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THE ANIOMAS HAVE A HISTORY OF RESENTING SUBJUGATION

THE ANIOMAS HAVE A HISTORY OF RESENTING SUBJUGATION
By Emeka Esogbue
In the world of activism, we, the Anioma people are always known for standing up.
When the Lander Brothers ventured into the Aboh waters without the permission of the people, Obi Ossai arrested and detained them.
When Benin tried to subjugate Agbor, the Agbor people went to war against the Empire.
When again Benin rose against Ubulu Uku, the battle line was drawn and with the stage set, there was the Bini-Oboluku War.
When the British extended foreign rule and imperialism to the Anioma territory, the Anioma people went up in rising. While other Nigerian societies collapsed to Royal Niger Constabulary within brief spaces of months, the Anioma people sustained the battle for 31 years, causing the British forces to sustain unspeakable casualties.
When the defunct Western Regional government started to discriminate the minorities with the region, Anioma sons, Dennis Osadebay, Oputu, Otutu, F. H. Utomi, Orewah, Ozieh, Mokwunye, Olisa Chukwurah, and Ogoegbunam Utomi and others moved for the creation of a separate state and we got the Midwestern Region.
The role of Nzeogwu though with "One Nigeria" in mind should not be forgotten.
When the military became too handy, the likes of Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin rose to the occasion.
When they refused to hand over to former President Jonathan after the demise of Yar'Adua, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala intervened.
When they thought Anioma would be swallowed by larger Nigerian groups, Emmanuel Ohai, Akamesike Manuel O'coney, EssEm Victorio, Lauretta Onochie, Emmanuel Nwaokolo, Mabel Ebele Magbulu, Anthonia Dooshima Oguah, John Pedro Osakwe, Kristy Ikanih, Enudi Marcus, Frank Ofili, Patrick Ochei, Gloria Adagbon, Michael Brian Odiakose, HRM Obi Charles Chukwuwinke Anyasi III, Queenesther Nwaise, Godfrey Osakwe, Collins Okonkwo, Joe Illoe, Pen Master (Emeka Esogbue) and others too numerous to mention rose to the occasion.
These Anioma advocates easily stand up.


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