Emeka Esogbue

 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...

 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...