The Omu institution which recognizes a female traditional ruler in the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District of the State, 700 years ago, but has not been given its rightful place due to lack of government recognition, has gotten the nod of the Chairman, Oshimili north local government council, Hon. Innocent Esewezie, who promised to take an executive bill to the legislative arm.
The chairman stated this on Saturday September 11th 2021, in his remarks during the Omu Annual Otite Festival which held at the Omu Anioma Palace, Okpanam in Oshimili north local government area of the State.
Hear him: “Looking at them, some if them may not have the capacity as Omu Anioma but with government support with a law assigning functions and backing the roles of the Omu, then we can be rest assured that when that is done, we will begin to see a lot of Omu Martha Dunkwu, across Anioma land.
“Without her efforts all these while, what would have happened to the Omu institution? This institution was almost facing extinction but one woman in Anioma land has refused to allow this our very wonderful reverred institution to die and God will bless you ma. This is a promise and it is a pledge.
“I am happy that the leader of the House is here and soon from the executive arm, we will be sending an executive Bill to the Legislative House in Oshimili north, a Bill that will give the Omus in Oshimili north special recognition and status. We say this because we know that they deserved special recognition by the people of Anioma and also by the government of Delta State and that also includes the council.
“You cannot be serving your people without stipends or being recognized by the government. So, I want to assure the Omus in Oshimili north that by God’s grace, we will still be the first that will commerce payment of stipends to the Omus in this local government. We will do it because we know that is the right thing to do. We will do it because these are the only people who can actually speak and protect the voice of our parents, our mothers”.
Speaking on the Omu Foundation, he appreciated Omu Martha Dunkwu, for donating her property to the foundation, assuring that it would get the needed support.
He said: “We will support that foundation, the Council will partner with you, the Council will ensure that your dreams and desires of setting up this foundation, you will not only see them been fulfilled but you will be alive in good health.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on my fellow chairmen to also do the same and I want to assure you that when we meet as chairmen of Anioma, of Delta north, I will be your eyes and voice in that meeting. What it means is that we will find a way to push it through Aniocha) Oshimili Federal Constituency, which Oshimili north, south, Oniocha north and South. We will sit down and look at the issues that have been raised by Omu Anioma and I want to assure you that when next we see again, we will have every reason to thank God”, he added.
He recalled Omu Dunkwu’s enormous support to his person and political aspirations, saying he would forever remain grateful.
Esewezie said he decided to come with the leadership of Oshimili North Legislative Arm and other Councillors to see reason with him why a byelaw should urgently be initiated to pay the Omus.
He assured to kick-start the payment of monthly stipends to the Omus after putting a byelaw in place, and to also lobby his colleagues across the Aniocha/Oshimili Local Government Areas to do same.
He also declared the Exhibition open by buying some sets of Akwa Ocha and beads. The Exhibition stands had Akwa Ocha, Traditional Beads, raw cassava, various native food and soup (Ujuju, Nsala, Ofe Akwu and others) which were on display for exhibition.
In her welcome address, Omu Dunkwu took time to explain the meaning of Otite (Roasting of Yam) Festival and why it was decided to make it an all Omus in Anioma affair. She also gave the ethimology of Omu by research from late Prof. Mike Angwulu Onwuejiogwu (Founder of the Anthropology Dept., University of Benin), adding that the Omu Institution is over 700 years ago.
She affirmed that the institution was going into extinction but for her activities, campaigns and advocacies when she came in, there is now light at the end of the tunnel with individuals all over the world now identifying with the institution.
“I am an incurable optimist who believes that whatever I do with result in mind, is a physical manifestation of a spiritual conclusion. We have a duty to our various communities as Omus, and we equally have a duty to Anioma as a blessed land already manifesting glowingly to the world”, Dunkwu said.
As a mother who believes that Omus are not being treated fairly, she called on the Oshimili North Local Government Chairman to initiate policies to be the first among equals to start paying Omus in his local government.
She said she had been on this Advocacy for years, not because she needs the money, but for those who can’t afford to cope as Omus. She noted that the Local Government is in the market collecting revenues where an Omu is supposed to earn her daily living; and besides, she is not being paid by her community or any other agency of government.
Her words, “My son, Hon. Innocent Esewezie, if you do this for me, no matter how small the amount is, I will forever remain grateful to you. I have always loved your youthfulness, carriage, finese and comportment as a progressive young and enlightened mind. This is a very serious matter that needs urgent attention. The Omus are suffering, they need support to carry out their duties, assigned to them by our forefathers and various communities”, she appealed.
Omu Dunkwu who was excited to receive the items ranging from exotic drinks, Anioma fabrics, ipad, prayer items from US, fabrics from Netherlands, money and others had asked that every item and giver be announced for the purpose of recognition and appreciation.
It was a day of merry making as guests and visitors were treated to good Anioma music, food and drinks.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Day and Isama of Ashama Kingdom, Chief John Nwafor cut the tape to officially unveil the building donated to Obi Martha Dunkwu Foundation by Omu Anioma.
However, the Royal Father of the Day, HRM Obi Afamefune Kikachukwu JP, Obi of Ubulu-Uno, ably represented by the SSA to the Governor on Conflict Resolution, High Chief Pat Igbulu cut the tape to officially unveil the building donated to Centre for Omuship in Anioma and Women Development Initiative.
The duo of Mr. Godfrey Osakwe, the Media and Public Relations Consultant that designed the Omu Annual Otite Festival programme and Elder Emeka Esogbue, the Historian who authored ‘A Short History of Omu’, gave their speeches to buttress the importance of the Omu Annual Otite (Yam Roasting) Festival and why every Anioma person should own it and promote it as a tourist attraction for investment and development.
Illustrious sons and daughters of Anioma, including the Secretary to Delta State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah, the Executive Chairman of Oshimili North LGA, Hon. Innocent Esewezie and the immediate Past Chairman of Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission, Chief Barr. Mrs Ada Josephine Kachikwu have paid glowing Homage to Her Royal Majesty, Obi Martha Dunkwu, Omu Anioma, during the Omu Annual Otite Festival which held Saturday, 11th September, 2021, at the Omu Anioma Palace, Okpanam in Oshimili North LGA of Delta State.
Others who brought gifts for Omu Anioma are: Barr. Adaeze Ezete from Abuja, Mr. Sam Jibunor Emeifeogwu (MD InterConcepts Global Resources Nig. Ltd) who also donated N200, 000.00 to Obi Martha Dunkwu Foundation, Delta State Executive of NUJ, members of Igbo group – Ntoana Ikeuba, Hajia Zainab, Hon. Fidelis Okonma, Hon. Hilary Okobi, members of the Legislative Arm of Oshimili North Local Government, Hon. Chibueze Aniemeke a.k.a Pino, Chief Nonso Austine Areh, women from various quarters in Okpanam, workers in Omu Palace and others too numerous to mention.
Other personalities who graced the occasion included the Ozoma of Onicha-Olona, Chief Austen Elumelu, Deputy National President of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Lilian, Delta State Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Patricia Gbemudu, Auditor of Delta State Council of NUJ, Comrade Celestine Afokobah, Editor of Pointer Newspapers, Mr. Charles Emeni and others too numerous to mention.
