Emeka Esogbue

 ICDU Festac Branch Set for Official Unveiling and Inauguration by Worldwide NEC ​By Emeka Esogbue ​The Ibusa Community Development Union (ICDU) is reaching a new milestone as the Festac Branch, the latest addition to the ICDU Worldwide family, prepares for its official affiliation and unveiling. According to statements from the branch leadership, the historic ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026. ​The path to this affiliation has been paved by the diligent efforts of the Lagos-based members, who have successfully fulfilled all constitutional requirements and conditions set by the parent body. This milestone follows the successful establishment of the Festac Branch on May 8, 2025, an initiative driven by the dedication of patriotic Ibusa indigenes committed to community growth. With a current roster of 83 active members, the Festac Branch has rapidly ascended to become one of the largest and most vibrant units within the global union. ​The upcoming event pr...

 Ibusa Set for Energy Revolution as Taoo Strategic Energy Team Proposes Landmark Solar Mini-Grid Project for the Community ​By Emeka Esogbue ​IBUSA – There are strong indications that Ibusa, a prominent community in the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, may soon see an end to decades of erratic power supply. In a bold move toward energy autonomy, the Taoo Strategic Energy Team has formally reached out to community leaders and stakeholders with a proposal to transition the town to a fully independent, solar-powered grid. ​An authoritative source informed PEN MASTER on Friday that high-level arrangements are underway to decouple Ibusa from the national grid which has long been plagued by instability and reposition it on an autonomous, green energy infrastructure. ​The energy firm facilitated by Barr Ifeanyi Clement Nwaokolo, a member of the community has already submitted comprehensive proposals to key decision-makers; HRM Obi Prof. Louis Nwoboshi, the Obuzor of Ib...

 A New Era for Ibusa in Lagos: Patrick Nweke Emerges President in Historic Festac ICDU Elections ​By Emeka Esogbue ​History was made in Lagos on Sunday as the Festac Branch of the Ibusa Community Development Union (ICDU) conducted its inaugural election since its inception. The landmark event, which drew members from across the region, signaled a formal transition from interim leadership to a democratically elected executive body poised to steer the union’s affairs. ​In a closely watched race, Mr. Patrick Obi Nweke emerged as the President of the Union. Nweke, who faced off against Apostle Pat Nwanze, took an early and decisive lead at the polls. By the conclusion of the counting process, Nweke secured the majority of votes, while Apostle Nwanze, following the constitutional framework, was positioned as the Union's Vice President. ​The election was overseen by a dedicated Electoral Committee led by Pastor (Barr) Emmanuel Nwaezeapu, a notable Lagos-based lawyer and attorney alongsid...

 Festac ICDU Holds First End-of-Year Party, Members Task ICDU Worldwide on Comprehensive Reforms Story By Emeka Esogbue The newly established Festac Branch of the Ibusa Community Development Union (ICDU) held its maiden end-of-year get-together on Sunday in Festac Town, Lagos. The well-attended event brought together members who used the occasion to call on ICDU Worldwide to initiate urgent and comprehensive reforms at the National Executive Council level. The programme opened with a prayer offered by Pastor (Barr.) Emmanuel Nwaezeapu, followed by the traditional breaking of the kola nut performed by Diokpa Ikedinma Okafor. Members thereafter introduced themselves. In his welcome address, the Acting President, Apostle Pat Nwanze, thanked members for their presence and urged greater unity within the branch. He recalled the efforts that led to the re-establishment of the Festac Branch and encouraged members to remain committed, assuring them that the branch was on course to become on...

 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...

  Dear Ibusa, Time to Think Community-Based Tourism Initiative (CBT) By Emeka Esogbue Since 2008, I have been in the advocacy of the establishment of tourism in Ibusa community using the Okpuzu Waterfall as a potential site for the initiative expecting that the Ibusa Community Development Union Worldwide (ICDU) would stay in the forefront in conjunction with the government at the state and local government levels to advance the cause. The community has the human resource capital to purse the initiative and the Ibusa Community Development Union Worldwide has the potential to rally around the people to plan the project. However, this only happens in the community where peace and unity exist with other necessary factors in place to make it a possibility. There must be development such that even in the absence of government support in the community, the Ibusa people should rally to strive to develop their town. One common feature noticeable in Ibusa is the tendency to develop b...

 Ibusa Community Development Union Worldwide Holds Annual Conference in Ibusa, New Officers Elected into Offices - Mandates Youths Above 18 to Register Membership or Risk Revocation of Communal Rights Story By Emeka Esogbue The Ibusa Community Development Union Worldwide also known as "ICDU - Worldwide" held its annual conference on April 19, 2025 in the community. The event which was held inside Nkata, the Diokpa's Palace in Umueze axis of the community had in attendance hundreds of members and other indigenes of the community from different countries of the world. The Town Union also took the opportunity to conduct an election in which new executive officers were elected into offices. Chief Victor Uchuno, and Onowu Ekwene Ijeh, the President-General and Deputy President-General of the Town Union respectively were reelected into offices. Also reelected were Sir Tony Oraegbu and Dr. Ifeanyi Ikenwe as the Secretary General and Vice Secretary General respectively. The confe...

 Lagos ICDU Elects Ike Ofuokwu, Charles Nmarkwe, Angela Izegbu, Others as New Executives Story By Emeka Esogbue The Lagos Island Branch of the Ibusa Community Development Union (ICDU), on Sunday, elected arrays of fine hands as new executives of the Town Union.  Ike Ofuokwu, Esq., a renowned lawyer from the community, was elected President of the Town Union in an election that took place inside the Lekki Peninsula Hotel in Lagos. The election was described by participants as free, fair, and ultimately a people's choice of leadership. Charles Nmarkwe, another well-known lawyer from the community, was elected Vice-President.  The Lagos Island Branch of the Town Union in a democratic exchange of batons also produced Entertainer and current People of Oshimili North Ambassador, Angela Izegbu fondly called "Angela Loks" as the General Secretary.  In his acceptance address, the amiable and well-known Boardroom player, Ike Ofuokwu, who would assume leadership duties, express...

 Pen Master's Anioma Man of the Month: Applauding Elder Statesman, Austin Izagbo  - Emeka Esogbue From Enuani to Ika; Ika to Ndokwa, the Anioma people have never been found lacking in terms in terms of human richness. In whatever human endeavour you want, the people are readily there for you.  Austin Nonyelim Izagbo, PhD, Nigerian Elder Statesman, Politician, Businessman, Technocrat, Administrator, and PR Guru, evidences the Anioma human gains.  Dr. Austin Izagbo hails from Umueze in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, a community known for its human greatness having the pride to boast of popular living figures in the likes of Prof Pat Utomi, Dame Winifred Akpani, Amb Ignatius Olisemeka, Chief Celestine Okobi, Prof Chris Nwaokobia, Chief Fred Ajudua, Olympian Gold medalist, Kingsley Obiekwu, Zik Zulu Okafor, Chief Sebastian Adigwe, Mr. Frank Atuche and many more.  Elder Statesman, Dr. Austin Izagbo, the Ide of Ibusa, is one of the greates...

 Emmanuel Amatokwu Calls for the Revival of the La gos Branch of Ibusa ICDU - Emeka Esogbue  Ibusa Sports Club Coordinator and one-time Oshimili North Local Government Area Chairmanship contestant, Mr. Emmanuel 'Kwasa' Amatokwu have called on the people of the Ibusa community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State to ensure the revival of the Lagos Branch of the Ibusa Community Development Union also known as ICDU.  Amatokwu also called "Mayor of Ibusa" by his admirers made the call in Ibusa on Saturday via the email he sent to a chain of prominent indigenes of the Ibusa Community and other stakeholders, a copy he forwarded to PEN MASTER.  Worried by near loss of value, the former Banker wrote, "it has come to our notice that despite all the efforts put in place by the Ibusa Think Tank to make sure that those of us in Lagos take our ICDU meetings very seriously, our Lagos Town Union is dying. Unfortunately, the move has been allowed to gradually f...

 In the Beginning: From Ibusa Union to Ibusa Community Development Union - By Emeka Esogbue As we have now seen, by 1951, the Ibusa Union, now Ibusa Community Development Union (ICDU) under J. C. K. Odia as President-General, was an employer of labour and in terms of remuneration, it was by far, a more well-paying job than the large Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) of the time. For instance, while young Nosike Ikpo (Obi Senator Nosike Ikpo), the newly employed "Under Secretary" by the Town Union, as reported, was paid £2 (two pounds) by Nigerian Railway Corporation, but he received £6 from Ibusa Union.  Indeed, Ibusa Union paid higher than Post and Telecommunication (P & T), and the Department of Marine, of the category, among others. The officers of the Town Union thrived on enhanced salaries.  Ibusa members of this Town Union paid their levies promptly as proud members and patriotism were very high. Love existed among them and every Ibusa indigene considered thems...

 Luke Ashinze Tasks Oshimli North Council Boss on Consideration of a Cemetery in Ibusa By Emeka Esogbue Prominent Ibusa indigene, Mr. Luke Ashinze has tasked Hon Innocent Esewezie, the Executive Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area with the consideration of a policy that would birth for use, a tract of land where the dead in the community would be buried.  Mr. Ashinze who disclosed this in Umejei Descendants, a macro WhatsApp blog created to unite the people of the community, in a post submitted by him, also asked that enabling laws be made to ensure the implementation of the use of the cemetery in the community.  "Sincerely, I have just realized that our focused Executive Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area is on (sic) this platform. May I politely ask him and his administration to critically consider having a policy in Ibusa that will establish a central cemetery? It could be a cultural change difficult to effect," Ashinze pleaded.  "Succes...