Emeka Esogbue

 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...

 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...

 Cultural Foundations of Anioma Civilization By Emeka Esogbue It was Dr. Henry Obi Ajumeze, a United Kingdom-university scholar who once described me as the “Gatekeeper of Anioma History.” I remain humbled by that title and proud to carry it. We, the Anioma people, are a blend of distinct yet interconnected ethnic identities whose shared history has evolved over centuries through cultural exchange and syncretism. Our civilization is rich, layered, and uniquely ours. We established remarkable socio-political systems such as Omuship and the Multiple Obiship institution, where a single community could have several Obis serving noble roles. In Anioma, tradition even allows a woman to assume the Obi title, an early expression of gender inclusion in leadership. Our martial and societal hierarchies produced respected titles such as Odogwu, Uwolo, Iyase, Oza, Ozomo, and Akogwu, among others. We built institutions such as the Ikwele (kingmakers), and upheld sacred roles including the Ohene ...

  THE ANIOMA CIVILIZATIONS AND CULTURAL ADVANCEMENT RE-VISITED By Dr. Emeka Esogbue   Civilization is defined as “the process whereby societies achieve an advanced stage of development and organization.” It is also historically, a civilization a "more advanced" culture, implied contrast to smaller, supposedly less advanced cultures defined by Robert McCormick Adams in his book, "Evolutionary of Urban Society." As it is well known, civilization concentrates power, extending human control over the rest of nature, including over other human beings.     The Anioma civilization enjoys some characteristics that distinguishes them from other Nigerian groups and these characteristics include different languages spoken within the society of the people, traditional forms of government, distinct traditional titles, settlement patterns in which migrations peopling the region are diversely from Igbo (Igbuzo, Isheagu, Ewulu etc), Benin (Ozanogogo etc), Igala (Oko Ogbe...

 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...

 IN MEMORY OF OMU MGBOUSHE OF ASABA: THE CIVIL WAR HEROINE, BETRAYED BY HER PEOPLE AND KILLED BY SOLDIERS  By Emeka Esogbue Although the Omu Mgboushe of Asaba statue stands reverently erect in front of Ogbeogonogo Market in Asaba, most visitors and natives alike do not know the history behind the statue. Nevertheless, the statue stands to historically testify to the wartime atrocities and deaths that the people of Asaba suffered during the Nigerian Civil War. Omuship is a 500- year female traditional institution that exists among the Anioma people. The institution also once existed in Onicha Ado (Onitsha) and Ossomarri, two other Anioma communities that are now outside the geographical Delta State.  Omuship, charged with the spiritual, economic, and political responsibilities to their respective Anioma communities is the pride of the people. It is also the traditional vehicle for the movent of women in this region. Take for instance, in Ibusa, a community of about 6 miles...

 ANIOCHA-OSHIMILI CHAIRMEN: APPROVE MONTHLY TOKEN FOR YOUR OMU  - Emeka Esogbue The time is here and now for the Aniocha North and South and Oshimili North and South Councils to pay the Omu token on monthly basis. With the campaign for votes, they move to Omu Anioma palace because they understand the role and influence of Omuship within the Enuani society but when elections have come and gone, they soon forget where they started.  Times have since changed and the government should recognize that the Omu should be catered for. We have a tradition, a woman leaves her husband and occupation because Omuship has called, a palace is built for her, with a retinue of domestic staff to cater for, and she takes up societal responsibility for her people's over all wellbeing.  She was formally in charge of markets within her vicinity but with foreign invasion by colonialists, she became stripped of this headship with the local government put in charge. The same council collects ...

 OMU MARTHA DUNKWU SET TO ESTABLISH CENTRE FOR OMUSHIP IN OKPANAM. The Omu of Okpanam/Anioma, HRM Obi Dr Martha Dunkwu has made her intention known to institute 'Centre for Omu in Anioma Nation'.  Please read the below:  I must continue to commend and appreciate our own Anioma Historian, Emeka Esogbue for his patriotism to Anioma Nation and his devotion to the Omu Institution, in particular, the book he wrote on Omuship. I have humbly requested Emeka Esogbue to do a second comprehensive book that will be a reference point to omuship. About two to three pages will be devoted to each Omu from our Anioma, interviews from experienced elders who are conversant with Omuship and Omu-friendly Traditional Rulers will also feature in the proposed Omu history book. Already, he is in touch with researchers from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and is trying to reach out to researchers at the Cambridge University, England and University of London. At the moment, I am trying to regist...