How Ndudi Elumelu Remembered the Omu Institution with a Palatial Edifice

- Emeka Esogbue

HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Anioma means so many things to so many people but to the Anioma nation, she is an exemplification of the elevation of the Omu traditional institution.

Once crowned the Omu of Anioma amid severe criticisms from her Anioma people, Omu Dunkwu took up the female institution and made it her pet project. From a dying institution, she worked hard to miraculously sell the institution to the world and it became the envy of other traditional institutions in the region.

She told her followers the story of her journey, "I met about five to six Omus when I became Omu, two are remaining from that era. Through advocacy by our Great Anioma Historian Emeka Esogbue, Anioma Association USA, Prof E. A. C Nwanze, late Prof Onwuejiogwu, Dr. Ikechukwu Enwenwa, Comrade Patrick Nweike Ochei, my humble person, etc, we have over ten Omus today. We had about fifteen but five have finished their earthly journey. I was Ozaomu (Deputy Omu) for three years and substantive Omu for 19 years. So I have done the work of Omu in Okpanam for over 22 years and Omu Anioma for over 10 years at my own cost, using the personal resources I got when I was a business person at the institution. I have not received a kobo from Okpanam or Anioma. What I am doing is a physical manifestation of a spiritual conclusion and my passion."

With Omu Dunkwu, the story and presence of Anioma's Omuship started to spread in the international cultural arena as renowned scholars started to dig into the past of the institution. One exhibition was held at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka with the portrait of one Omu Okpanam that lived in the colonial era unveiled to the general public. Professors from Cambridge University, Oxford University, and other acclaimed institutions of the world came to see for themselves what Omuship essentially meant to the people, especially women of Anioma extraction.

Her hard work culminated in the gift of Obi Martha Dunkwu House, a constituency project of Hon Ndudi Elumelu, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

Describing the house, the Omu said, "it is not a special administrative building. It is the residential arm of Omu Anioma Palace (half an acre) and has been renamed Obi Martha Dunkwu Castle. It's a duplex of six bedrooms, seven toilets, three palours, library, laundry, dining, kitchen, pantry, etc."

She expressed gratitude: "I thank God Almighty that I have found favour in His sight, I doff my hat for our great ancestors and bow with unlimited humility to our forefathers. I am in awe of my Guiding Spirit. A billion thanks are not enough to appreciate Rt Hon Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Member Representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the National Assembly."

Indeed, many followers of the Anioma traditional institution agree that Omu Martha Dunkwu worked hard enough to merit the Ndudi Elumelu constituency project by transforming an almost extinct traditional institution into an object of global envious notice and also helping other Anioma communities to regain the institution.

Perhaps, what is worth mentioning is that The Rt Hon Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, the Anioma member at the House of Representaives also built these palaces for about 8 Anioma traditional rulers in 8 different Anioma communities. He only had to carry the Anioma womenfolk along with the Omu Martha House.

Many Anioma commentators have also reacted to the news of the constituency project which they see in good light.

A commentator who wrote on Anioma Voice, Nobert Chiazor said, "HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu deserves a huge red carpet in the whole of Anioma land being a bright and colorful matriarch who promotes our common patrimony in profound ways that transcend partisan politics. The palace for Omu Anioma!

Elumelu got this so right."

"Our venerated Omu, Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the renowned Omu Anioma is deserving of the edifice and much more. May the good Lord continue to bless Hon. Ndudi Elumelu for deeming it fit to honour our dynamic, erudite, and elegant Omu Anioma," Godfrey Chukwudifu Osakwe, an indigene of Akwukwu-Igbo wrote.

Esther Ezim Nwanze, on her part, posted: "This house is beautiful. Let us commend this person and not condemn him. Kudos."

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