ASABA/Nigeria: All appears set as all roads lead to the Cenotaph in Asaba, venue of the grand civic reception to honour the Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa by the Anioma people, today Saturday 21st April, 2018.
As preparations were in top gear, members of Izu Anioma, the Apex umbrella body of Anioma Nation led by its Interim President, Dr. Kingsley Ojieh paid a courtesy visit on Chief Philip Asiodu to brief him on the level of preparedness on the part of Izu Anioma.
Ojieh informed the elder statesman of all the advocacy visits of the organization so far to different communities, traditional rulers, President Generals and others to reaffirm the existence of Izu Anioma as the Apex sociocultural organization for the Anioma people.
He commended Chief Asiodu for the vision he had for Izu Anioma, which he confirmed was very much alive till date. He posited that as Governor of Delta State from Anioma extraction, Senator Okowa had done well and must be adequately honoured by Anioma Nation, adding that it is hoped that the platform would further enhance a holistic unity of Anioma Nation.
Welcoming the group, Chief Philip Asiodu, the Ozoma of Asaba and former Federal Permanent Secretary Emeritus appreciated the Interim Executive for deeming it fit to visit with him.
Asiodu who wrote the constitution of Izu Anioma, stated that he had been on consultation since the past 15 years with a view to getting initiative for good governance, not just for Anioma but the nation at large.
He advised that as a people with common interest, Izu Anioma should continue to play a galvanizing role where every Anioma person must adjust and be content, adding that we must eschew every divisive tendency.
According to him, “We must commit to the restoration of perseverance and respect. We must find a way of preserving unity. We must honour Okowa as Anioma people, not as partisans. I believe and as it is evident, that Okowa’s rule is not unfavourable to any section of Delta. He is a man that in spite of all provocations, he has managed to stay on good terms with everybody”.
The man known as an encyclopaedia of knowledge, however, proffered a road map of at least 20 years stretch to plan for the way forward and development of Anioma. He affirmed that though the nation destroyed the civil service in 1975 and the structure of planning, he maintained that planning still remains critical component of development if a nation must compete and remain relevant in the global circle of today’s politics.
Chief Asiodu who will be chairing the grand civic reception of Governor Okowa today, assured the Izu Anioma patriots that better days are imminent for Anioma Nation.
Those who formed part of the delegation that visited the elder statesman included Chief Usor Onianwa (Chairman of Izu Anioma Elders Forum), Chief P.A. Dunkwu (Odogwu of Okpanam), Sir Elder Okowa (Governor’s father), Chief Chike Diji (Chairman of Izu Anioma Canada Chapter), Chief Amaechi Nwaenie (Chairman of Izu Anioma UK Chapter), Chief V.C. Obiora, Barr. Austin Okwechime (Izu Anioma Legal Adviser) and a host of others.
