The-movement-of-truth-on-the-relocation-of-the-state-capital-from-asaba-to-warri

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF WARRI
 

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH OF ASABA
 
THE MOVEMENT OF TRUTH – ON THE RELOCATION OF THE STATE CAPITAL FROM ASABA TO WARRI
Few days ago, I wrote a piece on the justification for the relocation of the Delta State capital from Asaba to Warri, which is the rightful place for the State’s capital. And since then, some of my friends have been saying that it is a difficult and impossible mission because it has been a long time the State was created with that capital. While others are of the view that events have overtaken the said relocation, and that it is a sensitive issue that can be likened to flogging a dead horse.
Well, I beg to differ. And I totally disagree with all of the above statements and responses on this issue. This is hinged on the fact that we cannot shy away from the Truth about this issue that is staring at us in the face. That truth, is the undeniable fact that the Two Provinces in Nigeria’s pre-independence days, which were in the Midwest region and were created from Western region, were the Benin and Warri Provinces. Then Midwest became Edo and Delta. And the entire Delta Province of today, was named after Warri Province with its colonial headquarters in Warri. But with the creation of Delta State, the Warri Province was shortchanged with Asaba, which was not part of the Warri Province, was now made the capital of Delta State. But that does not deny the fact that Delta is the new name of Warri Province.
That being said, Lagos main land was once adopted as the official capital of Nigeria in 1914, after the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates. But it was until 1991 that the nation's capital was moved to Abuja. That is how many years in-between? Did events overtake that from happening? What then makes some people think that events have overtaken the said justification for the relocation of Delta State capital from Asaba to Warri, which is just some years now? It is also the same way the June 12 imbroglio lasted for years until the current administration did the needful by honouring that memory and reclaiming that lost glory to now become the nation's official Democracy day. The same process that was used to reclaim the lost June 12, is all that is required now to carry out the relocation of the Delta State capital from Asaba to Warri. It is not like we are asking for a new State to be created here. We are simply stating the truth of what needs to be done, based on prevailing historical evidence.
The fight for Social Justice, peace and freedom is never an easy one, and a difficult task. But it is always achievable. It is a peaceful and genuine movement that often times, seeks to address societal anomalies which many may be too frightened to delve into. When the Apartheid in South Africa was an issue, many thought back then that it was not going to be possible to address. But today that is history, and we have the likes of Nelson Mandela and Others to make reference to, as some of those whose sacrifices made it happen. But when they were agitating for it back then, many thought they were mad, or that it was impossible to achieve. The same way it is with this relocation of Delta State capital issue bothering on social justice and freedom. It is only cowards and people who shy away from the truth, that are usually antagonistic on such issues of social change. Everybody wants freedom, peace and social justice, but not many are ready to stand for the Truth and pay the price to fight for it. And it cannot be gotten on a platter of gold. On this relocation issue, if the Isokos, Urhobos, Ithekiris and Ijaws are asking for the relocation of Delta State's capital from Asaba to Warri, and the Anioma people are not comfortable with it, then they should simply intensify their demands for the creation of their own separate State, which they have been doing for decades now. Besides, the Aniomas were never part of the Warri Province from time past like we have noted.
So, I really do not see what is so sensitive about this issue that would make it seems as if it is not possible. It is very possible because man, as a social being, is the one that determines the state of his society and the laws to govern it as he sees necessary. Not the other way around!
I am therefore calling on Deltans who are not afraid to stand for the truth, to join “THE MOVEMENT OF THE TRUTH” and take this demand to the relevant National Assembly Authorities to legislate and make a proclamation for the relocation of the capital of Delta State from Asaba to Warri. All the friends and acquaintances that have been sending me words that Asaba is already the State capital and we should not correct the past mistakes made, should have a rethink and realize the need for us to correct this ‘mistake’ for posterity sake. It is not too late to correct this injustice. If the Federal Capital of Nigeria was moved from Lagos mainland to Abuja, then we do not see why can’t the NATIONAL LEGISLATURE correct this injustice. We cannot enjoy peace and freedom if people are not willing to fight for such freedom and peace on the platform of truth. It is only truth that will bring sustainable freedom and peace.
 
 
 
Zik Gbemre.
 
 
We Mobilize Others to Fight for Individual Causes as if Those Were Our Causes