From last week continues the narrative about creation of new states in Nigeria.

Ibadan state deserves to be 

Anioma State was long advocated many years ago. I remember in 1979, Senator Nosike Ikpo along with Chief Martin Nwoseh, Chief Michael Agbamuche, A. N. Iduwe and G.N. Nwechue, submitted a strong worded memorandum to the National Assembly. Senator Ikpo was a friend and lobbied his colleagues then for the creation of Anioma state. At that time, Anioma comprised of four local governments areas—Ndokwa, Ika, Aniocha and Oshimili. His argument at that time was that the creation of Anioma states would enhance the participation of the Igbos in a more united Nigeria. 

By 1945, the British created thirteen Provinces in Northern Region, eight in Western Region and seven in Eastern Region. These Provinces existed till self-government in 1954. The Northern Provinces were Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Bornu, Ilorin, Kabba, Kano, Katsina, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto and Zaria; the Western Region Provinces were Abeokuta, Benin, Ijebu, Ondo, Oyo, and Warri while Eastern Region Provinces consisted of Calabar, Cameroons, Ogoja, Onitsha, Owerri and Rivers. 

As of today, most of these Provinces have become autonomous states except Ogoja and Ijebu. Remo was of course grouped under Ijebu Province while Abeokuta has since become a state capital. Some of these old Provinces have been split into states. Take for example Ondo Province. It had four divisions namely Ekiti, Okitipupa, Ondo and Owo. Now the old Province has been split into two states, Ekiti and Ondo. The old Calabar Province consisted of Ikot Ekpenne, Uyo, Eket. Now the old Calabar Province had become two states—Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom. Even the old Benue Province comprised of Lafia, Idoma, Nasarawa, Wukari now has two states—Benue and Nasarawa states.  

The only exception in the old Western Region, is Ijebu Province—that has not been granted an autonomous state. So, the demand for Ijebu state is needful. If other Provinces can become autonomous state why not Ijebu.

Before he died, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona (10 May 1934 – 13 July 2025), Ogbagba II, not only canvassed for unity among the Ijebu and Remo people, he also canvassed for the creation of Ijebu state. It is now left for the leaders of Ijebu and Remo to press on for the legitimate demand of Ijebu state.  

A proposed Ijebu state will comprise of Shagamu, Ikenne, Iperu, Odogbolu, Ago-Iwoye, Ogberre, Atan, Ijebu-Igbo, Irewon, Mobalufon, Imoru, Ijebu Mushin, Aboyin, Eriwu, Egbe, Ikala, Kelewe, Okepo, Ososa, Omidudu, Lapara, Imosan, Ikoto, Iperin, Ijebu-Ife, Molipa, Ikangba, Latogun, Ogbo/Imaweje, Itamarun, Isiwo, Iloti, Igbokutu, Igasa Odo, Igara, Okelamuren, Ogere, Iloti etc. 

At present, the proposed state has the following as local governments—Shagamu, Remo north, Ogun Waterside, Odogbolu, Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu North East, Ijebu North and Ijebu East. 

That of Ogoja is another example. The following divisions made up of old Ogoja Province—Abakaliki, Afikpo, Ikom, Obubra and Ogoja. 

Ogoja lost narrowly from becoming a state in 1975.

On August 7, 1975, General Murtala Mohammed GCFR, set up a committee on the creation of more states in the country. At that time, Nigeria had twelve states. The committee was headed by Chief Justice Ayo Gabriel Irikefe, GCON (3 March 1922 – 1 August 1996). Other members of the committee were Brigadier General Godwin Ally, Dr. A.D. Yahaya, Mr. Solomon Daushep Lar, Mr C. Audifferen while Dr Dele Cole was named as the secretary of the committee.

The expectation was that Brigadier General Ally, as a member of the committee, who is from Ogoja area will work for the actualization of Ogoja state. That was not to be. 

At that time, it was easy to create states under a military regime unlike now. 

While serving as Minister of Defence in 2002, General (rtd.) Yakubu Theophilus Danjuma renamed four barracks in the South South. They are Adaka Boro Barracks – Elele; Emmanuel Ekpo Barracks – Ikom; Godwin Ally Barracks – Ogoja and Patrick Dan Archibong Barracks – Calabar. 

To be concluded

•Teniola, a former Director at the Presidency, wrote from Lagos.