2022 11 ANIOMA NATIVES, CURRENTLY BEHIND THE PROMOTION OF ANIOMA CULTURE

2022 11 ANIOMA NATIVES, CURRENTLY BEHIND THE PROMOTION OF ANIOMA CULTURE

Although the Anioma people are blessed with rich and unique aspects of culture, many of which cannot be found anywhere else, only very little were known of the people's culture before now. This was due to several reasons and one such implication was the near assimilation of the people until a set of people rose to the occasion. 

However, with time, not a few natives started some projects and initiatives that assisted in preserving and promoting the people's culture. This compendium offers a list of some of these individuals from different parts of the region's communities. 

1. Standing tall on the list is Arch Kester Ifeadi who needs no introduction to the cultural space of Anioma. Arch Ifeadi, an Architect by profession, is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Contemporary Group with experience spanning over 25 years and still counting. He is a former Assistant Lecturer at the University of Ife who holds an M.Sc. in Architecture. 

Arch Kester Ifeadi who hails from Ubulu Okiti part of Anioma is considered one of the biggest promoters of the Anioma culture of all times. How did this happen? In November 2003, Ifeadi created the Organization for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC), often considered "the culture umbrella of the Anioma people." Indeed, no known organization in Delta State promotes the culture of a people as consistently as OFAAC. The organization established by Ifeadi is the largest projection of the people's culture to the world at large through an annual Anioma Cultural Festival, Micro Credit Scheme, and Research publications. It is also the largest gatherer of the Anioma people from different parts of the world in a single event. OFAAC has since its foundation, provided the largest documentation of the materials of the people's culture in form of songs, pictures, movies, cultural fabrics, and other cultural items. It is also Anioma's largest group with a cultural history of bringing all the subgroups together. 

2. On number two position, is HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Okpanam/Anioma. The Omu Dunkwu is at the moment, one of Anioma's most popular female figures, the most popular of the Omus in Anioma, and also the most famous living Okpanam native. Coronated the Omu of Okpanam in 2022 by HRH Obi Okonji Okeze and in 2010 as the Omu of Anioma, Omu Dunkwu alumni of LTC College of English and Secretarial Studies, London, South West London College, England, Henderson State University, Arkansas, USA and University of Nevada, USA, the Omu is well-read and well-traveled. 

Since her coronation, the Omu Dunkwu remains the most frequently sighted Omu in Anioma occasions and beyond, promoting the rich cultures of the female traditional institution to the world and also globalizing the people's ancient culture. In 2021, the Omu donated a structure in her palace to serve as a Centre for Omuship and Women Development in Anioma with a Board of Trustees. In May 2022, she announced the constitution of the Council of Anioma Omus. HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu makes this list as a foremost promoter of the people's culture. 

Number 3, is HRM Obi Nduka Ezeagwuna II, the Obi of Issele-Uku, the administrative headquarters of Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. Coronated the Obi of Issele-Uku on Thursday, December 29, 2016, when he was officially presented to the staff of office as the 20th Obi of Issele-Uku Kingdom, His Majesty has remained at the forefront of the promotion of the people's cultures, taking the Issele Uku name far and beyond and also soaring dynamically in popularity among the Anioma monarchs. 

During his official address on the day, the staff of office was handed to him, Obi Nduka Ezeagwuna II thanked HRM Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin Kingdom for the pre-coronation orientation in the Benin royal palace in line with Benin-Issele-Uku bond. Shortly after his coronation, HRM Obi.  Nduka Ezeagwuna would pay Oba Ewuare II a royal thank you visit in his Benin Palace. 

The staff of office program was also a day HRM Obi Nduka Ezeagwuna II promised that his reign would make Issele-Uku a modern community that would be anchored on tradition and culture, promising to rebirth the Ine Festival, folklore, tales, and traditional dances of the people. In fact, the Obi went ahead to regenerate Omuship in Oligbo Issele-Uku with an Omu coronated for the community. HRM Obi Nduka Ezeagwuna studied Engineering at the University of Ibadan. 

No. 4, is Prince Chinedu Munir Nwoko of Idumuje Ugboko popularly called "Ned Nwoko." Ned Nwoko has been everything in Anioma culture including running an open home to promote the culture of the Anioma people. His Idumuje Ugboko home is, therefore, home for lovers and promoters of the Anioma culture.

Born on December 21, 1960, the Nigerian Lawyer, Politician, and Philanthropist are known for sponsoring Anioma cultural events that include beauty pageants. Nearly every Anioma cultural beauty pageant in Nigeria is traceable to the sponsorship of Prince Ned Nwoko.

Ned Nwoko attended Kings College in London where he received LLM in Maritime and Commercial Law. He was called to the English Bar at Lincoln's Inn. 

Standing on no. 5 is Chief Ugoesa Huxley Adiniebo Unumadu. Not only is Chief Unumadu a popular face in the socio-cultural space of Anioma, but he is the Izomo of Umuebu and also the SA to the Delta State Government on Culture and Tourism. 

Fortunately, Chief Unumadu can be said to be the most popular Ndokwa/Ukwuani face in the cultural activities of the Anioma people. Hardly, would any Anioma cultural event and beyond that is worth its salt held without the invitation of Chief Unumadu, the face of Anioma culture. The multiple award winner in Nigerian cultural affairs makes this list.

Chief Michael Brian Onyekali Odiakose makes this list. Hardly, can the promoters of Anioma be listed without Chief Nwadialor of Idumuje Union who is known for the promotion of identity for the Anioma people.

Chief Odiakose, a complete Anioma figure in everything, is often counted among the most popular faces of Anioma Chiefs. From delicacy to the core cultural foundations of the Anioma people, the USA-based Anioma figure is complete with Anioma pride.

Those who know him can tell that his love for Anioma is not quantifiable so it is always "Chief Nwadialor" wherein Aniomaland and among the people.

The very friendly Chief Michael Brian Onyekali Odiakosa stands on no. 6 on this list. 

No. 7, is Anthonia Oguah from Ogwashi-Uku, an Aniocha community. Oguah is a visual storyteller, conversationalist, and cultural influencer. Anthonia Oguah is the founder of the Ogwashi-Uku Dance Carnival which holds every December 25, in her Ogwashi-Uku hometown. 

She is also known for showcasing the Akwa-Ocha cultural fabric of the Anioma people In an event that holds in Asaba. Anthonia Oguah, a member of several Anioma Associations, chiefly the Umu Anioma Foundation, is perhaps, the best-known promoter of Anioma culture from Ogwashi-Uku. 

No 8. is an ace journalist; a reporter with The Will Newspaper, Anthony Awunor. When it comes to Ubulu cultural issues, Anthony Awunor is ranked as a leading writer and promoter.

The proud Igbo Linguistic graduate of the University of Lagos has ably utilized this discipline to satisfy the culture of his Ubulu people, writing about their culture, lifestyle, and people. Awunor took his cultural promotion of the people further when he instituted an award for the Anioma people, part of which covers cultural endeavours. 

Anthony Awunor is also a recipient of multiple awards prominently the NMNA Aviation Writer of the Year which he won in 2021 with The Will Newspaper. He is one, whom the Ubulu clan has to express gratitude, for the voyage of their culture to the Anioma world.

On no. 9 is Precious Patrick Adigwe, the proprietress of PrecyPat Akwa-Ocha Designs. The presence of Mrs. Precious Patrick Adigwe in this compendium speaks a lot being that the production and design of the Akwa Ocha fabric is one trade the Anioma youths avoid but she is patiently into the business, creatively supplying clubs, organizations, and individuals with the fabric on-demand at a low cost. The activities of Anthonia Oguah and Precious Patrick Adigwe have increased the demand for Akwa Ocha in Aniomaland.

Mrs. Adigwe graduated from the Delta State University, Abraka with B.Sc. in Mass Communication and also holds M.Sc. in Mass Communication, from the same institution and has also been using this power to contribute to the development of the Ibusa community in selflessness.

As the Anioma Nation stands today, Mrs. Precious Patrick Adigwe remains at the forefront of the production and designs of the Akwa Ocha cultural fabric. Being an avowed producer of this 'sacred,' fabric. 

Felix Ifeanyi Nwabuokei is on no. 10. Not a few Onicha Olona indigenes are familiar with this Nwabuokei. Felix Ifeanyi Nwabuokei, a researcher and writer of Onicha Olona culture, hails from Idumugbe, Ogbeobi of the Onicha Olona community. His work, "Brief on the Exodus from Benin" is currently in the press. 

Felix Nwabuokei is a thirsty promoter of the Onicha Olona culture through a series of write-ups and is heavily relied on by the people for the determination of the people's history. Nwabuokei is on this list as a result of his preservation of his people's history and culture and is an uncommon researcher. 

Ngozi Fortune Onwordi who hails from the Ubulu Uku community stands on no. 11. Onwordi is a graduate of Bio-Technology from the Federal University University of Technology, Owerri, and currently works as Special Assistant, Community Liaison, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency. He is also the Director-General of the Anioma Initiative. 

Onwordi is also a well-known writer with Arise Africa where some of his articles can be read. He is certainly one of the biggest writers on the culture of his Ubulu Uku people, digging into the lore, folktales, and tradition and preserving them for the people. 

In 2021 alone, Onwordi churned out a great number of cultural articles on the people and their traditions, telling their tales, which hundreds of followers read and shared online. 

Fortune Ngozi Onwordi, an Ubulu Uku name makes this list as a reliable lover and avid writer of the Ubulu culture, making homes happy to reminiscence on the cultural memories of Ubulu.