A Walk Down Memory Lane with the Ibusa Pathfinder Newspaper (August 1993)

 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 emerged as the winner among the nominees that year.

Another beautifully written article appeared on a different page, “The Diokpa Never Dies: Diokpa Ibusa,”  authored by the late L. N. Ashikodi, a man renowned for his literary skill. Ashikodi was notably the first Ibusa indigene to document the town’s history in a pamphlet, a pioneering effort that remains a reference point today.

The Ajudua family also featured prominently in the paper. Princess Pat Adankele Ajudua, as she was then known, was pictured holding her baby, Bobo Nkeolisakwu Ajudua. Thirty-two years later, Bobo has grown to become one of Nigeria’s most respected entertainment lawyers, a shining star in his field. At the time of his birth, the news made waves across Ibusa, as his parents were the Anioma icons of the moment.

A particularly insightful story called for the establishment of a daily market in the community, titled “Ibusa Needs a Market: Daily Market.” While Ashia Eke existed then and still does, it functioned only on its traditional four-day cycle. The appeal was for a new, modern market that would operate daily. Sadly, over three decades later, Ashia Eke remains the same, though it is undergoing some renovation at the moment. The dream of a fully functional daily market remains unrealized.

On page four, readers found a public appeal for the restoration of streetlights in Ibusa, a reminder that even then, the issue of public infrastructure was a concern.

That same page carried an editorial titled “Help Stabilize Ibusa: Keep the Families Together.” Whether that noble call has been achieved today remains debatable. Many would agree that kinship and communal bonds have declined sharply. The abandonment of traditional dispute-resolution systems and the increasing tendency to involve law enforcement in family or community matters have weakened the once-strong fabric of Ibusa kinship.

There was also mention of an Ibusa Achievement Award, held to commemorate the Ibusa Pathfinder’s 11th Anniversary on December 18, 1993, a celebration of excellence and community spirit.

One intriguing notice called on Ibusa males to identify their age grades and report to the newspaper’s team, an indication that Ibusa Pathfinder played a role in organizing or coordinating the community’s age-grade system.

As was typical of the paper’s community focus, there was also an obituary notice marking the death anniversary of Chief Celestine Oseloka Zobeashia, who passed away in July 1992 at the age of 51.

Finally, page nine carried a cheerful report of St. Thomas College’s football triumph, announcing the school as champions of the College FA Cup.

Indeed, these stories are sure to rekindle fond memories for elders who once read or heard about them, a nostalgic reminder of the vibrant, community-driven journalism that once flourished in Ibusa.

May the soul of the publisher continue to rest in perfect peace.

Amen.