Emeka Esogbue

How I became the first Nigerian to hoist the Nigerian flag at the North Poles -Marathoner, Tuedon Morgan On April 9, 2015, British-born Nigerian marathoner, Tuedon Morgan popularly called ‘Tee Morgan’ by her admirers alongside 45 nationals of other countries participated in one of the world’s most challenging sporting competitions. It was the North Pole’s 2.62 mile race on frozen ice of the Arctic Ocean and on completing the race, she proudly hoisted the Nigerian Green-White-Green flag at the North poles thereby becoming the first Nigerian to run the race. This was despite the presence of pole bears and other wild animals, though protected by snipers. In this interview, the marathoner speaks with EMEKA ESOGBUE, Associate Editor of ANIOMA ESSENCE MAGAZINE on a number of issues. She opens up on her marathon experiences, neglect by the Nigerian government, her humble background and future plan for marathoners in the country. Excerpts.     Essence: Since the news re...

BOOK REVIEW Title: ‘The Road Once Taken’ Author: Gbudje Efe Blessing Publisher/Year of publication: Onileagbon’s Sight and Sound/2017 Reviewer: Emeka Esogbue This is an 80-page fictional book with the story-line particularly set in Libya, a North African country. It is beautifully divided into chapters that sums six in all, untitled though. Chapter one opens with the despondency of Linda, the protagonist, utterly crestfallen by the trials gifted her by fate. At this point, her mother, a petty trader whose shop is not far off from their home, tries to hearten her but she is too downhearted for any comfort. The curtain opens on Linda’s paternity; her father, dead, was a teacher in a primary school who was not well-enough so he had to support his means of livelihood with farming on weekends. As we are told in this chapter, Linda’s father was also a member of the king’s cabinet who used his position to avert an impending combat between his community and neighbouring Umunze o...

Protocols As a guest speaker of this event for the second time in two years, it is indeed my honour and privilege to stand before you, the youths of our dear Ibusa community. It is my love and patriotism for our community that compelled me to be here despite my very tight schedule. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, to convey enhanced understanding, this lecture is divided into two major parts- ‘pre-1990 Ibusa’ and ‘post-1990 Ibusa’. This will readily apprise us of where we are coming from, where we are today and where we will might be tomorrow. Finally, we shall narrow the lecture to expected roles of Ibusa youths.   The Ibusa community Geographically, Ibusa is located west of the River Niger Basin; strategically surrounded by a number of notable towns and communities. It is bounded to the North by Okpanam; to the west by Ogwashi-Uku and Ewulu; to the East by Asaba, Okwe and Oko and Abala-Unor to the South. It also lies close to other important Anioma towns such as Iss...