PRESS RELEASE
Th Apex Association of Anioma Indigenes Inc., under the leadership of Apostle Patrick A. Nwanze, Chairman of the Igbo Heritage Celebration 2025 Planning Committee and Convener of the South-South & South-East Culture, Heritage, Tourism & Business Summit in Asaba, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the vision and realization of an Anioma State.
As a cultural and socio-development institution championing unity, identity and advancement across Anioma land, we stand on the pillars of equity, justice, historical truth, and balanced national representation.
From the days of the Mid-West Region, through Bendel State, and now Delta State, the Anioma people have played pivotal roles in shaping the political and cultural landscape of our region. Yet, despite our contributions, our legitimate aspiration for a state that reflects our identity, culture and heritage remains unfulfilled.
Anioma is not a coincidence of geography.
It is a historic, cultural, linguistic and ancestral realityone people, bonded by shared roots and values, speaking Igbo; dialects (Enuani, Ukwuani, Ika), and firmly rooted in the Igbo ethnolinguistic family.
The name ANIOMA itself is a proud acronym of our constituent areas: Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika and Oshimili.
Anioma land is home to great history, including the Ekumeku Movement (1883-1914),a courageous unified resistance against British colonial domination by Igbo-speaking communities in the West of the Niger. Our story is one of courage, dignity, self-determination and sacrifice.
Yet, political boundaries imposed by colonial and post-colonial systems used the River Niger as a line of division rather than unity. That river must no longer be seen as a boundary capable of separating a naturally united people. Water cannot divide those whom ancestry, culture, and destiny unite.
The quest for Anioma State is not new. It predates the present republic. Eminent Anioma leaders including Chief Dennis Osadebay and Prof. Chike Edozien (late Asagba of Asaba) laid the intellectual and political foundation many decades ago.
In recent times, Senator Ned Nwoko has advanced the cause at the National Assembly with a bill seeking constitutional amendment for Anioma State creation, describing it as historical correction and political necessity.
The creation of Anioma State serves not just regional aspirations but national equity. Today, the South-East remains the only geopolitical zone with five states while others have six or seven. Anioma State aligns with justice, federal balance and national unity.
Anioma has always been viable,and will function even better when positioned where history and ancestry placed her.
We call on:
The Federal Government of Nigeria
The National Assembly
Political leaders and policymakers
Traditional institutions
Pan-Igbo and Pan-Anioma organizations
Youth, women and community leaders
The global Anioma diaspora
to support and accelerate this noble project.
Let no fear or distraction derail our focus. Unity does not threaten progress, it strengthens it.
Anioma State is not merely a political request, it is a historic mandate, cultural restoration, and development imperative.
Our people have waited long enough. The time for equity and recognition is now.
Anioma must rise, and Anioma shall rise. Anioma will happen.
E-Signed:
Apostle Patrick A. Nwanze (Agu Anioma)
President-General, Apex Association of Anioma Indigenes Inc.
Chairman, Igbo Heritage Celebration 2025 Planning Committee
Convener, South-South & South-East Culture, Heritage, Tourism & Business Summit
Contact: Office of Public Affairs
Apex Association of Anioma Indigenes Inc.
08936380206 | 08033104090 | 07036540782
