Delta Ibo

Delta-Ibo (sometimes spelt Delta-Igbo) refers to a group of Dialects distantly related to the Igbo language and spoken in Nigeria.

They are mostly confined to Delta State [Delta State, Nigeria with a total population of 1114055 (Federal Republic of Nigeria, Official gazette, No.24, Vol. 94, 2007) The population figure quoted here does not include those of Anioma communities located outside Delta state.] (hence the name) but some of them (like Ukwuani) are spoken close to the borders of neighboring states like Rivers; however, 'Anioma' is the preferred indigenous name of the region and people so they are basically known as Anioma.

Dialects that fall into this group include Ukwani, Enu-ani, Ika (Agbor), and Aboh.

Most Delta Ibo inhabit an area known as Anioma in Delta State. A small Ika Ibo population can be found in neighboring Edo State specifically in Igbanke, Oza and Ekpon. The term Anioma is an acronym derived from the four original local governments i.e. (A) for Aniocha, (N) for Ndokwa, (I) for Ika, (O) for Oshimili, M & A are common denominators found in the four original local governments. The coinage was made by the founding father, Chief Dennis Osadebay in 1951. Thus, A-N-I-O-M-A. Sentimentally, there are also Anioma people in Anambra State i.e. Onitsha, Ogbaru, Obosi, Ozobulu, Oraifite. Some are in Imo State i.e. Oguta, Rivers State i.e. Ndoni, Ogba. Anioma people who had one destiny prior to the coming of the Europeans were balkanized after they lost the Ekumeku war of resistance against the British imperialism in 1899. Surprisingly, no attempts were made thereafter by the people of this region to reclaim these lost territories into the Anioma home of Delta state.

Anioma people are located in the areas of the West Basin of River Niger, south-south, Delta state of Nigeria. In the political matters of the state, Anioma is often referred to as Delta North as against the other peoples known as the Delta south in the same state. Anioma is bounded on the East by Anambra state, south-east by Imo and Rivers states, south Bayelsa state. south-west by Isoko, on the west by Urhobo, north-west by Edo state and north by Kogi state. Anioma state may therefore be regarded as the most contiguous to very many immediate neighbours. The experience drawn the people from contiguities to numerous other towns, communities and states characterises the Anioma as one of the most peaceful regions in the country. (See Kunirum Osia, Anioma Association Inc, USA, May 24, 1997)

History

The origins of the Delta Ibo, the largest group of inhabitants of Anioma (which means "Fertile Land"), can be traced to their eastern neighbors across the Niger River: the Igbos.Ohadike, Don (1994). "Anioma: A Social History of the Western Igbo People". ISBN 0821410733.] The Igbos, known for their high achievement historically, lived in high density areas. Around the 10th century AD, the potential for spare land across the Niger most likely prodded a wave of migrant Igbos looking for land and avenues to farm for consumption. The Delta Ibos today are unique as one of the major groups in Nigeria that trace their roots to nearby communities and not a faraway land like Mecca, Baghdad, or Egypt. Some Anioma people trace their origins to Edo, Igala, Yoruba, and other neighbors. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the famous slave Olaudah Equiano a/k/a Gustavus Vassa was an Anioma man.

Pre-Colonial life and culture

The Delta Ibos' social structure was dominated by the use of lineages. The lineages were based loosely on the concept of "uno", "umunna", and "idumu", which are major blood lineages; while "ogbe" and "obodo" were open and much more political. "Uno" was a small family unit comprising husband, wife, and children. The next lineage was "Umunna", which includes the primary or nuclear family, the daughter or son in law, and the grandparents and the grandchildren. The "Ogbe" is a large structure which allowed non-blood relatives; it comprises the "Idumu" and some outsiders and it is best classified as a quarter in terms of demographics. The maximal concept is one that looks like a small town; this is the "Obodo".

Anioma (1967-1970)

The Biafran war spelt disaster for the people of Anioma in several ways, the region under the midwestern region was invaded and occupied by the Biafran troop commanded by Colonel Victor Banjo on August 12 1967. Here Biafran troops encountered the Nigerian troops attempting to take over Onitsha which also spelt disaster for the people of this region. The Federal troops stationed at Umunede on the main Benin-Asaba road and pushing through Isele-Uku, finally took over the Anioma town of Asaba on 8 October, 1967. The special Biafran force headed by Colonel Ogbugo Kalu which later grew into the 63 Brigade, from across the Niger moved northwards and westwards to take over other Anioma towns. Ogwashi-Uku, Ibusa and Oku where also reportedly captured with many enemy stores and equipment also found by the Biafran troops, many of these equipment which could not be brought into Biafra were destroyed. However, the Biafran Army was able to re-establish their its presence once again in the region. During Nigeria-Biafra war the Anioma people exprerienced Massacres in Asaba, Ogwashi-Uku, Ibusa, Otutu and Isheagu but the massacre carried out in Asaba remains the most unforgettable one in which mostly the youths and children of the town were killed in vapidity.

"Colonel Nwawo was quickly despatched to assemble whatever troops he could find and organise them into a fighting force. While 2 Division was carrying out massive public execution of all adult males in Asaba..." [Alexander A. Madiebo (1980). The Nigerian Revolution and the Biafran War. ISBN 978 156 1173. ] This region at the time of the Nigerian civil war was invaded and declared the "Republic of Benin" which lasted six weeks (8 August-20 September 1967) In essence, the Anioma region was volatile to both Biafran and Nigerian troops during the Nigerian civil war.

Almost all of the Biafran war commanders were of Anioma origin but the most famous of them all was Colonel Joseph Oseloka "Hannibal" Achuzie (Retd) He was a militiaman who played active roles in the invasion of Midwestern region which included his home town, Asaba. Achuzie can again be remembered for the very active roles he played in the defence of Onitsha against series of attacking efforts made by Colonel Murtala Mohammed to take over the city and constitute threat to the Biafran bids. He was often accused of propaganda gem. There was also Colonel (Later Brigadier) Conrad Nwawo another Anioma indigene who was Administrative Officer, Biafran Army Headquarters, former Divisional commander of the Biafran Army and a one time Nigerian Defence Attache in London. Others are Major Ananaba who effectively defended the main Uzuakoli-Umuahia road which was effectively achieved, Colonel Michael Okwechime was another Division commander of the Biafran army and once the Adjutant-General. Colonel Ben Nwajei formerly of the 53 Brigade was the first commander of the 14 Division, as the commander of 53 Brigade he never lost any battle for a relatively short time. He finally captured Oguta for Biafra. He was soon removed from command of 14 Division and all military duties by Colonel Ojukwu after he lost Owerri and told some members of delegates that visited him that it was so because he had no ammunition. Ojukwu accused him of demoralising the civilians and attached him to Civilian Fuel Directorate. There still numerous number of Anioma indigenes who commanded the Biafran Army.

Today

Post-colonial identity

After the independence of Nigeria, A few Nigerian groups desired their own identity separate from forced colonial political and social institutions. The Delta Ibo were no exception. As a wave of demand for state creation in the 1970s permeated the Nigerian political landscape, included in this movement was the yearning for Ndi-Anioma, land of the Aniomas as a separate political state for the Delta Ibos.

Anioma in Delta state

Asaba (an Anioma) town has been the capital of Delta state since the creation of the state in August 1991, by the then Military president, Gen Ibrahim B. Babangida (Retd). This development continues to generate cricticism from the people of the Delta south notably Professor Itsay Sagay, an Itsekiri, Dr. Temi Akporhonor and Professor Obaro Ikime backed by Urhobo Historical Society. In an article in The Guardian, August 15, 2002 Professor Itsay Sagay openly campaigned for the relocation of the state capital from the Asaba town of Anioma to the warri town of Delta south. This was preceded by the reaction of Clem Okonji published in The Guardian, July 8, 2002 in which he maintained that Asaba had come to stay as the capital of Delta state. He further stressed that the peoples constituting the state are all located within the Delta region. Reactions in favour of the stay of Asaba as the capital of the state has since been supported by Michael Ozah, Emeka Esogbue, Tony Odiadi, Emma Okocha and others alike. Dr. Temi Akporhonor would call for a political arrangement whereby governorship power would remain with what he termed 'The real Deltan' because according to him the capital of the state is located in the Igbo speaking town of Anioma. (Whither Delta state?, The Guardian, May 23, 2002)The strong resistance of this call has ensured that Asaba remains the state capital. Though all would unilaterally admit that a separate creation of another state from the present Delta state to constitute Anioma with the capital at Asaba, and Delta with state capital at Warri is necessary.

Economic prospects

Anioma is blessed with abundant oil deposit particularly in the Kwale, Ndokwa and other Anioma regions of Anioma. Records also indicates that Oil was discovered in Ubulu-Uku in 1958 by Shell B P Petroleum Company two years after the first discovery was made in Oloibiri now in Bayelsa state. The region is also rich in other mineral resources such as rubber. And Human resources too.

External links

* [http://www.ethnologue.org/show_language.asp?code=ukw Ethnologue entry]

References

ee also

*Igbo language
*Igboid languages