Emeka Esogbue

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My Father Did His Best to Document Onicha-Olona History and I Have Taken Over, Felix Nwabuokei, Historical Researcher and SWADAA Regional Commander – Part One

My Father Did His Best to Document Onicha-Olona History and I Have Taken Over, Felix Nwabuokei, Historical Researcher and SWADAA Regional Commander – Part One Rev Felix Ifeanyi Nwabuokei is a historical researcher, clergy and Regional Commander of the Social Watch Anti-Drug Abuse Advocacy (SWADAA). Nwabuokei has remained in the forefront of the documentation of his people’s history and has been heavily relied on by other researchers. Recently, he authored the book, “A Historical Account on Onicha-Olona Kingdom,” now one of the widely sought-after books in the community. In this interview with media personality, EMEKA ESOGBUE (PEN MASTER), Rev Felix Nwabuokei tells readers the history and origin of Onicha-Olona settlement with names of the founders, why the community is of Ezechime Clan even though it did not originate from the Ezechime ancestry, and why the people of the community have hardly documented the community’s history in books. Nwabuokei further explains the reasons behin...

Oshue Agbambu, the Forgotten Ibusa Symbol of Colonial Struggle

Oshue Agbambu, the Forgotten Ibusa Symbol of Colonial Struggle By Emeka Esogbue Oshue Agbambu is a name deeply intertwined with the colonial history of Anioma, yet it is one that remains largely overlooked by many, particularly in his place of birth, Ibusa. Agbambu, a formidable leader of the Ibusa Ekumeku resistance, stands as one of the most widely reported figures in the history of Anioma’s resistance against British colonialism. The Agbambu family of Ogboli is arguably the most frequently mentioned in Anioma colonial history and more widely documented in Ekumeku accounts, given the pivotal role they played in the region’s early military conflicts. Agbambu’s story is deeply embedded in the first major military clash between the Anioma people and the British forces. When the Royal Niger Company sought to extend its trade empire into Ibusa, the people resisted vehemently. This resistance began with the refusal of Ibusa's chiefs and elders to accept the introduction of Chris...

An Interview with Felix Ifeanyi Nwabuokei of Onicha-Olona

Coming Soon! An Interview with Felix Ifeanyi Nwabuokei of Onicha-Olona Pen Master has a way interviewing them after they publish a book on Anioma history. In 2025, Ifenna Azomani of the Issele-Uku Kingdom published the book, The History of Ogboli Community in Issele-Uku, and he was interviewed. The year 2026 is beginning with Felix Nwabuokei, a renowned Onicha-Olona historical researcher who jas published the book, A Historical Account of Onicha-Olona. Upon learning of this book, Pen Master immediately arranged an interview with him. In this conversation, Nwabuokei demonstrates exceptional knowledge of Onicha-Olona, the hometown of military legend Col. Conrad Nwawo, Nigerian beauty queen Rosemary Anieze, and international reggae star Ras Kimono, among other notable figures. What to Expect: Nwabuokei provides a detailed account of Onicha-Olona's foundation and discusses the community's migration history. He explains why the community belongs to the Ezechime Clan but is not Ez...

Anioma People Have the Power of Resistance

Among Nigeria’s ethnicities, none possess a spirit of resistance as formidable as the Anioma people - Enuani, Ika and Ndokwa. Though they may appear modest in number or varied in origin, their capacity for defiance is unparalleled. History bears this out: in Ekumeku, the British colonial forces famously felt the weight of this resolve, eventually fleeing Asaba to establish Calabar as their Royal Niger Company headquarters. Proud and unyielding, the Anioma cannot be subsumed; they possess a unique ability to unite and defend their core ideological beliefs against any odds. Hence, "Ndi Anioma adia kwe ekwe." - Emeka Esogbue

Ibusa Community Leader, Austin Ukete, Honoured by Pioneer Club

Ibusa Community Leader, Austin Ukete, Honoured by Pioneer Club By Emeka Esogbue A prominent Ibusa community leader and former President of the Pioneer Club of Ibusa, Onowu Austin Ukete, has been honoured for his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the club and the wider Ibusa community. The honour was conferred during the ceremony marking the installation of Mrs. Rosemary Moji Ikolodo, Managing Director of Patovilki Industrial Cleaners, as National Matron of the Pioneer Club of Ibusa. The event, held in Lagos on Sunday, attracted distinguished guests from within and outside the Ibusa community. Presenting the award, the Guest of Honour, Prof. Hope Oghenerukevbe Eghagha, described Ukete as “a man whose commitment to community service speaks louder than words.” “Onowu Austin Ukete has consistently demonstrated selfless service and integrity,” Prof. Eghagha said. “The Pioneer Club of Ibusa has benefited immensely from his leadership, vision, and dedication over...

Patovilki Chief, Rosemary Ikolodo, Named National Matron of Pioneer Club of Ibusa

Patovilki Chief, Rosemary Ikolodo, Named National Matron of Pioneer Club of Ibusa By Emeka Esogbue The Managing Director of Patovilki Industrial Planners Limited, Mrs. Rosemary Moji Ikolodo, was on Sunday conferred with the title of National Matron of the Pioneer Club of Ibusa. The colourful ceremony, held at her Uwolo Ibusa House residence in Lagos, attracted notable dignitaries from within and outside the Ibusa community. The event commenced with the rendition of the Pioneer Club anthem by members, after which a kola nut was presented to the Guest of Honour, Prof. Hope Oghenerukevbe Eghagha, a distinguished playwright and poet, for the traditional breaking. Prof. Eghagha, an Urhobo public servant, symbolically wedged the kola nut with the sum of ₦50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) and passed it to Onowu Ojiso Modebe, the eldest man present, who performed the traditional breaking rites. In his opening remarks, Prof. Eghagha welcomed guests and expressed his honour at being part of the...

Godfrey Osakwe, NIPR Delta Chairman’s Mother-in-Law Laid to Rest in Onicha-Ugbo

Godfrey Osakwe, NIPR Delta Chairman’s Mother-in-Law Laid to Rest in Onicha-Ugbo By Emeka Esogbue The Onicha-Ugbo community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State was enveloped in deep emotion on Friday as the remains of Mrs. Cecilia Ndidibuokwuenu Osemeke (née Osakwe) were laid to rest amid tributes, prayers, and an outpouring of love from family members, friends, and well-wishers. The requiem Mass was held at All Saints Catholic Church, Onicha-Ugbo. The Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Malachy Okonkwo, who officiated the mass, in his homily, urged the congregation to reflect on a life well spent, emphasizing the virtues of kindness, love and service to humanity, qualities many described as hallmarks of the late matriarch’s life. Mrs. Osemeke was fondly remembered as a strong woman whose life of compassion and selflessness left an indelible mark on her family and the wider community. Mourners from far and near gathered to pay their final respects to the nonagenarian, whose l...

When History Becomes a Tool of Division in Nigeria

When History Becomes a Tool of Division in Nigeria One striking feature of Nigerian public discourse is its fixation on the past. While many societies focus on the future, debating proposals, policies, agendas, and forecasts, Nigerian conversations are often dominated by historical grievances. Discussions frequently return to Lord Lugard’s amalgamation, the civil war, the Zik–Awo rivalry, claims of ethnic superiority, or ancient inter-tribal conflicts. At times, one might think Nigeria is the only country ever amalgamated or the only nation to have experienced a civil war. Curiously, almost every Nigerian becomes an ethnic or tribal historian, including those who would never have deemed history valuable enough to study formally. Yet this selective engagement with history is rarely aimed at understanding or reconciliation; instead, it is often used as a tool for division and mutual suspicion. In this sense, history in Nigeria is frequently deployed not to build, but to fragment....

Enuani Identity: Understanding Aniocha and Oshimili in Context

Enuani Identity: Understanding Aniocha and Oshimili in Context By Emeka Esogbue Abstract This paper examines the meanings, origins, and proper usage of the terms Enuani, Aniocha, and Oshimili within the Anioma area of present-day Delta State, Nigeria. Drawing on oral traditions, communal memory, geographical analysis, and selected historical sources, it argues that Enuani rather than Aniocha-Oshimili constitutes the authentic collective cultural identity of the people occupying the Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili North, and Oshimili South local government areas. The study demonstrates that Aniocha and Oshimili emerged primarily as administrative designations whose boundaries and meanings have shifted over time due to colonial and post-colonial governance structures. In contrast, Enuani predates these administrative frameworks and derives from the region’s upland geography, serving as a stable marker of peoplehood rooted in land, settlement patterns, and oral historical cons...