24 IGBUZO PERSONALITIES THAT AMAZED PEN MASTER IN 2020 - PART 1
Pen Master is here with the annual compendium of amazing
Ibusa men and women of the year. Although COVID-19, lockdown and protests
appeared to have consumed the greater part of the year, the year did not end in
barrenness or blankness for the Ibusa community in Oshimili North Local
Government area Delta State, one of the fastest growing communities in the
state economically and also blessed with abundant human capital. In spite of the vacuum created by distracting
activities in the year, a good number of personalities astonished Pen Master with
their defined contributions thus, the need to put them on record as ritually
documented. However, it must be noted that this compendium does not serve the
communal interest of the Ibusa community or anyone else but Pen Master. To this
end, it is strictly my choice and not yours, the readers. It is also my idea
and conviction and not yours. The criterion is that they astounded with their
deeds and the data gathering has been through personal contact, feats recorded
in Ibusa community or shared activities on the social media.
It must also be noted that the list does not appear in any
particular order.
The List
1. Only
in November of this year, it was reported that 12-year old Chikadibia Ofili,
had made a new discovery in the discipline of Mathematics and was honoured in faraway
United Kingdom in what was titled “Chika, Ibusa Son makes New discovery in
Mathematics”. Little Ofili who hails from Umudiagbo, Umueze of Ibusa further
put the Ibusa community on world map with the report of his intellectual feat.
Chika Ofili makes this list.
2. Clever
and smart Emmanuel Okolie sits on this list comfortably for the diligent, conscious
and successful efforts played by him in rediscovering his Ibusa root after 22
years of separation from his paternity. Praised by many for the courage to
speak up and blessed by many for the success, Umuodafe-born Emmanuel Okolie was
sure he grabbed something for himself in 2020.
3. In February
of this year, Pen Master paid Chief Fred Ajudua a memorable visit at his Lagos
palatial home and was well welcomed amidst other healthy discussions that
centered on Ibusa past. The visit which was reported in what was titled “when
you visit them, they sit you outside but when you visit Fred Ajudua, you walk
round his house” was widely read. The memorable visit and other feat of his to
the community leave chief Fred Ajudua on this list.
4. In the
year, 2020, Onihea of Ibusa, Chief Rowland Nwanze confirmed his charitable
contributions to community yet again and again. The particular donation of
N1,000,000 which he recently made in the community and all other contributions
in the year, 2020 places him on this list.
5. The year,
2020 cannot be discussed exhaustively without the mention of Otu Ehulu Fulu
Women Society of Ibusa earlier inaugurated in the year by the Obuzo of Ibusa,
HRM Obi Prof Louis Nwaoboshi. No other woman of substance than Enyi Philo
Okonkwo is the leader of this prestigious group. She makes this list of Pen
Master.
6. Perhaps
Chinazor Onianwah remains Ibusa best known leading brain in matters of
technology and he proved it this year. The USA-based writer, filmmaker, producer
and publisher recently developed an app called scenic plot now recognized and
downloadable from Google Play, a social media app in which he is seeking to
rally around the Ibusa community under one umbrella.
7. A few
weeks ago, the news broke that Hilary Ifechukwude Okobi had started to consult
for the political position of a councilor to represent his ward. No sooner than
the picture circulated on the social media than it occasioned rapturous
reception from users round the community. It turned out that Okobi’s aspiration
has been the expectation of many.
8. The
year, 2020 did not wastefully neglect the efforts of Awele Onokwai, a
well-known Media Aide that adds elements of intellectuality and civility to his
reports. Onokwai is singled out for his extreme respect and hard-work with
which he carries out his duties and makes this list. The year, 2020 confirmed
him as one of the most promising Ibusa youths.
9. Throughout
the year, 2020, Prof Fred Osy Osadebe was one Professor of Ibusa extraction
nearest to the people unlike the long distance usually retained by most other
Ibusa professors. If there is a thick line between Ibusa Professors and Ibusa
people, it does not apply to Prof Osadebe. His relationship and communication skill
with the grassroots which comes with absolute humility is worthy of
commendation while his business plan of establishment of factories in Ibusa though
not birthed is creditable.
10. Jim
Umunna is Pen Master’s biggest revelation in 2020. Selfless Umunna is noted to
extend goodwill acts to those around him thus, catching the fancy of Pen Master.
The charitable acts of Jim Umunna is just an example of how big names should
not always and permanently dominate papers of recognition in Ibusa.
11. Ifeanyi
Asiodu, the President of Ibusa Youth Council is one of Ibusa beneficiaries of
2020. Umuodafe-born Asiodu who almost had an easy walk to the youth leadership
of the community was in the same year seen with group of youths clearing and
cleaning the Ashia Eke market in Ibusa.
12. Ace
critic and politician, Prof Chris Chukwudumebi Nwaokobia, the Ibusa face of the
electronic media continued his media campaign for good governance in Nigeria
thereby amazing Pen Master with his relentlessness, diligence and
indefatigability. Fantastic Prof Nwaokobia seems Ibusa most commonly seen face
of the media in 2020.
13. Patricia
Oyana popularly called “Patoski” by her fans needs no introduction being one of
the most active female Media Chiefs in Ibusa. But it is not all about social media
job for the Umuekea-born Amazon who is always in the forefront of Ibusa
concerns, serving the community diligently. The contributions of Patoski are
seen and recognized by Pen Master.
14. The
big fish of 2020 is Azuka Ashikodi alternatively called “Political Messiah”. Throughout
year, 2020, Intelligent and learned Political Messiah was always a delight to read
by all. Unlike a few that discriminately select whether to respond or not,
Political Messiah was for all without exception. He was one man that made the
Ibusa social media exciting for many.
15. Luckily,
the year did not pass without the release of an album by Anioma Music Maker,
Onyeoma Diyoyo Okafor. He made it through with his “Nne Bu Nne” song. It was
also the year that the veteran Ibusa musician saluted Pen Master in one of his
songs.
16. If an
award for the ‘Ibusa elder of the year’ was to be established in 2020, it would
definitely go to Onowu Mark Nnabundo. He was one man so dear to the community.
Honesty, joviality and loyalty are three words that define him. However, the
listing of Onowu Nnabundo is coming on heels of the role he played in the
reunion of a father and son.
17. The good
nature of Luka Igbonoba is already known in Ibusa but the man of charity owing
to the greater number of selfless service carried out by him in the community
in year, 2020 is deserving of a place in the list of Ibusa personalities that
amazed Pen Master within the year.
18. Elegant
Chief Mrs. Rosemary Ikolodo, “Ugagbe Di e” could not have missed a place in this
place. In the year, 2020, Aunty Moji celebrated of her husband’s demise in
which prominent Ibusa sons and daughters gathered in Lagos to join the family
in praying for the continued repose of the soul of Hon Chief Willy Ukadike
Ikolodo, the Uwolo of Ibusa. Afterwards, Ogbogu Okonji crowned the 2020 with
the release of a song thanking the family.
19. The year
did not end without Poet, Austin Ogechukwu Nwulia doing a book. It was just a
good way to increase the strength of Ibusa in the world of authorship and
Nwulia did just that with fulfilment. The publication of the poetry merits him
a place on this list.
20. Longtime
friend and follower of Pen Master, Nneka Edith Obiechie is deserving of a place
in the world of Ibusa personalities that amazed Pen Master in the year. Nneka
Obiechie promoting the Ibusa and Enuani culture with the initiation of Betta
People of Oshimili North only recently gathered the members to witness the
first annual end of year party of the group in Lagos.
21. R
& B and Nollywood Star, Emeka Asie “Ayaya Mog” followed up his earlier
album with a more fantastic one which he released to his fans within the year. It
was a great accomplishment for the music maestro. Worthy of note is the the
musician promoted a number of Ibusa personalities in one of the songs that
included Pen Master.
22. Ibusa Big
Boy, Ikenna Okonji did not escape the 2020 personalities that amazed Pen Master.
Good Man as he is now popularly called by his admirers merits a place here. Once
it was announced in one Oshimili forum that an ailing Ibusa son needed help,
the UK-based Okonji responded selflessly with the speed of light, leaving all
mouths agape with his mouth-watering presentation. Pen Master was not left out
as he ordered the recent Nwulia book for Pen Master among others.
23. Mr. Femi
Okafor made a difference in the interview with Pen Master in year 2020 titled “Growing
Up was Tough for me Until God Sent me a Helper”. He was brilliant and
experienced in Ibusa issues yet, fearless. If every Ibusa was Femi Okafor in
2020, healthy information on Ibusa would freely flow thereby benefitting
everyone.
24. Readers
might typically call to question his Ibusa position but Douglas Nosike Ibekeme,
the DNI as he is now well-known remained a uniting force of the Ibusa people in
2020. He is just a perfect example of how to be an Ibusa man in selflessness
and good deed. Loved by all, Douglas’ popularity within the Ibusa circle knows
no end. It was also within the year that DNI sponsored one of Pen Master’s researches
on the origin of Igbo.
@ 2020 emekaesogbue2016gmail.com
Read also Isabella theatre:
The Monument that Arrested the Ibusa Youths
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