Oshimili North Council Chairman, Hon Esewezie, Ibusa DPO Adefolalu, Dame Winifred Akpani, Prof. Oyedemi, Emeka Esogbue, Others Honoured at Ibusa End-of-Year Ceremony

 Oshimili North Council Chairman, Hon Esewezie, Ibusa DPO Adefolalu, Dame Winifred Akpani, Prof. Oyedemi, Emeka Esogbue, Others Honoured at Ibusa End-of-Year Ceremony

Ibusa Voices Speak:

* Do Not Allow Riffraffs to Take Over Ibusa — Elvis Okonji

* Elites Are Disconnecting Their Children from Ibusa Cultural Values — Emeka Esogbue

* Invest in Ibusa Human Capital — Elder Acho Nonyalim

By Emeka Esogbue

It was a remarkable convergence of eminent personalities and stakeholders in Ibusa on Sunday, December 28, 2025, as community elites, leaders, opinion moulders, and captains of industry gathered for the Inaugural End-of-Year Thanksgiving and Award Ceremony. The event took place at Ezemese Primary School, Ibusa, Delta State.

Organised by the Ogbo Aho Aya Bi Age Grade, the ceremony attracted wide participation from various groups across the community. Proceedings began with opening prayers and the traditional breaking of the kola nut, after which the Onyeisi Ogbo, Mr. Anthony Ikechukwu Agor, delivered the welcome address, expressing gratitude to attendees for honouring the invitation.

The Event Chairman, Elder Acho Nonyalim, Chairman of Junic Group emphasised the untapped financial and developmental potential inherent in the Ibusa age-grade system. The real estate entrepreneur urged age-grade members to prioritise human capital development, advising them to periodically pool resources to sponsor Ibusa youths for postgraduate studies abroad. According to him, sustainable poverty reduction would be achieved when beneficiaries, in turn, help others to access similar opportunities.

Delivering the keynote address, the President General of the Ibusa Community Development Union (ICDU) Worldwide, Onowu Comrade Victor Uchuno, commended the organisers for their thoughtful yuletide programme, describing it as heart-warming and development-driven. He noted with satisfaction that several Age grades in Ibusa are now reorganising themselves into think tanks and resource groups to generate ideas and solutions for the community’s numerous developmental challenges.

The Ikejiani of Ibusa, Chief Elvis Okonji, condemned recent killings in the community and called on indigenes between the ages of 40 and 60 to resist attempts by criminal elements to take over Ibusa. He denounced cultism, hooliganism, and the indiscriminate sale of communal lands by youths hiding in forest settlements. Chief Okonji criticised the arming of cultists instead of empowering them economically and revealed plans to establish a rehabilitation centre in the community.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Council, Hon. Innocent Esewezie, also condemned the recent killings, lamenting the recurring loss of lives during the Iwu Festival. He assured the community that the perpetrators would be apprehended and urged residents to support security agencies, stressing that security is a collective responsibility. He further disclosed plans by his administration to deploy about 20 vehicles to enhance security operations in Ibusa.

Receiving his award, renowned philanthropist Pastor Idowu Okeze pledged continued commitment to the development of Ibusa and called on other well-meaning indigenes to join hands with him. He specifically promised to rehabilitate the deteriorating Umuisor Road.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to deserving sons and daughters of Ibusa, including Hon. Innocent Esewezie, His Royal Eminence Chief Engr. Celestine Okafor (the Ikwele of Ibusa), Onowu Comrade Victor Uchuno, Prof. Julius Oyedemi (PWAN Plus Chief), Hon. Austin Nnabuife (APC chieftain), CSP Anthony Adefolalu (Ibusa Divisional Police Officer), renowned Anioma historian Emeka Esogbue, and several others.

Earlier, in a goodwill message published in the event brochure, historian and cultural advocate Emeka Esogbue highlighted challenges confronting the Ibusa age-grade system. He warned that many Ibusa elites no longer actively connect their children to indigenous values and community networks, a trend he described as a serious threat to cultural continuity. He also lamented the erosion of respect for elders, noting the growing tendency of youths to insult elders publicly, including on social media. He advised political actors to desist from interfering in youth and cultural structures to preserve unity and independence.

On arrival, Chief Charles Okonkwo, the Odogwu of Ibusa was given a rousing welcome. The event was spiced with cultural performances by the Umuisagba cultural troupe, whose revered masquerades provided entertainment and reaffirmed the community’s rich cultural heritage.