ICDU CONFERENCE ENDS WITH FAR-REACHING PROSPECTS FOR IBUSA

*Ibusa agrees on the installation of Omu of Ibusa

*Calls for the dissolution of Oloa Omea

*Wants immediate constitution of Izu Igbuzo

*Commends the Ezeoba Peace Committee

Report by Emeka Esogbue (Pen Master)

Rising from its 2021 Annual Conference which held in the community on Saturday April 3 2021, the Ibusa Community Development Union Worldwide took some definite stance on the way forward for the Ibusa community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Several resolutions were contained in the communique signed by Dr. Austin Izagbo, the President-General, Mr. Frank Isioma Okafor, Vice-President, ICDU North-Central, Nigeria and Mr. Austin Nwulia, the General Secretary, NEC Worldwide; and also released after the conference, a copy of which Dr. Izagbo, the President-General of the Association personally delivered to this reporter.

Topping the agenda is the call for the installation of the Omu of Ibusa by the people of the community. The age-long traditional women institution has been absent in the community following the exit of Omu Major Nando, the last of the occupants who passed on more than a decade ago. Since then, the community has been unable to install one despite public advocacy, calling for the return of the revered institution also found in other important communities of Anioma including Asaba, the state capital and Okpanam, a community that shares same local government space with Ibusa among several others.

In spite of the report of near completion of rites by Josephine Isioma Nwannabuogwu, Ibusa has failed to revive the institution as nothing more has been heard from the community's appropriate quarters, raising general concern in the community regarding the fate of the institution.

Incessant disagreements, disunity, division and politicization in the community are some of the factors accountable for inability of the community to readily install traditional occupants in the community as recently seen in Odogwu and Omu, two important traditional positions.

It is however, hoped that the Saturday ICDU approval and push will swing the pendulum to the right direction within the next few weeks being a pan Ibusa Association committed to the development of the community.

The Conference commended Admiral Dele Ezeoba (Retd) headship of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, the efforts which are aimed at returning peace to the community. It also called for the dissolution of the Oloa Omea and constitution of the Obuzor-in-Council, immediate constitution of Izu Igbuzo (Parliament) and suspension of the Obuzor Proclamations, calling on the community's prescribed authority to pass such proclamations through the Ibusa traditional institutions where deemed necessary. The Conference had reasoned the necessity of such proclamations to pass through the dictates of the Delta State Government White Paper that set up the Obuzor Institution. This according to the Conference will allow further deliberations and necessary community buy-in.

Relatedly, the Conference frowned at the constitution of "Ogbe Gomenti" and moved for the dissolution:

"That the Ogbe Gomenti should be dissolved for the Ogbes to be run by the Diokpa as enshrined in the White Paper that establishes the Obuzor Institution".

The communique quoted Hon Innocent Esewezie, the Oshimili North Council Boss who called on ICDU to partner with the Council for the restructuring of Ashieke Plaza along Umejei Road and construction of a new ultra modern market and motor park for the community along the Ibusa By-Pass

In the security front, the communique drew the below attention:

"...Based on the request from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ibusa Ibusa Police Division for the community provision of a functional/operational patrol vehicle in aid of Police Operations in Igbuzo and NEC's request for conference approval for the release of one of the donated Toyota Sienna vehicles for the joint use of the ICP and the Police under the guidance of the management of ICDU Security Committee. Conference approved same and one of the Sienna vehicles was provided handed over to the DPO and the ICP at the Conference venue for that purpose".

The ICDU National Conference is attended by delegates and representatives of all the branches or chapters of the Union in Nigeria and in the Diaspora. It is also attended by traditional institutions, Ibusa clubs, societies and other stakeholders in the community. This year's edition happened inside the Lincoln Event Centre in Ogboli part of the community.

DIAMOND JUBILEE AGE: 20 THINGS THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT FRED AJUDUA

DIAMOND JUBILEE AGE: 20 THINGS THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT FRED AJUDUA On January 21 2020, Pen Master paid Chief Fred Ajudua a scheduled visit at his Lagos-VGC Marble Dome Home, a large and imposing house sitting on a hill from where it vigorously engages public views and attention. On entering the house, Pen Master freely walked in and around, in the spirit of the love that always binds the people of Igbuzo. The man, Chief Fred Ajudua often described as the “Architect of Modern Ibusa” is unarguably one of the biggest fish in history to have come out of Ibusa even as it is said that nearly every Ibusa family has benefited from him one way or the other. Beyond what you know about him, there seems many sides you do not know. As the Igbuzo Chief celebrates his 60 th Year birthday, your Pen Master brings you the things you do not know about the highly influential Igbuzo Chief. Pen Master also dug into the Ajudua family photo depository all for your knowledge. Happy reading!

A SHORT HISTORY OF OBOLLO CLAN IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

A SHORT HISTORY OF OBOLLO CLAN IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA By Emeka Esogbue Introduction Not many historical literatures on the Obollo people exist for the usual reasons associated with our people who prefer to write the history of mighty and populous peoples already enriched with volumes of historical accounts and records. Thus while there are historical documents on other peoples of Igbo, for Obollo, it is the story of dearth of documents. However, it is within my historical concern that the rich history of this part of Igboland be adequately researched into, documented and preserved for the future generation. I do not hail from this part of Igboland but my historical background, interest and curiosity propelled me towards the acquisition of both oral and written information to put this material together. Geography The various Obollo communities comprising of Obollo Afor, Obollo Etiti, Obollo Eke, Obollo Orie and Obollo Nkwo are strategically situated at the regional bou

SEE HOW ANIOMA PEOPLE DRESS ON THEIR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE THE ERA OF USING OUR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE TO PROMOTE ATTIRES OF OTHER GROUPS IN NIGERIA IS GONE

SEE HOW ANIOMA PEOPLE DRESS ON THEIR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE THE ERA OF USING OUR TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE TO PROMOTE ATTIRES OF OTHER GROUPS IN NIGERIA IS GONE Today is Saturday, conventionally set aside for marriage ceremonies. Awareness on how our Anioma brides and grooms attire themselves during their traditional marriage has fast spread and entrenched. We no longer promote other group's cultural attires because we want them to promote our own instead. I say many thanks to our Anioma cultural advocates on this day because our labours to preserve as well as promote the good cultures of our Anioma society have never been in vain. Noticeable now is that in time of our traditional marriages, we costume ourselves in Akwa-Ocha which brings out our god-given beauty. A few moments after her traditional marriage in Umuodafe, Ibusa on December 28, inside the Agokei palatial home, I visited former Miss Amaka Thelma Agokei, the bride. I was rather late; but I met this beautiful bride t

Emeka Esogbue

Search This Blog