BREAKING BOUNDARIES: THE QUEST TO UNITE EGBEMA UNDER ONE STATE – (DR. FUTURE TOM)
WHO ARE EGBEMA PEOPLE?
The Egbema people are a proud nation located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. We are riverine, oil-rich, and culturally vibrant. Our communities are known for resilience, industriousness, and a strong sense of identity. For centuries, we lived as one family, bound together by common language, traditions, and ancestry.
But today, the Egbema homeland is split into two:
Egbema in Imo State (Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area with Oguta amongst its surrounding communities).
Egbema in Rivers State (in ONELGA axis and with Ndoni and Ogba as its neighboring communities).
This split is not of our making. It was imposed by colonial boundary drawing and perpetuated by state creation exercises that ignored the reality of our identity as one people.
DISADVANTAGES OF BEING SPLIT BETWEEN TWO STATES,
The division of Egbema into two states has left us in a perpetual state of disadvantage. Our situation is not just inconvenient - it is deeply unjust.
1. Political Marginalization:
- In Imo State, Egbema is a minority with little to no influence in state politics. We are often lumped into political blocs where our voice is drowned out. Decisions affecting our future are made without us.
- In Rivers State, while we share greater cultural and geographic affinity, the split weakens our ability to negotiate political offices or influence policies. As a divided people, our bargaining power in both states is minimal.
2. Developmental Neglect: Our division has denied us meaningful development. Governments in Imo and Rivers rarely invest adequately in Egbema communities because neither takes full ownership of us.
Projects are poorly coordinated:
- Roads stop abruptly at state boundaries.
- Schools and health facilities are underfunded.
- Communities are left without electricity and basic infrastructure.
- We are treated as “fringe” communities, belonging everywhere and yet nowhere.
3. *Exploitation Without Benefits:* Egbema sits on some of Nigeria’s richest oil and gas deposits. Yet, we have little to show for it. Multinational oil companies extract billions from our land, leaving behind environmental degradation, polluted waters, and destroyed livelihoods. Because we are split into two states, compensation and development programs are either diverted, duplicated, or denied. We get nothing meaningful from the wealth of our soil.
4. *Social Disconnection Among Youth:* The division has introduced an artificial sense of separation among our youths. Those raised in Rivers and those raised in Imo grow up under different state systems, school curricula, and administrative influences. Over time, this weakens the natural bond of unity and creates unnecessary differences among brothers.
5. *Confusion in Leadership and Governance:* Traditional rulers and community leaders face endless recognition issues because of the split. Some are recognized in one state but not in the other. Development associations struggle to access government support because they straddle two different administrations. The result is stagnation and frustration.
*WHY EGBEMA MUST BE ONE*
1. *Justice and Equity:* No people should be forced to live under two separate administrations against their will. The division of Egbema is a historical injustice that must be corrected. Uniting us is not a favor - it is the restoration of fairness.
2. *Strengthening Political Voice:* When united, Egbema will speak with one voice. We will be able to negotiate for political offices, attract government projects, and influence national policies. Division has weakened us, but unity will empower us.
3. *Coordinated Development:* A united Egbema can benefit from a coordinated development agenda. Roads, schools, hospitals, and power projects will no longer stop at artificial boundaries. Our communities will finally experience holistic development.
4. *Proper Resource Management:* As one people under one administration, we can demand our fair share of the wealth extracted from our land. We can hold oil companies and government accountable, ensuring environmental remediation, job creation, and investment in our communities.
5. *Strengthened Cultural Identity:* Unity will preserve our cultural heritage. Our youths will grow up with a stronger sense of belonging. Our festivals, traditions, and customs will be celebrated together, not divided by state lines.
6. *Restored Dignity:* Above all, unity will restore our dignity as a people. No longer will we be treated as “fringe communities” belonging neither fully to Imo nor to Rivers. We will stand tall as one people in one state.
*WHY WE REJECT IMO STATE AND THE PROPOSED ORLU STATE OR ANIM STATE*
It is important to state clearly: our people have experienced decades of marginalization in Imo State. Despite being oil-producing, Egbema in Imo has been excluded from major political and economic benefits. Infrastructure is absent, development is slow, and our voices are ignored in decision-making.
The proposed Orlu State or Anim State does not solve this problem. Instead, it would further bury us under the political dominance of larger blocs in Orlu/Anim and surrounding areas. In such a state, Egbema would be a powerless minority, our identity erased, and our resources exploited without returns.
Therefore, our resolution is firm: if Orashi State does not come, we must unite with our brothers in Rivers State - not Imo, not Orlu or Anim.
*WHY ORASHI STATE?*
The creation of Orashi State is our preferred solution. Named after the Orashi River that connects our communities, this proposed state would bring together groups with shared geography, culture, and economic interests.
Orashi State would:
- Correct the injustice of dividing our people.
- Provide a platform for balanced development of riverine communities.
- Strengthen Nigeria’s federal structure by creating a state built on fairness and cultural unity.
*WHY RIVERS STATE IS OUR SECOND OPTION*
If Orashi State is not realized, then Rivers State is our natural home. The reasons are compelling:
1. *Cultural Affinity:* Our customs, language, and festivals align more with Rivers than with Imo.
2. *Geographic Logic:* The Orashi River and Niger Delta waterways tie us naturally to Rivers communities.
3. *Economic Integration:* Our oil-producing communities already form part of the Rivers State economy. Integration will ensure we benefit from state development programs.
4. *Political Inclusion:* In Rivers, we stand a better chance of securing meaningful political representation than in Imo, where we have been perpetually sidelined.
*A CALL TO GOVERNMENT*
We call on:
- The Federal Government of Nigeria to recognize our demand as legitimate and act decisively to correct this historical injustice.
- The National Boundary Commission to address the anomaly of Egbema’s division.
- Governors of Imo and Rivers States to support peaceful dialogue and respect the aspirations of our people.
- Our Traditional Leaders, Elders, and Youths to remain united, peaceful, and resolute in pursuit of this goal.
*CONCLUSION*
The plight of Egbema is clear: we are one people divided by artificial boundaries, suffering marginalization, neglect, and exploitation. But our resolution is firm: EGBEMA MUST BE UNITED IN ONE STATE..
Our foremost aspiration is the creation of Orashi State, where Egbema will rightfully belong as an undivided people. But if Orashi State does not materialize, then our natural home is Rivers State - not Imo State nor the proposed Orlu State or Anim State, where our interests will be buried under the dominance of others.
Sincerely,
_Egbema Son_
*DR. FUTURE TOM*
_12th Sept., 2025_
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