KWALE/Nigeria: The body of the President Generals of Ndokwa Clans has called for unity among the people of the as lack of Unity, Love has caused the area lack of development, noting that the only way genuine development can take place is when the people unite and push for their collective interest and development.
Speaking on the resolution of the body, the President General Utchi clan in Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State and the Chairman, Ndokwa Nation Clans President Generals Association, Prince Igwe Nzekwe stated at the end of an enlarged meeting of the group in Kwale, Ndokwa West LGA, stated that lack of unity and love among the elites of the Ndokwa Nation extraction was taking a toll on the development of area even as he called on those planning to change the name of Izu Anioma to have a rethink.
According to him; “The problem in Ndokwa land is not Anioma as a name. We don’t love ourselves. No unity. Due to our bad roads or lack of road at all we find it difficult to relate as one people unless we are in Asaba. Also it is not easy to love the person you don’t know, no unity.”
Continuing, “Aniocha/Oshimili meets at local level. Onu Ika meets at local level. Ndokwa Nation as a people doesn’t meet. Even we the leaders of our different clans does not know ourselves. If the government invites us for a meeting, you will see Onu Ika and Aniocha/Oshimili clan leaders exchanging greetings. But as at today, we the leaders from the 37 clans in Ndokwa nation have started meeting.” He stated.
Speaking further on how to foster unity of Ndokwa Nation, he said the PGs of all clans have taken the lead, saying; “the meeting today in kwale has all the clan leaders present with their secretaries under the name” Ndokwa nation clan’s President Generals Association”, CDC chairmen, leaders now meets as a people and very soon we shall have a joint meeting with our clan youth leaders”.
According to Nzekwe, “a clan is a group of related families, different villages that are related and become one, they should see themselves as one family. Now we have started knowing ourselves and very soon, we shall start speaking with one voice. No more war”.
“Clans like, Obiaruku. Eziokpor, Amai, Umutu, Umukwata, Umuebu, Ebedei, Ezionum, Akoku, Onicha-Ukwuani, Emu, Utagba- Ogbe, Ogume, Abi, Utagba-uno, Aboh, Utchi, Ibedeni, Afor, Ushie, Abala , adia– obiaka, Akarai, Ase , Ashaka, Beneku , Ibrede , Igbuku , Inyi , Obikwele, Okpai, Onuabo, Onogbokor , Onya , Ossissa, Umuolu and Utuoku are the 37 government recognized clans in Ndokwa land today.”
He noted that result of our coming together by the PGs will soon start manifesting good result, explaining that when that unity of Ndokwa is achieved, then Anioma will know that if you remove (N) from it, the meaning is lost. Therefore, Ndokwa land must develop like other units in Anioma.
The President General flayed the abandonment of the riverine areas of the state especially, that of the Ndokwa Nation, even as he called on the Federal Government and the state governments to intervne.
“The under development of the riverine areas is an indication of a complete disconnect between it and the government. We don’t know if we are still part of Delta State. The government only remember us during election. The entire communities of Abala, Utchi, Lagos-Iyede, Iyede-Ame, Onyia Umu-Olu, Adiai are completely cut off, no road, no electricity, no water, no health care facilities, our women travel with boat to Anambra state to deliver.”
Continuing; “We are calling on government to come to our representatives, NDDC, DESOPADEC and the Ministry of Niger Delta to effect development of the area, because for now we they have not affected us in anyway. The free maternal health care of the state government is not present in riverine areas.”
On the proposed change of the Izu Anioma to Ndi Anioma, Nzekwe pointed out that; “Izu Anioma, the apex body of Delta North is like UPU and the Arewa Consultative Forum and no man can wake up and decide to change the name of a socio-political and cultural group like UPU, Ohaneze-Idigbo, Arewa Consultative Forum, and the Afenifere. A zone that wants to retain governorship must continue to reach out to other ethnic groups but the way Anioma is relaxed someone can pull surprises, which maybe too late to retain the governorship position.”
“We the community leaders in Delta North have resolved that the governorship should be retained in the zone, and our apex body, the Izu Anioma should wake up and link with the community leaders so we can be able to actualize our dreams. We should borrow a leaf from APGA in Anambra state, who work with community leaders”
Ndokwa Nation Clans President Generals Association has the following persons as its executive members; President -Prince Igwe Nzekwe, 1st vice President: Pharm Ambrose Abanum, 2nd vice, Chief Elike Emmanue, Secretary General, Chief Hyacinth Ike Ijoma, Treasurer, Chief Theophilus Adoh, Asst. Sec, comr. Chief Timothy C. Umukoro, Fin. Sec. Engr. Michael Omenogor, PRO, Eni A.E., Welfare officer, Mr Isaiah Enuma, Legal Adviser, Barr. Chief Michael Ndidi.
