By Afamefuna Dunkwu-Okafor, PhD
On 16 February, 2024, Her Royal Majesty, Obi Martha Dunkwu, Omu Anioma/Nneoha, a highly respected and spiritual monarch in Delta State, joined her ancestors. For nearly three decades, Obi Dunkwu bestrode the entire Anioma rich cultural tapestry like a colossus with her never-ending activities on culture and tradition. She was also a shining light in education, empowerment, social issues, community development, tourism and public enlightenment. Obi Dunkwu was indeed the revolutionary and ultimate monarch who came up with ingenious plans to serve her people in particular, and humanity in general. And at the end of the day, this woman of virtue, an accomplished and uncommon amazon, acquitted herself creditably in all that she did.
But how does one begin to write the story or tribute to an amazing mother, an extraordinary woman who was considered morally excellent and admirable in every conceivable standard?
The truth, and that is incontrovertible, is the fact that my mother was grounded in kindness, faithfulness, love and humility. She healed wounds, engendered an atmosphere of possibilities and gave many people wings to fly. So, I thank you, my dear mother, for believing and loving unconditionally. You were not called Nneoha (mother to all) for nothing. As a matter of fact, your love was not only infectious, it was also widespread. And you loved all your children in their hundreds and thousands equally and unreservedly. Losing you was one of the deepest and devastating sorrows a heart can feel.
It may interest the reader to know that every day, we your children, wonder how we have managed to cope without your physical presence in our lives. But we know for a fact that you are still here and kicking because of your deep spirituality. Yes, we cannot hear your sweet voice or feel your conviviality and good humour but we feel you always. How about the permanent smile on your face? Nevertheless, we are consoled by your remarkable life of impact to this generation and even the generation to come.
Obi Martha Dunkwu was indeed a woman and monarch of many parts, and her different skills and commitment to a better society speak eloquently for her, even after her extraordinary earthly journey. Therefore, the question should be: What was she not? A humanist, administrator, public relations practitioner, cultural theorist, gender rights advocate, public intellectual and more. indeed, my mother loved fashion, adventure, the arts, craft, culture and tradition, literature, community service, peace and solidarity, particularly with the less privileged. But Obi Martha Dunkwu also loved life, and she believed strongly in the beautiful things of this world that is unknown, and most times, unappreciated by many people. An unapologetic Africanist who loved African affairs and all the core values inherent in our tradition and ways of life, I am sure many of us, her children, would not have asked for a better mother.
To say that Obi Martha Dukwu lived a happy, healthy, energetic and fulfilling life will definitely be an understatement. Aside from working for peace and compromise in times of uncertainty, this unusual monarch also made every moment of her life and interaction, unforgettable. Needless to say that she was prepared for the future, and she was positively disposed to accepting whatever the future brought her way.
This may have actually accounted largely for why she lived for others as can be attested to by many people. By her singular act of always putting the needs of others before her own, regardless of the situation, she made a positive difference in the lives of many people. But she was also a great bridge builder. Our dear mother created and nurtured relationships that even cut across the lines of conflict, once it was for the common good.
Apart from awards and recognitions that came almost every other week, Omu Anioma spent a good number of her time and resources preaching about the virtues of peace, unity and love, irrespective of tribe or tongue.
Yes, Obi Martha Dunkwu has gone to be with her maker but she left a good memory behind with institutions and people who came in contact with her. This was a woman who was not taken unawares by all-powerful death because she was conscious and mentally aware that death was inevitable and that it would come unannounced to every living being. So, she was prepared when death eventually came calling. What more can be said about this great and extraordinary life?
I think the entire Anioma nation and indeed, Igbo speaking people across the world owe this amazon a great debt of gratitude. First for her courage for institutionalizing the Omuship system and totally turning around Omuship and by so doing, gave women a voice. Secondly, she will always be remembered for her feminine strength, intellectual prowess and for assisting in realistically addressing some harmful traditional practices against women, cultures that are now considered forms of violence against women. Part of her dedication to social issues include but not limited to her unwavering support for girl child education, women empowerment, access to scholarship and research funding, reconstruction of markets and numerous other things.
Omu Anioma was lucky to have been honoured and recognized with many awards in her life time. Apart from her inclusion in 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century, her activities also brought the attention of global media on many occasions to her office and palace at Okpanam, her community in Oshimili North Local Government Area in Delta State.
It will be important to state that Omu’s undying quest for knowledge, enlightenment and cross-cultural studies took her to many reputable institutions, both here in Nigeria and beyond our shores. These schools include: St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Barkin Ladi, Plateau State; St. Murumba’s College, Okpanam, Delta State; L.T.C. College of English and Secretarial Studies, London, United Kingdom, Henderson State University, Arkansas and University of Nevada, United States of America. She was crowned Omu Okpanam on 26th January, 2002; Omu Anioma on 15th January, 2019 and Nneoha on 19th October, 2020.
Keep resting, our dear mother. All of us who knew you and loved you, miss you greatly. And for as long as we live, we shall continue to express our feelings of gratitude for the time we spent together.
Dr. Afamefuna Dunkwu-Okafor is a lecturer at the Department of Microbiology
University of Benin, Benin City.
