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 ...

 …continued from Part One Ibusa Multiple Obiship Explored: Insights from Obi Ajudua’s One-Year Milestone – Part Two By Emeka Esogbue As highlighted in Part One, attaining the Obiship title in Ibusa, Asaba, or Okwe is both presti gious and costly. Similar to the revered Ọzọ initiation in Igboland, Multiple Obiship is an institution reserved for the affluent, those who embody nobility and aristocracy. Its high financial demands and associated challenges remain a significant barrier to entry. Without question, the Multiple Obi System stands as the most distinguished traditional title in Asaba, Ibusa, Okwe, and Illah. It represents the pinnacle of traditional authority, akin to what the Ọzọ title symbolizes across the Southeast. Though some view it as diminished today, Obiship continues to face profound challenges driven by cultural shifts, economic pressures, Christianity, and Western influences. Traditionally, the Obi institution embodies social, spiritual, and moral authority; pilla...

 Grand Patron of OFAAC: HRM Obi Emmanuel Efeizomor Honoured at Anioma Cultural Festival Story By Emeka Esogbue His Royal Majesty, Obi Dr. Emmanuel Ayinke Efeizomor II, JP, (OON), was conferred with the Grand Patron of the Organization For the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC) on April 21, 2025, at the Anioma Cultural Festival venue. This prestigious honour is an indication of his tireless efforts in promoting Anioma's rich cultural heritage. He was recognized for his relationship with the body and contributions towards the growth and development of the Organization. His Majesty has also been a huge support to the organizers since its foundation, volunteering necessary help to assist in promoting Anioma culture and identity. Born on March 10, 1938, he was crowned the 11th Obi of Owa Kingdom on September 6, 1959. His educational background, which includes studying in Sapele, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Britain, and the United States of America, has equipped him with the knowledge and ...

 The Iwu Festival: Leveraging Satire, Sarcasm, and Social Commentary to Address Societal Challenges in Anioma By Emeka Esogbue Beyond its vibrant dance and music, the Iwu Festival, celebrated by the Anioma communities of Ogwashi-Uku, Ibusa, Ubulu-Uku, Ubulu-Unor, and Illah, employs satire, mockery, and social commentary to confront societal ills and promote positive change. This unique approach is not isolated to the Iwu Festival, as various African festivals, such as the Akan Festival of Ghana, Egungun Festival of the Yorubas, Kwagh-hir Festival of the Tiv, and Ovia Osese Festival of the neighbouring Urhobo in Delta State, Nigeria, also utilize satire, sarcasm, and mockery to address evil doers and societal ills. During the Iwu Festival, celebrants dance to traditional rhythms infused with satirical messages, using gestures, movements, and facial expressions to convey their message. The festival serves as a platform for community participation, encouraging individuals to join in r...

 Omu Anioma United Us, the Enuani People - Emeka Esogbue  The late Omu of Anioma, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu will remain in history as one who invited us cultural unity and one contributed to the lifting of the Okpanam community. As it relates to bringing our people together, strengthening and promoting us in cultural terms, I can think of HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu, Arc Kester Ifeadi, Idumuje-Unor-born Chief Michael Odiakosa, Gideon Nwaomu and a few others. While several of our chieftaincy title holders and other custodians of our tradition thought of their immediate communities, the trio had no bound. They pursued the formation of a united Enuani cultural front and I think they deserve some pat on the back from the rest of us.   The late Omu of Anioma had no access to government source of funds. She was not a contractor and had no sponsors. Her customary position never allowed her to work or do business. Despite all odds, she used all she had to give everything necessary to ...

  A 60-ANTHOLOGICAL PROVERBS OF THE ENUANI PEOPLE WITH LITERAL MEANINGS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPILED BY DR. EMEKA ESOGBUE 1. Proverb: Anya nabo adi afu okuku na ada Meaning: Two eyes do not see a chicken at a fall 2. Proverb: Wa dia agwa ochi nti na aya su Meaning: The deaf is never told that war has started 3.Proverb:   Ji nmadu ka ewu na eli Meaning: It is the yam that belongs to a human being that the goat eats 4. Proverb: Ashia di nma le owea Meaning: A good commodity sells itself 5.Proverb:   Ebe esu no nwu obulu inyea Meaning: Wherever the millipede dies becomes its grave 6. Proverb: Agadi na ekwu, onu na eshi, ekpe ogabu obua kokoloko Meaning: When the old is cautioning, he is neglected but when it materializes, the consequence is clear 7. Proverb: Mbekwu akor na inu Meaning: There is no troublesome situation that a particular person is not involved 8. Proverb: Onye nwe unor mali ebe ona eshi mmili Meaning: The owner of the house k...

 Huxley Unumadu, Izomo of Umuebu Wins the King of Tradition award - Dedicates Award to Gov Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State for Effective Leadership and Transformation By Emeka Esogbue  They say honour and good works do not go unrecognized as they breed value and respect and this is seen in Ugoesa Huxley Adiniebo Unumadu who was recently honoured in far-away Garden City, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.  There seems no end of glorious awards and honours for the Izomo of Umuebu Kingdom in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State. To those who know him closely well, Ugoesa Huxley Unumadu, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Tourism and Culture is everything, the culture, and tradition of the Anioma nation, traveling to cart home nearly every available award from corporate bodies, the media, and government agencies around Africa.  In the present Delta State administration, the Izomo is not only seen to have justified his portfolio bu...

 Our Anioma People Should Appreciate Our Akwa Ocha Like the Yoruba and Edo Do - Akwa-Ocha Designer, Precious Adigwe Precious Adigwe, a Master’s Degree holder in Mass Communication, is a household name in the design of the Akwa-Ocha cultural fabric of the Anioma people with her products that easily circulates within and outside Anioma, up to overseas, making her one of the most sought after in the local fabric industry. In this interview with PEN MASTER (EMEKA ESOGBUE), Precious Adigwe shares her passion for the fabric, the challenges encountered and ways by which the fabric can be preserved by her people. Excerpts.  Pen Master: Mrs. Precious Adigwe, good to meet you, again. Well, I know you with utmost familiarity but for the purpose of this interview, I will like you introduced to the rest of our readers.  Adigwe: Okay, thank you very much, Pen Master. I am Mrs. Precious Nkem Adigwe, the CEO of PrecyPat Akwaocha & Coral Bead's Designs. I am particularly a creative-pr...

 My Issele-Uku Travels and the Kingdom’s Ine Celebration: The Experience  By Emeka Esogbue On that night, I rejoined Issele-Uku, we gathered around the Obi with the display of prowess in ‘ita inu’, ‘tales by the moon’ and the night seemed morning yet with Issele-Uku becoming antediluvian with resultant beauty; returning to the period before the foreign imperial incursion when the King of Issele-Uku was especially amused. Everyone that had to tell the tale, heralded his story with the usual ‘Enye mu unu nju’ as is the general practice of the Enuani people. In the middle of the ‘Ita inu', when a few unexpected distractions inhibited our hilarity, the Obi, possessing god-like quality, displayed superiority to mundane and humdrum matters with his constant call for the restoration of order from the distractors that instantaneously and ultimately submitted to him. The ‘Ita Inu’ was all about the adventures of ‘mbekwu’, the tortoise, a reminder of ‘mbekwu oka na inu,’ another saying ...

  Ubulu-Uku is Blessed and I Cherish our Inheritance from Ezemu -        Anthony Awunor, Journalist and Ubulu Ezemu Founder   Ubulu-Uku-born Anthony Awunor, a Journalist, Linguist and founder of Ubulu Ezemu speaks to PEN MASTER (EMEKA ESOGBUE) on a number of issues pertaining to his beginning, lifetime successes in journalism, sole foundation of Ubulu Ezemu, the platform with which Ubulu-Uku and other sons and daughters of Anioma are now honoured, loss of Omuship in the community and perceived identity crisis of the Anioma people. The brilliant and intellectual Deputy Business Editor of Leadership Newspaper speaks on these and more in this ‘hot’ interview. Excerpts:       Pen Master: Anthony Awunor, after the long chase, you have found time for this scheduled interview. Before anything, our teeming readers will like to meet you.   Awunor: (Smiling) Thank you my brother. I am Anthony Awunor, the publisher of Ubulu ...