A dawn of socio-political Re-awakening in Anioma

Emeka Esogbue

That the Anioma people of Delta State are gradually arousing from a deep slumber is not an understatement. A look into the socio-political activities of the group in recent times buttresses this argument. Quite increasingly, the Anioma indigenes are phenomenally taking interest in the socio-political events of their lives as a people.  Decades back, he people were overtaken by socio-political sleep which, saw them tiredly snoring with indifference in the things that concern them as a people but it is a different scenario altogether for them today.
Several factors can be deduced as responsible for the re-awakening among the people of the state. One cannot rule that the ethnic identity problem which the group is facing and unsuccessful struggles towards producing a governor for the state. These two factors among several others have emboldened the people to arouse from slumber. The reasons presented here have more than anything quickened the race for re-awakening which the people say there is no going back on.
The emergence of Izu Anioma is viewed as a blessing to the group of people in the face of frenzy and discordant tunes which the people have associated with over the past decades. The importance of Izu Anioma cannot be over-emphasized for it has ushered a dawn of a new era in the socio-political life of the Anioma. The birth of Izu Anioma is like the emergence of shepherd for the people. Izu Anioma is now the umbrella body of the Anioma nation with a lot of responsibilities. On Saturday, April 3, 2010, the Group with its national President, Chief (Col) Mike Nduka Okwechime visited the Governor of the State, His Excellency, Dr Emmanuel Ewetan Uduagha in Asaba, Delta State pledging its support to the Governor and the people of the state.
Chief (Col) Okwechime lauded the development strides of Governor uduagha in Anioma areas in what was termed "Celebration of Civilization". The on-going speedy construction of the Asaba International Airport was one area the Group expressed its gratitude to the Governor that has favoured the people. The Governor appears to be been a friend of the Anioma with his recent speech that "there is no going back on Asaba as the capital of Delta State"
Concerned groups and individuals of Anioma extraction with acclaimed mandates to champion the socio-political cause of the region are fast emerging thus setting another dawn of a new era for the people of the Delta North. Recently, one Barrister Alex Nnamdi Nwadionu   from Illah granted The Nation an interview on 31, October 2009 in what he termed "Delta 2015: Its Anioma or northing" Barrister Nwadionu's view is that it is the turn of anioma to produce the next governor of the state.
Another group of individuals of Anioma indigenes under the aegis of Concerned Aniomas for Transparency Leadership (CANTRAL) was recently reported to have issued a strong warning to politicians and other political groups in the state against the imposition of candidates on the Anioma people while noting that "the people of Delta North Senatorial District have suffered in the hands of selfish politicians whose stock of trade is to promote divide and rule among the people rather than engendering unity, oneness of purpose and exemplary leadership which is the hallmark of modern democracy".
The setting-up and activities of the Anioma Political Forum and the Anioma National Congress geared towards the political emancipation of the people have upon inauguration transformed to the champions of the Anioma nation. The confidence reposed on them by the people is high and cannot be taken lightly. The Anioma Political Forum has truly emerged as the mouth-piece of the people and gathering and drumming support. Lastly, the creation of Umu Anioma "Ofu Obi Bu Nke Anyi" Group on Facebook, a social utility tool is helping to find a sense of direction for the representatives of the people. The group accommodates thousands of Anioma indigenes and focuses on finding solutions to the problems troubling the region. Twice, the group has successfully organized a telephone conference in which ideas and solutions were offered towards the develop0ment of the region.
It has in no small way added to the socio-political re-awakening of the people which is what every indigene prays for. Surely, the Anioma will fight for a place in the 2011 election and perhaps produce a governor of its extraction and most importantly win the much coveted Anioma State.