Emeka Esogbue

 Season of Love and Giving: Igbuzo Singles Meet Embarks on Charity in Ibusa Community By Emeka Esogbue The Igbuzo Singles Meet (ISM) Worldwide on Saturday carried out a charity outreach in the Ibusa community, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, as part of its commitment to love, compassion, and community service. Led by the Vice-President of the group, Ms. Naomi Dada Okoisor, members of ISM went round the community to carry out the philanthropic exercise, reaching out to carefully identified families in need. Items distributed included bags of rice, tinned tomatoes, cooking oil, Knorr cubes, salt, and other essential food items. The outreach was carried out with warmth and humility, as the items were presented with words of encouragement and prayers for the beneficiaries. Many of the recipients, most of whom were elderly, were taken by surprise, having not anticipated the visit or the gifts. The distribution covered the ten quarters that make up the Ibusa communit...

 At the Crossroads of History: A Visit to the Okpanam–Ibusa Intersectional Path By Emeka Esogbue On the night of December 18, 2025, I embarked on a brief sightseeing journey to behold the newly completed Okpanam Road by the Ibusa Bypass. Boarding a commercial tricycle, I alighted at the Ibusa end of the road, the final bus stop. The trip lasted no more than five minutes, yet it delivered me into a space rich in scenery, movement, and meaning. Upon dismounting, curiosity compelled me to ask the tricycle rider what the place was called. The driver who instantly transformed into my impromptu tour guide was eager to explain. Judging by his accent, I sensed he was Hausa, a fact that soon proved useful. He informed me that the spot lay close to the Hausa Quarters and promptly pointed in their direction. Turning to my right, I was greeted by a lively, crowded area bustling with activity, a market-like setting alive with commerce and human interaction. Yet, beyond this vibrancy, there was ...

 Final Farewell: Onowu Leonard Esogbue Goes Home Amid Tears By Emeka Esogbue The ancient town of Ibusa was enveloped in deep grief as family members, friends, well-wishers, and sympathizers converged on the Isieke axis of the community to bid a final farewell to Onowu Leonard Onuohaegbunem Esogbue. His passage to glory was marked by an outpouring of tears, solemn reflections, and heartfelt tributes that spoke to the impact of a life well lived. Amid prayers, age-long funeral rites, and moments of quiet remembrance, the respected patriarch was laid to rest, leaving behind enduring memories of service, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to family and community. Activities marking his farewell journey commenced on Thursday, December 18, 2025, with a moving Service of Songs held at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Ibusa. The service drew a large gathering of family members, friends, associates, and sympathizers who came together in hymns, prayers, and reflections to celebrate his life a...

 The Political Facts and Era You Might Never Have Known About Senator Peter Nwaoboshi By Emeka Esogbue Senator Peter Onyeluka Nwaoboshi hailed from Isieke clan of Umuekea Quarters , Ibusa , in Delta State . Isieke is a kindred umbrella of closely related families and is widely renowned for its remarkable human resource capacity within Ibusa. The clan has produced distinguished personalities across professions, including Prof. Augustine Esogbue , the renowned physicist with NASA (now emeritus); Chief Chike Chigbue , one of Nigeria’s youngest Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN); members of the Justice Chigbue family ; notable accounting professionals , among many others. Despite his prominence in modern partisan politics, Senator Nwaoboshi emerged from a family deeply rooted in Ibusa culture and tradition. His father was an Obi-titled man, and Senator Nwaoboshi himself was not only an Alor title holder but also a member of Ogbuu, a respected traditional institution reserved for Ibusa ...

 Goodbye to an Anioma Political Powerhouse: Ibusa Bleeds as Senator Peter Nwaoboshi Passes On By Emeka Esogbue The Ibusa community was on Friday evening thrown into deep mourning following the reported death of Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi, a prominent Nigerian politician and illustrious son of the community. According to a family source, the senator passed away after a period of illness during which he had been battling health challenges. Senator Nwaoboshi, who hailed from Isieke, Umuekea quarters in Ibusa, served as the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District from 2015 to 2023. A towering figure in Anioma and Delta State politics, he began his political journey in the late 1970s as an aide to the then Governor of the old Bendel State, a role that marked the foundation of a long and influential political career. He later served as Chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, among other strategic national appointments. Beyond this, Nwaoboshi was a political...

 Christmas Gifts: Fred Chijindu Ajudua Media Team Spreads Love to Over 500 Community Indigenes Story by Emeka Esogbue The Fred Chijindu Ajudua Media Team, popularly known as FCA Media, on Friday carried out a kind-spirited humanitarian outreach in Ibusa, reaching no fewer than five hundred indigenes across different quarters of the community. Pen Master gathered that the beneficiaries cut across age groups, kindreds, and social strata, underscoring the inclusive nature of the initiative. Among those who benefited from the Christmas goodwill were notable community elders, including Onowu Egbune, the Diokpa of Umuodafe, and Diokpa Noble Okolie, alongside several widows, elderly persons, and other families. The outreach saw lucky households receive essential food items such as rice, cooking oil, noodles, and other household commodities, aimed at easing the burden of the season and enabling families to celebrate Christmas with dignity and joy. Speaking on behalf of the team, Miss Mimi ...

 You Carry University of Ibadan Greatness, Philip Elueme Celebrates Hon. Paschal Adigwe on His Award Conferment By Emeka Esogbue Ace Anioma advocate and former political aide to Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Mr. Philip Elueme, has congratulated Hon. Paschal Adigwe on the prestigious award recently conferred on him. In a tribute published in Anioma Watch and also made available to the Pen Master, Elueme described Hon. Adigwe as a “great product” of the University of Ibadan, eminently deserving of the Award of Excellence bestowed upon him by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association. Elueme lauded the University of Ibadan for maintaining its global standard in producing exceptional scholars and leaders. He highlighted distinguished names such as Prof. Kenneth Dike, Prof. Alele Williams, Prof. Chinua Achebe, Prof. Wole Soyinka, and Prof. J.P. Clark to Christopher Okigbo, among many others, whom he credited with elevating the university’s global stature. The foremost Izu Anioma activist c...

 Ibusa Lagos Island Association (ILIA) Gathers Lagos Ibusa Residents for a Grand End-of-Year Celebration By Emeka Esogbue Ibusa residents living in Lagos converged on Saturday in what became one of the largest gatherings of Ibusa indigenes outside the homeland. The occasion was the 2025 End-of-Year Celebration organised by the Ibusa Lagos Island Association (ILIA). Held at the prestigious Empresa Hotel in Ajah, Lagos, the event drew a large crowd of Ibusa sons and daughters, along with friends of the community. Guests began arriving as early as 11:00 a.m. for the much-anticipated celebration. Pen Master understands that some indigenes flew in from different parts of the country to reconnect with their kinsmen and were warmly received. In his opening remarks, Mr. Greg Enurah, President of ILIA, highlighted the remarkable progress made by the Association since its establishment in January 2023. According to him, these achievements were possible due to the unwavering resilience and co...

 Festac ICDU Holds First End-of-Year Party, Members Task ICDU Worldwide on Comprehensive Reforms Story By Emeka Esogbue The newly established Festac Branch of the Ibusa Community Development Union (ICDU) held its maiden end-of-year get-together on Sunday in Festac Town, Lagos. The well-attended event brought together members who used the occasion to call on ICDU Worldwide to initiate urgent and comprehensive reforms at the National Executive Council level. The programme opened with a prayer offered by Pastor (Barr.) Emmanuel Nwaezeapu, followed by the traditional breaking of the kola nut performed by Diokpa Ikedinma Okafor. Members thereafter introduced themselves. In his welcome address, the Acting President, Apostle Pat Nwanze, thanked members for their presence and urged greater unity within the branch. He recalled the efforts that led to the re-establishment of the Festac Branch and encouraged members to remain committed, assuring them that the branch was on course to become on...

 Anioma, No Longer a Minority Group in Delta State By Emeka Esogbue For decades, the Anioma people in Delta State were viewed through the lens of marginalisation, even long after the circumstances that shaped that perception had shifted. Recent debates surrounding the agitation for an Anioma State and the suggestion of aligning the region politically with the Southeast have revived old assumptions. Yet, a critical examination of Delta State’s demographic makeup, administrative framework, political participation, cultural cohesion, and historical relevance clearly reveals that Anioma stands today as one of the major ethnic blocs in the state—not a minority. To be considered a minority in a Nigerian state means belonging to a group that is numerically smaller or politically less influential than others within that same state. In Nigeria’s sociopolitical environment, where geography, ethnicity, and history heavily influence identity and access, being a minority often implies limited r...

 Analysing the Long-Debated Question: Who Was the Leader of the Jan 15, 1966 Coup – Major Nzeogwu or Major Ifeajuna? By Emeka Esogbue The question of who truly led the January 15, 1966 coup between Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and Major Emmanuel Arinze Ifeajuna remains one of the most contested subjects in Nigeria’s political history. More than half a century later, historians, eyewitnesses, and surviving conspirators continue to offer conflicting narratives, each shaped by personal memory, regional loyalties, or ideological interpretation. This article revisits the long-debated issue by examining primary testimonies, the strategic design of the coup, and the divergent events in Lagos and Kaduna, in order to provide a nuanced and evidence-based understanding of a question that has resisted easy resolution. It is apt to begin with brief biographical notes on the two principal actors. Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu was born on 26 February 1937 in Kaduna to Anioma parents from Umuomake vill...

 Cultural Foundations of Anioma Civilization By Emeka Esogbue It was Dr. Henry Obi Ajumeze, a United Kingdom-university scholar who once described me as the “Gatekeeper of Anioma History.” I remain humbled by that title and proud to carry it. We, the Anioma people, are a blend of distinct yet interconnected ethnic identities whose shared history has evolved over centuries through cultural exchange and syncretism. Our civilization is rich, layered, and uniquely ours. We established remarkable socio-political systems such as Omuship and the Multiple Obiship institution, where a single community could have several Obis serving noble roles. In Anioma, tradition even allows a woman to assume the Obi title, an early expression of gender inclusion in leadership. Our martial and societal hierarchies produced respected titles such as Odogwu, Uwolo, Iyase, Oza, Ozomo, and Akogwu, among others. We built institutions such as the Ikwele (kingmakers), and upheld sacred roles including the Ohene ...

 From Anioma to Igbo Heartland: Tracing the Cultural Diffusion of the Title Odogwu By Emeka Esogbue Today, the word Odogwu is widely recognized across Igboland as a title signifying greatness, influence, or exceptional status. However, very few people are aware that its earliest linguistic, cultural, and institutional roots lie in Anioma, particularly within the Enuani-speaking communities of present-day Delta State. In its original environment, Odogwu was not a casual praise name—it was a highly formalized title with a precise meaning tied to the military structure of the people. Originally, Odogwu functioned as a distinct war title in Anioma society and formed part of the region’s structured hierarchy of martial leadership. It was earned through exceptional service to the community, not granted for wealth, age, or social prominence. To be called Odogwu in ancient Anioma societies was to be acknowledged as a proven warrior, strategist, and defender of the people. Oral histories in...

 Farewell Jimmy Cliff: From Stage to Jail in Nigeria By Emeka Esogbue My father was not only a music enthusiast but also a devoted follower of James Chambers, popularly known as Jimmy Cliff. Born on July 30, 1944, in Somerton (Saint James Parish), Jamaica, Cliff was a reggae legend and an idol for many, including my father, Patrick Chukwudumebi Esogbue. Growing up, I developed a love for Jimmy Cliff alongside Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley), another Jamaican musical great. My curiosity for both musicians grew with my father’s passion for music. His Kenwood turntable, accompanied by two speakers standing side by side on a table, rarely operated without the voices of these reggae icons filling our home. In the evenings, it was almost always Bob Marley or Jimmy Cliff. While both were immensely appealing, Jimmy Cliff held a unique charm that resonated deeply with my father. Unlike today, Cliff rarely performed on stage, yet his music was powerful, soft but compelling, rich in storytel...

 A Day With Greg Enurah, President of the Ibusa Lagos Island Association (ILIA), and His Transformative Vision for Ibusa By Emeka Esogbue (Pen Master) On Wednesday, November 20, 2025, at exactly 10:00 a.m., I paid a scheduled visit to Mr. Greg Enurah in his Apapa office, Lagos. True to the warm spirit of Ibusa hospitality, he received me with openness and brotherliness. I had followed the activities of the Ibusa Lagos Island Association, its founders, its mission, and its much-anticipated end-of-year celebration and as someone committed to the progress of Ibusa affairs, I saw the need to bring this emerging association to the attention of our people, especially those residing in Lagos. For decades, kinship was the invisible cord that held Ibusa together. It was once common for two Ibusa indigenes meeting outside the homeland to instantly connect as though they were biological siblings. Our culture, shared identity, and sense of belonging made us one. Unfortunately, rising urban pre...

 The Traditionalists and the Modernists of Ibusa: Impacts on the Community’s Cultural Life By Emeka Esogbue Over the decades, the cultural life of Ibusa has transitioned steadily from deep-rooted tradition to a more modernized identity. To the present generation, many of these changes appear normal or inevitable, yet they carry significant implications for cultural continuity, self-identity, and heritage preservation. The first visible sign of this transformation lies in the evolution of the community’s name from Igbuzo to the Anglicized Ibusa, now the officially gazetted form. This shift is more than orthographic; it symbolizes the community’s encounter with colonial influence, administrative convenience, and a modern identity aligned with national and global communication systems. Yet many younger Ibusa indigenes remain unaware that the traditional dialect avoids the letter “r,” replacing it with “h,” making Igbuzo the authentic form, not Igbuzor. To the traditionalists, largely ...

A Glimpse into the Life of Gen. Godwin Alabi-Isama: An Anioma Patriot Shaped by War, Guided by Truth, and Devoted to Peace By Emeka Esogbue Few Nigerian military figures embody the paradox of war and peace as profoundly as Gen. Godwin Alabi-Isama (Retd.), an Anioma-born officer, historian, and patriot whose life bridges courage on the battlefield and truth in historical reflection. Born on December 24, 1940, in Ilorin, into a family of mixed Anioma and Yoruba heritage, the retired general rose to prominence during the Nigerian Civil War as Chief of Staff of the Third Marine Commando Division, where his tactical brilliance and unflinching discipline became legendary. Yet beyond the uniform, Alabi-Isama’s enduring legacy lies in his lifelong devotion to truth, peace, and the Anioma cause, values that later defined his service as President-General of Izu Anioma. He was born to Pa Alabi Isama of Ikilibi, Utagba-Unor (Ndokwa area of Anioma), who migrated to Ilorin, Kwara State, in search of...

 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...