The Queen: Meet Her Royal Majesty, Obi Martha Dunkwu, Omu Okpanam/Omu Anioma/NNEOHA

Her Royal Majesty Obi Martha Dunkwu is the reigning omu of the Anioma people of Delta State.

An omu, or queen mother, is a leader of women, custodian of the market, a spiritual guide to the community and the traditional ruler – a role that goes back more than 820 years and one that was greatly reduced by colonial rule. This important institution, with its ceremonial practices, comes with its own challenges but remains a significant part of holding communities together.

Born at Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, Obi Martha Dunkwu attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Barkin Ladi, Plateau State and St. Murumba’s College, Okpanam, Delta State.

She worked for a couple of years in Ministry of Finance, Benin City, Edo State before proceeding to L.T.C. College of English and Secretarial Studies, London, England. She also attended South West London College, England, Henderson State University, Arkansas and University of Nevada, United States of America. 

Obi Martha Dunkwu was crowned Omu of Okpanam on 26th January 2002, Omu Anioma on 15th January 2010 and NNEOHA on 19th October, 2020. 

On 7th October 1998, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa, CFR, Oba of Benin presented Obi Martha Dunkwu Royal Beads (Ivie-Urhu – Beaded Necklace). 

She is a Member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (MNIPR), Member, Institute of Administrative Management (MIAM), England, Associate Member, Nigeria Institute of Management (ANIM), Past and First Female President, Asaba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ASACCIMA), Past and First Female President, Delta State Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DELCIMMA) comprising of Warri, Sapele, Asaba and Ethiope Chambers of Commerce, Pioneer Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Honorary Life Vice President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Member, Federal  Government/Private Sector Committee on Technical & Vocational Education and Training, TVET (2012-2013) and Member of Board, National Orientation Agency, NOA (2013-2015), and she was awarded Anioma Man of the Year 2014 by Anioma Trust Newspapers. 

Obi Martha Dunkwu further received Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Edo and Enugu States Chapters’ Amazon and Merit Awards 2010/2011, Excellence Media Award by the Frontline News Media, Southern Zone, Cultural Ambassador Award by the Community Newspaper Publishers Association of Nigeria (CONPAN), Delta State Chapter, NUJ Prestigious Award presented by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Special Recognition Award presented by the  Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs),  decorated Zero Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Ambassador 2018, Lion of the Year and Two Star Fellow Awards by the Lions Club International, District 404 Nigeria, Best Patroness (2014/2015 Session) by the Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria, and others too numerous to mention.

In 2001, the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England selected Obi Martha Dunkwu to be included in the “2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century”. Excerpts of the award read: “The Oxford English Dictionary defines intellectualism as the “Doctrine that Knowledge is wholly or mainly derived from pure reason” and it follows by saying that an intellectual is a person possessing a good understanding, enlightened person”. Surely, therefore, this definition is the reason for your selection to be included in this prestigious publication which is due for release in late 2001”.

Obi Martha Dunkwu was granted “21st Century Award for Achievement and included in the WHO IS WHO IN THE 21st Century also by the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England.

On October 3rd, 2001, she became pioneer recipient of the Indomitable Spirit Award” Abuja.

On 19th June 2005, Obi Martha Dunkwu was conferred Doctor of Science “D.Sc” degree (Honoris Causa) by Columbus International University, Virgin Island, United Kingdom.

An Inductee, Nigerian Women Hall of Fame, Abuja, holder of many Traditional Chieftaincy Titles in Delta and Edo States and Patron, Media Correspondents’ Chapel of Edo State Council of NUJ.

Obi Martha Dunkwu was the Public Relations Consultant to His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa, CFR, the Oba of Benin. Her friends and colleagues in the media admiringly call her “Royal Image Maker”. However, she has currently established the OBI MARTHA DUNKWU FOUNDATION for Girl-Child Education in the nine (9) Local Government Areas of Delta North Senatorial District (Anioma) and of course, Omuship Installation in Anioma and Women Development Initiative, a Centre which will be dedicated to the study of Omu Institution.

Leadership through conviction and relationships based on fairness, loyalty and trust, makes Obi Martha Dunkwu a proven leader, media guru, efficient motivator, recognized performer, able administrator, enterprising business person, Royal Image Maker, committed Public Relations practitioner translating professionalism into excellence, crisis manager of the highest order and Information Manager par excellence.

Omu Martha Dunkwu is a die-hard Nigerian, an ardent believer in Nigeria’s leadership of the black world has received numerous Awards and Conferments. She is a loving, devoted, caring, disciplined and God fearing mother of a son and grandmother of two grandsons.

Credits:

Aljazeera/Africa Direct

AfricanHeritageMagazine

Southernvoice

OasisMagazine