Emeka Esogbue

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Emeka Esogbue: Historian, Journalist, and Voice of Anioma Culture

Emeka Esogbue: Historian, Journalist, and Voice of Anioma Culture By Roseline Uche Iwendi Chukwuemeka Jerry Esogbue, widely recognized as “The Pen Master,” is a Nigerian historian, researcher, journalist, research editor, and cultural advocate whose work has contributed significantly to the documentation and preservation of Anioma history and cultural heritage. Born on June 6, 1970, in Ibusa (Igbuzo), Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, Esogbue has devoted decades to researching and documenting the history, identity, traditions, and experiences of the Anioma people. Bridging Oral Tradition and Written History One of the defining features of Esogbue’s work is his effort to bridge the gap between oral tradition and documented history. His research explores a wide range of subjects, including Anioma and Igbo origins, migrations, colonial encounters, traditional institutions, diplomacy, cultural practices, and the biographies of notable individuals. His approach is di...

ANIOMA WATCH TAKES MATERNAL CARE OUTREACH TO AMAI, AS EVANGELIST DORIS ABOH, HON. GABRIEL OSEH JOIN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

ANIOMA WATCH TAKES MATERNAL CARE OUTREACH TO AMAI, AS EVANGELIST DORIS ABOH, HON. GABRIEL OSEH JOIN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT By Emeka Esogbue The Anioma Watch Association has taken its five-day maternal and child healthcare outreach to Amai in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, providing new-life starter packs and health education to expectant mothers at the community’s Primary Health Centre. The outreach, held on Friday, brought together expectant mothers, healthcare workers, community representatives and members of the Anioma Watch Association, with prominent Amai personalities, including Evangelist Doris Aboh and Hon. Gabriel Oseh, among those who graced the event. The programme commenced with an opening prayer by Miss Joy Ozeh, followed by the introduction of the Anioma Watch team by the association’s President, Engr. Abela Emuebie Ihienkaegho. Welcoming the delegation, the Matron of the Primary Health Care Centre, Amai, Mrs. Benedicta Egwuenu, expressed delight o...

Anioma Watch Extends Maternal Support to Expectant Mothers in Onicha-Olona

Anioma Watch Extends Maternal Support to Expectant Mothers in Onicha-Olona By Emeka Esogbue The Anioma Watch Association has extended its community-based maternal support initiative to Onicha-Olo na, Delta State, with the distribution of maternal starter packs to expectant mothers at the Onicha-Olona Primary Health Centre. The outreach, which brought together expectant mothers and community leaders, was designed to provide essential items to women preparing for childbirth and the early care of their newborns. The initiative underscores Anioma Watch’s commitment to promoting maternal and child wellbeing and supporting families within Anioma communities. The programme commenced early in the morning, with expectant mothers arriving at the health centre from about 7:00 a.m. The Matron of the facility, Mrs. Okoh Ewere, welcomed the Anioma Watch delegation and expressed appreciation to the association for selecting the health centre as a beneficiary of the intervention. Welcoming the An...

Evangelist Doris Aboh Named Special Guest of Honour for Anioma Watch Maternal Care Outreach in Amai

Evangelist Doris Aboh Named Special Guest of Honour for Anioma Watch Maternal Care Outreach in Amai By Emeka Esogbue Evangelist Doris Aboh, a prominent indigene of Amai Kingdom and Nigerian Christian evangelist, has been named Special Guest of Honour for the Anioma Watch Association’s maternal care and antenatal outreach programme in Amai, Delta State. The announcement was contained in a statement made available in Asaba by the President of Anioma Watch Association, Chief Abela Emuebie Ihienkaeghor, alongside other prominent community leaders involved in the initiative. The Anioma Watch Association, a registered socio-cultural organisation representing Anioma people at home and in the Diaspora, is currently implementing a maternal care programme aimed at supporting expectant mothers across selected Anioma communities. Aboh’s appointment adds a notable community dimension to the Amai leg of the programme, as she is expected to attend the outreach and support the Association’s effor...

Pilgrim Baptist Hospital Trustees Applaud Anioma Watch for Maternal Care Outreach in Issele-Uku

Pilgrim Baptist Hospital Trustees Applaud Anioma Watch for Maternal Care Outreach in Issele-Uku By Peter Oshagwu The Board of Trustees of Pilgrim Baptist Hospital, Issele-Uku, has commended the Anioma Watch Association for presenting mother-and-child starter packs to expectant women in the community as part of its ongoing antenatal outreach programme. The initiative, held on Tuesday at the hospital, provided essential new-life care items to expectant mothers and marked the second community to benefit from the organisation’s latest outreach programme. The Anioma Watch team, led by members of its Board of Trustees, had on Monday visited Ibusa, where expectant women from different ethnic and religious backgrounds also received similar support. The Issele-Uku event opened with a prayer led by the Moderator of Pilgrim Baptist Hospital, Rev. Gabriel Ojji Okpala. Rev. Samuel Ugbaja, who welcomed the Anioma Watch delegation, provided an overview of the institution and introduced members o...

The Rare Picture of HRH Justina Okuakeleke Ntorka, the Last Omu of Onicha-Olona

The Rare Picture of HRH Justina Okuakeleke Ntorka, the Last Omu of Onicha-Olona From the Pen Master Archives Here is a rare picture of HRH Justina Okuakeleke Ntorka, the last Omu of Onicha-Olona, a woman whose name remains etched in the history and memory of the community. Born Justina Monyei, she ceased to be known by that name following her coronation as the Omu of Onicha-Olona, assuming the royal identity and responsibilities that came with the revered stool. Historically, Omu Ntorka succeeded HRH Ada Ifesimehone Amambiwemdi-Okoh, one of the most remembered Omus in the modern history of Onicha-Olona. Born in 1906 at Idumugbe, Ogbe-Obi, Omu Amambiwemdi-Okoh occupies a special place in the community's history, particularly for the role attributed to her during the Nigerian Civil War, an episode preserved not only in historical accounts but also in the enduring oral traditions and legends of the people. With the planned installation of Cynthia Nwamaka Jibunoh, the recent history o...

Expectant Mothers in Ibusa Receive Essential Newborn Care Packs from Anioma Watch Association

Expectant Mothers in Ibusa Receive Essential Newborn Care Packs from Anioma Watch Association By Peter Oshagwu Nearly 100 expectant mothers at the Ibusa Primary Health Care Centre, opposite St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, on Monday received essential mother-and-baby care packs donated by the Anioma Watch Association as part of its antenatal outreach programme. The initiative, which brought excitement to the beneficiaries, was designed to support expectant mothers with basic supplies ahead of childbirth and promote responsible motherhood in the Ibusa community. The event, which commenced at 11:00 a.m. with an opening prayer led by Miss Joy Ozeh, featured the introduction of members of the Anioma Watch Association, led by its President, Engr. Abela Emuebie. Welcoming participants, the Chairman of the association’s Board of Trustees, Emeka Esogbue, explained that the New Life Care Pack was conceived to provide practical support to mothers preparing for childbirth. Esogbue expressed ...

Omu Josephine Urges Ibusa Expectant Mothers to Raise Responsible Children

Omu Josephine Urges Ibusa Expectant Mothers to Raise Responsible Children By Emeka Esogbue The Omu of Ibusa, HRH Obi Josephine Isioma Nwannabuogwu, has urged expectant mothers in the community to embrace the responsibility of raising children who will grow into responsible, productive and valuable members of Ibusa society. Obi Josephine made the call while serving as Special Guest of Honour at an antenatal outreach programme organised by the Anioma Watch Association, a registered socio-cultural organisation of Anioma people, in Ibusa. Speaking to the expectant mothers, the Omu acknowledged the biological and physical challenges that accompany pregnancy, noting that such changes are normal aspects of the journey to motherhood. She, however, stressed the importance of proper upbringing, training and guidance in shaping children into responsible members of society. She encouraged the women to see motherhood as a major responsibility and to prepare themselves for the task of nurturing...

Pen Master Unveils Photos of Cynthia Nwamaka Jibunoh, Set to Emerge as New Omu of Onicha-Olona

Pen Master Unveils Photos of Cynthia Nwamaka Jibunoh, Set to Emerge as New Omu of Onicha-Olona For the first time, Pen Master is unveiling photographs of Cynthia Nwamaka Jibunoh, the woman widely favoured to succeed the late Omu Ntoka, the former Omu of Onicha-Olona, and assume the revered traditional leadership position of the community’s female institution. The development follows recent efforts by the Onicha-Olona community to revive its female traditional institution after a six-year interregnum. In the course of the process, Cynthia Nwamaka Jibunoh, an indigene of Idumu-Ozolumuna in the Ogbe-Obi axis of Onicha-Olona, has emerged as the leading candidate for the prestigious position. Her anticipated emergence is significant, as the installation will restore continuity to an institution that has remained without an Omu for six years. If installed as expected, Jibunoh will become the latest Omu in the Anioma region, further underscoring the cultural importance of the occasion. P...