From Maurice Okafor, Enugu.
As the public hearing over the review of the country’s 1999 constitution was held at the various zones last weekend, stakeholders from Enugu North senatorial district, renewed their long time agitation for the creation of Adada state out of the present Enugu state
It would be recalled that the Adada state movement which has been in existence as a pressure group from the Nsukka zone of Igbo land has been a long in demand as a measure to balance the much talked about lopsided nature of state creation in the country
Leading the call for the creation of Adada state, first Republican parliamentarian, Igwe Simon Itodo, who is the traditional ruler of Enugu Ezike, in Igbo Eze North local government area of Enugu state has said that the dream of Adada state is to harness abundant human and economic potentials available in the region for the benefit of the citizens, in addition to national economy.
Igwe Itodo who accompanied other traditional rulers and political stakeholders from Enugu North Senatorial district to make present their demand for Adada state, at the Enugu center for the public hearing on review of the 1999 constitution, stressed that the dream for Adada state when realised will help to unlock various potentials in Enugu North senatorial district for the benefit of the entire country.
He mentioned the untapped potentials to include the Adada River, which he argued if fully unlocked will provide irrigation channels for commercial agriculture, the Orba International market in Udenu local government area and University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), nation’s first autonomous university.
According to the traditional ruler, the vast land and thick population of Nigerians resident in Enugu North senatorial district with border towns with Northern Central parts of the country has equally raised enough human resources and professors in various fields who will pilot and ginger the economy of Adada state successfully.
He disclosed further that there are lots of mineral deposits in the area and water ways yet to be developed that will link the proposed Adada state to the outside world for national and international trade.
Earlier, in the paper presented by Chief Nnia Nwodo, immediate past Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General, to the committee,he explained that the creation of Adada state will be an equalisation state for the entire South East zone, who presently have only five states while other zones comprises if six states and seven.
Nwodo also recalled that at a meeting of Igbo leaders in Owerri, Imo state, the demand for Adada state as next state to be created in Igbo land, garnered the highest vote against other proposed states.
The chairman of the 1999 constitution review committee, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, harped on the rigorous steps to creation of a new state. Even as commended the Igbo nation for speaking with one voice this time around on demand for Adada state. He assured that the committee will do the best within their limit, to enhance realization of the tall and age long dream of Adada state.
