Justice Nelson Ogbuanya, a Judge, at Owerri judicial division of National Industrial Court of Nigeria, says many points are in favour of the creation of Adada State, as the state that will make South East six states, like other geo-political zones in the country.
Ogbuanya disclosed this in Nsukka on Wednesday while delivering the 2024 Nsukka Journalists Forum (NJF) convention public lecture titled” Navigating the Constitutional Conundrum for Creation of Adada State”.
He said the quest for creation of Adada State by Nsukka people started as far back as 1982 when there was no other request from anybody in south east.
“Nsukka people started the quest for creation of Adada in 1982 when there was no single opposition to it in the zone.
“Creation of Adada will balance the equation in states in south east between southern igbos and northern igbos, Abia state, Anambra state and Imo state are southern igbos (Agbaelu) while Enugu State and Ebonyi state are northern igbos (Wawa),” he said.
The guest speaker said it would be unfair and injustice if another state is created from southern Igbos making them four states while northern igbos still remain two states.
“Among other people agitating for new state in south east, only Nsukka people have ancient cultural affinity, despite Nsukka people come from seven Local Governments but because of their homogeneity they are all known as Nsukka people.
“Nsukka people agitating for Adada creation have adquate economic, political, cultural and human capital among other things to be a state ,”he said.
He urged other states in south east to rally round Nsukka people for the actualisation of Adada State to correct the one state deficit in south east.
“Because of this deficit in south east, the zone has continued to lose the positions of one governor, three senators, six House of Representatives members, many state House of Assembly members, among other things.
“Anytime things are shared at federal level other geo-political zones will smile home with six slots but only south east will go home with five slots,” Ogbuanya lamented.
The erudite Judge however revealed that all the states created in the country were created during the military regimes as they used their military fiat to do that without weighing merits or demerits.
“If you check records you will find out that all they states created in this country where during military regimes.
“It’s always difficult for democratic governments to create new states because of the rigorous constitutional processes required by the constitution of Nigeria.
“I urge Nsukka people not to relent in the struggle for the actualisation of Adada State, after all history begins one day,”he said.
Ogbuanya who is from Obimo community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State expressed appreciation to Nsukka Journalists Forum for finding him worthy to deliver the 2024 annual public lecture of the forum.
In a remark, Chief Sam Otoboeze, former Group General Manager Security, Nigeria National Petroleum Company who was the Chairman of the occasion commended NJF for the topic of the convention which he said was apt and what evey Nsukka person is excited to listen to.
” I commend NJF on the topic of its 2024 convention public lecture as well as the choice of a judiciary guru as guest speaker,”he said.
He urged Nsukka people to continue to get prepared as people hoping to get Adada State by making its economy more viable.
” Is no longer news that Nsukka is blessed with natural and human resources, erduite professors, captains of industry, hardworking people and has all it takes to have a state.
” In this generation we should do more to get Adada State as well as become the most viable, economically in this country,”he said.
Earlier, Chief Benson Ezugwu, Chairman of NJ, said 2024 convention of the forum was special as it didn’t only address the pressing issue of Adada State creation but brought together high-profile citizens of Nsukka nation across Nigeria.
“This year’s event marks a departure from our traditional ties to political class, instead we engaged captains of industry, academia, illustrious individuals from Nsukka,”he said.
Ezugwu said the creation of Adada State remains a long standing aspiration that resonates deeply with the people of Nsukka and entire south east region.
*This quest is driven by the need for balance and equal representation across the country’s six geo-political zones, currently south east has five states while others have six, making Adada State creation crucial to address this disparity.
“The significance of Adada State creation extends beyond mere numbers, it represents a desire for self-determination, cultural identify and economic empowerment, he said.
The NJF Chairman expressed appreciation to guests who came from different parts of the country to attend the event in spite of their tight schedules.
“NJF is grateful to all guests who grace this occasion especially, the guest speaker who did justice to the theme of the event.
“I commend the 2024 Convention Committee led by Ambrose Igboke ph,D as well as other members who contributed in one way or the other to make the event a success.
Our correspondent reports that, the Highlight of the occasion was conferrement of awards to some guests who distinguished themselves in their chosen careers
