Ibusa Pays Final Respect to Omu Augustina Nando, the late Omu of the community

By Emeka Esogbue

The final funeral rites of the last Omu of Ibusa, Omu Augustina Ogugua Nando was conducted in Ibusa yesterday being Eke day. The final rites of the funeral natively known as "Ife ilo" were conducted to give the late Omu who was popular for her discipline and knowledge of the Ibusa customs and tradition, the last respect culturally expected of an Omu in the community where culture is heavily cherished.

Omu Nando was the last Omu of Ibusa whose reign ended the more than 400 years of the traditional institution of the Anioma people in the community. Since then, the community has been struggling to rebirth the foremost traditional female institution which gave women in the community and Anioma as a whole, a true sense of belonging. The institution once acted as a voice for the womenfolk and as a check on societal excesses. For instance, the Omu of Ibusa is empowered to attend the Izu Ani Igbuzo where voices of women are heard on the platform of the institution.

Although the Omu position is traditionally and officially listed in Obuzo-in-Council the bearer is not physically present to play her role as the position has remained vacant for years now.

Only recently, there has been a clamour for Omu rebirth in parts of Anioma where the institution has become lost and the Ibusa community was not left out. The wind of renaissance began to blow through several Anioma communities about six years ago when Pen Master (this author) published the book, "A Short History of Omu." Nevertheless, no one has worked as hard as HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Okpanam/Anioma whose efforts saw through several communities regaining their Omuship.

Omu Esther Obiogwa was crowned the Omu of Ugbolu but it is Omu Barr. Queensly Uzoka, Omu of Obomkpa who is Anioma's most recent Omu. 20 years ago, there were just 5 Omus in five different communities but today, they are 15.

The Omu institution has also seen a bit of cultural dynamism, a mild departure from what was once known of it. From the institution of aged women who seated in market places, it is today, a glory of an institution with dynamic occupants that are learned and professionally trained to meet current societal exigencies, expected of the institution and to drive other forms of advancement for the people of the community, mostly women affairs.

Many thanks to everyone that contributed to the return of the institution including Issele-Uku-born journalist, Patrick Nweike Ochei, publisher of Anioma Trust Newspapers, the late Prof Nwanze, Prof Michael Onwujeogwu, and others.

With the wind of clamour now climatically blowing through the Ibusa socio-cultural environment with yearning voices, more and more indigenes have joined the clamour for the return of the female traditional institution seen as a vehicle for women change, socio-cultural affairs, and development which once accorded the community cultural splendour. Cultural observers in the community have said that with the Omu absence, Ibusa, located about 6 miles from Asaba, the state capital is denied a place in reputable socio-political gatherings that require the presence of women.

The completion of the burial rites of Omu Augustina Ogugua Nando of Umuwai in Umueze of the community, described as "the end of an era" by one undisclosed source is not unconnected with the Ibusa people's preparations towards returning the institutions to the community.

"Today's ife Ilo rites" are the end," the sources stated.

Recall that Pen Master had some few weeks ago reported that the community was making frantic arrangements to rejoin Asaba, Okpanam, Issele-Uku, Akwukwu-Igbo, Onicha-Olona, Obomkpa, and other big Anioma communities belonging to the league of Omu owners. If everything goes as planned, the people will rejoice in their own Omu.

See video of ife Ilo rites

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