Olusegun Ariyo
Contents
The Ndokwa Professional Network (NPN), a socio-cultural organisation in Delta State, has criticised remarks by Senator Ned Nwoko claiming that the Ndokwa-Ukwuani people are part of the Igbo ethnic group.The group maintained that the Ndokwa-Ukwuani communities possess a distinct identity and should not be regarded as part of Igboland.The Ndokwa Professional Network issued its response after the senator allegedly stated that the Ndokwa-Ukwuani people speak Igbo and share Igbo ancestry.The group described his comments as both inaccurate and misleading.In a statement signed by its President, Mr Nigel Ojji; General Secretary, Dr Great Ijomah and Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr Edike Kaine, NPN dismissed the senator’s comments, stressing that they do not reflect the true origin or culture of the people.“While we hold Senator Nwoko in high esteem as a respected legislator and advocate of Delta North interests, his recent comments are factually inaccurate, historically misleading, and culturally inconsistent with the established realities of the Ndokwa-Ukwuani people of Delta State,” the group stated.The group noted that Senator Nwoko is not an indigene of Ndokwa-Ukwuani and therefore may lack firsthand understanding of their ancestry and cultural heritage.They noted that he hails from Idumuje-Ugboko in Aniocha North, outside the Ndokwa axis.It added that the senator spent much of his early life abroad, which may have shaped his understanding of the region’s ethnolinguistic history.While acknowledging possible good intentions, NPN argued that his position lacks accuracy.“Ndokwa-Ukwuani are not Igbo…” the statement stressed, explaining that proximity to South-East states has created cultural overlaps, but not shared ethnic origin.NPN pointed out that their communities possess distinct governance systems, cultural practices, and ancestral lineage different from the Igbo people.They urged researchers and commentators to avoid generalisations that could erase their heritage.
The Ndokwa Professional Network (NPN), a socio-cultural organisation in Delta State, has criticised remarks by Senator Ned Nwoko claiming that the Ndokwa-Ukwuani people are part of the Igbo ethnic group.
The group maintained that the Ndokwa-Ukwuani communities possess a distinct identity and should not be regarded as part of Igboland.
The Ndokwa Professional Network issued its response after the senator allegedly stated that the Ndokwa-Ukwuani people speak Igbo and share Igbo ancestry.
The group described his comments as both inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement signed by its President, Mr Nigel Ojji; General Secretary, Dr Great Ijomah and Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr Edike Kaine, NPN dismissed the senator’s comments, stressing that they do not reflect the true origin or culture of the people.
“While we hold Senator Nwoko in high esteem as a respected legislator and advocate of Delta North interests, his recent comments are factually inaccurate, historically misleading, and culturally inconsistent with the established realities of the Ndokwa-Ukwuani people of Delta State,” the group stated.
The group noted that Senator Nwoko is not an indigene of Ndokwa-Ukwuani and therefore may lack firsthand understanding of their ancestry and cultural heritage.
They noted that he hails from Idumuje-Ugboko in Aniocha North, outside the Ndokwa axis.
It added that the senator spent much of his early life abroad, which may have shaped his understanding of the region’s ethnolinguistic history.
While acknowledging possible good intentions, NPN argued that his position lacks accuracy.
“Ndokwa-Ukwuani are not Igbo…” the statement stressed, explaining that proximity to South-East states has created cultural overlaps, but not shared ethnic origin.
NPN pointed out that their communities possess distinct governance systems, cultural practices, and ancestral lineage different from the Igbo people.
They urged researchers and commentators to avoid generalisations that could erase their heritage.
NPN called for sensitivity when addressing ethnic classifications, warning that careless claims may distort identity and history.
