Emeka Esogbue

 Ibusa Pays Final Respect to Omu Augustina Nando, the late Omu of the community  By Emeka Esogbue The final funeral rites of the last Omu of Ibusa, Omu Augustina Ogugua Nando was conducted in Ibusa yesterday being Eke day. The final rites of the funeral natively known as "Ife ilo" were conducted to give the late Omu who was popular for her discipline and knowledge of the Ibusa customs and tradition, the last respect culturally expected of an Omu in the community where culture is heavily cherished.  Omu Nando was the last Omu of Ibusa whose reign ended the more than 400 years of the traditional institution of the Anioma people in the community. Since then, the community has been struggling to rebirth the foremost traditional female institution which gave women in the community and Anioma as a whole, a true sense of belonging. The institution once acted as a voice for the womenfolk and as a check on societal excesses. For instance, the Omu of Ibusa is empowered to attend th...