The move for the creation of Ogoja State from the present Cross River is gaining momentum.

This follows a public forum organised by the Old Ogoja Province People’s Initiative in Calabar to harmonize their position and demands for the new state.

Speaking during the forum, its convener, Papa Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe, said the people and the state are ready, and the time is now.

“We need to look beyond what happened in the past and look to the future, as our moment is now.

“The Ogoja man is ready, prepared, and we have all come in unison to say we are ready.

“This is the moment for Ogoja State, where a serving governor can afford to tell you to go ahead.

“Senator Bassey Otu spoke to the beauty of the state and its future,” he said.

He also disclosed that beyond this, all the chairmen, councillors, senators, and paramount rulers from the proposed state are in support.

Also speaking, a former military administrator of Kwara State, Col. Pam Ogar (retd..), said all provincial headquarters in Nigeria became states except Ogoja.

He fully backed the proposed state, saying it has the landmass, resources, and personnel to manage its affairs.

On his part, Professor Francis Mogu, a former secretary of the Movement for the Creation of Ogoja State, said lack of unity and infighting had robbed Ogoja of statehood over the years.

He, however, added that despite this, God’s time is the best, and the time for the actualization of the state is now.

Also speaking, Rita Anyim, a former chairman of Ogoja LGA, said the proposed state would be one of the most viable in Nigeria, as it has abundant resources to harness for its development.