The House of Representatives has passed a bill through its second reading, aimed at the creation of Ogoja State in the South-South geo-political zone.
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The bill, sponsored by Godwin Offiono, representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency in Cross River State, alongside two others, seeks to amend Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution to facilitate the creation of another state in the region.
Leading the debate on the bill’s general principles on Thursday, Offiono provided a historical overview, stating: “To fully appreciate the injustice faced by the people of Ogoja, it is essential to examine Nigeria’s history of state creation. Following the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates, 24 provinces, including Ogoja, were established.
“Under regional administration, from 1956 in the Eastern and Western Regions, and from 1957 in the Northern Region, these provinces persisted, including Ogoja. The era of state creation began on 27 May 1967, when the Supreme Military Council, under General Yakubu Gowon, created 12 states by grouping 10 regions, replacing the provinces.”
Offiono explained how the provinces were consolidated into larger states, saying: “In the North, provinces were grouped into six states: North East, North West, North Central, Kano, Kwara, and Benue/Plateau. The Eastern Region was re-organised into three states: East Central, South East, and Rivers. The Western Region was divided into three states: West, Midwest, and Lagos.
“In 1975, seven new states were created by General Murtala Mohammed’s administration, increasing the total to 19. Further state creation in 1987 and 1991 brought the number of states to 21 and then 30, yet Ogoja was excluded each time.”
Making his case for the proposed state, Offiono stressed that Ogoja, an original province, deserves to join the ranks of states with faster regional growth.
“Ogoja, with a population of over two million and a landmass of 12,158 square kilometres, boasts significant economic viability, driven by fertile farmlands. It is abundant in cash crops like cocoa, banana, rice, rubber, and groundnuts, and has rich mineral resources such as limestone, sodium chloride, quartz, and barite. Furthermore, the area includes notable tourism destinations like Obudu Cattle Ranch and Agbokim Waterfall.”
Offiono concluded by stating that the creation of Ogoja State would unlock the potential of towns like Obudu, Wanakom, and Gakem, fostering regional development.
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