Emeka Esogbue

 Happy Posthumous Birthday to a Pioneer: Chief Mrs. Elizabeth Njideaka Today, the people of Ibusa celebrate the life and legacy of Chief Mrs. Elizabeth Njideaka, a renowned educationist from our Ibusa, Delta State. Born on June 28, 1939, she left an indelible mark on Nigeria's educational space. As a philanthropist and advocate for education, she believed in empowering Nigerians through knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. In 1970, ten years after Nigeria's independence, Chief Mrs. Njideaka founded the Santa Maria School in Lagos, followed with multiple branches thereafter. Her vision for education as a key to unlocking opportunities and freedom engendered support with Oprah Winfrey's words: "Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom." Through her schools, she opened doors to job prospects, career advancement, and higher earning potential for countless Nigerians. Beyond education, Chief Mrs. Njideaka's philanthropi...

 Early Excellence: 9 Prominent Ibusa Personalities Who Achieved Greatness in their Youth Compiled By Emeka Esogbue This compendium speaks of the impressive accomplishments and significant contributions of individuals from Ibusa in Delta State, Nigeria, who achieved greatness at a relatively young age. *1. Prof Pat Utomi* Born in February 1956, Prof Pat Utomi became the youngest Ibusa indigene to hold the position of Special Assistant to the President at age 26 in 1982. He was appointed by former President Shehu Shagari and still holds this record. *2. Chikadibia Ofili* At just 12 years old, Chikadibia Ofili discovered a new mathematical formula, making global headlines and earning him the tag of the youngest mathematics scholar. *3. Prof Buchi Emecheta* Born in 1944, Prof Buchi Emecheta received global critical attention for her book "Second Class Citizens" at age 30. She went on to write several other notable books, including "Bride Price" and "The Joys of Mot...

  Dear Ibusa, Time to Think Community-Based Tourism Initiative (CBT) By Emeka Esogbue Since 2008, I have been in the advocacy of the establishment of tourism in Ibusa community using the Okpuzu Waterfall as a potential site for the initiative expecting that the Ibusa Community Development Union Worldwide (ICDU) would stay in the forefront in conjunction with the government at the state and local government levels to advance the cause. The community has the human resource capital to purse the initiative and the Ibusa Community Development Union Worldwide has the potential to rally around the people to plan the project. However, this only happens in the community where peace and unity exist with other necessary factors in place to make it a possibility. There must be development such that even in the absence of government support in the community, the Ibusa people should rally to strive to develop their town. One common feature noticeable in Ibusa is the tendency to develop b...

  Revisiting the Anioma Traditional Rulers Rejection of their Relocation to the East Central Region: History as a Repetition -        Emeka Esogbue Not many know that in history, the present Niger State, one of the nation’s 36 states in the North Central part of the country was originally intended for the Anioma people of Nigeria. In 1975, there was an agitation for the creation of more states in the country and a group started a rigorous campaign in which they sought to relocate the Anioma people from their Midwestern Region to the East Central to share a geographical space with other Igbo-speaking people but the Anioma traditional rulers rejected their relocation as well as a share of state with people who are not Anioma of the present Delta State. It was a firm decision taken by Anioma traditional rulers which eventually dissuaded the then Head of State, His Excellency Gen Yakubu Gowon from uniting the Anioma people with the Igbos of today’s S...