Politicians See Our Monarchs as Civil Servants - Nwadialor of Idumuje Kingdom, Michael Odiakosa.

Politicians See Our Anioma Monarchs as Civil Servants

 - Nwadialor of Idumuje Kingdom, Michael Odiakosa.

On December 17, 2017, Chief Michael Brian Onyekali Odiakosa was in Idumuje Unor conferred with the chieftaincy title of Nwadialor of Idumuje Kingdom by HRM Obi Charles Chukwuwinke Anyasi III, the Obi of the community in an event well attended by important dignitaries from Anioma and beyond. In this interview with EMEKA ESOGBUE, Chief Odiakosa speaks on events leading to his conferment, the social condition of the Anioma area, the Anioma monarchs and others as they generally affect the Anioma people. These and more are served you in this interview. Excerpts:

Esogbue: You were recently honoured with the chieftaincy title of Nwadialor of Idumuje Kingdom. Congratulations to you. Now, did you ever envisage this title coming?
Odiakosa: Thank you very much, Elder Emeka Esogbue but I would say certainly not but it all started after the visit of the Obi of Ezi, HRM Obi Emmanuel Mohayem as my guest in Atlanta, United States. However, as he made to depart on that day, he gave me an emotional warm hug and removed the royal corral beads on him and placed it on my neck. It happened so fast before I could realize what he had done. That gave me a cold chill that signified to me that something was in the offing.

Esogbue: Considering this memorable scenario, when the rites of this title were ongoing in Idumuje Unor, what exactly was running in your mind?

Odiakosa: Well, as the human being that I am, I thought of destiny. Some things are divinely meant to be. This was one of those things. It was just a divine calling for a purpose.
Esogbue: Not a few persons have praised you for the caliber of persons that accompanied you to Idumuje Unor as your guests for this ceremony. How did you achieve this feat?
Odiakosa: Again, destiny. I will refuse to take the praise of any kind because it's all about "akala aka onye", ashi onye edue" (one’s destiny). I have a reason to believe that these things were all settled in heaven long ago but now manifesting.

Esogbue: Now, you are the National Public Relations Officer of Anioma Association USA. Has this Association made any achievements considering that it is an indigenous organization but in faraway United States?

Odiakosa: Anioma Association USA, Inc is the umbrella organization of all Anioma people in the United States of America and Canada. Our main focus is to promote and preserve our cultural heritage through education of our children born in the Diaspora. We are encouraging them to network among and marry among themselves. During the 2016 National convention in Atlanta, Georgia, we ably brought together about 250 children all over America and Canada for the first time. Today, we have a Youth Wing of the association with their own elected officials. We have also partnered with the Organization for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFFAC) towards same vision of preservation of our Anioma identity, culture and tradition. We have awarded several scholarships to university students and are currently working on logistics for medical mission.

Esogbue: Chief Odiakosa, there is this recent seeming reality that dawned on the Anioma people to the effect that Izu Anioma needs to be reformed for the apex organization to generally play its constitutional role of speaking for the Anioma people on national issues. Now, as an Anioma Chief with a role in the affairs of the people, what would you advise the leadership of this organization? 

Odiakosa: (laughs) it's a welcome development if only credible officials with the interest of Anioma people are elected. Politics and money are two great enemies of such great concept. A case in point is the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo that has been bastardized by greed, money, Anambra/Imo politics - discrimination etc unlike their Yoruba and Hausa apex organizations that seems more united because they seem to have a focus and interest of their people at heart. Like Ohaneze ndi Igbo, I fear same with an Anioma apex organization because our people are too weak to withstand money temptation as against the truth. Also, many of our leaders are selfish and unfortunately that's why the politicians toy with them. Politicians view our kings as civil servants because they issue them the Staff of Office and pay them miserable handouts monthly. It has become a control mechanism of the government to subject our kings to dance to their tone. This is bad. How can we build an apex body void of government interference? That's the challenge.

Esogbue: ...but some stakeholders have rather favoured a change of name for this organization as a way out. As a notable Anioma figure, do you think it is the way to go?
Odiakosa: (shakes his head) No. As always, restructure is the way. Restructure Nigeria, restructure Izu Anioma.

Esogbue: Let’s talk about the state of social amenities in the region. You were in Idumuje Unor and some other parts of Anioma recently. Did you observe reasonable improvements in some of these communities in terms of social developments?
Odiakosa: (cuts in with a loud voice) I call on the spirit of mother Anioma to speedily judge these politicians that are inflicting hardship on our people. Sharing the project allocated funds while leaving the jobs undone and the people to suffer is not the way to go. My heart bled as I traveled to Oko Anala, Egbudu Akah, Ashama and a few others. I cried. Even the Issele Uku- Idumuje Unor road is overtaken by politics. I am sorry but am not impressed with the current government.

Esogbue: We know that your relationship with Anioma monarchs has been very cordial. What have you been telling them regarding the general situation of the Anioma area?

Odiakosa: Sad to say but some of our monarchs are our problems. They do not project themselves as monarchs to the government but as civil servants. The politicians will come and go but the throne remains as long as the earth exists. I disapprove of any monarch bowing down in salutation to any government official or responding with "sir" in dialogues with them. It's disgraceful to the throne. The king should stand tall in his office and speak the truth at all times. The people should support their kings to enable them to stand tall. A situation most kings are poor, money becomes a temptation against truth which yields compromise.

Esogbue: Still some Anioma observers maintain that Anioma monarchs have not taken the centre stage as they ought to, to speak out on issues that generally affect the Anioma people who are their subjects. What is your personal opinion of this assertion?

Odiakosa: (cuts in) …I think I just answered this question.

Esogbue: …but these observers continuously maintain that unlike the case of monarchs in other regions, they have no known Anioma platforms like "Anioma Traditional Council" to speak for themselves and the Anioma nation collectively. Should we neglect the message from these observers? Chief Odiakosa, please answer this very question.

Odiakosa: Monarchs in those referred places are supported by their communities but in Anioma everyone stands aside. If the monarchs are comfortable at home, then, they can fight. They can't fight alone when the people are antagonistic of him. The king needs home front support to fight. They need encouragement. They need love from their people. They need correction with love and humility. They need respect because of the anointing of God on them as kings if for nothing else. An insult to a king is an insult to the throne of the entire community and in fact, entire Aniomaland.

Esogbue: A lot of people will like to know you other than what they have read about you. Who is Chief Michael Odiakosa?

Odiakosa: The Chief is just a title, it does not define me. Michael Brian Onyekalichukwu Odiakosa is a Christian who truly loves Jesus Christ from youth. Everything I do, I derive inspiration from the Bible because it is a great guide to good living. A lot of people may not know this aspect of me primarily because I play and joke alot but deep inside, I know who and whose I am. I am always attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. I gave my life to Jesus Christ on March 4, 1980. It's been a rollercoaster, an undulating journey but I am still holding on. My relationship with God is between us so I don't live to impress anyone on my spirituality as long as God and I understand ourselves.

Esogbue: Two decades from now where do you envisage the Anioma area to be?

Odiakosa: I am optimistic that Anioma as the name implies will thrive. Hopefully, we would have been classified as an ethnic group. I am still praying that Anioma State would also have been created that is if the government decides to create more states in the country. It's a much needed state that will bring development to us. I pray that I will witness that in my lifetime even if only for one day. Our youths should do less of politics and find other means of livelihood for self-development. I challenge them to think in this line for better tomorrow.

Esogbue: It was nice speaking with you. 

Odiakosa: Thank you very much indeed, Elder Emeka Esogbue. It is my pleasure talking with you always.