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Showing posts from June, 2024

Proposed Anioma State: The Anioma Lesson

 Proposed Anioma State: The Anioma Lesson One important lesson that the Anioma people, who have historically resisted colonial rule in Nigeria, have taught us all is that, in the region, the Enuani people lack as much unity as the Ndokwa and Ika who are more united, vast, strengthened, and united in presenting a common front on communal issues.  The recent Anioma State proposal has also demonstrated what is called "unity of place" and "unity of time" in theatre arts. The Enuani people must now again combine as a socio-cultural unit to oversee their shared interests, having previously worked together as a united people to present the British fights for 31 years. Despite the enormous amount of human capital in the region, there do not appear to be any Enuani "powerful" organizational voices, if any exist at all, as seen in Ndokwa and Ika.  For the purpose of forming Enuani socio-cultural organizations and arrangements, it is consequently necessary for the pe

Appointed, Removed and Reinstated: The Story of Engr Vincent Maduka, the NTA DG

 Appointed, Removed and Reinstated: The Story of Engr Vincent Maduka, the NTA DG Do you know that Eng Vincent I. Maduka, OFR, the first Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority is from Illah an Anioma community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State?  What is typical of Nigerian politics is reflected in the life narrative of Vincent Ifeanyichukwu Maduka. Caught up by the Nigerian political system, he tasted the good, the bad and the ugly but survived the tide in the end.  Maduka was born to Maduka in Epetedo, Lagos in 1935. He received a good education, attending Leeds University in England and Kings College in Lagos.  The retd ace broadcaster made his memoir, "The Reel Life: My Years Managing Public Service Television," available to the public in 2022. The unveiling took place within the Onikan, Lagos, MUSON Centre.  Cruising to success was never an easy one for the Anioma man from Illah who faced travails.  The drama started in 1977 when he was

Top 18 Anioma Personalities And How They Love To Be Remembered

 Top 18 Anioma Personalities And How They Love To Be Remembered - Emeka Esogbue A few well-known Anioma figures were asked how they would like to be remembered. Naturally, some of them felt compelled to respond with their wishes, while others, for various reasons, felt compelled to remain silent or to provide an explanation other than their actual response. PEN MASTER presents you with a list of notable Anioma people and the legacies they would like to be remembered for by the next generation in this motivating compilation.  HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED? "I would like to be remembered as a Marxist in Christ who was allergic to social injustice, nepotism, bad leadership in Nigeria and in other Third World countries; acts of bully, intimidation, domination and discrimination of all kinds, corruption and above all, blind followership. I would like to be remembered for being consistent in my fight against all of them." ----Comrade Ephraim Adinlofu, Social Crusader, Public

Miss Independence, Rosemary Adams Showcases Images of Anioma Ladies in America

 Miss Independence, Rosemary Adams Showcases Images of Anioma Ladies in America - Emeka Esogbue Rosemary Adams, the former Miss Independence 1960 and current Mrs. Rosemary Adams, posted images of sophisticated Anioma (Aniocha) women on her Facebook page, drawing comments from her fans.   Mrs. Rosemary Adams wrote:  "Beautiful daughters of Aniocha in LA with their matron our very own Josephine Elumelu and Queen Anieze from Onicha-Olona." The images feature gorgeous ladies wearing red george wrappers and exquisitely made blouses to go with them.  Beauty Queen and TV Actress, Mrs. Rosemary Adams who was crowned Miss Independence 1960 on Sept 28 1960, hails from Onicha-Olona community of Anioma in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. In 2017, PEN MASTER and the Anioma Essence Magazine crew, a publication of the Organization For the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC) engaged Mrs Rosemary Adams in a media chat in Lagos where she remarked that "hard work never

As Nigerian Economic Crisis Deepens, Suicidal Cases May Soar, Kizito Ijeh Warns

 As Nigerian Economic Crisis Deepens, Suicidal Cases May Soar, Kizito Ijeh Warns - Emeka Esogbue Politician and People of Oshimili North (PoON) founder, Chief Kizito Osadebe Ijeh has lamented Nigeria's worsening economic situation, warning that the situation is pregnant with more serious consequences for the nation's citizens.  Chief Ijeh, in a brief message delivered to the members of People of Oshimili North on Monday feared that the nation's worsening situation may further lead to increase in suicidal cases and acceleration of crimes in the country.  The PDP veteran politician from Ibusa in Delta State expressed shock at the deepening economic crisis that the people have to deal with. "With the way things are going, I foresee a lot of suicides and despicable crimes in the nearest future."   "Tragically, our educational system didn't prepare us for this time." Kizito Ijeh explained that Nigerian children go to school to learn what they could hardly

Why Ndigbo Should Avert Distractions and Embrace the Creation of Orlu State

Why Ndigbo Should Avert Distractions and Embrace the Creation of Orlu State - Emeka Esogbue As history beckons close on Ndigbo to own a sixth state in the Southeast Geo-Political Zone, the people must avert the temptations of disunity and other characteristics of distractions to ensure that the dream is realized.  On its part, the National Assembly, should also expedite actions to see to the birth of this state. Already, Orlu State has been proposed, a move in the right direction for the people. Following years of advocacy to raise the Southeast's state count from five to six, Imo State's Ideato North South Federal Constituency representative, Hon. Michael Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, presented a measure that aims to satisfy the region's decent people's desire. Specifically, Ugochinyere is requesting that the current states of Anambra, Imo, and Abia be divided into a new state, with Orlu serving as the capital. Although no civilian government has been able to establish a sta

DR EMEKA ESOGBUE AND I

 DR EMEKA ESOGBUE AND I  Dr Emeka Esogbue aka Pen Master, Author, Historian, Media Consultant & Strategist, Art Afficionado and a community leader pursues whatever he believes in, with highest level of commitment. We have been relating for many years until we met at a book launch in Lagos on April 15th, 2017. The book: "The Story of Ubulu Kingdom" was written by Esther Wright. Before we met, he had known ourselves due to reasons I may attribute to our Mutual Intelligibilty.  We did not meet again but we relate everyday. The next place we would have met again would have been at the inaugural lecture organised by Anioma Watch Social Association, where I gave a lecture on the topic: "Preservation of Anioma Ancestral Heritage: A Fresh Look at the Indiscriminate Sale of Land" . No thanks for his flight cancelation that day.  The Ibusa born writer and publisher is blessed with a very strong native intelligence. Added to the native intelligence is his writing prowess.

Lagos ICDU Elects Ike Ofuokwu, Charles Nmarkwe, Angela Izegbu, Others as New Executives

 Lagos ICDU Elects Ike Ofuokwu, Charles Nmarkwe, Angela Izegbu, Others as New Executives Story By Emeka Esogbue The Lagos Island Branch of the Ibusa Community Development Union (ICDU), on Sunday, elected arrays of fine hands as new executives of the Town Union.  Ike Ofuokwu, Esq., a renowned lawyer from the community, was elected President of the Town Union in an election that took place inside the Lekki Peninsula Hotel in Lagos. The election was described by participants as free, fair, and ultimately a people's choice of leadership. Charles Nmarkwe, another well-known lawyer from the community, was elected Vice-President.  The Lagos Island Branch of the Town Union in a democratic exchange of batons also produced Entertainer and current People of Oshimili North Ambassador, Angela Izegbu fondly called "Angela Loks" as the General Secretary.  In his acceptance address, the amiable and well-known Boardroom player, Ike Ofuokwu, who would assume leadership duties, expressed gr

Music Development in Ibusa - Concluding Part

 Music Development in Ibusa - Concluding Part - Emeka Esogbue "Obodo Amaligor Na Anyi Bu Ndi Egwu" - Egwu Osodi The biggest musical actor of modern-day Ibusa is Chief Ogbogu Anthony Okonji. A Journalist from neighbouring Okpanam community, Sylvester Asoya, once described him with the following words: "Ogbogu Okonji is unarguably the biggest music ambassador in the Anioma area of Delta State. The traditional music exponent who had a stint with the Nigerian Customs Service has done remarkably well with his career. Apart from his admonitory lyrics which constantly place a check on society, Ogbogu's music is appealing and a major source of unity among people. But the musician has also been regularly criticized for praising only the rich and powerful." In general, Ogbogu is the most consistent Anioma traditional musician and also the one with the highest number of albums to his credit. He was born to the Okonji family of Ogboli in Ibusa. He also stands, not only as o