Vice Chairman, Aniocha North Local Government, Delta State, Hon. Princess Tina Amuamuziam, has re-echoed the critical role of the Omu Institution, in the development of women and Youths at the grassroots.
Princess Amuamuziam spoke recently when she played host to Ndi-Omu Aniocha North, led by Omu Queensley Ifechukwude Uzuka, Omu of Obomkpa, who were on a courtesy call on the vice Chairman in her office at Issele-Uku.
Amuamuziam, a renowned Nollywood actor and movie producer, said the importance of the Omu Institution cannot be over emphasized, noting that the morals of women and Youths are hinged on a stable and empowered Omu Institution, spiritually, physically and financially.
While expressing joy over their visit, Hon. Amuamuziam commended Ndi-Omu’s steadfastness in working for the welfare of the people at the grassroots, especially the Women, even without the much needed support from the Government.
She described the visit as a wakeup call on her to join them in the advocacy for a better deal for the Omu institution, as well as women, assuring the support of the Council Chairman, Hon Kevin Okwechime, in projecting the institution by way of meeting some of their critical needs within the limit of the capacity of the Local Government.
Amuamuziam promised to discuss with the Council Chairman on the need for the Local Government to support and key into their ongoing market to market sensitization of the women in Aniocha North on the currency change and the need for them to pay into the bank the old notes before the deadline given by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
“The fight you are fighting is for all of us. We know your plights and from the little we get, I promise you, on behalf of our Chairman, my boss, from January 2023, we will ensure that something is done for the Omus in Aniocha North.
“I am part of the game and I will go all out with you on this. Let us look forward, the year is ending and by the grace of God, next year beginning from January, we shall look towards your direction. We shall do the needful.
“We understand you are not on salaries, nobody is giving you salaries and you are fighting this fight from your meagre resources. We don’t have all, but then we are not empty. The little that we are getting, we will still find a way to make sure that you are accommodated.
“I urge you not to relent on your traditional role as the custodian of the moral rectitude of our women, sanity in our various markets and the development of women to be who God created them to be, by adding uncommon value to family units and the society as a whole,’ Hon. Princess Amuamuziam stated, even as she gave the assurance of involving them in all women programmes of the Local Government beginning from January next year.
Earlier in their statement of intentions, the Omus, through their leader, Omu Ifechukwude Uzuka, commended the Aniocha North Local Government for their support for Ndi-Omu Aniocha North and said unlike other places, they have never had any negative issues with the authorities of the Council.
“In some local Government Councils, they have issues with Ndi-Omu, but in Aniocha North, it is so streamlined to the extent that the Council knows what their responsibilities are as per their obligation in respect to the market and in knowing that they have Ndi-Omu.’
Omu Uzuka revealed Omu traditional institution to be peculiar to the Delta North People of Delta State, describing the Omu institution as a unique traditional institution that must be preserved and cherished while affirming the Council Chairman, Hon. Kevin Okwechime to be helpful and cooperative in matters that concern the omus, even as she urged him to continue to do the needful.
Omu Uzuka, however, highlighted some of the challenges facing Ndi-Omu Aniocha North to include lack of logistics to carry out their traditional activities as notable leaders at the grassroots.
“We are here not only to celebrate Christmas with the Council, but to talk about some issues. One of them is our stipend. We don’t have working tools; we don’t have logistics to carry out our activities and our responsibilities. They don’t pay the Omus,” Omu Uzoka revealed and painted a not too good daily challenges the Omus had to face.
“Most times you see some Omus struggling to handle the things they are supposed to do. This responsibility comes as a result of the demand of the office as the Omu of a particular community. As the Omu, you are in charge of the women of your community. When you are in charge of the women, there are a lot of things the women will need from you, but if you are financially incapacitated, there is nothing you can do.
“As the Omu of your community, you are closer to the less privileged, where you see them every day with the challenges they are facing. They place a lot of demand on you as an Omu and it is very disheartening if as an Omu, you find it difficult to discharge and give helping hand to these set of people.
“So we plead with the council to set aside something for us as stipend,’ Omu Uzuka pleaded
The Omus also through their leader, appealed to the Council to assist their ongoing market to market sensitization of market women in the local Government area, on the currency change exercise in the country and the need for them to pay their old naira notes into the bank, before the expiration of the deadline.
Omu Uzuka said that they are not able to continue with the programme due to paucity of funds while appealing to the Local Government to help in the financing of the sensitization and information programme, noting that history has it that market woman and rural community based traders are mostly affected by this kind of currency change, majorly because of lack of awareness and information.
Also at the visit were, Omu Theresa Uwadia; Omu of Onich-Uku, and Omu Beatrice Onwordi; Omu of Issele-Uku, amongst others.
