Emeka Esogbue

 Oguguamakwa: A Name of Consolation Emeka Esogbue My name is Oguguamakwa, a beautiful and meaningful name that few people know me by. Given to me by my great aunt, Nwunye Okafor, this name holds significant importance in my life. It reminds me of the story of my birth often narrated to me by my parents. My mother especially, would take time to conversationally compare the situations of loss and gain from experience. Oguguamakwa translates to "consolation," reflecting the circumstances surrounding my birth.  My parents had previously lost a child, Chukwuka, during the Nigerian Civil War due to hunger caused by the blockade and were saddened. Perhaps, the situation at the time constrained them to believe the possibility of another child but I came. My arrival became a source of comfort and solace, a divine replacement in a time of great loss. As Africans would say, God brought me to them as a gift. No word could have adequately described joy. Emotions were high with the atmosph...