The Omu of Anioma, Obi Martha Dunkwu has called on the federal government to give constitutional roles to traditional rulers.
Obi Martha Dunkwu made the call on Monday December 5th 2023, at her palace in Oshimili North local area of Delta State, when a delegation from the diaspora visited the state to present a Global Icon Award for her contributions to the rich African heritage.
The Omu urged the federal government to initiate the process of formalizing a greater role for traditional rulers in the constitution.
“So I am urging the federal government to put traditional rulers in the constitution, because when they were in charge of their villages when we did not have Nigeria, the villages were functioning.
“So let them give them a role in the constitution and hold them responsible,’ she said.
The leader of the delegation from the diaspora Mr. Kenneth Igbani, noted the Omu title is one of the oldest African cultures and Obi Martha Dunkwu has been a good ambassador of the traditional institution, thus the decision to recognize her.
Similarly the member representing Oshimili South constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, spoke highly of the Omu of Anioma and reflected on some of the issues raised by her royal majesty.
“Everyday she makes a comment and if you are reasonable enough you take the comment and read meaning into it, you will understand that she has been playing her role.
“Am happy that she is doing this within the 16 Days of Activism and she is talking about the girl child. She is talking about the rights of the girl child, talking about the role of the woman in the society.
“She is talking about the impact of women participation in politics in the last twenty four years, these are the issues she has raised. All the issues she raised here today are very germane,” she said.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Delta State Council Comrade Churchill Oyowe, who was a Special Guest at the event stated that the award did not come as a surprise, because the Omu has made her local community to gain global attention by her women rights activism.
“She is a strong voice who has attained international status, but has cascaded all that to the local environment, bringing to mind that when you have global understanding it should be made relevant to your community and she has done that excellently,” he said.
The Omu was joined in the celebration by her only son, and two grandsons, fellow traditional rulers and her household to receive the award.
