Izu Anioma, a key traditional organization representing the Anioma people in Delta State, has affirmed that all Anioma people identify as Igbo. This declaration highlights their cultural and ethnic connection to the larger Igbo community and addresses any misconceptions about their identity.
In an official statement, signed by Kingsley Ojie, the leader of Izu Anioma, and Dennis Esso Boniwe, the secretary, the group has made it clear that Anioma people are indeed part of the Igbo ethnic group. This position was reiterated during an interview with BBC Igbo.
The statement emphasized: “Anioma are Igbo, and we have no issues with Ohanaeze Ndigbo,” reflecting the consensus reached during a recent meeting in Asaba on July 24, 2024. The letter underlined that “The Anioma people identify as Igbo, just as many Igbos in the Southeast recognize their Igbo heritage.”
During the BBC Igbo interview, Kingsley Ojie elaborated on the linguistic and cultural similarities between Anioma and other Igbo communities. He stated, “All of us in Delta North speak Igbo. Our language is Igbo, similar to other Igbo people in the Southeast. The only difference is the dialect.”
Ojie further explained that the Anioma language, spoken in regions such as Aniocha, Oshimili, Ika, and Ukwuani, is essentially Igbo. “Everything I say in our language is understandable if you listen carefully,” he added.
He also shared his personal experience, noting, “I went to Awommamma in Imo State in 1986. I didn’t learn Igbo as a second language; I understand everything spoken in Igbo by anyone from Awommamma.”
Ojie clarified that there is no significant cultural difference between Igbo customs and those practiced in Anioma. “The customs and traditions in Igboland are also observed in our communities,” he said. He also said that Anioma markets follow the Igbo calendar with market days such as Afo, Nkwo, Eke, and Orie.
Addressing linguistic differences, Ojie remarked that while Anioma’s Ukwuani language differs from the Benin language of Edo State, it remains within the Igbo linguistic family. “If someone from Edo State speaks to me in their language, I won’t understand it. However, if I am with an Igbo person, I recognize them as my kin despite dialect differences.”
Regarding the term “Delta-Igbo,” Ojie responded, “There are groups called Delta, Ika Igbo, and other names, but the key point is that they all identify as Igbo.”
He acknowledged that some communities, like Ndokwa and many Ika people, trace their origins to Benin, while others identify with Yoruba, Igala, or other ethnic groups. “Regardless, our shared identity as Igbo is evident,” he emphasized.
Ojie also noted the historical and cultural integration of Anioma with neighboring ethnic groups such as Urhobo, Benin, Yoruba, Isoko, and Ijaw. “Our cultures have mingled over time,” he stated.
At Nigeria’s inception, Anioma was part of the Western Region before being incorporated into the Mid-Western Region. Ojie mentioned that Izu Anioma was established in the 1960s to affirm Anioma’s identity and heritage. “Our language, land, and culture are distinctly Anioma, but the core of our identity remains Igbo,” he explained.
Ojie affirmed that despite some people denying their Igbo identity, their language is intrinsically Igbo. “From today onwards, those who claim not to be Igbo will still speak Igbo when they use their language,” he said.
He highlighted that Anioma people and Igbos from the Southeast maintain strong ties and work together globally. “In America, Anioma people have held leadership roles in the Igbo World Assembly,” Ojie noted, referencing figures like Ambassador Raph Uwechue, who served as the president of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo.
Dennis Esso Boniwe added, “The collaboration between Anioma and Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been longstanding. Those who acknowledge their Igbo identity far outnumber those who deny it.”
He concluded, “Although some individuals may claim not to be Igbo, they are mostly found in Ika and are few in number. A plebiscite or headcount would clearly show the true extent of Igbo identity among Anioma people.”
