“Don’t put Umuaka under a new state.” Iwuaku Iwuchukwu warns.

High profile patriotic Akalite and businessman based in Angola Mazi Iwuaku Iwuchukwu has appealed to the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to include Umuaka as a beneficiary in any of the new southeastern applications for a new state.

Speaking with Umuaka Times last week, Mazi Iwuaku Iwuchukwu who is the founder of Umuaka Charity Foundation appealed to Akalites and politicians to make moves so as to stop the senate from adding Umuaka to any new state that may be created. Hear him.

“You have to understand what I mean; we will try our best to make sure that we will remain in Imo State, even if other nearby towns join a new state. My reason for saying this is because Akalites have over N50 billion investments in Owerri. What if we are put in another new state and sometime in the future, Imo wants to do another form of indigenization program and we lose our investments in Owerri?”

A brief finding made by Umuaka Times showed that over 50 Akalites have their private buildings in Owerri and about 30 among them have commercial buildings in the same city as well. About 10 Akalites have high profile hotels in Owerri and more are expected to build.

Indeed Umuaka is in Orlu zone but 90 percent of her businesses and outings focuses in Owerri. Iwuaku fears that if care is not taken and if Umuaka is excluded from the present Imo State, Owerri may come up sometime in the future with a new order that will make Akalites lose their investments in Owerri.

“Our people should try to understand our concerns with regards to the future. As I am talking to you, Akalites are still buying lands in Owerri and developing them. If indeed there will be an additional new state in Igboland, Umuaka people should not be interested in such a venture because we will lose billions.”

For some time now, Igbo politicians have campaigned and clamoured for the following states in Igboland:

Anioma State: Proposed to be carved out from Delta State, considered part of the South-East region, and aimed at empowering the Igbo people politically and economically.

Etiti State: Proposed with Okigwe as its capital, aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and regional development in the South-East.

Orlu State: Proposed to address long-standing concerns over political marginalization and resource allocation in the South-East.

Adada State: Proposed from Enugu State, part of the South-East region.

Aba State: Proposed from Imo and Abia states, part of the South-East region.

Orashi State: Proposed from Imo and Abia states, part of the South-East region.

These proposals according to the information at the disposal of Umuaka Times are part of broader efforts to address regional imbalances and promote development in Nigeria.