Igbo’s Challenged to Re-invent Igbo Tradition

By: Patrick Ochei

AWKA/Nigeria: The amiable Omu Anioma and public speaker extra ordinaire, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu has dazzled the Igbos again with her eloquence, during a reception organised in her honour at the Rojenny Holiday Village, Oba in Anambra State, where she once more challenged them to begin to reinvent the tradition of the Igboman while divesting their business interests to the Igboland in order to develop the Igbo nation.

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She made this statement in order to buttress her earlier call on Ndi Igbo at Enugu, to invest in their place in order to earn the respect of other ethnic groups and secure a political cum economic future for the Igbo nation.

The colourfully dressed Omu Anioma in Anioma native attire ‘Akwa Ocha’, was conducted round the Rojenny Holiday Village at exactly 12 noon when she arrived the Resort in company of the Omu of Obior, HRM Omu Onyebuchibe Okonkwo, Omu of Onicha-Uku, HRM Omu Theresa Uwadia, Omu of Ogwashi-Uku, HRM Omu Edith Rafua, Aka-Omu of Okpanam, Mrs. Cecilia Ofuani, Comrade Osita Onochie, Mr. Sam Emeifeogwu, Mrs. Genevieve Onyeaju and others.

Omu Dunkwu who expressed happiness at the monumental edifice built by the Ogilisi Igbo, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka in the Resort, encouraged other wealthy Igbo people to replicate the classy investment in various parts of the Igboland, to attract tourism and fast track economic viability in Igbo nation.

The Holiday Village which the CEO and Chairman, Chief Ezeonwuka said is sitting on eight square kilometers (over 30 acres) has a university preparatory study centre called the Paul University Centre with hostels, an Olympic sized swimming pool, an international sized stadium, zoo with live wild animals including the carcass of a dead lion, a chapel dedicated to the memory of Rev. Fr. Cyprian Iwene Tansi, a mosque for moslem staff in the Resort, night club, Nwaezeora lodge built in memorial of Ogilisi’s late mother, a China model play ground, a museum housing some prized cultural artefacts of Ndi Igbo and other amazing wonders of nature resident in the Village.

Finally, the Ogilisi Igbo guided the Omu Anioma, who was equally welcomed by the Igwe of Nsukka Ancient Kingdom, HRH Igwe Dr. Amb. Patrick Okolo, Chukwu Nwe Eze 1 of Nsukka, to a sacred place in the Resort known as the Temple of the Ogilisi Igbo (the spiritual leader of the Igbos).

Omu Anioma dedicated the Temple and prayed for the Ogilisi Igbo to continue to prosper and show the way for Igbos, especially helping his people to solve problems to further bind them more together and unite them towards seeking progress and development of their God endowed land.

Speaking to Anioma Trust during an interview,  the CEO of Rojenny Holiday Village and Ogilisi Igbo, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka said that Ndi Igbo recognises the enormous influence and spiritual alertness and authority of the Omu Anioma, adding that he had decided to tap into that spiritual endowment to help his people.

According to him, “Omu Anioma is a message bearer. At a previous Igbo convention where she made a statement that shook the entire Igboland, Ndi Igbo had not recovered from that illumination and eye opener.

The major problem of the average Igbo man is the failure to enhance that which God has endowed them with, which is to maximize the potentials of their culture through faith in their land and investing in the land of their fathers.

The Igbo man is creatively blessed, industriously hardworking and commercially inclined. We must begin to work with the admonitions of Nneoha/Omu Anioma by divesting our business interests to Igbo land and using our God given talents and wealth to invest in the future of the Igbo nation.

I am also tapping into the vision by stepping in to propagate oneness among the Igbos, preach unity with our culture and traditions and promote love and progress of Ndi Igbo”.

The Ogilisi Igbo also used the medium to call on Igbos to shine their eyes and vote for a credible Presidential candidate that can unite Nigeria and not tilt towards division.

It was indeed a rousing reception for the Omu Anioma in the heart of Igboland – Oba in Anambra State. The prominent personalities present attested to the fact that Omu Martha Dunkwu deserved whatever honour that was done her.

In addition to her address, Omu Martha Dunkwu explained to her elated audience, the origin and functions of the Omu, an institution only indigenous to Anioma people. She however, handed a research pamphlet by Prof. Nwanze, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, detailing the origin, roles and powers of an Omu; and another book on Omu institution by Historian Emeka Esogbue to the Ogilisi Igbo.

Again, Omu Anioma prayed for Nigeria, all the States in the Nation, all the Local Governments, leadership at all levels, Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, Anambra State, Delta State, Oba and ANIOMA. She also prayed for the Governors of Anambra and Delta States, while praying for free, fair and violence-free election.

She urged Nigerians, as followers to equally show responsibility as leadership and followership have corresponding responsibility. She further stated that Nigerians in all Regions should invest in their homes and contribute their compulsory quota to our Nation’s development.

She particularly praised Traditional Rulers in ANIOMA NATION for their unquantifiable support to the Institution of Omu, in particular, HRM Obi Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor, The Obi of Owa Kingdom, HRM Obi Prof. Nwoboshi, The Obuzor of Ibusa, HRM Obi Afamefune Kikachukwu, The Obi of Ubulu-Uno and others.

She doffed her hat for ANIOMA Forefathers who set up the Omu Throne in Anioma Nation. She Thanked Delta State Government, The Governor and past Governors for their understanding and great support to the Omu Institution.

The Public Relations expert nicknamed The Royal Image Maker by her colleagues in the media, however, praised the Nigerian Media, acknowledging that their role is indispensable in the development of our beloved Nation. She equally wished Nigerians at home and in the diaspora God and Ancestral blessings, guidance, protection and unprecedented progress in 2019 and beyond.

Among the Igbo dignitaries who were on hand to receive and host the popular Omu Anioma under the auspices of the Ogilisi Igbo Foundation, were HRH Igwe (Dr.) Amb. Patrick Okolo, Chukwu Nwe Eze 1 of Nsukka Ancient Kingdom; Eze Dr. David Iguilo (Ezeonyerigoruodu na Igbo nine); Dr. Uchey Okechukwu Linus (Chairman Ogilisi Igbo Foundation); Prof. Justice Chidi; Chief J.C. Nwakpadolu; Elder E.A. Adogu; Vincent Okpala (Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Anambra State on Health); Comrade Vincent Ekwueme (Chairman, Civil Liberties Organisation, Anambra State); Hon. Dr. Amaechi Patrick Arima and others too numerous to mention, including members of the fourth estate of the realm.