Emeka Esogbue

 “I Will Speak the Truth in Ibusa” — Chief Lawrence Okolie, The Okpala Nwaisi Ezemese and Father of World Boxing Champion Chief Barrister  Lawrence Okolie is a prominent UK-based Nigerian legal practitioner, seasoned tax expert, and a distinguished traditional titleholder, holding the revered title of Okpala Nwaisi Ezemese of the Ibusa community in Delta State. A highly accomplished professional, his academic and corporate credentials include: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), Barrister-at-Law (B.L), and Master of Laws (LL.M). Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCTI) and former Chairman of the CITN, UK District. In this exclusive interview with media personality, PEN MASTER (EMEKA ESOGBUE), Chief Barrister Lawrence Okolie opens up about his background, the profound events leading to his traditional installation, and his sacred roles and responsibilities to the people of the Ibusa community. Excerpts:  *Pen Master: Chief Barrister Lawrence Okolie, it is a ple...

 One Ancestor, Many Stories? The Ugbe Debate in Ibusa - Part One Emeka Esogbue There is a tradition in Umuezeagwu, an Ibusame quarter that speaks of an ancestor named Ugbe. The people descended from him are known as Umugbe, which is today also called Umuisor. According to this tradition, Ezeagwu had three sons namely Ugbe, Nnamusom, and Nwaese and these Umugbe people trace their origin to Ugbe. In this Ibusa area in Umuekea, there is also another account of a patriarch named Ugbe. Ugbe was married to Afene, the daughter of Ezeazu. Ezeazu is regarded as the founder of Umuezeazu in Umueze. Their descendants are known as Umuafene, although in some places this name is now used interchangeably with Umugbe. The marriage of Ugbe and Afene, Ezeazu's daughter is the biological relationship of the people of Umuafene and Umuezeazu today. There are also differences in how these names are used across communities. In Umezeagulu, Umugbe is called Umuisor, while in Isieke, Umuafene is referred to ...