Emeka Esogbue

BREAKING NEWS! SAD: OBI OKONJO OF OGWASHI-UKU JOINS HIS ANCESTORS AT 91 By Emeka Esogbue With regret, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's former Finance Minister has announced the passing to glory of her father, HRM Obi Prof Chukwuka Okonjo, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku. Aunty Ngozi who made this disclosure yesterday through her Media Aide, Mr Nwabuikwu stated that he died shortly after returning from Lagos. Obi Okonjo, a PhD holder in Mathematics was coronated as the monarch of the community in 2007. Meanwhile the son of the late Obi, Ifechukwude Okonjo has been crowned the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku. Rest in peace, Obi Okonjo! See the full release below: PRESS RELEASE BY PAUL C NWABUIKWU, MEDIA ADVISER TO DR OKONJO-IWEALA* “A LOVING FATHER AND A GREAT INSPIRATION“ A STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF OUR FATHER, OBI (PROF) CHUKUKA OKONJO *BY DR NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA* On behalf of my siblings and relatives of the Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family of Ogwashi-Uku, I announce the passing o...

By Emeka Esogbue I finally obtained the report submitted by Lieutenant Festing of the Royal Niger Constabulary on the Ibouza (Ibusa) Military Expedition of 1898 as reported to the British monarch. It tells the story of the Anglo-Ibusa War of 1898, the very first phase of the Ekumeku rising of the Anioma people. Now, we know the dates of the Ibusa War as January 8, 1898 and it broke out at exactly 6.am when the British first attacked Ibusa. It was a 6-month war in 4 phases with the casualties on both sides recorded though I suspect inaccuracy of these casualties from the report of the British Military Commander. All the weapons used against Ibusa are mentioned. Ibusa was betrayed by an Ibusa indigene that Major Festing, Commander of the British forces paid tribute to in this report. He called him a 'Local Agent', subtitled, "Festing's Tribute to the Services of a Local Agent" in the report. Though unnamed, he is described as hard working and one who did h...

OBI OSSAI: THE HEATED CHRISTIAN PRAYER FROM THE MISSIONARIES MADE THE ABOH KING TO REQUEST HIS CHARM By Emeka Esogbue By now, you would have understood at least that Christianity arrived the Aboh community early than Gbagle now commonly called 'Badagry' as now claimed by Southwest scholars. In fact, by the 18th Century, the Aboh settlement had started to receive Christian missionaries from Europe. Obi Ossssi, the monarch of the Aboh Kingdom, a coastal region is typically a case study. In th e year 1832, he expressed anger with Macgregor Liard for not doing trade with Aboh and threatened to block the route unless the British bought and sold with him. In 1841, he evinced interest in Christianity and granted Catechist Simon Jonas who was in his Kingdom the authority to preach the new faith among his people. Simon Jonas would depart the Kingdom which temporary ended the Christian missionary venture within the settlement. What should be noted is that Obi Ossai only accepted ...

Narratives on the Rise and Rise of Anioma Consciousness By Emeka Esogbue Although the Anioma nation was once “scattered” amongst itself and completely laid in gloom and socio-cultural and political insignificance, it presents a different scene today. Within this period, people, especially those from outside that region had very little knowledge of what the Anioma nation was. In later stages of its development, Andrew Azukaego Moemeka, writing in what was titled “Communicating For Self-Determinism” noted that “even though the ‘body’ of Anioma may be in Asaba, Agbor, Obiaruku, Washington, London, and New York, her soul and spirit are in these villages”. One of the ideas that suggested the way forward for the people was that theorized by Nwafejioku Okolie Uwadibie. Uwadibie, in an article titled, “Using Politics to Promote Economic Development” held that: “There must be a concerted effort by all Aniomans who are financially and academically privileged, as well as those who a...