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Omu Anioma, A Woman Of Beauty And Class – Okowa
By Patrick Ochei
The immediate past First Lady of Delta State, Her Excellency Dame Edith Okowa has described the passing of Her Royal Majesty, Obi Martha Dunkwu (Omu Okpanam/Omu Anioma/Nneoha) as a great loss for Anioma people in particular and Delta State in general, affirming that she epitomised beauty and class whilst she lived.
The immediate past First Lady made the assertion when she led eminent delegation of women of substance to pay a condolence visit to the son of Omu Dunkwu, Dr. Afamefuna Dunkwu-Okafor and other members of the family.
Dame Okowa recalled that Omu Dunkwu attended all her programmes that she was invited to, including greatly supporting her pet project – The 05-Initiative and fighting and defending her and her husband whenever their issue came up by pundits in the social media.
According to Mrs. Okowa, “It’s unfortunate that I’m coming here to visit her Palace in her death. She was a great supporter of the 05-Initiative. We had a lot going on for us, she was not just a mother to us, she loved me so much. She was indeed an epitome of beauty and class.
“Omu was not just my fan and my husband too, she was a mother who loved me so very much. She was always there defending us on the social media. She was a fearless woman that said whatever she needed to say without fear or favour.
“This life is not about the number of years lived but the impact made. She made a great impact in her life time and she had gone to pay the price that every one of us will pay some day. The Bible said that we should live prepared. It also asked what we will be remembered for when we are gone. Omu Anioma came, she saw and she conquered.
“She left a footprint on the sand of time and it will be difficult to erase. We have come to say please, accept our sincere condolences. She was a rare beauty and class combined. We glorify God for the life she lived and the impact she made in the lives of many.
“I want to sincerely encourage you all, particularly the son to take solace in the fact that she lived well. Our creation is focused on two very important factors- our relationship with God and our relationship with our neighbours. Omu Dunkwu had a good relationship with her Maker and equally affected lives by her sterling relationship with people. So, I urge you all to worry less, strive less, and love more; because God is love. That is all life requires here on earth.
“Please get us informed when the burial arrangement is made, we will rally round you to give our mother a befitting burial. Take heart, God knows the end of everything from the beginning”, Dame Okowa condoled.
In his response, Omu’s son, Dr. Afamefuna Dunkwu-Okafor eulogized Her Excellency for her touching speech, maintaining that indeed, the mother had a cordial relationship with her from her words.
His words, “My mother will always be remembered for her motherly disposition to everyone that came in contact with her. I miss her a lot, but I am consoled by the fact that she had soared higher into another realm”, he responded.
He nonetheless, assured his visitors that they would be carried along when the public burial is fixed.
The visit of the Immediate Past First Lady, Dame Edith Okowa had the following personalities in her entourage; the Honourable Commissioner for Technical Education, Hon. Joan Onyemaechi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs. Kevwe Agas, Mrs. Ifeanyi Eboigbe, Mrs. Ifybros and others too numerous to mention, including Omu of Obior, Omu Onyebuchibe Okonkwo, Omu’s adopted daughter, Mrs. Uduh, Omu’s Media Consultant, Comrade Patrick Ochei, the Auditor of Delta State Council of NUJ, Comrade Celestine Afokobah, Omu’s Traditional Assistant, Ms. Rita Nwanze, Omu’s Secretary, Mrs. Gloria Nnabuife, Omu’s PA, Mr. Tony, a Councillor with Oshimili North Legislative Arm, Hon. Hilary Okobi joined Omu’s son, Dr. Afamefuna Dunkwu-Okafor to receive the visitors.