By Patrick Ochei
The highly revered mother to all and Mother Without Borders, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu (Omu Okpanam/Omu Anioma/Nneoha), has described the Chief Executive Officer of the Bridge Radio Asaba, Dr Henry Nzekwu as a highly achieved person, thoroughbred business man and patriotic Anioma son.
She made this assertion when the latter paid her a courtesy visit at the Omu Anioma Palace in Okpanam, Oshimili North LGA of Delta State.
Omu Dunkwu commended Nzekwu for thinking home in spite of his chains of businesses in highbrow cities, saying that there is nothing as patriotic as thinking home and giving back to one’s immediate society.
Her words, “I cherish your person, even when I haven’t met you, I already loved what Bridge Radio was doing for us in Anioma. The radio station came with its own uniqueness and it has further advanced the cultural frontiers of the Anioma people.
“I admire your multi tasking inclination to business; Anioma is proud to have produced a breed of your nature. As a trained medical doctor, your ability to navigate in different aspects of businesses and breaking even is highly commendable.
“Your mother, Mrs. Theresa Nzekwu was a fine broadcaster then in Benin. No wonder the connection with the media, you even look more a media personality than a medical expert.
“First, I want to commend you for establishing Bridge Radio in Anioma land, not minding the profit it would have generated for you in other bigger cities. This initiative and patriotism have given us the opportunity of magnifying our voices on issues of societal concerns. Secondly, this station has created employment for our children in the media. This is highly commendable.
“The bane of the blackman is structure. At some points in life, we should put structures in place and remember home for the good of humanity. You have done noble by investing in your place and providing opportunity for our young ones to showcase themselves and excel in their trade. May God Almighty and our Great Ancestors continue to guide, protect and give you more opportunities to do more for humanity”, Omu Anioma said.
As usual of the highly cerebral Omu Anioma, she took her visitor through the historical backgrounds of Omu Institution and other contemporary issues bordering on Anioma.
With excitement, the Ibusa born founder of the Bridge Radio, Dr Henry Nzekwu appreciated Omu Anioma for her warm reception, candour and education provided with respect to Anioma history and the Omu Institution.
He commended Omu Dunkwu for the great work she is doing to promote the Anioma Culture, Omu Institution and all those things that are identifiable to Anioma, as an ethnic nationality in Nigeria.
According to him, “Your effort to unite all our people through our unique culture can never be a waste; because the combination of this understanding will help to edify our existence. It’s a herculean task trying to bring everybody on track by what you have subscribed to with deep understanding; but I assure you that you have the enormous capacity to do what you are doing. And that is why God has given you the Knowledge, wisdom, sound mind and wherewithal to continue to advance anything Anioma.
“I am highly enriched. Permit me to say that you are an impeccable mother; your uncommon qualities are worthy of emulation by any woman who subscribes to societal growth by values.
“Let me inform you our mother that we saw way ahead, the need to think home and support the development of our place. We were born in Benin, raised in Benin and schooled in places like Warri and Ibadan. The desire to regularly connect home brought about the initiative of founding Bridge Radio in Asaba.
“It was not intended for money making but to bridge the information gap between our local people and those outside. The slogan which is “connecting many voices” is to showcase the beauty of our various local dialects and the need to nurture and organise our young ones into thinking positively, other than engaging in social vices that are drifting the current generation away from reality.
“I assure you ma, whatever I can do to support the growth, development and ingenuity of our people, I am ready to do. I am a child of merit; whatever I have become in life is as a result of dint of hardwork. I love what you are doing and it is my pleasure to contribute my quota. For this reason ma, Bridge Radio is yours, own it and do with it whatever you wish. We can’t have your calibre in the society, as a veteran in the media, and we will be looking for ways to properly organise the station. I will forever cherish this visit, and this is a promise that I now have a second home any time I am in Asaba”, posited Nzekwu.