Cross River: Stakeholders rally round agitation for Ogoja State
Ani Bassey
The move for the creation of Ogoja state from the present Cross River is gaining momentum in the state.
This follows a public forum organized by the Old Ogoja Province People’s Initiative in Calabar to harmonize their position and appraise their plans for the proposed state.
The forum was held ahead of the planned constitutional review in the country which proposes to create an additional 31 states in the country.
The proponents of the new Ogoja State in present day Cross River State are drawn from all the local government areas that make up the northern and southern senatorial districts of the state.
Speaking during the forum, it’s convener Papa Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe said the people and the state are ready and the time is now.
According to him, 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 “, he said.
He also disclosed that beyond this, all the chairman, councillors, senators and paramount rulers from the proposed State.
Also speaking, a former military administrator of Kwara State Col. Pam Ogar Rtd, said all provincial headquarters in Nigeria became states except Ogoja.
He threw his weight fully behind the proposed State saying it has the landmass, resources and personnel to manage its affairs.
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 actualization of the state is now.
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.
She said she strongly believes that the present administration will help actualize the state.
Other speakers who spoke in support of the new state includes a former acting governor of Cross River State Frank Ada, former acting Chief judge of the state Maurice Enejj and many others.
