Gideon Nwaomu, OFAAC Promoter of Anioma Culture, Rest in Peace

 Gideon Nwaomu, OFAAC Promoter of Anioma Culture, Rest in Peace

Recently, the Anioma media is again, awash with the recent news of the demise of Mr. Gideon Nwaomu, the CEO of Giddy's Place, Asaba, Delta State. 

Three of my OFAAC mentors have passed away in a short amount of time, including Omu Martha Dunkwu, the regular OFAAC face whose Anioma appearance and dress were selling the Anioma people to the media. 

People would always point to her to ask, who that woman was. The second victim was Hon Emeka Nmadu and third third was Mr. Gideon Nwaomu, the latter two who were Directors of the Organization.

OFAAC, founded by Anioma cultural giant, Arc Kester Ifeadi, is the Organization For the Advancement of Anioma Culture, the culture umbrella of the Anioma people and the biggest organizers of cultural fiesta in the whole of Delta State. It is also the gatherer of the largest Anioma culture enthusiasts from around the world and the largest gatherer of traditional rulers from the region.

The organization brought the Anioma people together, maintained and promoted their culture through the resuscitation of their socio-cultural existence, and organized the Anioma Cultural Festival, Anioma Essence, a research-based periodical, and a microfinance program.

The recent deathly hit is Gideon Nwaomu popularly called "Giddys." As popular as he was, we have not reported him in the media as legendarily deserved. Gideon Nwaomu spent his latter days working for the people in promotion of Anioma culture from every front - Aniocha to Oshimili; Ika to Ndokwa and I was sometimes in his OFAAC team of cultural tours. 

Once a follower of Fela Anikulakpo-Kuti, and one of the people who took care of the instruments of the iconic musician, he was a builder of artistes. Nwaomu managed various Nigeria artistes including Chris Hanan of the Ozigizaga fame and Junior and Pretty, both of whom had a dazzling place in the Nigerian music industry. He was also the Manager of Oseloke Augustine Onwubuya professionally called "Ras Kimono" and Onyeka Onwenu. 

Confirming the relationship with Gideon Nwaomi that would blossom, Mr. Emma Ogosi, another Nigerian music legend who is from Anioma, wrote "my friend who started calling Daddy since 1979 when he and I lived in the same premises in Benin City, Gideon Nwaomu (Giddys) died."

"In 1989, I gave him the contact to find a reputable promoter to take superstar, Evi Edna (Evi Edna Ogholi) on a tour of West African states. He was Onyeka Onwenu's Manager at a time during which they toured Zimbabwe and other South African states. was Ras Kimono's Manager also."

"On Wednesday, I wrote to inform him that our Onyeka (Owenu) had left us ooo. No reply. Turned out that he too was battling for his own life over there in Asaba... He gave up the ghost last night from a relapse."

However, this piece is about his immediate contributions to the Anioma cultural sector.

He embraced the sociocultural ideals of Anioma and devoted his life to the cause of the people. On different occasions, I spent my personal time working with him on matters of Anioma culture through the OFAAC opportunity. Although he quit the Organization before his death, OFAAC was a pedestal for many of us to serve our Anioma people thereby furthering the common identity prospects of Dennis Osadebe, Nosike Ikpo, Orewa, HRM Obi Dr. Emmanuel Efeizormo, JP, Prof B. I. C. Ijomah, Kunirum Osia and the rest of them bring the limelight, the distinctiveness of the Anioma people.

A nice man who had amazing relationships with his loved ones, everyone has one good thing or the other to tell about him. This was because he was an open arm that continually embraced everyone close to him. A few years back, at his personal invitation, I was with him at Giddy's Place in Asaba together with Godfrey Chukwudifu Osakwe, another OFAAC colleague and close friend. 

He was overjoyed to see me and insisted that I find joy in mingling with other friends inside the bar. I had come to the Anioma area for the annual Anioma Cultural Festival of OFAAC. Gideon Nwaomu paid utmost attention. 

On March 20, 2024, Nwaomu wrote on his wall, "In all my years on this earth, I have learned that when we are called to go home, we will go. We have one life to live. The material things we invest in are left behind," a testimony of his characteristic of friendliness.

Nwaomu was not only full of hope on Anioma cause but believed that the light of the people would surely shine.

OFAAC has been a unifying umbrella, a cultural entity that deserves reverence from all, especially the region's younger generation and the trio of Omu Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Anioma, Hon Emeka Nmadu and Mr. Gideon Nwaomu deserves a place in Anioma historical memory and global cultural perspective by extensive.

Beyond the politicians, the Anioma people should learn to celebrate their people while they are still living. It is in this way that the people, riding quickly on the train of progress will become global names. Moreover, it will secure the labour of the people's heroes' past.

One hopes that the Anioma people will celebrate Gideon Nwaomu, the man who gave himself to advancing their culture even in death.

May his soul rest in peace.

Dr. Emeka Esogbue, the Research Editor of Anioma Essence Magazine, a publication of the Organization For the Advancement of Anioma Culture, writes from Lagos