Emeka Esogbue

 When History Becomes a Tool of Division in Nigeria One striking feature of Nigerian public discourse is its fixation on the past. While many societies focus on the future, debating proposals, policies, agendas, and forecasts, Nigerian conversations are often dominated by historical grievances. Discussions frequently return to Lord Lugard’s amalgamation, the civil war, the Zik–Awo rivalry, claims of ethnic superiority, or ancient inter-tribal conflicts. At times, one might think Nigeria is the only country ever amalgamated or the only nation to have experienced a civil war. Curiously, almost every Nigerian becomes an ethnic or tribal historian, including those who would never have deemed history valuable enough to study formally. Yet this selective engagement with history is rarely aimed at understanding or reconciliation; instead, it is often used as a tool for division and mutual suspicion. In this sense, history in Nigeria is frequently deployed not to build, but to fragment....

 There is No Reason to Locate Anioma in the Southeast; President, Governors and their Deputies, Not Required to Vacate Offices Upon Defection, Frank Ofili Frank Ofili, a Lagos-based Human Resource Practitioner from Illah in Delta State, has carved a niche for himself as a respected public commentator on national and international affairs, particularly in the political sphere. In this interview with Anioma media influencer, PEN MASTER (EMEKA ESOGBUE), Ofili shares his views on the political landscape of Nigeria. He discusses state creation; why Anioma State should not be located in the Southeast, the viability of political parties, the challenges states face in generating internal resources, and the need to curb the rampant defection of politicians entrusted with the people’s mandate. Excerpts: Pen Master: I know you, Frank Ofili but I would really appreciate it if you introduce yourself to our teeming readers. The interview surely presents interest. Excerpts: Ofili: Yes, my name is...

  Revisiting the Anioma Traditional Rulers Rejection of their Relocation to the East Central Region: History as a Repetition -        Emeka Esogbue Not many know that in history, the present Niger State, one of the nation’s 36 states in the North Central part of the country was originally intended for the Anioma people of Nigeria. In 1975, there was an agitation for the creation of more states in the country and a group started a rigorous campaign in which they sought to relocate the Anioma people from their Midwestern Region to the East Central to share a geographical space with other Igbo-speaking people but the Anioma traditional rulers rejected their relocation as well as a share of state with people who are not Anioma of the present Delta State. It was a firm decision taken by Anioma traditional rulers which eventually dissuaded the then Head of State, His Excellency Gen Yakubu Gowon from uniting the Anioma people with the Igbos of today’s S...

 As Nigerian Economic Crisis Deepens, Suicidal Cases May Soar, Kizito Ijeh Warns - Emeka Esogbue Politician and People of Oshimili North (PoON) founder, Chief Kizito Osadebe Ijeh has lamented Nigeria's worsening economic situation, warning that the situation is pregnant with more serious consequences for the nation's citizens.  Chief Ijeh, in a brief message delivered to the members of People of Oshimili North on Monday feared that the nation's worsening situation may further lead to increase in suicidal cases and acceleration of crimes in the country.  The PDP veteran politician from Ibusa in Delta State expressed shock at the deepening economic crisis that the people have to deal with. "With the way things are going, I foresee a lot of suicides and despicable crimes in the nearest future."   "Tragically, our educational system didn't prepare us for this time." Kizito Ijeh explained that Nigerian children go to school to learn what they could hardly...

A Justification for the National Anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee." - Emeka Esogbue It is a positive milestone that the Nigerian House of Representatives has decided to reinstate "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" and eliminate "Arise O' Compatriots."  Although we hear that this Bill sponsored by Hon Julius Ihonvbere has successfully passed the first and second reading and now awaits the third reading of Thursday plenary, the lawmakers should never hesitate to return the anthem to the nation. Evidently, the version that the Obasanjo administration gave the country in 1978 is not quite as expressive of the passionate spirit of nationalism as the one that preceded it.  Reasonably, the nation's former anthem, "Nigeria, we hail thee," penned by Lilian Jean Williams, encourages love, harmony, peace, and patriotism.  In addition, it evokes feelings of aspirational Nigerianness, which permeates the multiplicity of tribes, as well as pride, dignity, happiness...

 Jubilation in Ibusa as Buhari Assents Institute of Strategic Management Act - GIWA President, Ajumeze, Henry Ajudua, Philip Elueme, Others Hail Prof Uwandulu for the Uncommon Feat Story By Emeka Esogbue The people of Ibusa in Delta State have hailed outgoing President, Mohammadu Buhari for assenting the Chartered Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (Establishment) Act.  The news was broken to the people of the community via social media platforms where it was posted on Tuesday by Prof Austin Uwandulu, the Institute's initiator and illustrious son of the community.  The visibly excited Uwandulu who is also the founder of the Academy for Governance wrote:  "Join me in thanking God for a dream come true as President Buhari, yesterday, signed into law, the bill that transferred the Institute that I pioneered and founded in Nigeria into an Act."  "The Institute is a precursor to the Academy for Governance that I am also implanting for the greatness of Niger...

  CONSTITIONAL PROBLEM: WHAT IS WRONG WITH NIGERIA’S 1999 CONSTITUTION? By Emeka Esogbue One Dictionary defines the constitution as a legal document which determines the fundamental principles of a government. In furtherance, the Dictionary of Oxford Languages defines the legal document as “a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.” It is noteworthy that a constitution which may either written or unwritten, is essential to the governance of any country. The 1999 constitution is the supreme law of Nigeria and was adopted on May 29, 1999. It is divided into 8 chapters and has 320 sections. Despite this, the Nigerian Constitution is claimed to be faulty by a number of people who continue to call for amendment or renewal as the case may be. It is very unfortunate that the cry for constitutional change in Nigeria has continued unabated and on the other hand, the change of constitution...