DO YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE ABOUT TWENTY-TWO (22)GREAT IGBO COMMUNITIES IN DELTA STATE!

DO YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE ABOUT TWENTY-TWO (22)GREAT IGBO COMMUNITIES IN DELTA STATE!

Igbo-speaking communities in Delta State are collectively known as the Anioma Region, located in the Delta North Senatorial District.

The Igbo communities in Delta State—collectively known as Aniọma (meaning “Good Land”)comprise the following communities [Ika, Aniocha, Oshimili, and Ukwuani/Ndokwa peoples.

They are occupying the western bank of the River Niger, their history is a rich blend of indigenous settlement, migrations from the Igbo heartland, and cultural exchanges with neighboring Edo and Igala kingdoms.

Oral traditions and historical evidence show that many Aniọma communities trace their ancestry directly to the greater Igboland (such as Nri and the Anambra valley). For instance, Asaba was founded by Nnebisi, tracing roots to Nteje in present-day Anambra State.

The ANIỌMA Acronym is Coined in 1951 by Chief Dennis Osadebay, the term Aniọma merges the initial letters of Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika, and Oshimili.

Historians note that the language, traditional titles, and market systems (Eke, Orie, Afor, Nkwo) remain fundamentally Igbo. The Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) also led some individuals to downplay their Igbo heritage for political or social survival.

The following are major Igbo-Speaking Zones and Communities in Delta State;

1) OSHIMILI & ANIOCHA (ENUANI ZONE) – The Igbo communities in this zone are;
a) Asaba (State Capital)
b) Ibusa(Igbuzor)
c) Okpanam
d) Illah
e) Akwukwu-Igbo
f) Asaba-Ase
g) Ogwashi-Uku
h) Ubulu-Uku
j) Nisama / Nsukwa.

2) IKA ZONE -The following Igbo speaking communities can be found in Ika zone;
a) Agbor
b) Abavo
c) Owa
d) Igbodo
e) Mbiri
f) Akumazi
g) Ute-Okpu
h) Ute – Ogbeje.

3) UKWUANI / NDOKWA ZONE; This zone comprises of the following igbo communities, a) Kwale
b) Ashaka
c) Aboh
d) Amai
e) Obiaruku
f) Utagba-Unor
g) Ebede.

During British colonial rule, administrative boundaries separated western Igbo-speaking groups from their kin in the Eastern Region to weaken unified political blocks. They were grouped into the Midwest Region, later evolving into Bendel State, and finally Delta State in 1991.

YES politically we may be divided and separated just to weaken Igbos from breaking out of Nigeria, thereby marginalizing the great Igbo nation.

But as long as nothing lasts forever, the great Igbo nation is one, because

IGBO NIILE BỤ OTU!
IGBO NIILE BỤ NWANNE!
IGBO BU OKE MBA!
IGBO AMAKA!