Emeka Esogbue

 From Anioma to Igbo Heartland: Tracing the Cultural Diffusion of the Title Odogwu By Emeka Esogbue Today, the word Odogwu is widely recognized across Igboland as a title signifying greatness, influence, or exceptional status. However, very few people are aware that its earliest linguistic, cultural, and institutional roots lie in Anioma, particularly within the Enuani-speaking communities of present-day Delta State. In its original environment, Odogwu was not a casual praise name—it was a highly formalized title with a precise meaning tied to the military structure of the people. Originally, Odogwu functioned as a distinct war title in Anioma society and formed part of the region’s structured hierarchy of martial leadership. It was earned through exceptional service to the community, not granted for wealth, age, or social prominence. To be called Odogwu in ancient Anioma societies was to be acknowledged as a proven warrior, strategist, and defender of the people. Oral histories in...

 Farewell Jimmy Cliff: From Stage to Jail in Nigeria By Emeka Esogbue My father was not only a music enthusiast but also a devoted follower of James Chambers, popularly known as Jimmy Cliff. Born on July 30, 1944, in Somerton (Saint James Parish), Jamaica, Cliff was a reggae legend and an idol for many, including my father, Patrick Chukwudumebi Esogbue. Growing up, I developed a love for Jimmy Cliff alongside Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley), another Jamaican musical great. My curiosity for both musicians grew with my father’s passion for music. His Kenwood turntable, accompanied by two speakers standing side by side on a table, rarely operated without the voices of these reggae icons filling our home. In the evenings, it was almost always Bob Marley or Jimmy Cliff. While both were immensely appealing, Jimmy Cliff held a unique charm that resonated deeply with my father. Unlike today, Cliff rarely performed on stage, yet his music was powerful, soft but compelling, rich in storytel...

 A Day With Greg Enurah, President of the Ibusa Lagos Island Association (ILIA), and His Transformative Vision for Ibusa By Emeka Esogbue (Pen Master) On Wednesday, November 20, 2025, at exactly 10:00 a.m., I paid a scheduled visit to Mr. Greg Enurah in his Apapa office, Lagos. True to the warm spirit of Ibusa hospitality, he received me with openness and brotherliness. I had followed the activities of the Ibusa Lagos Island Association, its founders, its mission, and its much-anticipated end-of-year celebration and as someone committed to the progress of Ibusa affairs, I saw the need to bring this emerging association to the attention of our people, especially those residing in Lagos. For decades, kinship was the invisible cord that held Ibusa together. It was once common for two Ibusa indigenes meeting outside the homeland to instantly connect as though they were biological siblings. Our culture, shared identity, and sense of belonging made us one. Unfortunately, rising urban pre...

 The Traditionalists and the Modernists of Ibusa: Impacts on the Community’s Cultural Life By Emeka Esogbue Over the decades, the cultural life of Ibusa has transitioned steadily from deep-rooted tradition to a more modernized identity. To the present generation, many of these changes appear normal or inevitable, yet they carry significant implications for cultural continuity, self-identity, and heritage preservation. The first visible sign of this transformation lies in the evolution of the community’s name from Igbuzo to the Anglicized Ibusa, now the officially gazetted form. This shift is more than orthographic; it symbolizes the community’s encounter with colonial influence, administrative convenience, and a modern identity aligned with national and global communication systems. Yet many younger Ibusa indigenes remain unaware that the traditional dialect avoids the letter “r,” replacing it with “h,” making Igbuzo the authentic form, not Igbuzor. To the traditionalists, largely ...

A Glimpse into the Life of Gen. Godwin Alabi-Isama: An Anioma Patriot Shaped by War, Guided by Truth, and Devoted to Peace By Emeka Esogbue Few Nigerian military figures embody the paradox of war and peace as profoundly as Gen. Godwin Alabi-Isama (Retd.), an Anioma-born officer, historian, and patriot whose life bridges courage on the battlefield and truth in historical reflection. Born on December 24, 1940, in Ilorin, into a family of mixed Anioma and Yoruba heritage, the retired general rose to prominence during the Nigerian Civil War as Chief of Staff of the Third Marine Commando Division, where his tactical brilliance and unflinching discipline became legendary. Yet beyond the uniform, Alabi-Isama’s enduring legacy lies in his lifelong devotion to truth, peace, and the Anioma cause, values that later defined his service as President-General of Izu Anioma. He was born to Pa Alabi Isama of Ikilibi, Utagba-Unor (Ndokwa area of Anioma), who migrated to Ilorin, Kwara State, in search of...

 The Ibusa Age Grade System (Otu Ogbo): A Question for the Ibusa Traditional Institution By Emeka Esogbue The Otu Ogbo or Age Grade System in Ibusa is not only one of the oldest social organizations in the community but also a vital binding force among people within the same generational bracket. This indigenous system predates the colonial era and has served, for centuries, as a foundation of communal life and identity. Evolving from a deeply rooted traditional institution that once faced near abandonment, the Ibusa age grade system has transformed into a versatile organization that continues to serve social, economic, and moral purposes. Each ogbo fosters cooperation, unity, and mutual support among its members while contributing to the development of the larger community. In recent times, several age grades have distinguished themselves through remarkable initiatives. Ogbo Midwest, for instance, is recognized for its embrace of technology and for projecting Ibusa history and aff...

 Develop the Spirit to Forgive, Sindi Chigozie Tells Anioma Youths Sindi Mathias Chigozie is the President of Aniocha-Oshimili Students Association. Chigozie from Okpanam in Delta State bares his mind on issues of concern to the Association and youths of the Anioma region. Excerpts: Pen Master: It's nice to meet you. Please introduce yourself to our teeming readers. Chigozie: Pen Master, thank you very much for finding me worthy of this interview. My name is Sindi Mathias Chigozie, GCAOS, DSS. I am the President and Obi of Aniocha-Oshimili Students Association Nationwide. I am from Ogbeowele, in Obodogwugwu Quarters of Okpanam, a community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. I was born into the family of Ogbueshi Dr. Ngozi Nwabuoku and Ezinne Mrs. Stella Nwabuoku who is also from Okpanam. I was born into a family of six children. I always say thank you to my parents for the values they instilled in me which I treasure today. I am a Master's Degree Student of...

 A Walk Down Memory Lane with the Ibusa Pathfinder Newspaper (August 1993) By Emeka Esogbue (Pen Master) Courtesy of Mr. Fidel Iwugo, all the way from the United States of America, Pen Master recently received a copy of the celebrated Ibusa Pathfinder Newspaper, now long defunct. Published in August 1993, the news items and stories contained within are far more than interesting. They are treasures for historical minds, reviving old memories and reminding us of where our people have come from.  *Sit back as I take you down memory lane.*  One notable feature in the edition was titled “Who is Your Ibusa Person of the Year?” Close to it was another headline, “Ajudua Pay (sic) Obis Salaries,” which reported Chief Fred Ajudua’s magnanimous gesture of paying salaries to the Obis in Ibusa. Indeed, 1993 was the year of Chief Fred Ajudua, whose unmatched philanthropy touched nearly every aspect of community life. It would not be surprising if the Onwanetili Oha of Ibusa himself eme...

 Linguistic Note on How the British Anglicized “Igbuzo” to “Ibusa”: A Case of Colonial Mishearing and Orthographic Simplification By Emeka Esogbue By 1830, European contact with Anioma land had begun in earnest when the Lander Brothers, during their Niger expedition, reached Aboh and were captured. This marked one of the earliest recorded encounters between Anioma and the Europeans. As British influence expanded through exploration, trade, and later military campaigns, the Anioma region including Asaba, Aboh, Ogwashi-Uku, and Igbuzo (Ibusa) gradually came under their attention. The town of Igbuzo, located about six miles (some colonial documents say five) from Asaba, was a small, dusty settlement perched on a gentle elevation between Asaba and Ogwashi-Uku. By the late 19th century, British explorers, missionaries, and colonial officers, many of whom struggled with the nasal tones and consonant clusters of Igbo phonology, found “Igbuzo” difficult to pronounce. To their ears, the sou...