By Mayor Ikoroha
It was a celebration of tradition and culture on Monday, 28th August 2023 as High Chief Stanley Chukwudi Obodoagwu, Ezeudo Gburugburu, paid a traditional courtesy visit to the Omu of Anioma, Her Royal Majesty Obi Martha Dunkwu and the Ugoani of Okpanam Kingdom, HRM (Dr) Mbanefo Michael Ogbolu (JP). The visit coincided with the commencement of the month-long Okpanam Kingdom annual traditional New Yam Festival.
Okpanam is in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State and is located within Asaba capital territory of the state.
The first port of call of High Chief Obodoagwu’s high powered entourage was the palace of HRM Dunkwu. The spacious and beautiful palace, located at the heart of Okpanam Community, is an epitome of royalty and tradition with a well arranged compound, traditional buildings and beautiful flowers and trees.
In his introductory speech, the Ihiala Amanbra State-born business tycoon said that the purpose of his visit was to familiarize with the traditional ruler and expressed his appreciation that Okpanam community has provided him with a home since he relocated his family to Delta State about two years ago. He presented a big cow, several tubers of yam and assorted drinks as a gesture of courtesy to the traditional ruler.
In her reply, HRM Dunkwu, who celebrated her 20 years on the throne as the Omu of Anioma last year, narrated the history of the Omu Anioma traditional stool. She explained that as the Omu of Anioma, she is not expected to get married throughout her lifetime and this accords her some rights of males in the Igbo traditional community such as the ability to break kolanuts, which ordinarily is a taboo for females in Igboland. She said that she can have a ‘wife’ who can bear children for her and stated that after her education in Europe and America, she had to return back to her fatherland to ascend the sacred throne of Omu of Anioma.
The beautiful and soft-spoken royalty prayed for High Chief Obodoagwu and made ‘Nzu marks’ on his hands and forehead and also the hands and foreheads of other members of his entourage as a mark of blessing and good luck.
High point of the visit was a royal dance in the sprawling palace by HRM Dunkwu, High Chief Obodoagwu, other members of his entourage and some members of the Omu’s Royal Council.
At the palace of the Ugoani of Okpanam Kingdom, HRM (Dr) Mbanefo Michael Ogbolu (JP), High Chief Obodoagwu intimated the traditional ruler that he is building a vast estate and a multi-billion-naira farm and poultry in Okpanam community. He also stated that he personally tarred the length and breadth of the street where his residence is located at Okpanam as well as provided street lights and free water to the inhabitants of the area.
In his response, HRM Ogbolu stated the desire of Okpanam Kingdom to provide a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive in the area and for the promotion of peace and security for the benefit of the inhabitants of Okpanam Community. He thanked High Chief Obodoagwu for investing in Okpanam and assured him of the support of Okpanam Royalty in his laudable efforts.
High Chief Obodoagwu with his entourage presented a big cow, many tubers of yam and assorted drinks to the Ugoani of Okpanam. They also ‘waged kolanut’ with wads of cash in both local and foreign currencies.
Popularly known with his traditional title of Ezeudo Gburugburu, High Chief Stanley Obodoagwu is the Chairman/CEO of AkwaAmaka Group, a business conglomerate which includes AkwaAmaka Productions Limited (media, music and film), AkwaAmaka Beverages Limited and Successful Stan Nigeria Limited (building materials, plumbing and electrical and real estate).
He also holds the traditional titles of Otigbu Inyinye na Akwa Ezikenyi and Ichie Okpata Ozuo Ora na Ihiala amongst other traditional titles.
