Ndudi Elumelu Includes Omu Anioma's Palace in His Constituency Project

- Omu Anioma Reacts to Constituency Favour

By Emeka Esogbue

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has commenced the construction of the palace of HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Okpanam/Anioma as part of his constituency projects.

PEN MASTER can authoritatively reveal that the new Omu Anioma Palace under construction is a 6-bedroom flat.

To let you into this awaited exotic official residence of the Omu, it contains (Upstairs), four bedrooms, each with a toilet and bath, a lounge, a library, and a sit-out. (Downstairs), contains, two bedrooms, each with a toilet and bath, two parlours, a kitchen, laundry, dinner, pantry, visitors toilet, etc.

Hon Elumelu has remembered the Omu institution of the Anioma people and is doing what no government official ever thought of. In the male-dominated society of the country, rarely do occupiers of the prestigious traditional institution of the Anioma people appear in the official plan of the Government but it just happened with this plan.

Breaking the news recently to the members of the Anioma Council of Omus, HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Okpanam/Anioma said, "our Great Anioma Historian Emeka Esogbue, Comrade Patrick Nweike Ochei, and Honourable Hilary Okobi. I am happy to inform all of you that Honourable Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, Member Representing Aniocha/Oshimili Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, two weeks ago, started building me a six(6) bedroom duplex in the residential arm of my Palace as one of his constituency projects. It has been approved by the Federal Government."

The Omu is happy about the development. Since her coronation, HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Okpanam/Anioma has charismatically taken the Omuship beyond the Anioma bounds, causing the institution to be known and respected globally.

The Hon Ndudi Elumelu's surprise gift of a residential palace for the Omu of Anioma is a venture into the neglected area of the Anioma people as women seek to be heard louder and officially.

Omuship is unique to the Anioma people where a female plays traditional and spiritual roles.

Neglected by the British colonial administration, the best-known recognition for the Omu, was the inclusion of the Omu of Asaba among other chiefs of the community in signing the treaty that ceded Asaba to the British.

Former Governor James Ibori and Emmanuel Uduaghan also gave the Omuship recognition in the ways thought best by them.

Anioma Trust publisher, Patrick Nweike Ochei wrote to Omu Dunkwu, "first, it was Ibori who through you, gave Omus a sense of belonging, and today everyone is happy. Secondly was Uduaghan who through you tarred a road that is being benefitted by Okpanam and other of the road users."

Charismatic Omu Dunkwu has overseen the revival of the dying institution in several Anioma communities including Ugbolu, Akwukwu-Igbo, Ibusa, Ugbodu, Obomkpa, and others where women are becoming mechanisms for societal administration and representation. The voice of women is truly becoming heard in Anioma.

The Omuship is Anioma's best-known traditional institution today and by far, the best publicized.

HRM Omu Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Okpanam/Anioma, the people of Okpanam are thanking Rt. Hon Ndudi Elumelu for the female-targeted Federal Government project in Aniomaland which other representatives are expected to build on in recognizing that women outside politics should also be given consideration duly.

In July 2022, in Anioma Watch Pen Master advised Anioma political office seekers to also take some time to pay Omus a visit to declre their intentions and promises for the people.

One thing is sure: the palace will make a lavishly ornate home and is sure to be one of the most culturally visited sites in Okpanam in time to come.

Emeka Esogbue is the Research Consultant of the Council of Anioma Omus

DIAMOND JUBILEE AGE: 20 THINGS THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT FRED AJUDUA

DIAMOND JUBILEE AGE: 20 THINGS THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT FRED AJUDUA On January 21 2020, Pen Master paid Chief Fred Ajudua a scheduled visit at his Lagos-VGC Marble Dome Home, a large and imposing house sitting on a hill from where it vigorously engages public views and attention. On entering the house, Pen Master freely walked in and around, in the spirit of the love that always binds the people of Igbuzo. The man, Chief Fred Ajudua often described as the “Architect of Modern Ibusa” is unarguably one of the biggest fish in history to have come out of Ibusa even as it is said that nearly every Ibusa family has benefited from him one way or the other. Beyond what you know about him, there seems many sides you do not know. As the Igbuzo Chief celebrates his 60 th Year birthday, your Pen Master brings you the things you do not know about the highly influential Igbuzo Chief. Pen Master also dug into the Ajudua family photo depository all for your knowledge. Happy reading!

A SHORT HISTORY OF OBOLLO CLAN IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

A SHORT HISTORY OF OBOLLO CLAN IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA By Emeka Esogbue Introduction Not many historical literatures on the Obollo people exist for the usual reasons associated with our people who prefer to write the history of mighty and populous peoples already enriched with volumes of historical accounts and records. Thus while there are historical documents on other peoples of Igbo, for Obollo, it is the story of dearth of documents. However, it is within my historical concern that the rich history of this part of Igboland be adequately researched into, documented and preserved for the future generation. I do not hail from this part of Igboland but my historical background, interest and curiosity propelled me towards the acquisition of both oral and written information to put this material together. Geography The various Obollo communities comprising of Obollo Afor, Obollo Etiti, Obollo Eke, Obollo Orie and Obollo Nkwo are strategically situated at the regional bou

SEE HOW ANIOMA PEOPLE DRESS ON THEIR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE THE ERA OF USING OUR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE TO PROMOTE ATTIRES OF OTHER GROUPS IN NIGERIA IS GONE

SEE HOW ANIOMA PEOPLE DRESS ON THEIR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE THE ERA OF USING OUR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE TO PROMOTE ATTIRES OF OTHER GROUPS IN NIGERIA IS GONE Today is Saturday, conventionally set aside for marriage ceremonies. Awareness on how our Anioma brides and grooms attire themselves during their traditional marriage has fast spread and entrenched. We no longer promote other group's cultural attires because we want them to promote our own instead. I say many thanks to our Anioma cultural advocates on this day because our labours to preserve as well as promote the good cultures of our Anioma society have never been in vain. Noticeable now is that in time of our traditional marriages, we costume ourselves in Akwa-Ocha which brings out our god-given beauty. A few moments after her traditional marriage in Umuodafe, Ibusa on December 28, inside the Agokei palatial home, I visited former Miss Amaka Thelma Agokei, the bride. I was rather late; but I met this beautiful bride t

Emeka Esogbue

Search This Blog