Leaders and indigenes of Delta State’s Aniocha-Oshimili region gathered for a historic summit focused on forging economic and sociopolitical pathways to advance the interests of their people.
The conference with the theme “Unity, Development and Security: Unifying Development and Securing the Vision, Aspirations and Future of Aniocha-Oshimili People”, which held on Monday 29th December, 2025, at the Ogwa Ukwu Ahaba, had over 20 Traditional Rulers in attendance, including over 35 Presidents General of various towns’ Development Unions led by their Leader, Dr. Ignatius Ezoem, political officer holders, academia, stakeholders and people from different groups.
The summit which held at the instance of Njiko Aniocha-Oshimili, debated on sundry issues bordering on the economy, security, education and political future of the people of Aniocha-Oshimili.
Meanwhile, the communique drawn at the end of the summit has suggested that the Association would henceforth hold political office holders and other service oriented persons accountable to the people.
As a fallout of the summit, the group has designed a roadmap for a Townhall and subsequent summits where political office holders will have the opportunity to give their stewardship to the people.
The summit however, featured paper presentations from three eminently qualified sons and daughter of Aniocha-Oshimili. Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Vice Chancellor of the Igbinedion University, Okada, and Chairman, Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, presented a lecture on the economic wayforward of the people of Aniocha-Oshimili and concluded by saying that unity is a definitive strategy for regional resilience. Hon. Barr. Bridget Anyafulu, member representing Oshimili South State Constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, and Chairman, House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Girl-Child Entrepreneurship and Humanitarian Support Services; presented her own paper on Promoting Entrepreneurship Development and Youth Mentoring: Empowering the Next Generation. And of course, Barr. Mike Ejiofor, a former Director of DSS and renowned security expert, delivered an eye-opening lecture on Security while proffering workable solutions to enhance the security architecture of Aniocha-Oshimili extraction of Delta State.
The lectures were further dissected with far-reaching recommendations by a panel of discussants, made up of Dr. Chris Uwaje, a renowned Digital Policy Guru; Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Delta State University, Abraka; and of course, Prof. Emma Chuks Onwuka, a professor of Economics from the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
Meanwhile, some illustrious sons and daughter of Aniocha-Oshimili were singled out for awards, based on their incredible contributions to human and career development. They include, HRM Asagba Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge SAN (Asagba of Asaba), Chief Barr. Mike Ejiofor (a security expert), Chief Prof. Mrs. Josephine Anene-Okeakwa (Provost, Federal College of Education Technical, Asaba), Chief Dr. Newton Jibunoh (Chairman, Nelson Mandela Garden, and former Chairman, Costain West Africa PLC), Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie (Group Managing Director, Rainoil Ltd) and Chief Dr. Anthony Ikemefuna Idigbe SAN (Senior Partner, Punuka Attorneys and
The summit has in attendance, the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Asagba Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge who gave a heart-touching address, the Obi of Ubulu-Uno and 2nd Vice Chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Obi Henry Afamefune Kikachukwu who gave a goodwill message among well over 20 other traditional rulers.
Also in attendance were the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ngozi Okolie, Leader of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi represented, member representing Oshimili South Constituency, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, member representing Oshimili North Constituency, Hon. Frank Esenwah, Oshimili North Council Chairman, Hon. Innocent Esewezie representing the other three Council Chairmen with the Vice Chairman of Oshimili South, Hon. Chinwe Usor Obobo present, the DG of Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah, retired Air Commodore Gbemudu, a litany of academics including Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, Prof. Emma Chuks Onwuka, Prof. Anthony Iweka, Prof. Olannye Ajulu, Prof. Jiff Mokobia, Dr. Chris Uwaje, Chief Barr. Mike Ejiofor, Dr. Mrs. Christie Akanko, Mr. Christopher Biose, Engr. Ndubuisi Anene, Arc. Ikem Anyasi, Sir Rapu Stanley, Chief Victor Uchunno, Pastor Zubi Nwokolo, Sir Jossy Honnah, Elder Patrick Isichei, Dr. Chris Inoyah, Chief Paul Chiadika, Dr. Victor Amuwah, Engr. John Onwualu, Princess Adaeze Ebube, Ogbueshi Ike Ebube, Prince Frank Nwanba, Barr. Omete S., Dr. Jude Igwebuike Nwani, Dr. Brasca Ifeadi, Engr. Igwe Enuoyibo, Mr. Patrick Ejidoh, Dr. Ignatius Nwanze Ezoem, Chief Mrs. Stella Egbuiwe, Ogbuenyi Tony Nwegbu, Dr. Isidi Peter, Mr. Oliko Patrick, Pastor Mike Monye, Deacon Dikenweiwe, and a host of other stakeholders and dignitaries present.
