Obiship: Like Asaba, like Ibusa; Like Obi Ajudua, Like Obi Azinge

 Obiship: Like Asaba, like Ibusa; Like Obi Ajudua, Like Obi Azinge

- Emeka Esogbue

Two beautiful Enuani communities in Anioma; two sisterly communities and two neighbouring communities. 

Like Ahaba (Asaba), like Igbuzo (Ibusa). Like Chief Prof Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge (now Obi Chief Prof Epiphani Azinge), like Chief Dr. Henry Chukwuma Ajudua (now Obi Dr Henry Ajudua). 

Asaba, Ibusa, and Okpanam have a long history of relationships rooted in trade, marriage, and war. In addition to their shared physical location, these groups also have dialectical linguistics, shared cultures, and traditions.  

It is pertinent to understand that only five communities—Asaba, Ibusa, Okpanam, Illah, and Okwe—all of whom are of Oshimili, follow the Obiship practice.

As a stage of advancement in the people's way of life, Obiship is magnificently preserved by these communities, who work so hard to protect the long-standing tradition that their predecessors have passed down to them.

Today marked the culmination of Obi Chief Epiphany Azinge and Obi Dr. Henry Ajudua's ritualistic performances of the Ichi Eze rites, which are currently being performed by these two eminent indigenous members of their communities.

Obi Dr. Henry Ajudua of Ibusa, who had been observing the itchi rites, had already completed his Nwucha Ndi Eze ceremony early today, releasing him from the 21-day customary holiday time during which he had shared a close relationship with his chi. It should not be forgotten that 'ahuhu,' a customary sign of his itchi performance, had made two appearances. 

Obi Dr Ajudua will now prepare to go on the spiritual journey to Udoh sacred ground where he will return with the elili ukwu tied to his ankles. Thereafter, he will be unveiled to the world as Obi.

As for Obi Chief Prof Epiphany Azinge, it was his day two rites and he was woken up by the traditional Egwu Ota dance early this morning. The flutist's never-ending akpele tones brought him closer to his chi on a spiritual level.

After Itu Afa rite, the stage was cleared for the aristocratic dance, which featured him, his wife, and the other members of Ndi Obi Okpoho sharing the dance floor. Dressed in Akwa-Ocha Mbulukwu (traditional skirt), he exhibited a noble dance, the type, the Ibusa people will normally regard as "egwu ogalanya." His wife who was also dressed in Akwa-Ocha demonstrated herself to be a traditional dance companion.

Both Obi Azinge and Obi Henry will share the beauty of Asaba-Ibusa cultural history as two highly educated and celebrated Enuani culture aficionados from Asaba and Ibusa respectively whose Obiship interests now clash with love and enthusiasm. 

Given their proximity and well-established friendliness, the Ajudua family of Umuodafe in Ibusa and the Azinge family of Umudaike, Asaba, do not peoplerceive each other as strangers. 

Obi Chief Prof Epiphany Azinge, OON, SAN, is a noted Nigerian lawyer and academic with excellence. He is a former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Legal Studies. 

Obi Dr. Henry Ajudua is a medical practitioner (Doctor of Public Health) who obtained his Masters in Pharmacy Administration/Pharmacy Marketing. The ace philanthropist is the President of Vebron Global Inc and also the CEO of Vebron Carre, an arm of charity with tracks of record delivery. 

Incidentally, while Obi Chief Prof Epiphany Azinge is married to Dr. Valerie Azinge, SAN, a co-lawyer, Obi Dr. Henry Ajudua, is also married to Dr. Vivian Ajudua, a co-health worker and a psychiatrist in particular. 

Indeed, like Asaba, like Ibusa; like Obi Chief Prof Epiphany Azinge, like Obi Dr. Henry Ajudua and like Obiship in Asaba, like Obiship in Ibusa. 

Like Pen Master, like Ita Dinah Ahaba.

For your news and other events on Anioma, follow the Pen Master Blog