Emeka Esogbue

 The Ibusa Age Grade System (Otu Ogbo): A Question for the Ibusa Traditional Institution By Emeka Esogbue The Otu Ogbo or Age Grade System in Ibusa is not only one of the oldest social organizations in the community but also a vital binding force among people within the same generational bracket. This indigenous system predates the colonial era and has served, for centuries, as a foundation of communal life and identity. Evolving from a deeply rooted traditional institution that once faced near abandonment, the Ibusa age grade system has transformed into a versatile organization that continues to serve social, economic, and moral purposes. Each ogbo fosters cooperation, unity, and mutual support among its members while contributing to the development of the larger community. In recent times, several age grades have distinguished themselves through remarkable initiatives. Ogbo Midwest, for instance, is recognized for its embrace of technology and for projecting Ibusa history and aff...

 Develop the Spirit to Forgive, Sindi Chigozie Tells Anioma Youths Sindi Mathias Chigozie is the President of Aniocha-Oshimili Students Association. Chigozie from Okpanam in Delta State bares his mind on issues of concern to the Association and youths of the Anioma region. Excerpts: Pen Master: It's nice to meet you. Please introduce yourself to our teeming readers. Chigozie: Pen Master, thank you very much for finding me worthy of this interview. My name is Sindi Mathias Chigozie, GCAOS, DSS. I am the President and Obi of Aniocha-Oshimili Students Association Nationwide. I am from Ogbeowele, in Obodogwugwu Quarters of Okpanam, a community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. I was born into the family of Ogbueshi Dr. Ngozi Nwabuoku and Ezinne Mrs. Stella Nwabuoku who is also from Okpanam. I was born into a family of six children. I always say thank you to my parents for the values they instilled in me which I treasure today. I am a Master's Degree Student of...

 A Walk Down Memory Lane with the Ibusa Pathfinder Newspaper (August 1993) By Emeka Esogbue (Pen Master) Courtesy of Mr. Fidel Iwugo, all the way from the United States of America, Pen Master recently received a copy of the celebrated Ibusa Pathfinder Newspaper, now long defunct. Published in August 1993, the news items and stories contained within are far more than interesting. They are treasures for historical minds, reviving old memories and reminding us of where our people have come from.  *Sit back as I take you down memory lane.*  One notable feature in the edition was titled “Who is Your Ibusa Person of the Year?” Close to it was another headline, “Ajudua Pay (sic) Obis Salaries,” which reported Chief Fred Ajudua’s magnanimous gesture of paying salaries to the Obis in Ibusa. Indeed, 1993 was the year of Chief Fred Ajudua, whose unmatched philanthropy touched nearly every aspect of community life. It would not be surprising if the Onwanetili Oha of Ibusa himself eme...

 Linguistic Note on How the British Anglicized “Igbuzo” to “Ibusa”: A Case of Colonial Mishearing and Orthographic Simplification By Emeka Esogbue By 1830, European contact with Anioma land had begun in earnest when the Lander Brothers, during their Niger expedition, reached Aboh and were captured. This marked one of the earliest recorded encounters between Anioma and the Europeans. As British influence expanded through exploration, trade, and later military campaigns, the Anioma region including Asaba, Aboh, Ogwashi-Uku, and Igbuzo (Ibusa) gradually came under their attention. The town of Igbuzo, located about six miles (some colonial documents say five) from Asaba, was a small, dusty settlement perched on a gentle elevation between Asaba and Ogwashi-Uku. By the late 19th century, British explorers, missionaries, and colonial officers, many of whom struggled with the nasal tones and consonant clusters of Igbo phonology, found “Igbuzo” difficult to pronounce. To their ears, the sou...

 Honour in Service, Dignity in Retirement: Major General Raymond Ochei’s Journey Through the Ranks By Emeka Esogbue After more than three decades of distinguished service to the Nigerian Army, Major General Raymond Nkemakonam Ochei has gracefully bowed out of active duty, leaving behind a legacy defined by discipline, professionalism, and integrity. From his early days as a young cadet at the Nigerian Defence Academy to his rise as one of the Army’s most accomplished finance and administrative officers, Ochei’s career stands as a model of commitment, excellence, and leadership. His retirement marks not just the close of a remarkable military chapter but also the beginning of a new phase devoted to mentorship, community service, and the preservation of Anioma heritage. Born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Maxwell Ochei, Raymond Nkemakonam Ochei hails from Ogbekenu, Onicha-Olona, in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. He attended St. Pius College, Onic...

 Delta State Went to Bed as PDP and Woke Up as APC, Labour Party, Internally Divided; ADC Steadfast, Politician and Diaspora Leader, Hon Dr. Kenneth Gbandi - Part Two Pen Master: Let me return you to Nigerian politics. Gbandi, are you willing to go into the contest again?  Gbandi: (laughing) Public service has always been my true calling. If the people and my party base express confidence in my candidature and if together we can build an organized, issue-driven campaign that truly advances the interests of my Anioma region and people, I will give it thoughtful consideration. However, any campaign I associate with must be rooted in service, not ego. It must be guided by a clear development blueprint and supported by strong grassroots structures capable of transforming vision into tangible results. That said, it is now evident that elections without integrity and accountability have lasting consequences. Today, millions of young Nigerians who constitute nearly 70% of our populat...

 Delta State Went to Bed as PDP and Woke Up As APC, Labour Party Internally Divided; ADC Steadfast, Politician and Diaspora Leader, Hon Dr. Kenneth Gbandi - Part One Hon Dr. Kenneth Gbandi is a politician, businessman, Nigerian leader in the diaspora, and media in publisher. He is the founder of African Heritage Magazine and the Executive Producer of Radio/TV programs. Gbandi with long-standing diaspora leadership, has served Nigeria in different capacities and is also actively driven in several positions. In this interview with media influencer, PEN MASTER (EMEKA ESOGBUE), Hon Dr. Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi in this thought-provoking interview makes several startling revelations about Nigerian and international politics. He believes that the Anioma region needs long-term initiatives in skill development, job creation, housing and other tangible community-level results. Gbandi also bares his mind on the difficulty of returnee-Nigerians to win elections in the country, rising travel co...

 From Country to Confusion: The Colonial Conflation of Aboh from a Distinct Deltaic Identity to a Blurred Ethnic Classification  - Part One By Emeka Esogbue Introduction This article revisits the historical identity of the Aboh polity of the lower Niger once one of the foremost riverine kingdoms of precolonial West Africa. It examines how Aboh’s distinct political, cultural, and diplomatic traditions were gradually obscured by colonial ethnography, which subsumed the people under broader linguistic and administrative labels such as “Ukwuani” and “Igbo.” Through historical reconstruction and comparative analysis, the author argues that Aboh was not a mere dialectal cluster but a sovereign Delta kingdom whose unique identity was diluted through colonial simplification and postcolonial repetition, an outcome of the British mechanical process of ethnic classification. Aboh in the Delta Province By the fifteenth century, Aboh had emerged as an organized and powerful riverine kingdo...

 15 Memorable Enuani Proverbs from Prominent Ibusa Musicians Compiled by Emeka Esogbue Proverbs and sayings occupy a central place in Enuani music and dance, serving both artistic and social purposes. In Ibusa musical tradition, no performance is considered complete without the use of proverbs. They are the vessels through which the Ibusa musician conveys wisdom, moral instruction, and cultural philosophy. These proverbs are not merely decorative; they are oral archives preserved in the memory of listeners and transmitted across generations. Each saying carries didactic depth, enriching the beauty of Egwu Igbuzo (Ibusa music) while provoking reflection and moral consciousness. Ibusa musicians often use proverbs to praise virtue, warn against folly, or criticize societal injustice. One of the few who boldly used proverbial expressions as social criticism is Ogbogu Okonji, whose music challenges hypocrisy among ndi uka (churchgoers) and other social ills in Ibusa society. Below are f...

 Uche Nwalama: His Music Lives On By Emeka Esogbue The late Uche Nwalama remains a crowd-puller even in death. This is hardly surprising, for he was one of the finest traditional musicians the Enuani people ever produced. A few years ago, I attended a funeral ceremony in Issele-Uku, and his hit song “Uwa Zulu Onye” filled the air from every direction, its melody flowing through the speakers and into the hearts of those gathered. Born into a musical family from the Ogboli quarters of Ibusa, Uche was a gifted artist whose music appealed across generations. His songs, rich in proverbs and cultural wisdom, reflected the times and the temperament of his people. A master guitarist, he seamlessly fused guitar and keyboard sounds to create a rhythm both soulful and energetic. His voice, distinctive and expressive, combined with his deep understanding of Enuani culture and tradition to set him apart from his contemporaries. With Uche, a new and almost indescribable Enuani sound was born. Eq...

 Family of Major (Dr.) Albert Onweazu Okonkwo Releases Rare Photographs By Emeka Esogbue Following Pen Master’s request for the photographs of Major (Dr.) Albert Onweazu Okonkwo, the family of the Nigerian Civil War figure has graciously released a collection of rare family pictures to the public. This release offers researchers and the global community a unique opportunity to view the post-war images of Major (Dr.) Albert Onweazu Okonkwo (Retd.)—the man who captured worldwide attention in 1967 during the Biafran invasion of Nigeria’s Midwestern Region, when he was appointed Military Administrator under the Biafran command. See the Photographs Below: Picture 1: Major (Dr.) Albert Onweazu Okonkwo in traditional attire. Picture 2: Albert Onweazu Okonkwo with his American wife, Elaine. Picture 3: Daniel Okonkwo, son of Albert and Elaine, with his mother. Picture 4: Professor Patrick Okonkwo (Albert’s brother) flanked by Daniel Chukwuka Okonkwo (son), Nancy Obiageli Okonkwo (daughter),...

 Delta State Went to Bed as PDP and Woke Up As APC, Labour Party Internally Divided; ADC Steadfast, Politician and Diaspora Leader, Hon Dr. Kenneth Gbandi - Part One Hon Dr. Kenneth Gbandi is a politician, businessman, Nigerian leader in the diaspora, and media in publisher. He is the founder of African Heritage Magazine and the Executive Producer of Radio/TV programs. Gbandi with long-standing diaspora leadership, has served Nigeria in different capacities and is also actively driven in several positions. In this interview with media influencer, PEN MASTER (EMEKA ESOGBUE), Hon Dr. Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi in this thought-provoking interview makes several startling revelations about Nigerian and international politics. He believes that the Anioma region needs long-term initiatives in skill development, job creation, housing and other tangible community-level results. Gbandi also bares his mind on the difficulty of returnee-Nigerians to win elections in the country, rising travel co...

 Joy as Anioma-Born Nigerian Businessman, Chinedu Odiaka, Shines at Purdue University Graduation By Emeka Esogbue It was a moment of joy and pride as Anioma-born Nigerian businessman, Chinedu Odiaka, from Asaba in Delta State, graduated with Honours, a grade equivalent to First Class in the Nigerian educational system from Purdue University, Indiana, United States of America, on October 11, 2025. The colourful ceremony, held at the renowned Elliot Hall of Music, attracted friends, family, and colleagues who celebrated the Real Estate mogul’s remarkable academic achievement. The institution's academic record shows that Odiaka was particularly among the top-performing students in the Department of Business Administration, with Project Management as his area of concentration. He was visibly elated as he received his degree, surrounded by loved ones and some of his American classmates. Before pursuing his studies in the United States, Odiaka graduated from the University of Lagos, wher...

 What Do You Know About May Agbamuche-Mbu, the Anioma Woman Recently Appointed Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)? By Emeka Esogbue (Pen Master) To begin with, the Anioma people of Nigeria have long been recognized for their exceptional human capital across diverse fields and their women are no exception. Think of illustrious names like Mrs. Maryam Ndidiamaka Babangida, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Prof. Joy Ogwu, Omu Martha Dunkwu, Queen Azaka, Pastor Evelyne Joshua, Prof Buchi Emecheta, and Mrs. Winifred Akpani. Now, May Agbamuche-Mbu joins this distinguished list. May Agbamuche-Mbu hails from Akwukwu-Igbo, an Anioma community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. She is the daughter of Michael Ashikodi Agbamuche, SAN, the eminent jurist who served as Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1994 to 1997. She is also a first cousin to Mr. Godfrey Chukwudifu Osakwe, the Chairman of the Niger...

 Hold Fast to Your Dreams, Pastor Augustina Joseph Tells Nsukka Worshippers By Emeka Esogbue Young outreach minister, Pastor Augustina Anwulila Joseph, has urged her congregation to hold firmly to their dreams and never allow them to fade. “Hold fast to your dreams, for if your dreams die, it is like a broken-winged bird that cannot fly,” Pastor Augustina told the worshippers. She gave the advice on Sunday while addressing youths mainly students at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), House of Glory Parish, Hilltop, Nsukka, Enugu State. In her sermon titled “You Are Not Hopeless,” the evangelist encouraged the congregation not to lose faith, stressing that “where there is hope, the invisible becomes visible, the intangible becomes real, and the impossible becomes achievable.” She reminded the worshippers that “Christ in you remains the glory of your glory,” urging them to persevere and trust in God’s timing. Born to Ogwashi-Ukwu father, her mother hails from Umuozoma in Ogb...

 Voices of Ibusa : The Evolution of Traditional Musicians and Their Vocal Craft By Emeka Esogbue Ibusa, an Anioma community in Delta State , enjoys a rich reputation for producing numerous traditional musicians. What began as Otu (musical groups) eventually evolved into solo performances, defining musicality in the community. Ibusa’s fame in music was such that when Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe visited during his electoral campaign, he remarked, “Igbuzo bu Congo,” aptly comparing the people of Ibusa with Congo, a nation renowned for its musical excellence at the time. Among the most remarkable of these musicians are the legendary John Nwanze Nwabuwa , popularly known as Nwanze Nwagbodi, leader of the Otu Ifechukwude Dancing Group of Ibusa and believed to be the first man from the community to record an album in 1970 after the civil war; Dana “Agility” Okonji, leader of the famous Otu Mbonsi Onyenwu Obulunjoa Dancing Group ; Ogbogu Okonji , Etiti Okonji (his cousin), Onyeoma Diyoyo Okafor, ...