By Patrick Ochei
Omu Anioma/Nneoha, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu has told Igbo leaders to allow women to exhibit their God-given potentials and fulfill their purpose in life.
This charge was given at the Faculty of Arts of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, venue of the book launch of “Daughters Of The Goddess”, authored by a Catholic Priest, Rev. PhilipMary Emenike Ayika, where Omu Anioma was invited to speak as the Royal Mother of the Day.
The focus of the book is based on Socio-Religious Investigation into the African Traditional Concept of Dignity for Women, with an empirical investigation of the Igbo society as a case study.
While commending the book writer for dwelling extensively into the origin of creation and various stages of human existence where woman had been obstructed from fulfilling her purpose in creation, Omu Dunkwu asserted that man remains first yesterday, today and in the future by God’s creative standard.
She therefore, stated that the only wrong man had done to alter that divine arrangement is failing to allow woman to showcase and fulfill her purpose in creation.
Omu Dunkwu further referred to the ‘Ala’ used in the book as the prototype goddess of the Igbos, positing that woman does not only represent the source of life, she also determines how such lives (humans) exist by virtue of proper womanhood and responsible motherhood.
She reaffirmed that the Igbo leaders and by extension all mankind, must as necessity train the trainer which is the woman, to be able to handle the multiplicity of contemporary challenges of human existence.
Her words, “Do not be deceived by religion; before the advent of religion, our people had existed with principles and sound ways of life that were historic. Our forefathers knew the value of women before the European. For example in Anioma where I come from, our forefathers had kept the seat of the Omu for over 700 years, whereas the European just realised the value of women about a century ago. They however brought the idea of gender equality and gave vent to feminism.
“Let me tell you that there is no equality yesterday, there is none today and there will be none tomorrow. Man is first while woman is second to complement him. Just that our challenge in Africa and in Igbo land in contemporary time is that, the woman is subjugated and not respected. Where is the pride and dignity of womanhood when you can only see the woman as an object of pleasure, home service and political servitude?
“In a nutshell, I want to see in the South East, the bringing back of the dignity of womanhood. The man in the South East is presenting himself as next to God but he is not Godly. He must present himself as one that is capable of leading with women given their pride of place to excel and to help bring about a desired sane and prosperous society.
“Once again, I thank all the dignitaries on the high table, guests, students and the Catholic community. I most sincerely thank the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Ogochukwu Okpala who made sure I am here. Kudos to the author, Rev. PhilipMary Emenike Ayika for such a classical book devoid of religious controversy. Let me specially thank our father the King of Nsukka, HRM Igwe Patrick Okolo and of course, my friend and spiritual leader of the Igbos (Ogilisi-Igbo), Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka. It’s my prayer that God should bless the Igbo man and woman and give them the grace to actualize their purpose in our country Nigeria”, Omu Dunkwu concluded.
Meanwhile, justice was done to the book review by the two presenters – Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Ogorchukwu Okpala MD and Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education, represented by Engr. Dr. Florence Idigo respectively.
The reviewers believed that the Daughters of the Goddess was a philosophical enquiry into the dignity of women in the traditional Igbo society, while maintaining that woman is the Goddess of life and precursor for human existence who must be given her due respect and her dignity kept in tact.
Highpoint of the event was the unveiling of the book by the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Chukwuma Ozowalu, the Chief Launcher, Chief Donatius Nzekwesili, His Excellency the Governor of Anambra State, represented by the Commissioner for Health, the representative of the former Governor Peter Obi, the Omu Anioma, the Ogilisi Igbo, the Igwe Nsukka and other members of the high table too numerous to mention.
Also, there were cultural performances by dance troupes from the Faculty of Arts, Unizik which gave the event the desired colour and glamour that will continue to reverberate in the memory of the attendees in a long time.
