Omu Dunkwu, An Undisputable National Figure – Ned Nwoko

By Patrick Ochei

The cerebral mother without borders and Omu Anioma, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu has been described as a National figure whose opinions on National issues had never been disputed.

The Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District at the National Assembly in Abuja, Senator Prince Ned Nwoko made this observation when he paid a condolence visit to the Palace of Obi Martha Dunkwu to sympathise with the son and other members of the family on the demise of the legendary culture connoisseur.

Nowko said he had come a long way with Omu Dunkwu, wishing he had done things differently when recently the traditional leader visited him in Abuja after her appointment with the Minister at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

“She was the best known woman in the whole of Anioma and Igbo land, having gone beyond just being an Omu to a public speaker and a woman who consistently spoke truth to power. She elevated the Omu stool politically and culturally to achieve her aim of carrying everybody along in her ideals and agenda, particularly as regards promoting Anioma Culture and the place of women in leadership.

“Omu Dunkwu through her propagation of our culture, the dignity of woman and proper leadership system, became an institution. She could challenge anything that is not right, yet not controversial. Even among the Kings, she was accepted and respected.

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“Many years ago, she kept on telling me, Prince Ned, you have many wives who are not Anioma, you have to marry an Anioma woman to be fulfilled as a proper Anioma Prince. That advice stuck in me until I met Regina Daniels and we were married. She was also particular about growing our population as a people from the South. I hope the son would leave up to practice the teachings of his mother”, the Senator said hilariously.

While still joking about the different conversations with Omu Dunkwu in time past, the Most Distinguished Senator recalled his last moments with her in Abuja.

“When I inquired why she was not putting on her usual red cap on Akwa Ocha but green cap on Akwa Ocha, she said, Prince I am here because I’m a Nigerian on a national assignment. She also kept reminding me on the need to change my University name from just Sports University of Nigeria to Prince Ned Nwoko Sports University. We met indeed and had a wonderful time. If only I knew that would be her last time with me, I would have done things differently. I never had any inclination she was going to leave us this soon, but God knows the best.

“Please, let’s be consoled by the fact that she became what no one else had become. Omu Martha Dunkwu emerged differently, changed things and brought innovations that had left a seal on the world’s cultural landscape”, Senator Nwoko noted.

In the company of the Most Distinguished Senator were two prominent Traditional Rulers – Obi of Ukala and Obi of Olodu, former Commissioner for Lands, Chief Dan Okenyi, Executive Assistant to the Governor, Hon. Rita Daniels, Chief of Staff to the Senator, Dr. Michael Nwoko and others too numerous to mention.