Emeka Esogbue

 A PERSONALITY PROFILE OF ONOWU FRANK OBODOECHINA, AN IBUSA FIGURE IN THE DIASPORA  As the year, 2022 gradually comes to an end, one cannot but think prominently of Onowu Frank Obobodoechina, an Ibusa figure based in Canada.  Onowu Frank Obodoechina tended to be a great mobilizer in the name of the Ibusa community, speaking to nearly every son and daughter that he found in Canada and converging them in the name of the community. Perhaps, nowhere did the typical traditional songs of the community especially Ogbogu Okonji blare out from the loudspeakers than in the major cities of Canada.  Gifted in the communal ability to gather people, Onowu Frank Obodoechina makes the Ibusa people in the Diaspora to be very proud of where they are coming from. The Ibusa community is just lucky to have him.  A few weeks ago, PEN MASTER listed him among the 11 people that touched Ibusa in 2022, and a group of Ibusa readers, youngsters, requested that Onowu Frank Obodoechina be spotlighted for better und

 Punish Hoarders of Petroleum Products, Frank Ofili Advises FG  - Emeka Esogbue In the face of frequent impasses in the nation's petroleum sector, renowned Public Affairs Analyst, Frank Ofili, has advised the Federal Government to criminalize the hoarding of petroleum products by petrol station owners in the country.  Ofili considers it wickedness and economic sabotage and calls on the Government to compel offenders to suffer for the crime and face disciplinary action for the act.  He wondered why Nigerian petrol station owners engage in the act to punish consumers.  "You own a gasoline station, you have stock, and you sell at N280 per liter,  which is high enough. Yet, you choose to hoard it just so that you create the impression of scarcity, and needlessly drive people to desperation. All in a bid to further jack up your price, he queried." The Public Affairs Analyst from Illah community further believes the practice is severe in his home state when he noted, "ther

 Newly Promoted Major Gen Ochei Pays Omu Anioma a Surprise Visit, Receives Royal Blessings from the Queen Mother - Emeka Esogbue  The love and unity now culturally sweeping through the region of Anioma in Delta State, continued unabated as newly promoted Major General Raymond Nkemakonam Ochei paid HRM Obi Dr. Matha Dunkwu, the Omu of Anioma, a surprise visit in her Okpanam Palace on Tuesday.   The Onicha-Olona illustrious son from Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State who was recently decorated in Abuja, was in the palace of the Omu in a surprise visit to brief the Omu of his promotion by the Nigerian Army and to also thank her for her prayers for progressive Anioma sons and daughters.  One of the domestic staff of the Queen Mother who spoke to PEN MASTER after the General's visit said, "imagine the surprise of the Omu of Anioma on learning of the visit of the General who was on a friendly visit with his aides to pay homage to the Omu as we, the Anioma people resp

PEN MASTER'S 11 PEOPLE THAT TOUCHED IBUSA IN 2022  Like everything else that has a beginning, the year 2022 is gradually rolling to an end. However, some people made the community tick and enjoyable.  This compendium is in no particular order.  1. HON INNOCENT Esewezie: Esewezie took the year to warm himself into the hearts of the people as perhaps, the LG Chairman with the most verifiable projects for the community. Hardly will anyone think of any particular sector ranging from health, security, road construction, peace initiatives, etc that he did touch. Hon Esewezie was just himself Igbuzo in 2022 and everyone can attest to it.   2. PAT ADIGWE: Adigwe was phenomenal with philanthropies that added to the human beauty of the community. It was not only about philanthropies as Adigwe delved into reportage to unravel the true situations of some of the events that happened in the community. With Pat Adigwe, the Ibusa people heard directly from the horse's mouths and reached conclu

 Huxley Unumadu, Izomo of Umuebu Wins the King of Tradition award - Dedicates Award to Gov Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State for Effective Leadership and Transformation By Emeka Esogbue  They say honour and good works do not go unrecognized as they breed value and respect and this is seen in Ugoesa Huxley Adiniebo Unumadu who was recently honoured in far-away Garden City, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.  There seems no end of glorious awards and honours for the Izomo of Umuebu Kingdom in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State. To those who know him closely well, Ugoesa Huxley Unumadu, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Tourism and Culture is everything, the culture, and tradition of the Anioma nation, traveling to cart home nearly every available award from corporate bodies, the media, and government agencies around Africa.  In the present Delta State administration, the Izomo is not only seen to have justified his portfolio but has taken the ric

 Igbuzo Singles, Meet in Lagos: See Pictures of the Association's End-of-Year Party  Clade in white on blue, the singles of Ibusa community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State met today in Lagos under the social auspices of Igbuzo Singles Meet, Lagos Branch.  Singles of Igbuzo extraction from various parts of Lagos and Ogun State, supported by the friends of the Association, some of who were Yoruba neighbours started to arrive at the Isolo venue as early as noon today, in an event that shook the state.  The youths of Ibusa played, danced, feasted, and listened to the marriage of experiences of Mrs. Florence Agoh, the Lagos Matron of the Association, and Mrs. Nneka Edith Obiechie, founder of Betta People of Oshimili North told the youths that marriage can be sweet and bitter depending on the intention of the drivers being the couple. She advised the singles to choose their spouses wisely. In the same vein, Mrs. Florence Obi Agoh who narrated the story of the succe

 I AM HAPPY WITH LAURETTA ONOCHIE'S NDDC NOMINATION, CHUKS OKONJI - Emeka Esogbue Prominent Ibusa politician and philanthropist, Sir Dr. Chuks Okonji has expressed satisfaction with the nomination of Buhari's Aide on New Media, Madam Lauretta Onochie as substantive Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Reacting to the announcement made yesterday on Madam Onochie's nomination and the letter read during the plenary session of the Senate, Sir Dr. Chuks Okonji said he was happy that President Muhammadu Buhari looked the way of Madam Onochie to head the NDDC Board.  Chuks Okonji who is contesting for Delta State House of Assembly under the platform of APM said that the Buhari Government made a good choice in the Media Aide.  "The position befits her and we only owe her the prayers and good wishes to succeed in the office," he said." "I pray to the Almighty God to imbue her with the knowledge and understanding and also the grace to lead th

  Our Anioma Youths Should Seek God and Pursue their Dreams -        Mobile Photographer and Public Speaker, Onyeka Odega-Okolie   The Pen Master caught up with young Onyeka Odega-Okolie, the Anioma-born mobile photographer, public speaker and accounting student of the Yaba College of Technology from the Ugboba community. In this interview with PEN MASTER (EMEKA ESOGBUE), the Onyeka Odega-Okolie who is also a content creator and professional picture editor talks about growing up, the financial potency of creativity and why she thinks youths should be innovative. Excerpts.       Pen Master: Onyeka Odega, it feels good to meet you, young and beautiful in all and as I also see, brilliant. Please, can you tell our readers more about yourself?   Odega-Okolie: (Laughing) Yes, thank you very much, Pen Master. I am Onyeka Victory Odega-Okolie and I hail from Ugbogba community of Anioma in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. I am a young female student currently st

 Innocent Esewezie, Bigger than Local Government Chairmanship Position - Emeka Esogbue Accolades are pouring in for Hon Innocent Ifeanyichukwu Esewezie, the Executive Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State following his display of massive delivery on his mandate to his constituency.  PEN MASTER can report that since voted into office, the Council Chairman has carried out people-oriented projects that have re-situated the Council with its people. However, the achievements of the Council Boss within a few periods in office have not gone unnoticed.  Reacting to a publication made in Anioma Watch, an online community forum of the Anioma people, by McDonald Ofili Ashinze, Awele Oranye, a Media Consultant singled out the PDP Council Boss when he wrote, "This is the only PDP man I can trust. Oshimili North enjoy while we wait for him to go for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency or Delta North." Accompanying comments from other members were torrential but

 Ndudi Elumelu Includes Omu Anioma's Palace in His Constituency Project - Omu Anioma Reacts to Constituency Favour By Emeka Esogbue Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has commenced the construction of the palace of HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Okpanam/Anioma as part of his constituency projects.  PEN MASTER can authoritatively reveal that the new Omu Anioma Palace under construction is a 6-bedroom flat.  To let you into this awaited exotic official residence of the Omu, it contains (Upstairs), four bedrooms, each with a toilet and bath, a lounge, a library, and a sit-out. (Downstairs), contains, two bedrooms, each with a toilet and bath, two parlours, a kitchen, laundry, dinner, pantry, visitors toilet, etc.  Hon Elumelu has remembered the Omu institution of the Anioma people and is doing what no government official ever thought of. In the male-dominated society of the country, rarely do occupiers of the prestigious traditional institut

 I WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH OKPANAM YOUTHS, CHUKS OKONJI, DELTA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FAVOURITE ASSURES OMU ANIOMA ON HER 67TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY - By Emeka Esogbue The Delta State House of Assembly favourite in the forthcoming election, Sir Dr. Chuks Okonji has sent his congratulatory message to HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Okpanam/Anioma. The APM Delta State House of Assembly hopeful is delighted that within her period of Omuship of Okpanam and Anioma, the Okpanam has made so much impact on the traditional institution of Anioma. The Omu is a rare gift to the women folk, he said.  "It is a thing of happiness that not only has the Omu united the Anioma women using Omuship as an umbrella but has given women a voice." "Seriously, Omu Dunkwu has made women partners in the socio-cultural task of the Anioma society." "Getting the likes of Omu Dunkwu is not to be easily expected in every generation. This makes her likes rare to find in any society." "N

 OMU JOSEPHINE NWANNABUOGWU VISITS OMU ANIOMA ON HER BIRTHDAY  - Emeka Esogbue The socio-cultural relationship between the people of Ibusa and Okpanam, two sisterly communities in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State was boosted with the historic visit of HRH Obi Josephine Nwannabuogwu, the Omu of Ibusa to HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Okpanam/Anioma on Wednesday.  It was the 67th birthday anniversary of HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Okpanam/Anioma in what was widely celebrated and Obi Nwannabuogwu's beautiful gesture was the historic visit to her Okpanam Palace which added glamour to the celebration of the Nne Oha on a day that the social media was also awash with felicitations for the Anioma Queen Mother.  Dressed in her usual Akwa-Ocha attire, supported with beads and a red cap to traditionally harmonize her attire, Omu Nwannabuogwu in the company of her Nzele Omu entourage was seen making her way to the Palace of the Omu of Anioma, one of the most

 Isi-Uzor Umuodafe Receives Pharm Joseph Okonma in a Grand Nkpobata Ceremony - Emeka Esogbue A few days after Onowu Joseph Adinlofu received the Umuodafe subjects of Ibusa as the Diokpa of the Quarter, the Isi-Uzor descendants, a part of the larger Umuodafe Quarters have also welcomed Pharm Joseph Okonma as the Diokpa of Isi-Uzo, Umuodafe, in a ceremony heavily and gracefully attended by the sons and daughters of the community.  Onowu Joseph Adinlofu on Saturday, October 15, 2022, joyously received his subjects of Umuodafe in a grand traditional ceremony called "inabata Umu" in the age-long tradition of his Ibusa people. The event, well-attended by dignitaries from Umuodafe and beyond was hailed as successful.  However, three days after, precisely, on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, Diokpa Joseph Okonma also joyously received the Isi-Uzor part of the Quarters in another ceremony typically called "Nkpobata."  The event, attended by indigenes had Diokpa Okonma, the celebra

 Chuks Okonji, Concerned About Nigerian Flood Victims - Sends His Sympathy to affected Oshimili North, Ndokwa, Oko, and Isoko Victims - Emeka Esogbue In a typical show of empathy, Sir Dr. Chuks Felix Okonji, the APM candidate for the Delta State House of Assembly has regretted the flood crisis in the country, especially in the communities of Delta State where he hails from. The APM candidate for the Delta State House of Assembly, in a recent interview with journalists in the state, said he was disturbed by the degree of destruction occasioned by the flood.  "I send my empathy to every single victim, troubled by the flood in the country, especially my Anioma kinsmen," Okonji said emphatically.  "With canals and other channels now opened up and IDP Camps taking over in places where the people are displaced, the Government is on top of the matter."  "My heart goes to our Oshimili North people, Oko communities, and Ukwuani which are naturally lowland regions. I als

 Your Vote is Your Conscience: Do Not Sell Your Votes, APM Delta House of Assembly Candidate, Chuks Okonji, Advises Anioma Youths - Emeka Esogbue The Allied People's Movement's Delta State House of Assembly flag bearer in the 2023 election, Sir Dr. Chuks Felix Okonji has issued advice to Anioma youths, especially his Oshimili North constituency not to sell their votes to undeserving contestants. He made this call on Thursday while responding to the question themed "Building A Nation's Leadership: How to Manage the Voter's Conscience," a program organized by Nigerian Youths of Today. Making his contribution online, the APM Candidate described possession of voters cards as an assured hope.  He said that the hope for good leadership begins with the right to vote and the right to vote is ownership of a voters card.  "The time has come when our youths in Anioma and other places of the country cast their votes for deserving contestants." "The power to

  CONSTITIONAL PROBLEM: WHAT IS WRONG WITH NIGERIA’S 1999 CONSTITUTION? By Emeka Esogbue One Dictionary defines the constitution as a legal document which determines the fundamental principles of a government. In furtherance, the Dictionary of Oxford Languages defines the legal document as “a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.” It is noteworthy that a constitution which may either written or unwritten, is essential to the governance of any country. The 1999 constitution is the supreme law of Nigeria and was adopted on May 29, 1999. It is divided into 8 chapters and has 320 sections. Despite this, the Nigerian Constitution is claimed to be faulty by a number of people who continue to call for amendment or renewal as the case may be. It is very unfortunate that the cry for constitutional change in Nigeria has continued unabated and on the other hand, the change of constitution in

  Asaba Division Massacre: A Murtala Injustice Yet to be Recognized as a National Tragedy -        Emeka Esogbue It is 55 years since the series of massacres perpetuated in the defunct Asaba Division now the Anioma area. Today, nearly every Nigerian citizen, and Africans interested in conflict resolution has heard of the Asaba Massacre but it is not yet declared a national tragedy by the Federal Government of Nigeria. For this reason, it remains an irony still living with the Anioma people today. The Anioma people, found in Delta State of Nigeria today are a group of people that comprise the Aniocha, Oshimili, Ika and Ndokwa/Ukwuani. The region is known for its richness in human resources, producing some of the famous soldiers that fought on the sides of both Nigeria and Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War but majority of the brightest soldiers identified with Biafra. They include Major-General Alabi-Isama who fought on the side of Nigeria and reputed to be one of the brightest