Etche, Ndoki, Oyigbo and Asa ethnic nationalities on February 4th held a press conference to shed more light on the demand for the federal government to grant the request for creation of ENOA State.
ENOA State, an acronym of E – Etche, N – Ndoki, O – Oyigbo and A – Asa – are described as ethnic nationalities with one common ancestral and genealogical background who were balkanized during the States creation in Nigeria.
The four ethnic nationalities recalled that in 1978, Justice Mamman Nasir of National Boundary Commission ceded 17 Asa and Ndoki Communities to Rivers State; Ohaobu and Akpala – Ndoki Communities and placed under Akwa Ibom State.
Equally, many Asa Communities were “wrongly” delineated and placed in Osisioma, Aba North, Aba South and Ugwunagbo Local Government Areas. Also, many Ndoki Communities were wrongly placed in Obingwa Local Government Area in Abia State,” the people said.
Speaking during the press conference, which was attended by Traditional Rulers, Youths and Women leaders from the four ethnic nationalities, the Coordinator and Secretary of ENOA State Movement, Prof. Onwubiko N. Dike and Dr. Ik Ajuzieogu said one of the many reasons for the creation of ENOA State is to unite the four ethnic nationalities who are of one common ancestral and genealogical background.
He told the press that ENOA State Creation Movement has reached out to the right quarters both States and Federal levels, and they have submitted letters to the national Assembly which contains request and reasons for the state creation.
The Associate Professor said all the ethnic nationalities that make up the proposed State gave their consent to it, noting that they’re being treated as minorities in their host states.
Prof Dike noted that it’s important for the creation of ENOA State to enable the balkanized ethnic nationalities to come together as a block no longer dispersed and without voice.
He added that the creation of the ENOA State would be of immense benefit for the present generation as well as posterity.
According to him, “the ethnic nationalities that make up ENOA will no longer be enslaved, swallowed and submerged by the teaming majorities who circumstantially have an overwhelming advantage over us.”
Giving additional reason, Prof Dike said if ENOA State creation is achieved, it will “adequately address obviously vexatious socio-cultural and political polarization of ENOA people.”
ENOA State Creation, according to the Movement will address utter and gross marginalization of the people in socio-political positions vis-à-vis socio-political index for the aggregate economic development and participation.
The creation will also, attract development in ENOA areas with her huge potential resources in agriculture, oil and gas and other natural endowments.
“The creation will alleviate unemployment among the youths of ENOA who can hardly access employment opportunities in the existing structures due to massive marginalization experienced and to reduce poverty in the area.
“ENOA will also adequately address human resource development particularly youths empowerment,”
Facts about ENOA State
Ethnic Nationalities: Etche, Ndoki, Oyigbo and Asa People: Made up of the people of Etche, Ndoki, Oyigbo and Asa (ENOA) who have same ancestral origin and speak same language with similar tradition.
Historical and Political Affiliation: Before Nigeria was split into States, the people of the proposed ENOA State, that is Etche, Ndoki, Oyigbo and Asa were under one Customary Court Area at Obehie.
Population, Climate and Location: The proposed ENOA State has a population of about 6,422,578 people with a land mass of about 6,356.5 square kilometres. The proposed State is located within the forest belt of Nigeria with a temperature that ranges from 20°c to 36°c. ENOA State would be bounded with Abia State in the North and North East, Imo State in the North West, Rivers State in the South East and South West and Akwa Ibom State in the East.
Economy: Richly and abundantly endowed with lots of mineral resources such as Oil and Gas, Gold, special sand for making glass wares and huge agricultural resources such as palm produce, timber, oranges, cassava, yam, pineapples, cucumber, etc; has 318 functional oil wells (with millions of standard cubic feet of gas per day), Accelerated Gas Gathering (AGG) Plants manifolds flow stations and 90 capped oil wells.
Tourist Attraction: Potential tourist centres include Azumini Blue River, Obeaku Beach, Asa-Ugbo Bekee Beach, Otamiri Confluence Beach, Obete Beach, etc.
Manpower: ENOA State is highly endowed with adequate, vibrant and resourceful manpower that will productively, conveniently and effectively pilot the affairs of the proposed State.
