Reactions are now trailing the name Bori State, as proposed for the new state to be carved out from Rivers State which some group of individuals allegedly rushed into acceptance because of political interest.
This time, the people of Obolo are of the opinion that Ogoni nation cannot father Obolo nation for whatsoever reason by proposing an Ogoni name for a proposed state that will include the Obolo (Andoni) nation as well as other ethnic groups.
According to His Royal Highness, Chief Elijah Elebe Ogodo (JP), State creation is an important issue that should be encouraged because it brings development to the people, citing Yenegoa for example, saying that, fact remains that Ogoni cannot be used as the name for a state jointly agitated for by numerous ethnic groups.
Chief Ogodo, posited that the Obolo people are not properly consulted on the matter, hence the name, Bori, without the acronyms of other ethnic groups expected in the state as done in Bayelsa, Abia, Katsina states, etc.
He said the Obolo will continue to work “Obolo people cannot answer an Ogoni name, there is no acronym to show the name of Andoni in that nomenclature, so without an acronym and nomenclature, the Andoni people are strangers in Bori State. I have spoken before in Gbene Nune’s house. But until we coined an acronym that will reflect the fatherhood of the Andoni in the settlement, just like the case of Bayelsa, Abia etc, where people are duly represented, we cannot be part of that state”.
“In this 21st century it is absurd for Obolo people to answer the name of an Ogoni father. But if we have sat down, consulted without those political rush into such crucial matter and an Andoni man properly consulted and an acronym was chosen, we would have seen our marriage with Ogoni people to be more closer, but in this case since we are not fully represented, I think we better go to where our culture lies and belong to, normally in the riverine area, therefore we should follow the Oil Rivers, Chief Ogodo explained.
Chief Ogodo, however vehemently opposed to the choice of the name Bori State, which according to him one is being forced to bear name of another person’s father.
He wonders if those who formed the acronyms for Bayelsa, Abia and others were fools, why that of Bori would be a different thing.
He called on those Obolo indigenes who because of political interest joined forces with the Ogoni neighbours to have a rethink while emphasizing that Obolo people must be properly represented and identified in whatsoever State it belongs to adding that, Andoni people must answer their father’s name.
“If we are to be in Bori State, we must be accounted for in our acronym. Without an acronym we cannot be in that state or sell our birth right.” Chief Ogodo explained. ###
James Mgboineme
