Etymology The term Anioma is an acronym etymologically derived from the diverse cultural realms that comprise the Western Igboid speaking regions flanking the western basin of the Niger in south central Nigeria: the Aniocha (A), Ndokwa (N), Ika (I) and the Oshimili peoples(O). The coinage was made in 1951 by Chief Dennis Osadebay, founding father of the Anioma state movement and has since remained the preferred indigenous name by which the people collectively refer to themselves.
Language The Anioma are predominantly Igbo speaking as well as other Igboid languages including the Enuani dialect in the northeast (spoken in Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, Isheagu, Asaba, parts of Igbodo, Illah, Issele, Idumuje, Onicha etc.), Ika in the northwest (of Agbor, Umunede, Owa, Igbanke, Boji-Boji etc.), Ukwuani-Aboh dialect of the Igbo language mostly spoken by the peoples of Ndokwa in the south. Minorities of historically non-Igbo speakers exist with a Igala minority in the northernmost extremities of the Anioma homeland at Ebu on the border with Edo and Umuebu in Ukwuani, as well as the Olukumi who speak a language related to Yoruba of southwestern Nigeria and are acculturated to the predominant Igbo culture of Aniocha.
The Ekumeku Movement (1883-1914) See also Ekumeku Movement: The Ekumeku War is unique in Anioma history and Igbo history in general for two reasons. First, the movement's duration involved military campaigns spanning thirty-one years against the British. Secondly, it exemplifies an effort amongst the Igbo people to unify previously fragmented states in resistance to the British colonial army.
Notable people Joseph "Hannibal" Achuzie, military personnel and civil war veteran Leo Irabor Former Chief of Defense of Nigeria Military Sam Obi Former Acting Governor of Delta State and Former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly Ifeanyi Okowa Former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and former Governor of Delta State, Nigeria 2015 - 2023 Nduka Obaigbena Owner Arise TV and Radio Hanks Anuku, Veteran Nollywood actor Phillip Asiodu, former Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria Maryam Babangida, wife of Former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida Prof Joseph Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba Sam Obi Former Member Delta State House of Assembly, Former Acting Governor of Delta State, Nigeria Baba Fryo Nigerian Musician Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, the United Bank for Africa, Transcorp and founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation Air-Marshal Paul Dike, former Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria NASA Buchi Emecheta, Nigerian-born British novelist Faze, Nigerian Musician Wilfred Ndidi, Footballer Elizabeth Isichei, prominent historian Alex Iwobi, football player Godwin Emefiele Former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeira Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, former Super Eagles captain and Malian National Football Team Coach Demas Nwoko, prominent Sculptor of Nigeria Ned Nwoko, present senator Nduka Odizor, former Lawn tennis player Timothy Ogene, writer Joy Ogwu, former managing director of Nigeria Institute of International Affairs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current Director-general of the World Trade Organization Austine "Jay-Jay" Okocha, former Captain of Super Eagles of Nigeria Sunday Oliseh, former Captain of super Eagles of Nigeria Lisa Omorodion, Nollywood Actress, producer and entrepreneur Dennis Osadebe, politician, poet, journalist and former premier of the now defunct Mid-Western Region of Nigeria, which now comprises Edo and Delta State. Zulu Sofola, the first published female Nigerian playwright and dramatist and first female Professor of Theater Arts in Africa. Nduka Ugbade, Nigeria's former football player and the first African to lift the world cup Patrick Utomi, Presidential Candidate and Founder of Lagos Business School Raph Uwechue, was a Nigerian minister, diplomat and publisher. He is a former president-general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an Igbo socio-cultural organization in Nigeria
See also 1967 Asaba Massacre Edoid languages Ekumeku Movement Igala people Igboid languages Yoruboid languages
References External links Reawakening in Delta North https://web.archive.org/web/20150330003905/http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/nmwpg1HarunaIgboMassacre.html Asaba.com Anioma USA
Further reading Udeani, Chibueze. (2007). Inculturation as Dialogue: Igbo Culture and the Message of Christ. p. 11. ISBN 978-9042022294. Ikime O. (ed). Groundwork of Nigerian history. Heineman educational books (Nigeria) PLC, Ibadan, 1980: 89–121. Onwuejeogwu MA. Igbo civilization: Nri kingdom and hegemony; London, Ethnographica, 1981. Obi Efeizomor II (Obi of Owa). Community development in Owa kingdom – the Nigerian factor. University of Benin press; Benin City-Nigeria; 1994: 303.