By Victor Ofure Osehobo
Benin City, Nigeria – As Nigeria faces an existential threat through growing agitation for a break-up, the people of the nation’s old Midwestern Region, otherwise known as Bendelites have vowed to remain one nation, should it disintegrate.
A leader of an organization, known as the Midwest Movement, now the new voice of the region, Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki who disclosed this in Benin City, Edo state capital recently, said the clarification has become necessary because the region was too unique to be anyone’s Canon Folder.
He also said that, “In recent times, the Nigerian narrative has come under severe scrutiny (and) we live in a nation of man-designed fault lines.”
Obaseki was announcing activities to mark the 54th anniversary of the creation of Midwest as Nigeria’s fourth region, beginning with a world press briefing to be addressed by the Midwest Movement on August 9, 2017 in Benin City.
The ancient city was the capital of the region which included the defunct Anioma, Warri and Benin provinces while it lasted until the name was changed to Bendel in 1975.
“On August 9, 1963, the MIDWESTERN REGION was created as the FOURTH REGION of Nigeria*, after the July 13, 1963 Referendum/Plebiscite,”
“This singular act makes the Midwest the only constitutionally created region (State or Region) of Nigeria; the only major administrative unit of Nigeria created by due constitutional process,” Dr. Obaseki noted.
“The creation of the Midwest Region (Bendel State) articulated the Voice for Minority Rights within the Nigerian Federation,” he said.
The Midwest Movement, he hinted, is a vanguard of professionals, academicians, entrepreneurs and patriots drawn from both Delta and Edo States, the geographical areas that make up the old Midwest Region.
The group has on its Interim Management Council, Admiral S. Ogoigbe (rtd), Dr. Godwin Akpobire, Richard M. Damijo, Dr. Mo Eyeoyibo, Senator Domingo Obende, Professor Edoba Omoregie, Dr. (Mrs.) Loretta Ogboro-Okor and Ebiere Akangbou.
Others are Prince Kassim Afegbua, Mena Ajakpovi, LLM, Arc. Frank Evbuomwan, Dr. Mogba Eyeoyibo, Dr. SEO Ogbonmwan, Olorogun Theo Mukoro, Engr. Wole Abu; Prof Austin Asagba, Prof Benson Osadolor, Frank Tietie, Esq and Mary Owolabi who serves as Administrative Secretary.
