say South-South. But with the current political realities, it may not work well. The mindset of the President speaks to balancing the federation, since the South-East currently has only five states. If the optics favour the South-East, and we cannot change it, why don’t we accept it?”

The monarch further argued that the creation of Anioma State would bring governance closer to the people and open up more opportunities.

“The dividends of democracy will come closer with Anioma State. We have moved from Midwest to Bendel to where we are now. We shouldn’t fear the future. With all we have, we can seek self-determination,” he said.

He commended Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, describing him as one of the best the state has had, while adding that “desire is inexhaustible.”

Moderator of the TVC programme, Nifemi Oguntoye, described Obi Anyasi III as a royal father who embodies both the cultural heritage and modern aspirations of Anioma people, noting that his voice reinforces the argument that Anioma is not only a viable entity but also a historical necessity in balancing Nigeria’s geopolitical structure.

Zionmdde:
Nonsense
Aniomas are Aniomas
Igbos are Igbos
Let everybody retain their ethnic identity
Closeness doesn't mean oneness

Putindbutt:
Una no dey tire, as long as Anioma is multicultural and multi ethnic, your ambition remains a pipe dream. This one called himself a traditional ruler of one tiny community speaking on behalf of his ibo people. You think traditional rulers of Igala or Urhobo or Lukumi communities of Anioma would agree that their people are ibos?. Once again, focus on getting a sixth state in the SE and stop chasing an impossible mission. No inch of Delta state will be carved out.

Putindbutt:
Una no dey tire, as long as Anioma is multicultural and multi ethnic, your ambition remains a pipe dream. This one called himself a traditional ruler of one tiny community speaking on behalf of his ibo people. You think traditional rulers of Igala or Urhobo or Lukumi communities of Anioma would agree that their people are ibos?. Once again, focus on getting a sixth state in the SE and stop chasing an impossible mission. No inch of Delta state will be carved out.

Justiceleague1:
Putin in the yansh

Vladimir Putin knows himself ^ there

jmoore:
Retain ethnic identity? Is Anioma an Arab word?

Anioma means goodland, whether you like it or not. Whether in Ngwa, Onitsha or Delta, Anioma has only one meaning, which is goodland.

Putindbutt:
Una no dey tire, as long as Anioma is multicultural and multi ethnic, your ambition remains a pipe dream. This one called himself a traditional ruler of one tiny community speaking on behalf of his ibo people. You think traditional rulers of Igala or Urhobo or Lukumi communities of Anioma would agree that their people are ibos?. Once again, focus on getting a sixth state in the SE and stop chasing an impossible mission. No inch of Delta state will be carved out.

Zionmdde:
The same analysis that made ikwerres detest anything Igbo.
You are Anioma, you are my brother, is different from you are Igbo
More than half of the minority ethnic groups have close ties with the 3 major ethnic groups. Does it mean they all should now abandon their ethnic groups?
I hardly hear yorubas or hausas doing this kind of argument. It can only Bring resentment. You guys will soon drive Anioma to that same point of resentment

jmoore:
Ned Nwoko is from Anioma and he is saying he's Igbo.

Current Ohaneze president is from Ikwerre and he says Ikwerre are Igbos.


Who are you in this conversation?

Zionmdde:
And who is Ned to decide who aniomas are or are not

Go close to an ikwerre man and tell him ikwerres are igbos na.
Since you guys can never learn.
So they should dump their identity and start answering Igbos

Soon they will come out and give you guys what you are looking for.

Same way Peter Obi won in lagos and instead of saying thank you to the yorubas that voted irrespective of tribe, people like you went about pouring shit on their faces with lagos is no man's land, now what is happening

Emotional intelligence- zero

I am Igbo but am in support of everybody getting wotowo when they mess up

jmoore:
You can't even stay one place. From you are Igbo to talking about no man's land.

The last time I checked Daniel Bwala called Lagos a no man's land.

Dude, go find wetin dey pursue you. And go and find your right identity.

agadez007:
Anioma are not multicultural like you are trying to state,They are purely igbo people and practice igbo culture
Maybe you are confusing Aniomaland for Warri or Sapele

esnbrutality:
See Typical SW thinking. So they need to chase people away in the same NIGERIA.

Awon sophisticated
Dey play.

jmoore:
Retain ethnic identity? Is Anioma an Arab word?

Anioma means goodland, whether you like it or not. Whether in Ngwa, Onitsha or Delta, Anioma has only one meaning, which is goodland.

DatNiggaDaz:
Those who have been sowing the seeds of envy and division will feel the pains from the words of the Monarch

Ned is doing a wonderful job for our neigbours from the East . I have been telling some folks who play those division games that if they know the spread of our neigbours in the ND, they will respect our neigbours

LagosOrigin:
Seunmsg helinues yarimo madridguy softmirror will not like this beautiful news

Igbo is one.

It's on vanguard Newspaper

Yes yes yes

Justiceleague1:
You have the longest post here, in fact an unsolicited epistle and you are Yoruba!

Putindbutt:
K.. until you go and chase away the other ethnic groups in Anioma away, I won't take una serious.

Zionmdde:
Oya na follow him and call it no man's land and be collecting what they are giving you

I said it before Emotional intelligence = 0
Yes I am igbo, doesn't mean I will be dragging others to abandon their identities. People like u absolutely never learn
No wonder we are finding it difficult to build strong alliances

Putindbutt:
K.. until you go and chase away the other ethnic groups in Anioma away, I won't take una serious.

jmoore:
Dude, you just dey make noise. You are shouting 'intelligence' up and down but your comments lack it.

Ned Nwoke, from Anioma is saying he's Igbo.

Am I the one that told Ned Nwoko to say he's Igbo?

Wetin carry alliance enter this matter?

You just dey rant babablu.

Zionmdde:
So Ned created them abi, or Ned is the one that shares ethnic identities. Oya na go there and call them igbos and come to ph and call ikwerres igbos too.

I said it with my full chest, for most of you, emotional intelligence = 0.