Nigeria'll Not Sleep Untill Ogoja State Is Created, Says C' River North Stakeholders
Judex OKORO
The agitation for state's creation continued to gather momentum in Cross River as stakeholders have stated unequivocally that Nigeria will not sleep untill Ogoja state becomes a reality.
The Cross River north senatorial district made up of five local government areas have been at the forefront of the creation of
Ogoja state.
And not relenting on its agitation, the Old Ogoja Province People's Initiative organised a public forum in Calabar on Tuesday to harmonise their position and demands for the new state.
Speaking at the forum, the convener of Old Ogoja Province People's Initiative, Dr. Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe, decried the long marginalisation of the people for over decades, stating that the time is now for Ogoja state.
According to him, the people of old Ogoja province deserve a better treatment from the Nigerian nation as people of north Cross River have contributed both human and material resources to the development of the federation.
In a ln option-laden tone, he said: "We need to look beyond what happened in the past and look to the future as our moment is now.
"The Ogoja man is ready, prepared and and we have all come in unison presently to say we are ready. This is the moment for Ogoja state where a serving governor can afford to tell you to go ahead.
"Senator Bassey Otu spoke to the beauty of the state and it's future. Beyond this, all the chairman, councillors, senators and paramount rulers from the proposed state are in sync with their initiative. We are not going back untill our our dreams are realised "
Also speaking, a former military administrator of Kwara State Col. Pam Ogar, Rted, said: " I can tell you that all provincial headquarters in Nigeria have became states except Ogoja.
"I am throwing my weight fully behind the proposed state because we have the landmass, resources and the personnel to manage its affairs. We are due for a state. Let all well-meaning Nigerians rally round for the creation of Ogoja state."
On his part, Professor Francis Mogu, a former secretary of the Movement for the Creation of Ogoja State, said lack of unity and infighting robbed Ogoja of statehood over the years
He, however, said despite that, "God's time is the best and the time for the actualisation of the state is now. We will not relent untill our tears are wiped away."
Also speaking, Rita Anyim, a former chairman of Ogoja LGA, said: "The proposed state will be one of the most viable in Nigeria as it has abundant resources to harness for its development.
"I strongly believe that the present administration will help actualise the state. We the women are solidly behind the Initiative group in its fight for Ogoja state creation."
