By Mick Oseji, Asaba
A group known as the Ukwuani Social Improvement League (USIL) has faulted Senator Ned Nwoko’s recent claims that Ukwuani people in Delta North (Anioma) are of the Igbo ethnic group.
USIL which described the Senator’s claims during a Channels Television interview programme, as misleading, misrepresentation and inaccurate, advised him not to rewrite their history for his self – driven ambition.
In a statement by Chidi Onyechuku Uwabuofu, President, USIL, the group expressed disappointment at Senator Ned Nwoko’s representation, saying he has neglected the aspirations of his constituents to pursue personal interests.
USIL noted that the Ukwuani and Ndi – Igbo may share some cultural similarities but stressed, that should not be interpreted to mean sameness, even as it added that “the Ukwuani people have a distinct cultural identity and heritage that has been passed down through generations.”
USIL’s statement also recalled the Ukwuani people’s historical experiences, including the Nigerian Civil War, where Nigerian Army set up their barracks and a takeoff point in Ukwuani land.
“If our people were indeed Igbo, Nigerian Army would not have situated their barracks in our land,” the group stated.
The group also pointed out the Ukwuani people’s kindness and hospitality to Igbo refugees during the war, providing them with food and medical assistance.
“While we acknowledge some cultural similarities with the Igbos, we strongly believe that similarity does not imply sameness,” it added.
USIL urged the Delta North Senator to focus on quality representation and leave the cultural identity of the Ukwuani people alone.
FULL STATEMENT:
“ : ‘
We take issue with his recent statement on Channels TV, where Senator Ned Nwoko, the Senator representing Delta North in the Senate claimed that the Ukwuani people are Igbos. This statement is inaccurate and misleading. The Ukwuani people have a distinct cultural identity and heritage that has been passed down through generations.
During the Nigerian Civil War, Nigerian Army had their barracks and a takeoff point in Ukwuani land. If our people were indeed Igbo, Nigerian Army would not have situated their barracks in our land. Moreover, during the war, when the Niger Bridge was destroyed by Biafran soldiers, our people showed remarkable kindness and hospitality to Igbo refugees, providing them with food and medical assistance.
While we acknowledge and appreciate the industrious nature and hard work of the Igbo people, we cannot accept Senator Ned Nwoko’s misrepresentation of our identity for his own ambition. As a senator representing us, it is his duty to uphold the truth and respect our distinct cultural heritage, rather than using divisive rhetoric to further his own interests.
We acknowledge some cultural similarities with the Igbos, we strongly believe that similarity does not imply sameness. The Ukwuani people are uniquely Ukwuani, with their own distinct cultural practices and heritage.
We view Ned Nwoko’s actions as an attempt to rewrite our history for his own self-ambition. The people of Delta North regret electing him to represent them, and if he doesn’t take corrective action, we may seek to recall him from Senate before he completes his tenure because his representation has been disappointing. He has neglected the aspirations of his constituents to pursue personal interests. Electing him to represent the people of Delta North was a misstep that should not be repeated
Ned Nwoko is entitled to pursue his aspirations for the creation of Anioma state, but he should desist from dragging the identity of the Ukwuani people into his ambition. As a public figure, he should respect the heritage and dignity of the people he represents
Ned Nwoko should understand that governance and cultural identity are two distinct entities. As a senator, he was elected to serve the people, not to redefine or rewrite their cultural heritage. His role is to address the needs and concerns of his constituents, not to impose his personal ambitions on their identity. We urge him to focus on governance and leave the cultural identity of the Ukwuani people alone.
— Chidi Onyechuku Uwabuofu,
President, USIL.”
