By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South 

CHIEF Political Strategist  to the Delta State Government, Dr. Festus Okubor, in an interview with Saturday Vanguard, shed light on why group of academics, media practitioners, sociologists and other Anioma stakeholders, who are still carrying out consultations, came up with the idea to float an umbrella body, Anioma Progress Union, APU, for the people of Anioma (Delta North senatorial district) in the state. Excerpts:

What APU is all about?

 ”The proposed Anioma Progress Union as the name implies, is proposed to be the apex sociocultural, political and economic organization for the Anioma people of Delta state in the mold of Afenifere, Ohaneze, Urhobo Progress Union, Isoko Developement Union, Arewa, etc, which are passionate about improving the quality of life of their people and work assiduously for same.

“Truth is that Anioma people have had several patriotic bodies that have done their bits to lift us. Anioma Movement fought gallantly for the creation of Anioma state from Bendel state. Oganihu Anioma assiduously worked for the economic vitalization of the Anioma people and their Silicon Valley idea will fruit sooner than later. Onu Anioma is another group that had the best interests of Anioma people as their focus.

“Anioma Congress came up at a time when it was important to agitate for a governor of Delta state of Anioma extraction. Gallant they were and vigorously, they fought and Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa became the governor of Delta state and continues to make us proud with his performance in office. OFAAC is another eminent group that continues to do exploits in the cultural perpetuation of our cherished culture.

“A soft under belly of these and other similar organizations is, however, spotted in their ad- hoc nature and single item agenda. 

“This soft belly must now be toughened by the emergence of an apex body for the Anioma people that will give leadership in all spheres of our life in a multi ethnic state and nation. A body that will speak and be listened to attentively in the state, nation and indeed the world. A body that is not set up on an adhoc basis, but deliberately planned with sustainable structures to play these roles in our lives as a people. This is what this proposal is all about. 

“Some persons may want to dismiss ‘the promoters’ of this idea but they miss the idea whose time I dare say is now,  hence the massive acceptability it is getting in this period of broad- based consultations to sell it to Anioma people, home and abroad. We will be short changing ourselves to continue to extol ad-hocism in fighting our causes.

“The past has been tough for us and the future may even be tougher. This is the time to have a structured and sustainable organization at the apex to cater for Anioma people socially, culturally, economically and politically.

Consultations ongoing

“Not being self-serving, you may not, stricto senso, be able to point at promoters. Which again is a major break from the past efforts. A group of academics, media practitioners and sociologists came together and spent time to figure out how we should operate as a people in Nigeria and Delta state as it is and came up with this idea.

“They sent out questioners to the villages and got responses from regular folks, analyzed the responses and were convinced this is the way to go. They looked at the workings of apex sociocultural organizations of other sub- nationalities in Nigeria and finally put to paper the proposal on Anioma Progress Union. It is with this that consultations of all identified stakeholder groups is presently going on.

“Feedback from these consultative effort will determine the next steps, but what is obvious is that the proposal is meeting with a lot of enthusiasm amongt Anioma people.

“Just as some people postulate that the West considers it their interest to ensure that Africa does not break forth into the paths of sustainable growth and development, some may postulate that other sub nationalities in Delta state and Nigeria may not be supportive of a strong and effective apex organization for Anioma. But, it is in the best interest of all, that Anioma is strong, virile and reliable. It sure is a win-win for all.

“The proposed Anioma Progress Union, APU, is all inclusive, hence consultations are ongoing and our traditional, political, spiritual, academic, industry, community, women, youth, civil service and student leaders are all being consulted. 

It’s the people that will determine

“It is the people that will determine how it goes. It is them that will adopt a name.  Ultimately, if approved by the people, it will be the first congress that will proclaim a constitution for the Union that will guide everyone. The issue of self- centeredness does, therefore, not arise. 

“The Union will be constitutionally run. The roles of everyone is defined in the proposal and there are no clashes of interest or undermining of interest.

“What is critical at this stage is for people to study the proposal and make inputs for its actualization. What is also clear is that that there is a lacuna in our collective leadership of Anioma people and the need arises for a strong, structured and sustainable apex sociocultural, political and economic organization for Anioma people,” he said.