From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The Nsukka Journalists’ Forum (NJF), an association of journalists from Nsukka cultural zone in Enugu State, has called for the creation of Adada State amid renewed calls for the creation of an additional state for the South East region.
The Chairman of the association, Benson-Whyte Ezugwu, who made the group’s position known in a press statement on Monday said that one of the things to be considered for creation of a state is its homogeneity which Adada has.
Ezugwu said that Another criteria is the viability in terms of the likely economic stability of the proposed state, adding that, “In this case Adada is not wanting as it has the most arable land for Agriculture in the entire South East region these are found in Eha Amufu in Isi Uzo and Uzo Uwani, including the Adarice that can feed the whole nation if well harnessed.
“Currently, Adada can boast of a Federal University, the famous and only University of Nigeria (UNN), a state University, a Federal Polytechnic and a Federal College of Education.
“Adada State has a functional Teaching Hospital at Igbano; has a functional Secretariat Annex and a Sports Stadium to name just a few. So, creation of a state like Adada will not pose any challenge to the Federal Government as it can stand on its own without being a liability to the Federal Government.
“Therefore, while we welcome wholeheartedly the creation of an additional state in the South East zone, we advise that merit should take precedence over personal ambition which may stand to serve the goals of empire builders.
He commended the 10th House of Representatives for resurrecting the issue of creation, noting that the South East zone has been unjustly and unfairly treated hence the agitations for restructuring or outright secession by some groups and individuals.
On the motion for the creation of Orlu State as moved by Ikenga Ugochinyere, member Representing Ideator North and South Federal Constituency, Ezugwu noted that, “The motion, as good as it sounds, was far personal, narrow and lacked genuineness.”
“As a representative of the people, one thinks the honorable member should have carried other representatives from the zone along such that they speak with one Voice when the debate comes on. This becomes necessary in view of the fact that there are many agitations and arguments on states to be created from the South East geopolitical zone.”
“We have not less than seven proposed states in the South East geopolitical zone. Therefore, for him to have singled out creation of Orlu State also was devoid of proper representation, consultation and acceptability.
“Already, some media reports claimed that a section of the proposed state has reportedly distanced themselves from being part of it. This means that the proposed Orlu State lacked homogeneity unlike some other proposed states such as Adada State from the present Enugu State.”
He insisted that the proposed Adada State to be carved out of the present Enugu State comprised seven viable homogeneous Local Government Areas from the former Nsukka Cultural zone including, Nsukka, Uzo Uwani, Isi Uzo, Udenu, Igboeze North, Igboeze South and Igbo-Etiti.