Emeka Esogbue

  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...

 Our Festivals Can Exist Side By Side Christianity, Ikwele Celestine Okafor Speaks Ahead of Ibusa People's Ine Festival His Royal Eminence, Chief Engr. Celestine Okafor is the Ikwele of Ibusa and also the Ibusa community's Chief Priest. The Ikwele, by his traditional office, is the custodian of the Ine Festival which the community is preparing to celebrate. In this interview with Ibusa Community Advocate, PEN MASTER (EMEKA ESOGBUE), His Eminence shares his experience of the festival with other forms of culture with readers. He also speaks on the expected role of the government toward social-cultural growth and development of the community, using the instrument festivals and offers historical opinion on the cultural relationships shared by Umejei and Ikenga. More interestingly, he also renders an oral historical narrative on the role of the Ikwele in Ibusa wars with other communities and how he also prepares the warlords to defend the community. Excerpts: Pen Master: You have be...

 Erosion of Ibusa's Traditional Naming System: A Casualty of Westernization By Emeka Esogbue The Ibusa people of Nigeria once cherished their vibrant festivals, which showcased music, dance, cultural exhibitions, and community gatherings beyond the present. These events brought the community together, commemorating significant occasions like harvests, cleansing, and the traditional New Year. Festivals like Iwu, Ulo, and Ine/Ichu Ekwensu were integral to Ibusa's cultural identity.  The festivals' vibrant celebrations have always been inclusive, welcoming women to participate freely alongside men. Historically, women have played a vital role in enriching the festivities with their energetic dance performances and joyful spirits. This tradition continues to thrive, as women still participate in large numbers in the Iwu Festival. Although their traditional roles may be limited, their presence is essential to the festival's completeness, adding depth and richness to the cult...

  Ibusa's Cherished Ine Festival Makes a Triumphant Return By Emeka Esogbue After two years of the last enactment, the Ine/Ichu Ekwensu Festival, a beloved tradition of the Ibusa people in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, is set to make a huge comeback to the delight of the people. His Eminence, Chief Engr. Celestine Okeibunor Okafor, the Ikwele of Ibusa, has unveiled plans for the bi-annual festival to take place. The community's Chief Priest recently revealed intention to newsmen in the community to celebrate the festival, a cornerstone of Ibusa's cultural heritage. A specially prepared video on the festival now being broadcast in media houses across the nation, also forwarded to PEN MASTER showcases the festival's significance and beauty. Significantly, the Ine Festival also called Ichu Ekwensu in some quarters, holds deep spiritual and cultural relevance to the people of the community, aiming to exorcise evil spirits, cleanse the community and pa...

  An Overview of Festivals in Anioma By Dr. Emeka Esogbue The Anioma area in Delta State enjoys a number of festivals periodically celebrated by the people. This overview of festivals celebrated by the people will enable you to understand the festival as well as the people who celebrate them. Some of the festivals are listed below:   Iwaji (New Yam) Festival New Yam festival also called ‘Iwa-ji’ is an annual festival widely celebrated in Anioma. The festival is one in which gratitude is offered the gods or deities for a fruitful year. The reason for celebrating the festival is understandable since yam provides the people reliable food. Iwaji Festival is mostly celebrated in September to mark the end of fruitful harvest by the people. It is by far the most widely celebrated festival by the Anioma people as it is observed by nearly all the communities that make up the region. In Illah community, the commencement of the festival is signified by ‘Ika nmor’ by the Iyese...