By Patrick Ochei
The highly revered Omu Anioma and Nneoha (Mother To All and Mother Without Borders), HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu has been honoured in Benin City, Edo State as the Most Revered Traditional Leader of a Unique Kingdom in the Niger Delta.
She was honoured by the Reliance Newspaper at the celebration of its 15th publishing anniversary, on May 26, 2023, in Benin City.
According to the publisher of Reliance Newspapers and former NUJ Edo State Council Chairman, Comrade Ralph Okhiria, “Omu Martha Dunkwu is well cherished across all divides. She made her mark in the media industry and business. Now she is in the traditional institution as Omu of the ancient Okpanam kingdom and Omu Anioma, and across the globe she is renowned and known as a formidable traditional voice speaking for her people and promoting what they are known for uniquely.
“The wave she is making internationally is felt here in Benin Kingdom where she had lived and worked, even as Media/Public Relations Consultant to our Most Revered Traditional Ruler, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, CFR, Oba of Benin (of blessed memory).
“We in the Media Constituency love her dearly and we have no doubt of what she can always do based on her enormous and resilient capacity to turn things around in the positive. She is indeed a culture colossus whose fame is growing like a wildfire beyond Africa.
“As a community based Newspaper in the business of community journalism, we felt it necessary to celebrate such an astounding Mother of all as we mark our 15th anniversary. She was a mother to the NUJ in Edo State, we all dearly loved her until she relocated to Delta where the journalists in Delta have hijacked her from us. However, the beauty of her person is that she keeps reaching out, not forgeting her old and new children in her line of duty as a caring mother.
“We in Reliance Newspapers sincerely congratulate her and wish to continue to celebrate her. We appreciate her role in the development of journalism and advancement of the African culture to the world”, Okhiria posited.
The Award of Honour was presented through a representative to HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu as “The Most Revered Traditional Leader of a Unique Kingdom in the Niger Delta”. It was in recognition and appreciation of her exemplary leadership, commitment and invaluable contribution towards the growth, progress and development of Anioma Nation and beyond.