Emeka Esogbue

 Voices of Ibusa : The Evolution of Traditional Musicians and Their Vocal Craft By Emeka Esogbue Ibusa, an Anioma community in Delta State , enjoys a rich reputation for producing numerous traditional musicians. What began as Otu (musical groups) eventually evolved into solo performances, defining musicality in the community. Ibusa’s fame in music was such that when Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe visited during his electoral campaign, he remarked, “Igbuzo bu Congo,” aptly comparing the people of Ibusa with Congo, a nation renowned for its musical excellence at the time. Among the most remarkable of these musicians are the legendary John Nwanze Nwabuwa , popularly known as Nwanze Nwagbodi, leader of the Otu Ifechukwude Dancing Group of Ibusa and believed to be the first man from the community to record an album in 1970 after the civil war; Dana “Agility” Okonji, leader of the famous Otu Mbonsi Onyenwu Obulunjoa Dancing Group ; Ogbogu Okonji , Etiti Okonji (his cousin), Onyeoma Diyoyo Okafor, ...

 Music Development in Ibusa - Concluding Part - Emeka Esogbue "Obodo Amaligor Na Anyi Bu Ndi Egwu" - Egwu Osodi The biggest musical actor of modern-day Ibusa is Chief Ogbogu Anthony Okonji. A Journalist from neighbouring Okpanam community, Sylvester Asoya, once described him with the following words: "Ogbogu Okonji is unarguably the biggest music ambassador in the Anioma area of Delta State. The traditional music exponent who had a stint with the Nigerian Customs Service has done remarkably well with his career. Apart from his admonitory lyrics which constantly place a check on society, Ogbogu's music is appealing and a major source of unity among people. But the musician has also been regularly criticized for praising only the rich and powerful." In general, Ogbogu is the most consistent Anioma traditional musician and also the one with the highest number of albums to his credit. He was born to the Okonji family of Ogboli in Ibusa. He also stands, not only as o...

 Music Development in Ibusa: A Personal Account - Part One By Emeka Esogbue "Egwu na sor nwa ogalanya, egwu na sor nwa ogbei" - Chief Ogbogu Okonji   The above quote which literarily translates to "The rich and poor enjoy music" illustrates the relevance of music to man's society irrespective of class, status or situation of the individual. Everyone enjoys music including the dead who the living rolls out drums to mourn.  Like the late Robert Nester Marley (Bob Marley) also said "Music is food to the soul." Gideon Chukwumaliobim Ikenwe in his book, "Akwukwu-Igbo Kingdom Culture: Ancient and Present Perspective" further illustrates this with the saying, "Every culture in this planet earth loves music and has it incorporated in its rituals both in time of sorrow and in time of joy."  He feels that "man's thought is inspired by music to reach out for solace, spiritual growth, and transformation." Music is the psychologica...