Paris Club refund: Omu Anioma Lauds Senator Ned Nwoko In Abuja, As General Ochei, Nzekwu Pay Her A Welcome Visit
By Patrick Ochei
The culture colossus and renowned Omu Anioma, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu has commended the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Abuja, Senator Prince Ned Nwoko on his patriotic Paris Club Refund, which helped to cushion the effect of economic recession during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
She gave this commendation at the Maitama residence of the Senator, during a courtesy visit immediately after her official engagement bordering on Niger Delta questions at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
Omu Dunkwu who applauded Ned Nwoko for the initiative to legally engage the Paris Club to make refunds of over deduction of debt to Nigeria, asked the Federal Government to pay him all that is due to him for services rendered in order to encourage patriotism.
The Royal Mother also commended Senator Nwoko for establishing the Sports University of Nigeria (SUN); however, she advised him to change the name to Ned Nwoko University as a legacy that would not only bear his name but outlive him in perpetuity.
She further advised well-to-do Anioma sons and daughters to establish Universities across the Anioma local government areas as a way of investing in learning to attract foreign exchange and expand the scope of academics for the advancement of Anioma Nation.
Omu Dunkwu congratulated Ned Nwoko on his election victory and subsequent swearing-in, thereby urging him to write his name in gold by performing in such a way that his name would be etched in history.
In addition, Omu Anioma commended Senator Nwoko for bringing back old values by contributing to population increase like the Anioma forebears who then married many wives and still lived in harmony. She further affirmed that it is politically expedient at this time to grow the population, especially for those of us in the Southern Nigeria as a way to check political imbalance in the system.
On a lighter mood, Omu Anioma accused the Senator for getting married to an Anioma woman (Regina Daniels) without coming to inform her. She said, “I have urged you over the years to marry an Anioma woman. Now that you have found one and married her, you did not come to inform me. You know as an Anioma Prince, you cannot be fined; however, our custom permits a Prince to fine himself where he is perceived to have done something wrong on purpose.”
In his response, the Senator appreciated the Royal Mother of Anioma for coming to visit him, describing her as highly revered and possessing the spiritual capacity to bring back the Anioma culture that had vanished and going into extinction.
“The Omu Institution was no longer fashionable and was scorned until Omu Dunkwu came on board to make it something that is now admired by all”, he added.
The Omu Anioma equally commended the illustrious Major General Raymond Ochei of the Nigerian Army and the Media Giant/Chief Executive Officer of Bridge Radio, Asaba, Dr. Henry Nzekwu for visiting her in her hotel lodge not only to welcome her to Abuja but to also discuss issues bordering on the progress of Nigeria, Delta State and Anioma Nation. As a matter of fact, Major General Raymond Ochei provided the Omu with escort vehicles for the duration of her stay in Abuja and equally, personally escorted her to the Airport until she boarded plane back to Asaba.
Omu Dunkwu commended General Ochei for his passion and dedication in promoting the culture and values of Anioma people through fluting (Akpele), which he had engaged a trainer to mentor 10 interested young persons and be rewarded with a house.
Her words to the General, “You are one person in a generation, and you are indeed in a class of your own. For the unquantifiable support you have given to the Omu Institution and our people in general, I say thank you. Your name will go down in history as one of those who ensured that the renaissance we intended for the Institution of Omu and Anioma culture came to fruition”, she said.
In her remarks to Dr. Henry Nzekwu in another development, Omu Dunkwu appreciated him for investing in Anioma land; describing his establishment of Bridge Radio in Asaba as patriotism and giving back to his people with the intention of creating a future for the youths.
In their separate accolades to Omu Anioma, they lauded her for loving her children dearly, and cheering her up for transforming the Omu Institution and putting Anioma Nation in a world map of culture.
