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...