Emeka Esogbue

 Onicha-Olona to Install Nwamaka Jibunoh as the New Omu of the Community By Emeka Esogbue All is set for the people of Onicha-Olona, an ancient Anioma community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, to install Nwamaka Cynthia Jibunoh as the new Omu of the community. The installation ceremony is scheduled to take place on August 28, 2026, at Umuozolumuna, Ogbe-Obi Quarters, Onicha-Olona. In a message to the Ogbe-Obi family and the general public, the community called for collective prayers for the new Omu and expressed hope that her reign would usher in blessings, peace and greater development for Onicha-Olona. The message also charged the incoming female traditional leader to deploy her leadership to advance the fortunes of the community and take Onicha-Olona to greater heights. The installation will mark a new beginning since the passing of Omu Ntoka, the last Omu of the community. Before Omu Ntoka was Her Royal Highness Omu Ada Ifesimehone Amambiwemdi-Okoh. Onich...

 Omu of Asaba Commends Asagba’s Gender-Inclusive Leadership, Advises Other Anioma Monarchs to Emulate Him  ​By Emeka Esogbue ​The Omu of Asaba, HRH Obi Dr. Ada Nwanneamaka Biosah, has expressed profound appreciation for the inclusive leadership style of the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof.) Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN. In a recent exchange, the Omu lauded the monarch for fostering a progressive environment where the voices of women are not just heard, but integrated into the highest levels of traditional decision-making mechanism. ​The Omu’s remarks came as a response to observations made by the Pen Master (Emeka Esogbue) on his social media space regarding the composition of the Asagba-in-Council.  Following a recent council meeting, it was noted that the Omu, the traditional female head is a fully integrated member of the council, a practice that stands in stark contrast to many other traditional settings despite the age-long practice and government white paper expecta...

 Two Years After Omu Martha Dunkwu's Death: The Anioma Omu Institution Faces Extinction By Emeka Esogbue Monday, February 15, 2026, marked exactly two years since the terrible hand of death snatched away from the Anioma people, Omu Martha Dunkwu, the iconic Omu of Anioma. While anniversaries are typically times for reflection and the honouring of legacy, for the Enuani region, this milestone serves as a grim alarm. Since the passing of the woman who single-handedly modernized and popularized the Omu office, the 500-year-old female traditional institution has spiraled into a state of marginalization and near-total collapse. ​ From Oshimili to Aniocha, a chorus of neglect is apparent; ​ across the Enuani cultural landscape, the story is tragically consistent. The vibrant presence that Omu Dunkwu commanded has been replaced by systemic erasure. In communities where the Omuship is still practiced, the institution is being strangled by a variety of modern pressures.  In fact, finan...

 The Ibusa Obiship Controversy: Tradition vs. the Right to Associate ​By Emeka Esogbue As an ardent follower of Ibusa culture, I was mortified to read several published opinions disregarding the right of the Obis to form an association for their common purpose. The current state of the Ibusa Obiship summarizes the declining state of our culture, a decline that has persisted due to the apparent indifference of the community’s traditional class.  Until recently, Ibusa was one of the most culturally vibrant  Anioma communities; today, the totality of our way of life faces a steady erosion. ​A Golden Era of Tradition ​By the early 1990s, Ibusa’s cultural richness was nearing its peak. During this period, the warlords being the Odogwu, Uwolo, and Iyase gained renewed popularity and respect with the fame of the holders spreading far and wide. Alongside the Ikwele, the Chief Priest, the community council-in-chief was complete and deeply enriched thus, a traditionally thriving an...

 Anioma Salutes Omu Ada Biosah of Asaba at Ten Years on the Throne By Emeka Esogbue For ten remarkable years, the ancient kingdom of Asaba has witnessed the steady guidance, dignity, and cultural stewardship of Her Royal Majesty, Omu Ada Biosah, whose reign as Omu Ahaba has continued to strengthen and dignify the revered institution of female traditional leadership in Anioma land.  As she marks a decade on the throne, Anioma sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora unite in celebration, paying glowing tribute to a reign widely defined by grace, service, cultural preservation, and unwavering advocacy for the welfare of women and the integrity of Asaba’s age-long traditions. The institution of the Omu occupies a unique and respected place in the traditional governance structure of Asaba and the wider Anioma society. It is part of a dual leadership system where female authority exists side by side with male rulership. While the Asagba of Asaba remains the overall traditiona...

 Ichi Eze: Henry Ajudua, Accepting the Ibusa's Highest Status in Name and Cultural Essence - Emeka Esogbue In recent times, Obiship in Ibusa community nay Asaba and Okpanam have been facing the risk of extinction from these Enuani societies but the Ibusa people have a reason to thank the likes of Chief Dr. Henry Ajudua.  Multiple Obi systems were once the pride of the people of Asaba, Ibusa and Okpanam until interest in the title started to diminish. The distinct traditional system known as Enuani civilization—a socio-cultural development system that previously supported the people's society—became less appealing for a number of reasons, some of which are listed in the book "A History of Ibusa," written by Esogbue, E. (this author). In these three Enuani settlements, Obiship was considered to have a high level of social standard and also commonly subjectively used by Enuani people to exclusively refer to their society and elitist Obis as high in nobility while implyin...

  HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu and the Global African Icon Award: Everything you need to Know about the Ceremony - Emeka Esogbue Although the award has come and gone, PEN MASTER, in this story, brings you the details of everything you need to know about the rich and colourful ceremony which held in ancient Okpanam community with niceties inside the Obi Martha Dunkwu Palace, Delta State, Nigeria. Incidentally, not everyone knows that it was a two-packed event being the Global Icon of African Cultural Heritage Award and Niger Delta Peace Ambassador Award with both as UN-related. The "African Diaspora Living Legend Award" especially, is an international honour inspired by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution. The ceremony was to have held in Germany but shifted to the Anioma community of Okpanam to enable the Omu observe her yearly New Yam Festival celebration. Notable guests and dignitaries from Anioma and beyond started to arrive the venue as early as possible to pa...

 I HAVE WORKED HARD TO PRESERVE THE OMUSHIP OF MY ANIOMA PEOPLE Read What the Omu Anioma Said on Omuship "When I became Omu, I met five elderly women and they were convinced that the Omu Institution would go into extinction after six of us finished our earthly journey. So, in 2005, I went to Prof E. A. C. Nwanze from Asaba, the then Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, and pleaded with him to set up a committee of Anioma sons and daughters from the Department of Anthropology and Sociology to look into Omuship so that we can have something for future generations since the Omu Institution was going into extinction while I go on the ground to talk to some of our elderly people before they pass on. Prof Nwanze graciously obliged me and set up a Committee headed by Dr. Ikechukwu Enwenwa from Ogwashi-Uku who was the then Head of the Sociology Department. The Committee worked extensively with the research of world-renowned and famous Anthropologist, the late Prof Mike Angulu Onwue...

 OMU ANIOMA HONOURED IN ASABA - ASKS FG TO PAY STRIKING ASUU By Emeka Esogbue The cultural voice of the Anioma Nation was again heard in HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Anioma when she advised the Federal Government to fulfil all agreements reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities on Saturday in Asaba, Delta State.  The Omu, now perhaps, the most frequently heard cultural voice of the Anioma people within and outside the Delta State enclave made this call at the event where she was also honoured with the "Winning Legacy Award," presented to her by Winning Women International under the auspices of Torchigrace Godspiwer (First Lady Akwaugo 1 of WAZOBIA FM) according to Patrick Nweike Ochei of Anioma Trust Newspaper.  "If there was an agreement reached earlier in addition to the report submitted by the Government's own Committee then the Government is obligated to implement this report," the Omu said as further reported by Anioma Trust.  The Omu ...

 Omuship of the Anioma People: What the Institution Defines By Martha Dunkwu In 2005, as I was about to celebrate my 50th birthday, I humbly requested the then Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof E A C Nwanze, from Asaba to do a lecture on "The Role of Omuship In The Development of Anioma". He set up a committee headed by Dr. Ikechukwu Enwenwa from Ogwashi Uku, then Head of the  Sociology Department of the University of Benin. The committee worked extensively with the research of world-renowned and famous Anthropologist, late Prof Mike Angulu Onwuejiogwu from Ibusa Founder of the Anthropology Department of the University of Benin.  I did the oral research, talking to our wise elders, who are now late. Prof Onwuejiogwu wrote, "The concept of Omu seems to have been derived from the idea of "mu" or "mua", that is, give birth or "omumu", giving birth. It is associated with the palm frond of the palm tree called "OMU", a ve...

 YOUR BOOK, "A SHORT HISTORY OF OMU," NOW A REFERENCE ON ANIOMA OMUSHIP - OMU MARTHA DUNKWU TELLS EMEKA ESOGBUE The Omu of Anioma, HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu has disclosed that the book, "A Short History of Omu," authored by Emeka Esogbue has become a reference point on Omuship of the Anioma people. The Omu of Anioma who has emerged a leading cultural figure in Anioma in the 21st century made this disclosure on Tuesday in Okpanam, her hometown.  The Omu has also taken the female traditional institution of her Anioma people to the global world where the institution has gained appreciation. Erudite scholars from various prestigious institutions of the world have visited Anioma to pay homage to region's Omus.  The Omu Anioma saluted Emeka Esogbue who a few months ago was appointed the Media Consultant to Anioma Council of Omus. Emeka Esogbue's work is the only book on Omuship and also one of his most circulated books round the world. The author has also stated h...

 The Anioma Picture of the Month The Omu of Anioma, HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu presenting the book, "A Short History of Omu," authored by Pen Master - Emeka Esogbue to Chisom Ifeakandu, Lead Interviewer of Aljazeera Media.  The Aljazeera media team was in Okpanam to run a documentary on Anioma Omuship. 

 Jubilations As Omu Ibusa Completes Installation Rites - Emeka Esogbue There was a wild jubilation in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State as Omu Josephine Isioma Nwannabuogwu, the Omu of Ibusa performed her final rites of Omuship at the Eke Market Square of the community natively called "Ashia Eke." The Omu was seen in a video that circulated on social media performing the rites in the full glare of the public eyes, supported by some elders and Otu Omu. Native drummers, youths and women were also seen in the video now widely viewed online. The sound of a traditional flutist otherwise called "Akpele" and voices of native praise singers were also heard during the rite performance at the busy Eke Market.  Incidentally, the market, the largest in the community, located along the popular Umejei Road, was established by the first Omu of Ibusa, according to the community's legend. Omu Josephine Nwannabuogwu was seen in the video heading for the t...

 OMU MAGIC: GOV OKOWA EMERGED ATIKU'S RUNNING MATE 72 HOURS AFTER THE ANIOMA COUNCIL OF OMUS DECLARED THEIR DUTY TO PRAY FOR THEIR ANIOMA CHILDREN IN POLITICS - Emeka Esogbue As they say, "there is power in the tongue." However, for the Omus in Anioma Nation, occupants of the ancient female traditional institution, it is beyond the mere tongue. The Omus are powerful and their words are not known to fall on rocky grounds. Surely, they survive to germinate.  The Council of Omus had in a communique signed on their behalf by HRH Obi Josephine Nwannabuogwu, the Omu of Ibusa who also doubles as the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the Council with HRM Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu, the Omu of Anioma as the Chairman, stated that it was the declaration of the Anioma Council of Omus to pray for the sons and daughters of Anioma Nation, emphasizing their desire for them as progress in politics and not disintegration along the line of hate and acrimony.  "Praying for Anioma children in ...

 Omu Ibusa Takes Ibusa School Girls to Asaba Government House By Emeka Esogbue The Omu of Ibusa, HRH Obi Josephine Nwannabuogwu on Wednesday, led female students of Ibusa Mixed Secondary School in the community to a symposium put together in the state to mark this year's World Menstrual Hygiene Day. The Girl-Child event themed "Disrupting Rural Poverty in Rural Communities Across Delta State", also had the H.E. Dame Edith Okowa, the First Lady of Delta State in attendance as the Special Guest of Honour.  The conference/symposium which was aimed at enlightening the young females in the state highlighted period poverty as the most neglected socio-economic situation of the girl-child in the country and sought means of filling the socio-economic gap.  Speaking after the event, the Omu of Ibusa praised the idea of the organizers in putting the programme together as an absolute biologic favour to the target audience and urged them not to relent in their promotion of the welfare...

 ANIOMA OMUS CONSTITUTE "ANIOMA COUNCIL OF OMUS." - OMU OF OKPANAM/ANIOMA, CHAIRMAN - OMU IGBUZO GETS POSITION OF PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER AFTER 13 DAYS OF CORONATION - COMRADE PATRICK NWEIKE OCHEI OF ANIOMA TRUST NEWSPAPER, MEDIA ADVISER - HRH QUEENSLY UZOKA OF OBOMKPA IS THE SECRETARY/LEGAL ADVISER; AND  - PEN MASTER IS THE COUNCIL'S RESEARCH CONSULTANT The Anioma Council of Omus (ACO), the aegis of Omus in Anioma Nation on Friday issued a communique on its socio-cultural, economic and political demands. In the communique released to the public as published by Anioma Trust, the Omus announced positions of members and took some stance. The Omus affirmed the region's traditional rulers as the fathers of the Anioma Nation and acknowledged their roles in protecting and projecting the people's traditions and cultures.    As the 2023 general elections approaches, the Anioma Council of Omus appealed to Anioma sons and daughters in politics to follow the rules and avoid...

 OMU JOSEPHINE MAKES FIRST REPRESENTATION OF IBUSA AT THE OFAAC ANIOMA FESTIVAL By Emeka Esogbue The Omu of Ibusa, Obi Josephine Isioma Nwannabuogwu on Monday, made her first official representation of the Ibusa community in her capacity as the Omu of the community. The Omu was at the Anioma Cultural Festival of the Organization For the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC) which happened inside the Arcade Centre in Asaba, the Delta State capital in the traditional name of the Ibusa community. The beautiful, bold and intelligent Omu had a seat on the table, side by side, Her Royal Majesty Obi Dr. Martha Dunkwu and other holders of the exotic female traditional office from Anioma in a reservation specially made for them. Incidentally, it was the first time in history any Ibusa Omu would represent the community in any event of this cultural magnitude outside the town and she was sure ecstatic about it. The Omu of Ibusa, in company of her Otu Omu that included Miss Jane Nwajei stormed...