If we take a look at the component parts of Nigeria, you will be amazed at how much economic potential many of them have. Let us start the process today by looking at Aniomaland

Ayo Akinfe

[1] One thing the British got spot on in Nigeria was the way they divided the country into 40 provinces, which today form the basis of our 36 states. One very important one however has been left out - Anioma State. I believe that if we create an Anioma State today, it will significantly increase Nigeria’s economic output

[2] For starters, Aniomaland has produced some of Nigeria’s best brains in the form of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Pat Utomi, Phillip Asiodu, Tony Elumelu, Buchi Emecheta, Elizabeth Isichie, etc. None of them can win the presidency of Nigeria, however, because being Igbo-speaking, they will not be acceptable to the south-south as their candidate and because Delta State is not in the southeast geo-political zone, they cannot be presented as pan-Igbo candidates like say Peter Obi. It is thus imperative to create Anioma State as the sixth state in the southeast geo-political zone

[3] If created, Anioma State alone can generate enough electricity to power the whole of Nigeria. A dynamic governor can build hydro-electric power plants at Uguozala, Ebu, Illah, Asaba, Onitsha, Nzam and Atani on the banks of the River Niger that will generate at least 50,000MW of electricity

[4] As the state will straddle the River Niger with territory in both the current Delta and Anambra states, imagine the economic openings we would see if the Anioma State government built six river crossings

[5] Among the unthinkable innovations I expect this new vibrant state to introduce are Nigeria’s first underwater 1km tunnel between Asaba and Onitsha. I would also expect the state to construct at least two railway river crossings, with one linking Illah and Nzam and another linking Asaba and Onitsha

[6] I see no reason why the Anioma Stare government cannot develop the world’s largest rubber plantation at Idumeje Ugboko with accompanying processing plants. The goal should be to attract the likes of Pirelli, Michelin, Firestone, Dunlop, etc. I also fail to see why the state government should not build the world’s largest condom and surgical glove factory at Umunede and the world’s largest rubber boot factory at Okpanam

[7] Thinking the unthinkable and taking innovations to new heights, why should the Anioma State government not construct Africa’s first underwater restaurant at Illah. This restaurant shall be made of glass and shall be situated under the River Niger

[8] Float an Anioma Railway Company and immediately link Asaba and Onitsha up with key cities across Nigeria with a high speed train line. Imagine the economic openings they will be created with both cities linked to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Lagos via high speed railway lines

[9] Anioma State should become the first state in Nigeria to refuse to accept any federal allocation. Would you not just love it if at creation the state governor declared they Anioma State refuses to join in this parasitic charade as it is contrary to their cultural values and an affront to the people’s industrious nature

[10] I also see no reason why the Anioma State government should not dredge the River Niger up to Onitsha and Asaba, enabling large Panamax ships to sail upstream. The aim should be to create Africa’s largest inland cargo port at Onitsha

Ayoakinfe@gmail.com