SERIES: (PART THREE)
"Ijaw people must push the quest for an homogeneous Toru-Ibe State from Delta, Edo, and Ondo States"
"The creation of Toru-Ibe State will solve more problems than the creation of most other proposed states"~
_In 1976 State creation exercise, the same method was used to scuttle Western Ijaw from joining their brothers in the old Rivers State. Allegations of attempts to dominate smaller neighboring tribes, falsehood and other tribal sentiments were used by the Itshekiri, Benin's, Ilajes etc to weaken and stop Ijaw chances._
_When states were eventually created in 1967, the Western Ijaws (present day Ondo, Edo and Delta states balkanized to weaken them) were included in the Mid-Western State instead of the Old Rivers State as desired, struggled and fought for since the colonial days._
_The creation of Toru-Be State for the Ijaws of Old Western Ijaw Division, is for the long-term protection of our peoples political, economic, social and cultural heritage. There is no ulterior motive behind such a sincere demand. It is rather off point that the natural reaction of the Benin Kingdom, Edo State (a neighbouring tribe) to Toru-Ibe State is fear. Benin Kingdom, in the peak of its glory and civilisation deserves the respect of all, but Ijaw identity also deserves recognition._
To be continued.....
MOVEMENT FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THE IZON ETHNIC NATIONALITY IN THE NIGER DELTA (MOSIEND).
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