Emeka Esogbue

 From Benin to History: A Post-War Story of Nigeria’s Civil War Figure, Major (Dr.) Albert Okonkwo – Part Two By Emeka Esogbue When the guns of the Nigerian Civil War finally fell silent in January 1970, Major (Dr.) Albert Onweazu Okonkwo was no longer the Military Administrator of a vanquished republic but a man compelled to confront the harsh aftermath of a lost cause. The Midwest campaign, which had begun with conviction and strategic intent, ended in retreat, recrimination, and a lingering sense of betrayal. Many had fled. Col. Henry Igboba, an Ibusa kinsman who was abandoned and later detained by Col. Banjo, was publicly executed in Benin, a grim reminder of how swiftly fortunes changed during the war. In the typical fashion of military order, Okonkwo was arrested at the end of the war and detained for seven years in various Nigerian facilities being Owerri, Port Harcourt, Lagos (Broad Street), and Kano (Gorron Dutse) before finally regaining his freedom in 1977. While in Gorr...

  ALOR: NEAR ANNIHILATION, REBIRTH AND SPREAD IN MODERN IBUSA By Emeka Esogbue INTRODUCTION Alor is a general practice in various Anioma especially among the Enuani communities although the origin remains largely unknown. It bears several significances where practiced. Alor is largely practiced in other Anioma communities with the name either retained or known as “Ichi-nmor” depending on the particular society. In places like Asaba, an Mkpalor is known as “Ogbueshi” or “Ogbueyin” in Onicha-Olona. The Ogbueshi, only a dialectical version of Ogbuenyi involves a traditional practice in which a particular male has metaphorically killed a cow. It has been emphasized that cow in the traditional sense symbolizes the mother earth. The Ogbueshi process is complex yet, necessary in man’s society where practiced. However, it is called “Mkpalor” in communities like Ibusa, Akwukwu-Igbo and others. This is not to rule out the recognized practice in Ibusa elevates an Alor initiate to Ogbu...