The man, Chinedu Munir Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District in the red chambers of the National Assembly (NASS), is a man of many parts but the most pronounced role that Senator Ned Nwoko is presently associated with around the world is his yeoman campaign for the creation of Anioma State out of Delta State.
Senator Nwoko carries the campaign for the creation of Anioma State all around the world with pride. The easiest way you can get an audience with him if you’re not in his group of friends, associates etc is to preach the gospel of the benefits to the people of the axis that will make up the new state when it gets approved.
I exchanged pleasantries with him via SMS and WhatsApp chat on Saturday, June 7th asking for an interview appointment. I got a short but positive response from him a few hours later that went thus “Tomorrow at 3pm”.
I was so elated at the response considering that I have for a long time desired to have an exclusive chat with him on burning issues like the Anioma State creation which he is spearheading, his establishment of a sports university whose campus is sharing fence with his palatial home, Mount Ned Nwoko Resort, in Idumuje Ugboko and his recent move to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the People’s Democratic Party(PDP).
By 11 am on Sunday morning I was already at the motor park seated in a commercial vehicle plying the Benin – Onitsha Road. It took sometime for the vehicle to be filled with passengers and commence the trip.
By 2.30pm I got to Onicha Ugbo Junction for the last lap of the journey to Idumuje Ugboko. I boarded a motor cycle and just as I was midway to my destination a torrential rain started, pelting me and the bike rider(okada man) conveying me. We sought refuge in an abandoned auto workshop for a while.
By the time that I got to Senator Nwoko’s residence by 2.58pm I was totally drenched in rain water. As it’s usual Mount Ned Nwoko Resort was filled mostly with politicians and some others who came to get situation report of the Anioma State creation campaign from the Senator who was no where in sight as he was said to have stepped out briefly for a meeting. He came in around 3.55 pm and decided to address the gathering.
On why he defected to the APC, he said: “You know the other people (PDP) they believe in ‘leader say’ and I was not comfortable with that as it was giving my agitation for creation of Anioma State a setback.”
On the proposed Anioma State, Senator Nwoko allayed the fears of the people about its viability, a condition that will play a crucial role in its qualification. He informed them that the proposed state is blessed in abundant oil and gas more than what some states have. He cautioned that the people should eschew greed and corruption to ensure that the campaign bears good fruit. He urged them not to lose faith as the campaign will be a success. He implored them to always participate in activities that relate to the creation of the state eg National Assembly seatings on states creation and the likes.
He told them that it’s only in Nigeria that people place their hope on what individuals do or what they can get from such individuals. He asserted that in the advanced countries people place their trust in government and what they(government) can do to better their lives.
On the sideline of Senator Nwoko’s sermon on the situation report about the creation of Anioma State I called a notable politician(name withheld) in the gathering aside and whispered softly into his ears, “is Anioma State part of Biafra?”
With a look of anger on his face he responded in the negative, “no, it’s not. Anioma State will be a state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are in serious business here!”
As Senator Nwoko ended his talk he took an excuse to go and freshen up. By 5.10pm he came out surrounded by his security details, boarded his car and zoomed off for a meeting in Asaba, the state capital.
The reporter took a step of faith to return to Benin that night amidst the heavy downpour.
