Emeka Esogbue

 Nostalgic Reflections: The Meaningful Names I Bear By Emeka Esogbue As I reflect on my heritage, I am reminded of the beautiful names I have been given. Alongside Emeka, my first name, I am also known as Oguguamakwa (or Ogugua for short) and Olisemenke or Menke. These names evoke memories of my birth and the circumstances surrounding it. In Enuani culture, as in many African societies, children are named based on the events surrounding their birth or their parents' experiences. This meaningful tradition contrasts with Western naming conventions, where names like Stone, Sand, Hill, Lake or Rock are common. My parents' story is one of resilience. Having lost their only child, Chukwuka, to hunger and starvation during the Nigerian Civil War, my birth brought consolation. They swiftly named me Chukwuemeka, meaning "God has done well," as if to reaffirm their faith. My maternal grandmother, Omebe Okolie nee Dike, affectionately called me Olisemenke, emphasizing God's ...