PROUDLY ABIAN

PARENTING THE RIGHT WAY - Nelda Chioma Okafor

2023-11-13T07:17:00.000-08:00

Parenting is one herculean but rewarding jobs in the history of mankind. For good and effective parenting to be recorded, both parents MUST be intentional and commit to raising their God given children the right way.

Many are oblivious of the fact that parenting starts the moment a child is conceived. it's at this stage or even before that parental goals are set. Couples get to decide the type of family they wish to raise. Responsible parents understand that they are a key instrument to how the society turns out as the society is populated by themselves and their children who later grow into adults that form part of the leadership of the larger society. Parenting is the holistic approach of nurturing and caring for a newborn to adulthood. This entails committing one's mental, physical, spiritual resources towards providing the basic needs of the childlike shelter, clothing, food to guiding them through the early stage of baby steps, word/sound formation ,learning to eat, praying, greeting etc. Children are great observers and learn faster this way.

There is no truer saying that parents are their children's first teachers. The first things learned and exhibited by children are what they saw and learnt from their parents. Parents MUST therefore be wary of conducting themselves badly before their children. Good parents intending to raise good children must start early to inculcate great values in their children even before they start talking. Take for instance, parents of strong Christian background must ensure their children are taught to pray immediately they wake in the morning from night sleep then proceed to greet their parents and anyone else living in the house. Teach them simple courtesy of saying 'thank you' each time a favor is done to them. Most importantly, ensure they not only say "sorry", but express it each time they did wrong to anyone. These form part of their lives, shapes them to be grateful and humble while the absence of these in children only see them turn out as ungrateful and arrogant. Most importantly, parents must do all within their powers to be truthful to their children and teach never to tell lies no matter the circumstance. This builds trust and confidence and strengthens the bond that exists between children and their parents

. Parenting never stops, rather, strategies change as the children grow older. In my next article on parenting, I will dwell much on age appropriate strategies to good parenting.

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INVEST AT HOME - Governor Okezie Tells Ndi Igbo

2015-08-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

It is time for Ndigbo to invest at home-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu

Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has called on Ndigbo to invest their resources and entrepreneurial skills in Igboland to ensure accelerated development of the South East and South South of Nigeria.

The Governor made the call today at the auditorium of the University of Lagos while delivering his remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at this year's Eni Njoku lecture organized by Igbo Students Union of the University in conjunction with Ndigbo in Lagos. Governor Okezie urged Ndigbo to apply their globally acknowledged spirit of entrepreneurship at home. According to him, rather than the Igbos waiting for some external investors, Igbo Investors can change the picture of Igboland just as they have change the faces of other World cities.

In a brief chat with newsmen after the event, the Governor who is also the Chairman of South East Governors forum committee on economic development highlighted the relationship between unemployment and crimes like kidnapping, baby factory as well as social vices like teenage pregnancy. According to him, some unemployed youths resort to crimes mostly because of absence of jobs to match their skills and that in turn scare Igbo investors from looking towards home. He assured Ndigbo living in Lagos and the Diaspora that the current Governors of the South East are working round the clock to provide adequate security and called on Igbo business men and women to support the efforts of the Governors at job creation through investing at home. "When you invest at home, you help us to take more people off the streets and prisons thereby further guaranteeing security of lives and property".

However, The President General of Ndigbo Lagos, Prof Anya O. Anya, in his address as the lead lecturer for this year's Eni Njoku lecture series called on President Muhammadu Buhari to use his enormous goodwill in the north and across the country to ensure that the report of the last National Conference is implemented. He stated that if implemented, the report of the last National Conference will smoothen the rough edges of our federation as well as accelerate national development.

Speaking on "the challenge of national development and national integration in the age of change and transformation" Prof Anya stated that the twin challenges of national integration and economic development can be surmounted if the current leadership in Nigeria summon the courage to implement the report of the last national conference as submitted to the Government of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

This year's Eni Njoku lecture attracted dignitaries from all walks of life including Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Prof Anya O. Anya, Prof Ibidapo Obe, Prof Mojekwu Nnamdi, Chief Nkechi Obi of Technoil, HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu (IV), Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, Dr Onyia, Chief Jackson Agbai, Dr O. J. Mbonu and many others.

Prof Eni Njoku, a renowned biological scientist, was the first Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos. He also served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka. He was born at Ebem (1917) in Ohafia LGA of Abia State. His son, Dr Eni Njoku jnr as well as daughter Mrs O. Mbonu were also present at the event.

Eni Njoku studied botany at the University of Manchester in England. He graduated with a first class honours degree in 1947 and obtained his M.A. degree the following year. In 1954, he obtained his doctorate from the University of London.

PRESS RELEASE - IGBO GA ADI FOUNDATION BOOSTS IGBO LANGUAGE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS - Nelda Chioma Okafor Nelda Chioma

2014-04-23T01:06:00.001-07:00

For the first time in recorded history, Igbo language received a boost in Anambra state. Many things have been said about the language and few years ago, UNESCO and the Oxford University gave a resounding prophecy that if extra effort is not made, the Igbo language will go into extinction in less than two decades.

Many individuals and groups have shown remarkable interest and have gone on a showdown to revive and turn this prophecy down. Igbo Ga Adi, an offshoot of IFMA INITIATIVE, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) poised to preserve the Igbo language and identity, founded by Mr. Ikechukwu Okafor, the NGO took the giant step especially in the last three years using our children as the tool for reviving and recovery of the Igbo language and identity.

It should be noted that Okafor hosted Igbo Children in October 31st 2013 in Abuja and also hosted the International Day of the African Child in June 2013. In all these, he brought new concepts to make his efforts work. He introduced essay writing competition in indigenous language for students in secondary schools in Anambra state. The number of entries received ran in thousands as various schools from all zones, nooks and crannies of the state encouraged their students to be part of it. It also carried a surprising and mouthwatering package for Igbo teachers and their respective schools which baffled many. The essence was to help reward indigenous language teachers on earth and no longer in heaven. The first topic of the essay was on the importance of language to children and importance of language and culture to the development of Igbo land. Shortlists of 20 best written works were selected out of the thousand entries. Exactly on April 5 2014, which was not only the award ceremony day, but also a day for a sit-in-writing, where all the shortlisted students put up a fight for the mouthwatering prizes on the topics: Effect of road accident to children and reducing the menace of motor accident, the duty that calls, for junior and senior categories respectively. The sponsor of the program, Chief Osita Chidoka OFR (Ike Obosi), Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of Federal Road Safety Commission who doubled as the founder of Nkemefuna foundation was represented by Mr. Kenneth Nwaegbe, HPIO of the FRSC.
The sit-in-writing narrowed down the names of the best 20 students to 10, 5 from each category. These students mounted the podium one after another to read their written essay in the presence of dignitaries among whom were Professor Pita Ejiofor, former vice chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Hon. Commissioner for Local government and chieftaincy matters, Hon. Commissioner for education represented, Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs & Social development represented, HRH Igwe Emmanuel Nnabuife of Isseke Kingdom, Dr. Chief Mike Ejiofor, Federal Permanent Secretary (rtd), Chairman Post Primary Schools Service Commission among others. They were all thrilled to see these students read in Igbo language and were made to agree that Igbo language would never die. It was time for the judges made up of Professors and experienced lecturers in Igbo language drawn from the University.

The 1st prize winner for the senior category, a student of St Charles College, Onitsha, Master Odiakosa Alfred won a cash prize of N100.000, Hundred thousand Naira, a laptop computer. A big deep freezer for the Igbo teacher. A brand new set of computer with Igbo key board for the school, Igbo books and notebooks for the library.
The 2nd prize winner, Master Okonkwo Benjamin also from St Charles College, Onitsha, won a cash prize of N65.000 Sixty five thousand Naira, a mini laptop computer. A medium size deep freezer for the Igbo teacher. A brand new set of computer with Igbo key board for the school, Igbo books and notebooks for the library.

The 3rd Prize winner Master Tojah Chidinka of Dennis Memorial Grammar School Onitsha carted away with cash prize of N50.000 fifty thousand Naira, set of books for the school a printer and cash of ten thousand Naira to the teacher.
In the junior category Miss Onyejesi Favor , of Anglican Girls Grammar School, Onitsha took home a prize of N60.000 sixty thousand Naira, a mini laptop. A deep freezer for the Igbo teacher. A brand new set of computer with Igbo key board for the school, Igbo books and notebooks for the library.
While Ikeh Calista , of Queen of Rosary College, Onitsha emerged the second position and took home N50.000 Fifty thousand Naira. A medium size deep freezer for the Igbo teacher. A brand new set of computer with Igbo key board for the school, Igbo books and notebooks for the library.
Miss Uzochukwu Adaeze of Bishop Okoye Memeorial Grammar School, Nnewi clinched the 3rd prize carting away N30.000 Thirty thousand Naira, Ten thousand Naira to the Igbo teacher, set Igbo books and notebooks for the library. The 4th and 5th winners in each category received eight and ten thousand Naira each while the other finalists of 10 received a cash prize of Five thousand Naira each. Schools present were satisfied with the development and expressed interest in the promotion of Igbo language to their individual students. The commissioner for education represented by Mrs Ewuzie in her remark praised the commitment of well-meaning efforts of many Igbo’s in reviving Igbo language and culture and submitted a promise of partnership which she believed the present government will be pleased to be part of, she applauded the initiative and commended the initiator of the annual competition Mr. Ikechukwu Okafor and the sponsor of the program Mr. Osita Chidoka saying that such noble initiative should be encouraged and sustained. A day like 5th of April 2014 will remain alive in the mind of many Igbo children in Anambra states for being rewarded for their efforts and interests in Igbo language and for the teachers, a new door of opportunity is opened for them to instill hard work on their students and to receive their reward while alive on earth. Mrs Azuka Enemo, Hon. Comm. For local government and Chieftaincy matters who spoke directly to Mr. Ikechukwu Okafor the host of the program applauded the concept of the program, the Honourable Commissioner said that rewarding the students and their teachers and schools will motivate and encourage teachers to put in more efforts in teaching of ingenious language. The Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Chief Mike Ejiofor in his speech commended the initiator of the program while stressing on the need for the program to be sustained to help improve the academic performance of Igbo children in indigenous language, Ejiofor also said that the program is one that the state government should encourage and support, he went on to commend the sponsor of the program 'such selfless and noble gesture is one to be emulated' he said.

Mr. Ikechukwu Okafor the initiator and host of the program who doubles as the Founder of the IFMA INITIATIVE (Igbo ga-adi) in his speech charged parents and teachers to wake up to the challenge facing ndigbo, he urged them to consider issues relating to the sustainability of the Igbo language and identity as a major priority, Okafor expressed sadness that over 65 percent of Igbos cannot read or write Igbo language, while over 90 percent cannot hold a 5 minutes conversation in Igbo language without adding English language, he said this is because the learning of indigenous language was never encouraged in schools in the past, he said that for the Igbo language and identity to be revived and sustained, ndigbo must be proud of being Igbo, proud of the Igbo language and culture. Okafor said he designed the annual competition in a way that it would make a huge and positive impact in the lives of the people of the state. It is sad and discouraging that most stakeholders in Igbo land hardly come forward to support, sponsor or encourage programs geared towards the good and future of Igbo race he said, while appreciating in a special way Chief Osita Chidoka OFR (Ike Obosi) for coming forward to express his love for the good and future of Igbo race by proudly sponsoring the program.

IGBOVILLE/OGANIRU NDIGBO OFFERS FREE MEDICAL SERVICE TO ABA RESIDENTS

2013-12-23T08:13:00.000-08:00

By Emma Maduabuchi

The month of December is special for many people all over the world, because of the Christmas celebrations it brings. However in Nigeria, the month is unique for the Igbos of the Southeast geopolitical zone. It is usually a season that brings a lot of journeying and holidaying experience for the people.

It is a time when huge festivals, dancing and carnivals take centre stage in towns and villages; and eating, drinking, and all other manners of thrills; exchange of gifts and visits amongst individuals and groups are highly recorded.

As preparations build up, Daily Independent investigation showed that more vehicles and more goods are already heading towards the South East from other parts of the country. Many houses are wearing new looks, the markets are recording huge crowds, and expectations are high amongst the people.

In Aba, the commercial city of Abia State, expectations are also high as the people eagerly await the visit of some Igbo groups to the town. Among the groups being expected is Oganiru Ndigbo, with its Internet, Facebook arm – Igboville, which would be holding its retreat “Enyimba 2013 Retreat” in the Enyimba city.

A recent visit to the town revealed that the people are already in high spirit as they await the arrival of the collection of Nigerian professionals of Igbo extraction that constitute group for the meeting which promises to be grand. News making the rounds is that the group, whose membership includes experts in the medical profession, would be putting offering free medical services for the people of the town. It is a move most appreciated by a lot of people who have got wind of it.

Speaking to Daily Independent, some of the respondents were appreciative believing that it would help in a great way to cushion the effect of the current nationwide strike embarked by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). An Aba resident, Chukwuma Uka, who is a shoemaker by trade, while confirming that members of the group visited his shop at Ariara Market, to sensitise them on what to expect, disclosed that they were bringing medical festival to the city.

Some members of the Retreat Committee revealed that Oganiru Ndigbo, were on a mission of organising 15 medical services personnel, who are specialists in different fields of medicine for the event.

Chin Akano
Chin Akano
Led by United Kingdom based medical doctor, Chin Akano, the medical personnel from Nigeria and the Diaspora (all of Igbo origin) will participate in the fiesta during which they will offer free medical consultancy as well as prescribe and issue free drugs, optical frames, dental health support services, free diagnosis, blood pressure checks, and several other medical services to the people.

Chairman of the group’s Planning Committee, John Okiyi Kalu, said the intention was to hugely give back to the community that will host them during their December retreat in the town, especially those of them, who have been at the receiving end both social and economic engagements of the well-to-do, and could not afford such medical attention and facilities as would be provided.

He however said the medical team would refer patients with surgical cases or requiring long term care to the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) at Aba, with generous support from the medical mission team. Members of the medical team further told Daily Independent that they would donate materials to ABSUTH at the end of the mission scheduled to hold on December 28, 2013 at Luxury City Hotel Aba. He used the opportunity to invite all residents of Aba to come out and take advantage of the program.

Okoyi said the medical mission “is part of activities lined up by the number one online Igbo group made up of thousands of Igbo professionals from across the globe for their annual retreat tagged Enyimba 2013”.

In an interview with Daily Independent, Akano, the head of the medical team, said that everyone in the locality was invited, adding that his team had the capacity to handle every medical challenge the people would bring.

His words: “Any patient in the locality is free to come. We are not going to drive anyone away. We have nurses who will speak with them first to find out what problems they have. If the problem is within the scope of the mission we deal with it. But then if it is not, we are going to give them advice and refer them where to go”.

The theme of this year’s Retreat is “The Igbo Family” and will feature presentations by selected Igbo sons and daughters including a special “Ime Obi” presentation by Colonel Ben Gbulie. On the other hand, the key note address entitled “Family Business in Igbo Land: A Case for Modernisation” would be presented by renowned banker, strategist and multiple award winner, Prof Herbert Orji. Other speakers include eminent Igbo historian, Prof Catherine Acholonu, Chief (Barr) Maxi Okwu of APGA, International Media Consultant Mazi Kelechi Deca, Emma Maduabuchi of Daily Independent Newspapers, Prof Mkpa Agu Mkpa, Secretary to Abia State Government, Mrs. Mary Ikokwu of “Working Mum” fame as well as Prof Kalu Uche.

This year’s Retreat, the Enyimba Retreat, is expected to culminate in a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Executive Governor of Abia State, Ochendo TA Orji, where members will formally present the retreat communiqué to him as well as interact with him and key members of his government.

According to Okiyi, Oganiru Ndigbo/Igboville were established to strategise and work for ways of improving Ndigbo and there way of life. Igboville, a major online Igbo group is a non governmental organisation (NGO) and not for profit organisation (NFPO) made up of thousands of Igbo professionals whose interest is to make Igbo progress socially, technology, financially and otherwise.

Oganiru Ndigbo on the other hand is the physical aspect of Igboville through which members of the group impact physically on the needs of the people, and it has been doing just that.

It is to be recalled that Igboville members had during the early days of Boko Haram terrorist activities, offered free buses to evacuate Igbos resident in the North. At that time also, members of the group in the United Kingdom organised a protest march to the British Parliament and 10 Downing Street, demanding an end to the genocide against their Ndigbo people. Added to that, they also demanded an immediate end to all forms of bloodletting in the country, in which any specific ethnic or religious group in the country is the target.

The group was also involved in the sending of relief materials to Anambra flood victims and have always intervened in helping Igbos in distress at various times and in various places. It is currently planning international scholarship for the two Imo whiz kids who made and successfully launched a rocket in Imo State recently.

The group is self-funded and has no political affiliation. It seeks to protect Igbo interests and support the leaders of Igbo land to deliver best value to Ndigbo to enable them compete well in Nigeria, and in the Global environment. Its members also actively review national and international events and offer suggestions and policy alternatives to Igbo leaders at all levels. It is affiliated to Ohaneze Ndigbo and also gives support to other Igbo groups and organisations.

Responding to questions on the formation of the group, the founder, Emeka Maduewesi said what they had in mind was to replicate the wonderful works Igbo Union did for Ndigbo before and after the country’s independence. He gave an example with the building of Igbo Union Schools in Northern when it became difficult for children of Ndigbo to enter secondary schools in the Northern parts of the country. “What we tried to do is to replicate what the Igbo State Union did for Ndigbo in the 1950s and 1960s and even during the war” he said.

Maduewesi said the two previous retreats held at Afikpo and Nnewi respectively provided a unique opportunity for Igbos of different age strata to come together under one umbrella and talk on issues concerning and affecting them. “Its unlike what we use to see with Ohaneze meetings where you have elderly people, it is not like youth club. But a meeting of every professional; every strata of age grade in Igbo land was represented. It has never happened before for young people and old people to have the mindset of uniting Ndigbo,” he noted.

Maduewesi further expressed strong believe that the group was in the right track as it was trying to bring Ndigbo together, make them study their history, and to fashion out their future. “You must take your future in your hand and conquer it. If you don’t conquer your future, you continue to live in fear” he concluded.

H.E'S OFFICIAL ADDRESS TO ABIANS ON NIGERIA'S 53RD ANNIVERSARY.

2013-10-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

AS NIGERIA MARKS ITS 53RD INDEPENDENCE TODAY, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF ABIA STATE, IN THE PERSON OF HIS EXCELLENCY, CHIEF DR THEODORE ORJI, NOT ONLY ADDRESSES ABIANS, BUT FULLY PARTICIPATED IN THE PARADE AS SEEN IN THE PICTURE BELOW.

HERE IS HIS OFFICIAL ADDRESS ON THIS OCCASSION:

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY HIS EXCELLENCY CHIEF T. A. ORJI (OCHENDO), GOVERNOR ABIA STATE, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 53RD ANNIVERSARY CLEBRATION OF NIGERIA’S INDEPENDENCE, HOLDING AT THE UMUAHIA TOWNSHIP STADIUM, ON THE 1ST DAY OF OCTOBER, 2013

PROTOCOLS DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

It is my pleasure to address you today as we celebrate the 53rd anniversary of our Nation’s Independence. This is yet another annual opportunity to remember, renew of our faith in our Nation, and appraise our nationhood.

This year’s celebration offers a unique opportunity to share and appraise our collective journey towards improving the lives of our citizens, as our Nation pursues a more robust democracy capable of providing sustainable security and progress towards a more inclusive development of our people.

Our journey towards a viable nationhood in the past 53 years of Nigeria Independence remains a story of courage, tenacity, and commitment as our leaders search appropriate ways of advancing the interests of our diverse people within a united Nation. Thank God that we have endured despite our often conflicting individual and collective aspirations, and we will continue to endure!

Over the years, it has become more evident that ‘you’ – the entire people of Nigeria and our State, have been the only sure preservation for our unity, our democracy, our liberty, our security and our development as a State and as a Nation. I commend all our citizens for keeping faith with Nigeria and for remaining tenacious with our leaders, despite all odds.

There is no way our State and this Nation can continue to go forward expect we are united as a people; and there is no way any State and our Nation can develop except by serving the urgent needs of our citizens. This is the promise the Federal Government has made to the Nation, and the commitment our Government has made to the Good people of Abia State. We will surely keep these promises and excel!

Today’s celebration of our independence anniversary reminds us and all Nigerians that we cannot stand still or slip further backwards in developing our people and our economies. We cannot stand still in preserving the peaceful environment of our State, and we cannot stand still in deepening our democracy to serve the interests of our citizens at all levels. But we can do all these and yet go forward standing as a united people under one Nation and one Federation of shared values.

As we all celebrate today let us keep faith with Nigeria and rejoice that this Nation and this State have been growing, even as the challenges of resources still fail to meet all expectations. Yet our achievements can also be measured in the sincerity, devotion, accountability and the selfless leadership we continue to bring to our democratic process.

Our leaders at all levels, especially in Abia State, are assuming greater responsibility as change agents and laying the foundation for the sustainable development of our people. We will continue to pursue this route.

We are through our legacy projects in the State, seeking to build a sustainable economic foundation for our people, especially in providing for the best affordable health care in all areas and with a world class health institutions and diagnostic centers in Umuahia and Aba that can sustain the test of time and demands.

We are upgrading our judicial infrastructures and institutions in all areas to improve the delivery equitable justice. We have created access to new employments by building new markets to serve the commercial interests and needs of our people, especially in Aba, Umuahia. We are refurbishing our Educational Institutions, improving teaching and excellence and building a knowledge-based industry and tourism in our State.
We are creating self employment for our citizens, especially the youths – through empowerment with working tools, equipments and vehicles to ply new trades, and creation of massive employments in our privatized Palm and Rubber plantations at Abam and Ukwa-East.

We are creating young entrepreneur farmers in all LGAs of our State through our Liberation Farms, and new rural wealth through our refocus on agriculture as the mainstay of our State economy; and we will continue to pursue the expansion and servicing of our urban and rural roads and other infrastructures.

To consolidate these efforts, I call on all Abians to come on board and support our Government, so that our legacy foundations in Abia State will be made stronger, faster and intensive for the realization of our collective dreams of a better Abia State.

Also, as we celebrate this year’s independence anniversary, I call on our citizens to begin to re-evaluate your potentials and re-engage in our State and Nation building. We must move away from the anachronistic belief that Governments alone can do everything to develop the people, the State and the Nation. Our Government remains ready to partner with individuals and groups willing to devote their knowledge, resources and expertise to develop our State.

That is why we are now partnering with some reputable organized private concerns to build a new Aba International Industrial City (ABIIC) at Osisioma near Aba. When completed within 2014-15, this Mega City will relieve other Aba markets, and will be the host of cluster industries with modern equipments and machineries located within a conducive and business friendly environment that support healthy living and industrial activities.

It is our hope that through this new project, we will be able to recapture the fame of ‘Aba made goods’ and the ingenuity of the Aba entrepreneurs. Our goal is to re-make Aba as the true ‘Japan of Africa’ and the commercial hob of the South Eastern region and the entire Nation.

We are also giving support to Geometric Power Plant through assistance in road infrastructure; and to the other NIPP projects in Alaoji, so that their pursuits of a constant and reliable 24 hours supply of electricity will become a reality in Abia State, and especially in Aba, before Nigeria celebrates her next independence anniversary. This will accelerate the pace of commerce and development in Aba and entire Abia State.

I continue to see huge potentials and capacities in our people in direct engagement in the building of a growing, enduring, and a stable economy for the benefit of our citizens. Our Government will continue to support and partner with all those who dare to rise to be counted as champions of our State development.

For them and for every citizen, we will continue to invest heavily in the sustenance of our security and the protection of lives and property of citizens, so that all forms of criminal violence, especially kidnapping will be completely eliminated in Abia State, and our environment made more conducive for local and external investments.

Our Government will continue to build and maintain the cleanliness of our cities, especially Aba. We will address more consistently, our lingering infrastructural deficits, especially in Urban and rural roads; and we will work towards completing our legacy projects in the pipelines. However, I need to remind our citizens of the need to pay your taxes to enable Governments finance our many projects to serve you better.

I am ever confident that Abians will uphold their inviolable contract of fiscal commitment which binds Governments and citizens, especially in a democratic setting, and live up to their tax paying responsibilities. On our Government’s part, we pledge to remain prudent, responsible and accountable in the management of our collective resources.

Fellow citizens of Abia State, even as we celebrate our independence anniversary today, I need to re-assure you that our democracy, our State and our Nation will continue to endure in-spite of our growing teething problems, our inevitable internal conflicts and the many disagreements we sometimes face in our Party politics.

As we continue to endure and move towards the centennial anniversary of our Nation, we need to accept the fact that democracy itself – by giving voices to the voiceless, tend to create its own conflicts. But these conflicts must be addressed in the spirits and values of democracy. We must accept the caution that there is no alternative to the collective unity of our people under one Nation, just as we all continue to seek genuine resolves to addressing existing areas of imperfections in our political system, and do so with justice and fairness.

I therefore call on all Abians to continue to support our Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria under our able President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR for all the efforts everyone is making to preserve the unity of Nigeria in a prosperous environment, devoid of rancor and violence. Together, I am sure that we will reap the fruits of Mr President’s committed transformation agenda for Nigeria, even in the not too distant coming years and anniversaries.

Our Government of Abia State will remain an active player in the search for solutions to the many challenges that today face our State and the Nation, especially in the areas of deepening our democracy, advancing the development of our economies and people in all vital areas, and providing for a sustainable ‘human security’ of our citizens.

I therefore, advise our politicians and citizens to endeavor to promote peaceful conducts at all times, as we all seek to pursue our democratic rights and aspirations even under different banners.

But more especially, as we celebrate this year’s independence anniversary, I call on all Abians to continue to uphold and promote the ideals of distinction and uniqueness which formed the bedrock on which the State of Abia was founded by our fathers, and which is now very essential for a new Nigeria to emerge.

Let us all join hands with our Government and the Federal Government to transform this State and our Nation to match those dreams. We must do so by supporting hard work, honesty, ingenuity, fairness, justice, the promotion of excellence and rule of law under democratic values.

Let us approach the next independence anniversary with hope, harmony, mutual respect to each other and commitments to peaceful existence with other citizens – which are all imperative to sustainable development of our resources and our Nation.

Let us also renew our resolve to making the required sacrifices, bearing the necessary pains if need be, and making our individual contributions in the laying of the foundation for a greater Abia State. Let us support and sustain for the future, the Legacy projects of the Government and its commitments to the new Abia State and for the future of our new generations. Let us support the peaceful transformation of Nigeria under equal and shared coexistence of our diverse people, while we continue to pray that justice reigns through-out our land.

These ways alone, we can enrich and give better meaning to future celebration of the independence anniversaries of our Nation according to our dreams and our hopes.

Thank you and God bless the Good People of Abia State!
God bless the Federal the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Happy Independence Nigeria

T.A.O

WORKING MOMS PRESS RELEASE - Nelda Chioma Okafor

2013-07-04T23:54:00.002-07:00

Working Moms Magazine – an intellectual work piece and companion of today’s woman is out on the news stand, this time with added features you dare not miss.
This edition features exclusive interview on challenges and benefits of cross-cultural marriages as x-rayed by our cover page celebrity, Tanzanian ex-Big Brother Housemate, Elizabeth Gupta Chuwang Pam now Nigerian by marriage. Find the insightful, entertaining and educating interview on page 34.
Those still skeptical of motherhood should read our international model, Oluchi Onwuagba Orlandi’s take and experience on motherhood. As you flip through page 14, I bet you, your mindset MUST change towards motherhood.
Do you agree that time is money? Let’s see how well you’ve managed and made your money on page 18.
Do you know that truly, some men feel threatened by their wives’ success? Learn how to successfully handle and cope with this on page 28.
Join our in-house doctors on page 53 for your health needs even as Dr. Chin Akano lets us in on dangers of alcohol consumption in pregnancy.
What attitude do you tackle life’s challenges with? Hmmm……. Speechless is the word on Nelda’s page 44 true life inspirational story.
BB addiction is indeed everywhere. Page 49 features confessions of working moms members’ bb addiction experiences.
What have I just done? No way! You can’t have it all here, rush for your copy to read the amazing Relationship Corner, Fashion tips, Mom Fiction etc.
Welcome on board!

IGBO BLOOD AGAIN???..................

2013-03-21T01:11:00.002-07:00

Press Release!!!
Oganiru Ndigbo Foundation (ONF)

THE LUST FOR MORE IGBO BLOOD; SAME OLD SONG

The Oganiru Ndigbo Foundation (ONF) an umbrella organization of progressive Igbo men and women from all walks of life both at home and in the Diaspora notes with dismay the wanton lust for Igbo blood which has become the signature of the Nigerian State in the last four decades. Most especially we have noted the frantic efforts by the Boko Haram insurgents and other organization hiding under similar claims to unleash terror on mostly innocent Igbos at every little opportunity.

We state that what took place at the New Road, Sabon Gari, Kano, the Kano State capital on Monday is to say the least unwarranted, quite disgusting, but nonetheless not surprising to us as it is in line with similar patterns in the recent past to attack Igbo interests in different parts of the federation under the guise of fighting a phony religious war.

While the Oganiru Ndigbo Foundation takes exception to this development and calls on the Federal Government to be alert to its duty of protecting the lives and property of every citizen of this country, we warn that failure to stop this orchestrated attacks on Ndigbo will most likely lead this country to a land of no return.

We also express our disappointment at the lame response from the Office of the President that ‘’the Federal Government will not be stampeded, for any reason whatsoever, into abandoning its unrelenting war against terrorists in the country’’. We want to see visible evidence of that unrelenting war. More so, we want the government to move beyond mere rhetoric in its unusual assurance that the ‘Nigerian Government will continue to do all that is required to ensure the safety of lives and property, including continued collaboration with local and international partners and stakeholders to check the menace of terrorism’’.

But most shocking is the muteness of Igbo leaders from those at the National Assembly to the State Governors who waited until others have condemned the act before making comments. This level of political correctness which has been the lot of Igbo leaders is quite condemnable in the face of this recurrent desire by elements of Islamic fundamentalism to continue maiming and wasting Igbo lives. So shocking is the fact that members of the South East Caucus of the House of Representatives were quiet while Hon. Ibrahim Olaifa (Accord Party/Oyo) was the one who sponsored a motion on the need to end the activities of terrorist groups in Nigeria was adopted for a resolution.

Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s belated call on security agencies to fish out culprits of the crime and that those behind these wicked acts should come to repentance, embrace dialogue, patriotism and respect for human life as prescribed by our laws, cultures and religious faith is to say the least a repetition we are tired of hearing.

We warn that this disregard for lives and most especially the attacks on Igbos across the northern part of this country should be stopped henceforth. We are making every effort to restrain our youths from retaliatory acts as we know such will have a negative impact on an already bad situation. However, our restraining powers will not be there forever, as we too are human. Government should act, and act decisively by employing whatever means necessary to bring these criminals to book and take steps to make this country safe again.

LONG LIVE NDIGBO!!!
FOR AND ON BEHALF OF OGANIRU NDIGBO FOUNDATION

Architect LUCAS UCHE ONUH
President General

Dr.GAIUS ONUH NDUKWE
Secretary General

Barrister EMEKA MADUEWESI
Leader

TOUCH NOT IHEJIRIKA - IGBOS WARN GEJ, OTHERS

2013-02-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

It has come to our notice that there is a campaign by some unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements whose intentions appear to be bent on destabilizing the Nigerian military and nation at large. This campaign is being propagated in the form of a spurious article being circulated that alleges that the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika is on some sort of sinister and clandestine operation to “Igbonise” the Nigerian Army. The COAS has been accused of selectively promoting only Igbos at the expense of others. Well, nothing can be further from the truth, and this will be demonstrated in a very clear and dispassionate analysis in rebuttal to the openly biased and ethnically tinged attempt by some disgruntled elements.
What this hatchet job of an article has done is to selectively focus on the promotion of four officers, and then proceed to make bold claims that these promotions were ethnically motivated because the said officers were of Igbo origin, and then conjure up a justification of why their promotions were ethnically motivated by employing a lot of hyperbole and incredulous reach in drawing conclusions from far-fetched inferences. The elements behind this very dishonest article have done this while ignoring the holistic picture of all promotions within the different cadres of the army. They focused on the promotions of Brigadiers Ugwu of the Ordinance Corps, Nwaogbo of the armored corps, Agha Okoro of the Supply and Transport Corps, and Chioba of the Corp of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers only. How can this be a complete picture when 43 Brigadiers where promoted Major Generals in 2011 and 22 promoted in 2012?
Now let’s examine the promotion exercise of 2011 based on available information:
On November 10 2011 the Vanguard published the following story on Army promotions:

The Nigerian Army Council has approved the promotion of 25 major- generals and 43 brigadier-generals, the largest number ever promoted at a go.
Following the recommendation of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika, those elevated from Brigadier Generals (one star) to Major-Generals (two stars) are Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General R.I.D Isa; Director of Military Intelligence, Brigadier-General A.T. Jibrin; Director of Operations at Army HQ, Brigadier General G.A. Wahab and Defence Adviser, New York, Brigadier General G. Audu.
Others promoted Major Generals are Brig-Gen. K.C. Osuji, Brig-Gen. F.S. Owonibi, Brig-Gen. Agha-Okoro, Brig-Gen. D.D. Kitchner, Brig-Gen. B.T. Oginni, Brig-Gen. E.R. Chioba, Brig-Gen. J.M. Ogidi, Brig-Gen. S.U. Labaran, Brig-Gen. A.A. Martins, Brig-Gen. A. Chukwu, Brig-Gen. M. Idris, Brig-Gen. L.N.K. Banjiran, Brig-Gen. S.U. Audu and Brig-Gen. E.F. Abejirin.
Also promoted two star-generals are Brig-Gen. T.O. Umar, Brig-Gen. H.G. Aminu, Brig-Gen. I. Sani, Brig-Gen. A.G. Ewanshia-Oloni and Brig-Gen. P.K. Ikumonein.
A statement confirming the promotions was signed by the Chief of Staff, Army Public Relations Department, Col. Usman Abdul.
Among the Colonels promoted to the rank of Brigadier-Generals are Colonel Leo Erabor, PSO to the Chief of Army Staff, Col. O.O. Adeleke, Col. J. Alexander, Col. T.K. Golau, Col. M.M. Dan-Ali, Col. L.O. Adeosun, Col. E.A. Ransome-Kuti, Col. J.T. Abubakar and Col. S.E.U. Ekanem.

WIDOWS PARTY

2013-01-05T00:02:00.000-08:00

It was all tears of joy as widows from all Local Governments in Abia State gathered in Chief Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe's Amokwe Item native home to celebrate what has become an annual ritual termed "THE WIDOWS PARTY".

Abia Post in its facebook page published the advert requesting anyone with access to any widow in any part of Abia State to bring forth such a person to participate in the fun-filled affair. Surprisingly to Abia Post, this happened to be the 11th year of the "widows party.

It was an emotion filled event as widows numbering five hundred plus (500+) within the age bracket of 65-80+ prayed fervently for the goodwill of Chief Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe whose humility and large heart turned their lives around for the better. The event started at exactly 7:00am, December 30, 2012. The widows left happily after receiving their token which included but not limited to bags of rice, tin tomatoes, wrappa, Indomie, Cabin biscuits, upkeep money etc.

Some of the widows interviewed said Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe and his amiable and kind hearted wife, Mrs. Ndidi Cosmos Ndukwe assisted not only them, but equally empowered some of the youths in Abia while those excelling academically are under one form of scholarship or another.

A particular widow amidst tears narrated how Dr. Cosmos has impacted in the life of her family positively. She recalled how her physically challenged son was equipped with wheel chair to ease his mobility challenges. She prayed God to keep him and provide him with every resources he will ever need in life.

Abia Post couldn't help but share this good news with the public and call on all well meaning Abia and Nigerians at large to imbibe this selfless and humane act to improving humanity in general.

Just like the widows instructed us, "CHIEF DR. & MRS COSMOS NDUKWE, MAY YOUR GOODWILL & HUMILITY OPEN DOORS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU AND MAY YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY AND GENERATION BE REMEMBERED FOR GOOD, AMEN"

"DUTY FRANCO" JOURNEYS HOME IN PEACE

2012-12-15T16:08:00.000-08:00

Abia Post commiserates with our illustrious Abia daughter, President/Founder of Working Moms Africa and SURE-P Communications Advisor, Mrs. Mary Ikoku and the entire Okereke family as they lay their beloved father, brother, uncle, grandfather and mentor, Late Mazi Francis Okereke, aka, "DUTY FRANCO" to rest in his home town, Asaga, Arochukwu in Abia State.

"Bobo" as he was fondly called by his children, owing to his youthful and smart appearance was aged 65 years. He got married at age 25 and blessed with five (5) children, three (3) daughters and two (2) sons. Until his death, "Duty Franco" was resilient, hardworking, free-spirited and a devout christian.

IGWA MANG: ABIRIBA'S UNDILUTED CULTURL HERITAGE

2012-12-10T11:01:00.000-08:00

Igwa Mang: Abiriba’s undiluted cultural heritage

By Sunny Igboanugo, Group Features Editor

The Abiriba community in Ohafia Local Government of Abia State wears several caps. It represents different things to different people. For some, it is known for the monumental achievements its indigenes have been able to make in terms of commerce. To others, it is simply known as the Small London, a sobriquet it earns by the display of this success in the daintily-looking buildings and sprawling ambiences that adorn the town, owned by multi-billionaires it has produced. Yet, to others, it is one of the cradles of Igbo culture, captured in the main, by the Abririba War Dance, around which surrounds different myths and mythology.

It was part of these elements that residents of Tejuosho, one of the prime streets within the Surulere axis of Lagos State, beheld when it came alive last Sunday, December 2.

The entire vicinity was ensconced in cultural festivity on that day as the Nchina Age Grade Lagos Branch of community unveiled this year’s edition of the Igwa Mang ceremony, an event which practically separates the boys from the men.

Though the ceremony was billed for the NTA Channel 10 ground, located nearby, the procession that began at the entrance of the long street, attracted the residents, who abandoned their different activities to behold the kaleidoscope of colours that was the cultural activities.

Accompanied by different cultural dance groups, including the legendary War Dance, the gaily-dressed merrymakers danced in majestic splendour to the venue.

Kalu Onuma, Administrative Secretary of Ndigbo Lagos, the socio-cultural organisation catering for the interests of Ndigbo in Lagos and neighbouring states, explains: “The Abiriba people made their money through trading across sea. In the olden days, they were using the mirror to watch what was happening from afar. But over the years, it began to have other usages. It began to symbolise wealth. Before then many people had not seen their own faces. There was no instrument to enable them do that. So, it was a very big privilege for those who could afford mirrors, because it meant that they were the only ones that could see their faces. So, on occasions like this, the mirror is one of the possessions that would depict their achievement. As they dance through the square, they would be using the mirror to look at their faces, admire their faces and adjust themselves majestically.

As for the bell, it was used to attract attention, to announce to the people of the good tiding associated with their return; to show the people that the successful warrior was on his way back.”

However, adherence to the culture appears to have come into conflict with Christianity, as some people are said to have begun kicking, not only against it, but other elements of the community’s culture.

Emeson, however, dismissed this as unnecessary, because there was nothing fetish about the ceremony. “Every people on earth has a culture, which derives from their history. Abiriba people are no different. I don’t know any part of what you see today that anybody could associate with that. What is more, if you go to the bible, you will find the entire culture of Abiriba people there. So, I don’t know what they are talking about. But the people saying these things are those who don’t understand. For people like me, if there is anything fetish about it, you won’t find us there,” he said.

Introducing another perspective, Prince George M. Mgbai, President of Nchina Age Grade, Lagos Branch, regretted that the group was once torn apart, resulting to different factions, due to internal crisis. Not only had the problem been resolved, he said that of they, as its soldiers had to actually deal with the crisis that engulfed the entire community.

“Our age grade Nchina, has been a great achiever, starting from the original inception and as an undisputed champion of self-help projects at our home. Following the footsteps of our predecessors, we have brought light back to Abiriba as the first age grade, since the crises to embark on a project, Peace Park, which is near completion.

Appealing to those still aggrieved to sheathe their swords in order to take the mantle of development, he suggested the building of enduring infrastructures and enthronement of a robust environment that would keep commercial activities thriving.

Onuma, palpably upbeat, explained that the Lagos version was a tip of the iceberg, as the real ceremony was slated for later this month in the community. “What you have seen is not the real thing. The real thing will happen in the village,” he said.

ANOTHER SPORTS GOLD MEDAL JINX BROKEN BY NIGERIAN

2012-10-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

The Nigerian National Kickboxing team went to African Kickboxing Championships held in Antananarivo Madagascar from the 27th till the 30th of September 2012 , due to funds we were only able to sponsor 3 Athletes and 1 coach and the team did well they came back with 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 bronze Medal , a Total of twelve African countries competed in the championships with was also the regions qualifiers for the World combat games 2013 in St petersburg Russia , by this feat Nigeria has qualified 2 Athletes to represent the continent at the World Combat games in Russia 2013, with these performance Nigeria came 6th overall on the medal table with over 12 African countries participating.

The members of the Nigerian team and their performance

1. OLAKUNLE AWOYELE Nigerian Army thanks to Brig General Aderibigbe for his release is the Current African Champion in the -71kg Full contact category currently, voted as one of the best fighters of the event with the fastest knockout of the event less than 10 seconds in the final against El Bahri Miloud from Morocco he will be representing Africa at the World combat games

2. CAROLINE JOSEPH AMADO from Akwa Ibom state sports council thanks to the Director of Sports Akwa Ibom State Sports council for his support, she stopped all her opponents in the preliminary rounds but lost narrowly by 1 point to Keroui Hanan of Tunisia taking the silver in the -60 kg full contact category, by winning Silver she still qualified to represent Africa at the World Combat games in Russia 2012.

3. AKEEM SADIKU from the Oyo State Sports council fought well in the preliminary ones but lost in the Semi finals to El bakhouri Mohammed of Morocco in a most controversial circumstance Mohammed went on to win the Weight class in the -67kg low kick category

Dr. Mykel Eneduwa was appointed as Vice President for Confederation and also President for Zone 2 comprising , Togo , Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal , all the countries in West Africa he is saddled with the task of developing kickboxing in the region, this is in Recognition of his efforts at developing the sport in Nigeria and in the region.

Kickboxing in Nigeria has come a long way and has witnessed a lot of highs and lows just like any other sport but dedication from athletes and officials has kept the sport growing , over the past years Nigeria has produced three World Champions and now an African champion, but since its still battling for Olympic recognition most people only recognize Olympic Sports , by far the most practiced combat sport in Nigeria, it witnessed the most turnout of athletes in the last sports festival among most combat sports.

CHIEF DR. COSMOS NDUKWE BIDS FAREWELL TO DEAREST MOTHER IN-LAW

2012-10-08T01:14:00.001-07:00

ABIA POST PICTURES REPORT ON LATE EZINNE LADY (MRS) FLORENCE NWAKAEGO CHUKWU'S FUNERAL CEREMONY

Mother to the wife of Abia State governor's Chief of Staff,late Mrs. Florence Nwakaego Chukwu was laid to rest on friday, October 5th, 2012.

The two day ceremony which started with a service of songs in her Mballa Isuochi residence on Thursday, October 4th, 2012 attracted dignitaries from all walks of life. Senator Uche Chukwumerije who hails from Isuochi came to honor mama as he made his grand entry and stayed all through the night for the service of songs.
GUEST ROLL CALL: Deputy Governor Abia State, Sir Ananaba, Her Excellency Chief Mrs. Odochi Orji (Osin'ulo mara mma), Abia State SSG, HOS, All Commissioners of Abia State, 12 Bishops and 2 Aech Bishops, Wife of MD Shell Nig, Executive Bank Officials of UBA, Sterling Bank etc, Captains of Industries, All TC Chairmen of Abia LGAs, Gospel Artistes, Comedians, Eze Igbo Lagos, Royal Fthers of Isuocchi, Representatives of different Igbo groups, Staff of Cosmos Ndukwe Foundation, Staff of Luxury City Hotels etc.

Mama at age 39 was a widow who despite challenges trained all her eight children (six lovely daughters and two sons) to become reasonable parents and responsible citizens today.

Mama's early widowhood prepared her with enough experience to cater for the widows as she was popularly called "Nne umunwanyi isinkpe". Mama lived exemplary life and drew many to Christ.

ADIEU MAMA! YOUR CHILDREN AND OUR GENERATION SHALL MISS YOU GREATLY.

PICTURES FROM THE BURIAL PROPER, OCTOBER 5TH, 2012 @ METHODIST CHURCH, MBALLA ISUOCHI, UMUNNEOCHI LGA, ABIA STATE.

HEPATITIS B

2012-09-26T12:27:00.001-07:00

Hepatitis B infection (HBV)

I will start by explaining what hepatitis means. Literally it means inflammation of the Liver. Hepatitis is therefore a disease characterised by the inflammation of the liver.

I assume we all know what the Liver is and how important it is. For the benefit of those who have forgotten their biology, the liver is a vital organ located on the upper part of the right side of your abdomen. The liver is just one and it serves as the function of the factory of your body. It has loads of very vital roles including the clearing of your blood of toxins, drugs, alcohol etc. It also produces the bile that help in fat digestion, stores glycogen (storage form of glucose) for use when we lack glucose in our blood. It also produces products needed for clotting of blood, among other functions.

What causes of Hepatitis:

Hepatitis is caused by several things but the most common ones are

* Viruses
* alcohol
* drugs like paracetamol, oral contraceptives, non steroidals like ibuprofen among others
* other infections and diseases

For the purposes of this article I will focus on the viral causes.

There are five types of viruses known to cause hepatitis as follows:
Hepatitis A, B,C,D and E viruses.

Hepatitis B and C are the most virulent and dangerous.

For now let me concentrate on Hepatitis B virus (HBV )

Facts about HBV infection

* About 2 billion suffer from it worldwide. This shows how quick this disease spreads
* about 350 million people suffer from the chronic form of the disease known as chronic HBV
* the bad news is that it has no cure
* the good news is that it is preventable
* though it has no cure there are medications available to help the sufferer from progressing to the severe forms.
* it is the 10th leading cause of death worldwide
* it usually takes between 40 days to 160 days for symptoms to develop after exposure to the virus
* Several sufferers show no symptom at all, yet they can still infect others.
* most of the symptoms are non specific and can be mistaken for malaria, flu, typhoid etc.

How is HBV spread

* sexually : both vaginal and anal

* through transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products

* vertical transmission being from a woman to her baby during child birth

* reuse of contaminated needles and syringes

* there are also evidence that it can be passed through kissing and breast feeding.

What is the fate of someone who contacts the virus?

There are different scenarios and some of them are as follows :

* you may show no symptoms and after a few months infection clears completely
* you may show no symptoms but infection stays quiet in the liver . This is known as silent or anicteric hepatitis B infection. Though you don't show symptoms you can infect others.
* you may develop acute hepatitis B infection. What does this mean?
This is when the infection stays in your body from when you contact it to about 3 months.
* this acute hepatitis may gradually clear over the 3 months period and you get well completely or you may develop any or some of the following:

A very severe form of acute hepatitis known as a fulminant liver failure . This means your liver has failed and may require a liver transplant to live or you may die.
Chronic hepatitis which means you have carried this infection for up to 6 months and beyond . This Chronic Hepatitis B infection can also progress to very hopeless conditions like cirrhosis where your liver is scarred or even cancer of the liver known as hepatocellular cancer.

Part 2 to follow, watch out.

Thanks for reading

Dr Chin Akano
26/09/2012

CERVIX CANCER PART 2

2012-09-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

CANCER OF THE CERVIX PART 2

In this series we shall be looking at the symptoms of cancer of the cervix

Like I highlighted in the previous article on this topic, cancer of cervix is the second commonest cancer in women and it is a major killer. The good news is that if diagnosed early it can be treated with excellent outcomes. Cervical screening is a good way of identifying cells that will turn into cancer and if detected early these cells can be destroyed so they don't become cancerous.
It is therefore crucial that every woman especially those between 20 and 65 years go for cervical screening ( pap /cervical smear).

What are the symptoms of this killer disease?

It may show no symptom until it becomes advanced at which stage it may be incurable. It is therefore essential that early diagnosis is made, hence the need to go for cervical screening.

There are however some symptoms that are associated with this disease . These include the following:

• The commonest symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding. By this I mean vaginal bleeding that is not the normal menstrual bleeding.

Examples are

* coital and post-coital bleeding: This is vaginal bleeding during and after sexual intercourse.

* Intermenstrual bleeding:
This is bleeding in between your normal periods

* Post menopausal bleeding
This is bleeding in women who have attained menopause ( means they have normally stopped seeing their periods)

* Contact bleeding:
This is bleeding for example while you are douching or when your vagina is being examined with fingers or speculum by your doctor or nurse.

Before I become a scare monger, I must stress that not all cases of abnormal vaginal bleeding is due to cancer of the cervix. There are several other causes.

Apart from abnormal vaginal bleeding, other symptoms of cervical cancer are

• Painful sex (dyspareunia):
I am also not saying that every woman that experiences discomfort or pain during sex has cancer of the cervix. As always there are other possible causes of painful sex ranging from simple reasons lack of sexual lubrication in the woman, the male partner having an oversized penis, to vaginal infection and so on and so forth.

• Vaginal discharge which is often foul smelling :

Like we know there are other causes of offensive vaginal discharge like bacterial vaginosis (BV) etc.

• Pelvic pain

• Dysuria ( pain or burning sensation during urination)

My advice is that any woman who experiences abnormal vaginal bleeding , vaginal discharge etc must go and see her doctor as a matter of urgency.

Let me also quickly add that at advanced stages cancer of the cervix may show other symptoms especially when it has spread to other organs. Some of those symptoms include

• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Tiredness/lethargy
• Constipation
• Bone pain
• Change in bowel and bladder habits
• Leg swelling
• Passing blood in urine (haematuria)
• Urinary incontinence
• Several others

Watch out for a follow up article discussing how to diagnose cancer of the cervix, treatment etc.

Thanks for reading
Dr Chin Akano

NEW PROJECTS

2012-09-09T11:08:00.001-07:00

CONFERENCE OF CATHOLICS BISHOPS

2012-09-09T10:44:00.000-07:00

BELOW ARE THE NEWS PICTURES FOR THE CONFERENCE OF CATHOLICS BISHOPS OF NIGERIA HELD IN UMUAHIA, CAPITAL OF ABIA STATE.

Many organizations and corporate bodies are now finding Abia State a suitable destination for conferences, summits, investments, etc. It's worthy to note that the Government of Abia State has invested well to restore peace and security, promote economic growth and safeguard the State interest.

> Pix 1, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state in a handshake with his Anambra state counterpart Gov. Peter Obi at a Church service marking the conference of catholic bishops' of Nigeria in Umuahia, watching is Chief Mrs Mercy Odochi Orji, wife of Abia state governor.

> Pix 2, Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra state, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state with his wife Chief Mrs Mercy Odochi Orji and Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister for Labour and Productivity (rep. president Jonathan) after a Church service marking the conference of catholic bishops of Nigeria in Umuahia.

> Pix 3, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state and his wife Chief Mrs Mercy Odochi Orji (3rd left), Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister for Labour and Productivity (rep. president Jonathan) middle, President, Conference of catholic bishops of Nigeria, and Bishop of Jos, Bishop Ignatius Kaigama (on the minister’s right), Representative of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Augustine Kaujja, Papal Nunico to Nigeria (6th left) and Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra state in a group photograph after a Church service marking the conference of catholic bishops of Nigeria in Umuahia.

> Pix 4, L-R Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra state, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state and Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister for Labour and Productivity (rep. president Jonathan) departing from the venue after a Church service marking the conference of catholic bishops' of Nigeria in Umuahia.

> Pix 5, L-R Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister for Labour and Productivity (rep. president Jonathan), Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state, Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra state and Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo state at the opening ceremony of catholic bishops’ conference at the Bishop Nwedo Episcopal centre in Umuahia.

> Pix 6 and 7, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state exchanging pleasantries with the President, Conference of catholic bishops of Nigeria, and Bishop of Jos, Bishop Ignatius Kaigama during the opening ceremony of catholic bishops’ conference at the Bishop Nwedo Episcopal centre in Umuahia, watching is Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister for Labour and Productivity (rep. president Jonathan).

> Pix 8, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state exchanging greetings with Representative of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Augustine Kaujja, Papal Nunico to Nigeria at the opening ceremony of catholic bishops’ conference at the Bishop Nwedo Episcopal centre in Umuahia.

> Pix 9, Representative of Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Augustine Kaujja, Papal Nunico to Nigeria, President, Conference of catholic bishops of Nigeria, and Bishop of Jos, Bishop Ignatius Kaigama, Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister for Labour and Productivity (rep. president Jonathan) and Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state at the opening ceremony of catholic bishops’ conference at the Bishop Nwedo Episcopal centre in Umuahia.

THE ROLE OF MULTIPLE SEX PARTNER IN CERVICAL CANCER

2012-08-29T07:07:00.001-07:00

Contacting Cancer through sexual intercourse!!!!!

Do women know that they can develop a cancer through sexual intercourse?

If they are not aware, cervical cancer ( cancer of the cervix) can develop as a result of a sexually transmitted disease known as human papilloma virus. ( HPV).

This virus is passed by men to their female sex partners but the irony is that the male carrier usually show no symptom and therefore not even aware that they are harbouring such a disease.

Before I go any further let me refresh our memory that the cervix is the neck of the womb. It is the area linking the vagina and the womb ( uterus).

Cancer of the cervix is the second commonest cancer in women ( breast cancer is the commonest) and it is quite deadly.

Is there hope for the women?

Yes there is hope. Every sexually active woman should go for a cervical smear , often known as pap smear.

What is this?

This is a screening test that detects changes in the cervix. It is not a test for cancer but one that can reveal if your cervix has undergone changes that can lead to cancer.

If these changes are detected early, they can be treated completely and successfully preventing the development of the cancer.

How is this smear done?

Your doctor or nurse will pass an instrument called speculum through your vagina to reveal the cervix and use another known as spatula to sweep around your cervix and collect cells . These cells are checked out in the laboratory for pre-cancerous cells.

Advanced countries like UK have a robust cervical screening programme for women between the ages of 25 and 64 years where they are invited for screening every 3 to 5 years, depending on their age.
In the UK this programme has been quite successful in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.
There has also been plan to involve also women 20 years and above now in this screening programme.

So the message is that every woman within this age category of 20 to 64 years should go for a cervical smear immediately and if the results are normal, to repeat it every 3 to 5 years.

If however the result is abnormal they should see a good gynaecologist or oncologist immediately.

Apart from the cervical smear, there is also available vaccination against this virus (HPV). I am therefore advising young women who are sexually active to take advantage of this vaccination to prevent them contracting this infection that can cause cancer of the cervix.

Of course another advice is to avoid multiple sexual partners and most importantly always use a condom.

More on cancer of the cervix to follow.

Thanks for reading

Dr Chin Akano

ABIA @ 21

2012-08-29T03:09:00.000-07:00

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, at an event held to mark the 21st anniversary of the state on Monday, paid tribute to the founding fathers of the state.

Orji said that the sacrifices made by the founding fathers, both living and dead, cannot be wished away.

According to him, having laid the foundation of the modern day Abia, the government and the people of the state will forever cherish, remember and honour them.

He also stated that Abia has progressed steadily since its creation, despite the challenges facing it.

The governor stressed that the 21st anniversary celebration provides the government and people of the state with another avenue to thank God for his protection and mercies, and equally reflect on the achievements made so far and the challenges ahead.

Orji added that his administration is determined to make positive impacts on the lives of the citizens, adding that having provided security, he would strive to complete the legacy projects initiated by his administration.

Those who received awards at the event include Chief John Sam Obu, Chief coach of the U-20 national football team, and Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, Editor of Thisday newspaper.

Dignitaries present during a church service to mark Abia State at 21 in Umuahia include: Chief Bob Ogbuagu; Rt. Hon. Acho Nwakanma; Lady Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, General Ike Nwachukwu; Dr. Anagha Ezikpe, Chairman of Abia advisory council; Sir Emeka Ananaba, Deputy Governor of Abia state and Rt. Hon. Ude Oko-chukwu, Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly.

HERE ARE MORE PICTURES FROM THE ANNIVERSARY:

LUXURY CITY HOTEL & TOWERS - Hospitality @ its best

2012-08-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

LUXURY CITY HOTEL & TOWERS
84b Aba-Owerri Road, Aba, Abia State
+234-82-871242, 08033168711

@ ICONS LOUNGE, WE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

An exclusive all-in-one hotel is here for all your pleasure needs. LUXURY CITY HOTEL & TOWERS is top rated and offers excellent and unique services yet to be rivaled.
The hotel boasts of:
a. Tastefully furnished guest rooms
b. Exquisite Restaurant & Bar
c. Plasma Tv & DVD player in all rooms
d. Rooftop Swimming Pool
e. Standby Aiport Shuttle to PH & Owerri
f. Free Wi-Fi Internet connection
g. Fire proof electronic safe
h. Adequate 24hr security network
i. Body analysis scale in each room
j. Hi-tech security surveillance cameras
k. Auto Photo-Electric entrance door
l. 24hrs guaranteed power supply
m. Luxury Hall of 200 seats capacity

Situated in a serene environment for your utmost comfort, the hotel boasts of two uniquely built structures directly opposite the hotel named:
• ICONS LOUNGE and
• SUGARLAND

ICONS LOUNGE plays host to a sophisticatedly furnished health club, night club and Suya Spot. @ Icons Lounge, our In-House DJ re-enacts your night life. Strictly for Icon Clubbers are:
a. Club House (Exclusive VIP & VVIP)
b. Gym Fitness Centre
c. Snooker
d. Table Tennis
e. Barbing Salon
f. Manicure
g. Pedicure
h. Tattoos
ROCK DAYS: Wednesdays(ladies nite), Thursdays(Old School nite) Friday/Saturday(Rock)
GOLD CARD MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE

SUGARLAND on its part serves as “LAUGH IT OFF” arena. Here has hosted notable and respected comedians, Nigeria top-rated actors/actresses etc. For live band lovers, here is specially designed for you with the following in the offing:
a. Point & Kill
b. Isi Ewu
c. Sharwarma
d. End of Discussion
e. Nkwobi
f. Ugba and Ukazi
g. Fresh Fish Pepper Soup
h. Event Management

LUXURY CITY HOTEL & TOWERS MAKES YOUR STAY IN ABIA A WORTHWHILE EXPERIENCE - Have the feel today.

BREAST CANCER PART 2

2012-07-26T11:05:00.001-07:00

BREAST CANCER PART 2

This is a continuation of my series on Breast Cancer. Like we already know it is the commonest cancer in women and the commonest cause of cancer death in women.

We also already know that both men and women can suffer from this dreaded disease but it is 100 times commoner in women. Furthermore we have been told that breast cancer at the early stage may not have symptoms and the commonest symptom is painless lump in the breast. Other symptoms include pain in the breast, nipple discharge, lump in the armpit, nipple changes, rashes, ulcer etc.

I have also told you in part 1 that anyone who has had cancer in one breast has an extremely high risk of developing it in the other breast. Similarly those with a close family history of breast cancer, those who have had cancer in other parts of their body, obese people, smokers etc are at high risk of developing breast cancer.

In this part i shall be looking at how to detect breast cancer.

It is so important to detect breast cancer early because the earlier it is detected and treated, the better the outcome.

So how can Breast Cancer be detected???

* I advise people to examine their breasts regularly for lumps, rashes, ulcer, pain and some changes. If you are twenty and above, i advise that you become familiar with how your breasts feel and look normally, so that you can easily tell when there are changes.

* Report these changes to your doctor immediately

* Screening of the breast using a special x-ray equipment called mammogram detects early stages of breast cancer. In advanced world like UK, there is a screening programme for all women between 50 and 70 years where they are invited for a free mammography. If you are in Nigeria and you belong to this age group or have a significant risk please find a good centre and undergo a mammography.

* MRI :
The breast can also be screened for early stages of cancer using an MRI. I believe this is a lot more expensive than mammography.

Having discussed how to screen or detect early cancers, i will now look into how to diagnose breast cancer.

If for example you notice a breast changes and you go see your doctor, depending in the part of the world you live, i expect that you will be referred to see a breast specialist or cancer specialist who should undertake the following:

a) Talk to you and take a history of your symptoms

b)Examine your breasts including your arm pits and your lymph node areas

c) Conduct the following diagnostic procedures as follows:

* mammogram

* Breast ultrasound ( ultrasound of the breast)

* Fine needle aspiration ( a needle is used by a doctor to withdraw some cells from the breast lump into a syringe under ultrasound guidance and this sample is sent to the lab to check for cancer)

* biopsy ( a small part of the lump or tissue is removed surgically or by suction or other means and taken to the lab for examination by the pathologist)

* Lymph node ultrasound and fine needle aspiration ( ultrasound of any suspicious lymph node and needle aspiration like as described above)

Following these procedures the doctor will be able to confirm for sure if actually you are suffering from breast cancer.

One big question is this: Are all breast lumps or breast pain or rash etc breast cancer?? The answer is a capital NO. There are other possible causes which I shall be discussing in part 3 of this series.

Hope you learned a thing or two from this. Thanks for reading

Dr Chin Akano

BREAST CANCER PART 1 With Dr. Chin Akano

2012-07-18T13:39:00.000-07:00

BREAST CANCER PART 1

In this series i shall be looking at the breast cancer, some facts about it, risk factors, signs and symptoms, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

I will start by saying that breast cancer is the cancer originating from breast tissue and is the commonest cancer in women and commonest cause of cancer death in women as well.

WHO CAN SUFFER FROM BREAST CANCER??

Both men and women can suffer from breast cancer, though it is 100 times commoner in women.
However due to delay in diagnosis of breast cancer in men, the outcome is a lot poorer in men than in women.

Furthermore any body who has reached puberty can suffer from breast cancer but it is commoner in women over 50 years and also kills more women over that age.

WHAT CAUSES BREAST CANCER ?

No one knows what causes it but there are certain factors that put someone at a higher risk of developing it. These are known as the risk factors and among them are:

* If a close relative has suffered from cancer of the breast

* If you have cancer in one breast already

* if you are a woman

* If you have developed any other cancer in any other part of your body

* If you are a smoker

* If you are obese

* If you are over 50 years

* Those who refused to breast feed

* Commoner in white women

* Those taking Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

* Over exposure to radiation eg during x-rays

* Excessive alcohol consumption

* Several others like taking of combined pills ( oral contraceptive, early menstruation, late menopause )

HOW CAN BREAST CANCER BE RECOGNISED?

Please note that you may have no symptom at all especially at the early stage of the cancer

If you do have symptoms yy far the commonest symptom is painless lump in the breast. This lump does not disappear after your period in women.

Other possible symptoms are as follows:

* Pain in the breast

* Discharge from the nipple : the discharge could be clear, bloody and coloured.

* swelling in the armpit

* dimpling of the nipple

* nipple retraction

* nipple redness

* Rash on or around the nipple

* Itching of the nipple

*Ulcer of the nipple

*Burning sensation to the nipple

* change in colour and size of breast [s]

Part 2 to follow: Watch out

Thanks for reading

Dr Chin Akano

WELCOME TO IGBERE

2012-07-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

THE HISTORY OF IGBERE
Igbere history and its people traces from the lkweres who reside along the banks of Imo River in Nigeria. In lkwere Etche located in the River State of Nigeria, is a town known as “Okomoko”. It was here that our great ancestor “Ebiri Okomoko” was born. Ebiri Okomoko was the fifth of sixteen children of Prince Aguma Egbiri, a member of the Ruling House in Okomoko. His father had three (3) wives. His eldest wife had four daughters. Ebiri Okomoko’s mother, Ekemini, was the second wife. She was said to be so beautiful that she was thought to be a reincarnation for the “river goddess”, gbere stands at the threshold of history. And it is a two way brink, oscillating between the past and the future. That past ought to elicit pride from indigenes who owe their town to very brave forebears that brooked no injustice and evil deeds.
Stubbornly perched atop a tree on the way to Ibinaukwu, one of the thirteen communities amalgamating into Igbere, is a weather beaten flag, which evidently had survived strong wind and rain, yet wrestled free from the intimidating leaves to pronounce Biafra, the defunct republic which caved in 30 months after its proponents fought with bare hands to keep it alive. Perhaps that indestructible flag is unwittingly symbolic of Igbere, a town in today’s Bende local council of Abia State with a never-say –die spirit and history. We shall return to that proud past shortly.

New London
But there is yet a visible stride into a historic future, one that threatens to thrust the town as, perhaps, the fastest developing space within the state. The people are not resting on their oars, basking in past glory. They have strived to keep pace with time. From the window of Wisdom Orientation Guest House at the eastern end of Igbere, a visitor behoves lush green scenery, stretching into the undulating topography of a place dotted with architectural masterpieces plastered with sparkling paints that smile at you. Whether the elegant buildings are at the hilly streets of Okafia and Umusi or the relative flat lands of Amaukwu and Eziama villages, Igbere has rightly earned the sobriquet of ‘New London’. It has displaced Abiriba, immediate neighbour to the east which had, over the years, prided itself as ‘Small London”.

If you visit both towns today, you will be in no doubt about which holds the mantle. The seeming sad fact is that both have lost the virginity of typical African villages and have been consumed with rampaging modernity such as turn foot paths of yore into beautiful streets adorned with smooth asphalt surfacing, bushes into mansions, trees into electric poles and telecommunication masts. Igbere is no longer a village. It is evolving into a city. That is the irony of development. Something must give. New and good things always sprout from the ashes of old ones.
As a visitor enters Bende local Government Area from Umuahia end, makes a right turn at Uzuakoli, does a few kilometres, hits Isiegbu in Ozuitem, turns left, at the T junction, a final journey into the ancient town begins.

The beginning
A town founded ‘not later than 1267’ cannot but be ancient. No less a personality than 80-year-old Elder E.E. Ukaegbu, a legal practitioner and very prominent indigene of the town makes the assertion after his painstaking research gave birth to a booklet captioned The History of Igbere, published in 1974 and revised in 2008. Ukaegbu , an Aba based lawyer, and possibly the first parliamentarian to win election as an independent candidate in old Eastern Nigeria, also typifies the stoicism and strong spirit of the Igbere man. He spoke to Sunday Sun in his country home in Amaofufe generally pronounced ‘Ámaufufu’, another of the 13 villages.

“The average Igbere man knows that a man called Ebiri Okomoko was the founder of Igbere. He was a great warrior. Farmer and hunter whose place of origin has been traced to Andoni, very close to the Atlantic Ocean . He was said to have sojourned in several places including Okomoko now in Etche Local council of Rivers State,” said Elder Ukaegbu.

The story, as this newspaper found out, was that Ebiri did not head for Igbere at inception. He had moved from Etche to a few places before making a fairly long stop over at Ajata Ibeku, near Umuahia. There he met Uduma-Eze and Onyerubi, both of whom later founded Ohafia and Abam. He also sojourned at Oroni forest where he met Egbebu who later founded Edda.
They parted ways, for reasons researchers have not yet revealed ,and Okomoko, adventurous as ever, hit Eke forest and finally settled there. Even today, with its rampaging modernity and rapid development, no one has dared destroy Eke-Igbere which still inspires awe and reverence from the average Igbere man. If a disputing duo went to Eke forest and any swore falsely, the erring person is said to be inviting sudden and untimely death. If an Igbere man is wounded in a fight or even an accident, such as exposes his blood, it only takes liquid from leaves of any tree from the forest for the gushing blood to cease. Such is the real or perceived power of the Eke forest, named after the market day of Okomoko’s arrival. He arrived on an Eke market day, one of the four days that make a typical Igbo calendar week.

But the story of Igbere’s origin has just begun. Okomoko’s settlement was not the end of the matter. It is the end of the early phase. He passed away shortly after arrival. He did not live to see and take part in the battle royale that culminated into the naming of Igbere.
There is, therefore, a slight but negligible historical controversy over the true founder of the town. The question is this; was Igbere founded by Okomoko who led the first settlers or was it founded by his son Ebiri, who led the battle to crush a great wave of intrepid warriors who ravaged the land? Had they subdued the people there would have been no Igbere, at least by the name it is now known. Historians and later day researchers may find a mouthful to chew there.

But the name Igbere is rooted in a war of survival.
In those days there lived a certain man named Ota Obom. War was his life. And he had fought and conquered every community within the vicinity in pursuit of slaves. He had active support of Arochukwu(Aro Oke Igbo) known for pervasive slave trading. But Ota Obom met his waterloo in Igbere. The story of his beheading and the inability of the slave traders to enter the town make it one of the few in Igboland which effectively repelled slave traders and earned the name Igbo Eru or Igbo Ere.
“This is one of the few towns where you cannot find Aro settlements’’ says Elder Ukaegbu, smiling proudly. “Our forbears never allowed slave traders to get into Igbere’’

At the killing of Ota Obom by the gallant Igbere warriors who, going by what Eze Job Ukandu of Amaukwu told Sunday Sun, were aided by great seers at Eke forest, Ota Obom’s warriors dispersed in confusion and the Aro slave traders became frustrated. It must have been with clenched teeth of annoyance and the sight of an impregnable town that they pronounced it Igbo Eru meaning ‘the place which Aro Oke Igbos could not reach and capture’ or Igbo Ere [the place where Igbo could not sell]. Both expressions gave birth to Igbere. Somehow, the average Igbere man has retained the fierce quest for freedom and the independence carried from his forbears. It is believed that Ebiri never lost any battle. That hitherto invincible Ota Obom, leader of rampaging slave traders met his end in the town, marking the effective halt of slave trading in that area, remains a source of pride to every Igbere indigene. The victory did not come cheap. It came with a price, one which also endows indigenes with patience. The details may be cumbersome but the drowning of Ochi, a beautiful damsel whose father, Awalu, led one of the villages at the forefront of the battle, was a grievous price. In fact the Ebele river where she drowned was made to dry up. Today it is a market place.

How Igbere is governed
The internal government in the town, as in most others in old Bende division run on three planks, namely the traditional institution, the age grade system and the general town union. But the traditional stool is strong in the town and had also posed a challenge, now apparently contained with the reign of one of their sons as the immediate past civilian Governor of Abia State. Prior to the emergence of Chief Orji Uzo Kalu who hails from Umusi, as the helmsman in Abia State, Igbere had a challenge occasioned by tussle over the traditional head of the town. An old school headmaster named Ijioma Okocha from Okafia known to be a strong Christian sat on the throne as the first Ebiri (named after their forebear) of the entire Igbere. But Amaukwu people who claim to be the head and to whom Elder Ukaegbu conceded that headship in his chat with Sunday Sun, cried foul insisting that Okocha had used the privilege of education to usurp their position.
Autonomous Communities/Villages
Igbere evolved into autonomous communities through the ages. The starting point being Eke Igbere where Ebiri settled originally. According to oral tradition and other documented evidence, the landmarks of Igbere represent various activities. For instance Ogbonta at Ozara, Amankalu Igbere is where the 8 stones of Igbere is found. There are places like Ogo- ubi and Nkumimo and Mgbele Ibina
Agriculture
Igbere is endowed with many natural resources some of which remain unexplored and untapped. Some readily identified resources in area of agriculture include palm produce, rice etc.
• Agricultural Products: Rice (currently accomodaiing a world hank Agricultural project around the famous Igwu River).
EZUMEZU IGBERE – THE LEGACY
I n preparing to complete the legacy of Ezumezu lgbere, many
considerations were made pertaining to the people of lgbere and their patriotism to “Ala lgbere” and the entire Ebiri. Our contribution of articles to IGBO BASICS U.S.A among other things motivated us to use this medium to say a few things for a better Ebiri. On this great Ezumezu celebration, We provide for the record, a broader perspective of what Ezumezu should signify for the lovers of lgbere prosperity. It is our hope that all Ebiri will appreciate the candor of this article. However, we do not in any way claim perfection whatsoever to this essay contribution we herein make. Our wish as we write is to be able to appeal to all lovers of Igbere to unite in peace for we all are one.
For the history buffs, there is the need to remind people of Igbere of the Ezumezu legacy. It is a well known fact that when people move out to reside in urban areas, they tend to forget the stories by the village story tellers. Sometimes the folklores, the traditional customs as it is often forgotten and in todays world, many sons and daughters of Ebiri-Igbere people now live and reside all over the world. It is to these people that we dedicate this legacy. Our hope especially, is that lgbere children born in urban and in overseas particularly the U.S.A will learn a thing or two about this great occasion called Ezumezu Igbere. Many as we have come to conclude are devoid of any knowledge of the traditions of their homes of origin. It is such people that we intend to help in understanding the significance of Ezumezu.
The legacy of Ezumezu of Igbere as we know it today was first called the “Anniversary of Igbere”. According to a great author/lawyer who once wrote that “One of the hallmarks in the efforts of Igbere Welfare Union (I.W.U.) was to modernize Igbere with the celebration of a ceremony of 1.W.U anniversary which came off in 1960 as a result of a motion tabled in a crucial meeting of 1.W.U. in August, 1958 by Mr. David Udeogu. “The author continued” that the motion in question was that when the maternity home (Hospital) was opened in 1954 in lgbere, lgbere youths returned home in large numbers that December. The next December experienced almost unprecedented calm during Christmas period in Igbere” It was in response to this un-lively atmosphere that motivated Mr. David Udeogu to table his motion which was unanimously approved by the then 1.W.U. The first “Anniversary” was born with a decree that it be celebrated once every three years. To shapen the events of the celebration, an elderly statesman Chief G.E. Ukaegbu the “Ofufe 1” of Igbere was appointed the first organizer!!
As history will have it, the late Chief!. Okocha was the chairman of the first Anniversary Celebration. The great hallmark in todays Ezumezu Igbere is the introduction of age grade activities in the Ezumezu events. And as was and still is the tradition the climax of the Ezumezu is the retirement of the o1dest age grade system. Other activities like naming new age grade and launching community development projects also are celebrated as part of the festivities. For years, the Ezumezu was known by all as “Anniversary Igbere” until Chief E.E.Ukaegbu first suggested a change of name in his well authored book “The History of Igbere” by Awa Press. 1974.!n one of the chapters, he suggested that the word “Anniversary” could be replaced with Igbo name. At that time no one really took it serious until when he came to a position where he was a mover and shaker in the affairs of lgbere. It was during that period that he coined the word we use today “Ezumezu lgbere”. Thus the word anniversary even though can still be heard, but a true Ezumezu buff dare not call it “Anniversary lgbere” because it is “Un Ebiri” to say so to Ezumezu fanatics.
Eminent Igbere People

Igbere Cooperative Society (I.C.A.S) Founders Aba

Front row l-r 1 Jonah Anyaogu Kalu (Ndiokpa) 2. James Eme Akachukwu 3. James Amadi Uche
4 Elisha Uko Ogwo (Amaukwu) 5. Saul Kalu Ugbo 6. Obediah Imo Iboko

Middle Row l-r
7. Jacob Chukwu Awa (Umuobasi Amankalu 8. Elder Dick Oko Igbokwe 9. Jonah Onwuka Oji
10. Obediah Ikwechegh Oturu (Ama-akpo) 11. Jonah Anya Onuoha 12. Johnson Eme Ibeka

back row l-r
13. Ogbonnaya, Son of Elisha Ukonu Elekwachi 14. David Oyo Udogu 15. Sam Obasi Ochuba
16. Egwuonwu Eme 17. Stephen Ude Obike 18. Micah Oji Izuka
19. Joel Anyaegbu Igu 20. Mark Agu Okorie

Eminent Sons and Daughters: Chief Elekwachi Ukaonu, Retired Director of NTA A ha and pioneer comedian in Aligbo with the famous Mazi Ukonu ‘s Club on Nigerian Television; Captain Amadi Ikwechegh, Former Governor of then Imo State of Nigeria; Chief Orji Uzo Kalu, current holder of the title Aha eji aga mba I of Igbere and others too numerous to mention
Commodore Amadi Ikwechegh

Chief Orji Uzor Kalu. Former Executive Governor of Abia State and Presidential Cadidate PPA of Nigeria.
Justice Agbai Ikwechegh

Hon. Justice Christiana Ijeoma Uche
Judge of High Court Abia State

Mazi Anyaogu Elekwachi Ukonu

Chief Amadi Awa
Retired Civil Servernt and Chartered Tax Practitioner
Elder Chief Mrs Eunice Uzor Kalu Odiukonamba
Travels & Tourism
Igbere is so endowed in this area that it has scenic places of interest.
Tourist Attractions/Landmarks: The Steps of Nature; Igwu River: River Falls: Osuwowo Springs; lkeogwu Ikeogwu; Eke Igbere; Ngbele Ibina. Markets of Igbere: Nkwo Ebele.
Education System
Igbere is still developing in the area of education and health. However education is not new to Igbere as the following schools have been existing since the colonial times:
Amankalu Primary School formally LGA School a.k.a Amanku. Roman Catholic School known simply as Roman at Amaofufe. Seven Day Adventist at Amaukwu. Central School, Onu Ibina Igbere; Igbere Secondary School and now the Proposed Abia State University of Arts, Science and Technology plus other Schools not yet listed in this effort.

WELCOME TO IBEKU

2012-07-11T00:42:00.000-07:00

Ibeku Umunna Nation has Culture, Education, Heritage, organization, History, tradition,with all values recognized in Igbo land and beyound. We are Igbo speaking, surrounding the city of Umuahia Ibeku in Abia State Nigeria.There are regional chapters as associations all over.

When you come to Ibeku, you will sense the excitement in the air about all things cultural. As you walk into the villages with clan members, all along our winding raods, streets you will hear the whistle sound from the birds on trees and people sitting talking to each other, independent activities in motion, you will be caught up in the energy. Turn a corner to find an AMA, a public place. Suddenly, you will find yourself listening to indigents with stories of the day, children playing. Depending on the time, might find people dancing, see a musician practicing his drumming or EKPETE while children play while elders go on with their activities .These are common sights to behold. Oh yes, the local bars with palm wine to serve is always open for some fun. Ibeku is unique.Do not forget that we make pottery unlike any other tribe. We are alive and well.

WHO ARE WE !!!
I beku is contained in the Umuahia North Local Govt. political division.of abia state in the eastern part of Nigeria.There are other communities that are around Ibeku such to our south are the clans of Olokoro, Old-Umuahia, Amakama, Ubakala. To the East is Oboro. Our West are the clans of Umuokpara and Ohuhu. Then North are Uzuakoli and Abiriba. These areas were one time a part of what was called the BENDE region in now Abia State.

Ibeku people are a good portion of the igbo [ibo] speaking people of Nigeria in IGBO LANGUAGE .The associated dialects and origins are explained with this link. Igbo is spoken through out West Africa in various forms.

We have custodians of these traditional values in each seven clans called EGWU ASAA that make up Ibeku Nation. These seven Clans are Osaa, Amaforo, Ndume, Afaraukwu, Emede, Isieke, Afarata. Each has an Eze that is titled accordingly with a name to reflect that clan. Ibeku clan has a Royal Highness with the title OGURUBE IBEKU.. The Present Ogurube is His Royal Highness.Eze Samuel Iheonu Onuaha.The Ogurube IV of Ibeku. His cabinet is made up of all the EZEs from the seven egwu asaas. These individual egwus are autonomous in terms of organization in localities headed by their own EZE.

The way and how Ibeku the man came to be at this very location is still being pieced together. Ibeku had sons that grew ,got married and had children that became Ibeku Egwu Asaa.The order of his children seniority, movements around the location are well known.We show in OUR IBEKU HISTORY section, the Clans and the organizational set up that covers the whole Ibeku Nation.
The anthropology and psychology to place the work of the expedition's anthropologists within the history of the Ibeku discipline has tended to obscure the intellectual contribution of our people in various ways, we will maintain anthropology and psychology as separate disciplines we wish to make sense of self and society in the post-national phase of human history. The lbeku Heritage serves the community of Culture, and the wider public, by treasuring the past, educating the present, and inspiring the future.

One of the Umunnas is Umuolulu ,ohobo na Umuizu in the Afaraukwu clan Ibeku has put together their ancestors adding up to 10 [ten] generations back. Some other clans go further .See the Alozie family tree in Umuizu Ancestors. Olulu was one of the sons of Izu thus UMUIZU [ children of izu]. All his children make up ohobo na umuizu. See and read the set up of AFARA UKWU CLAN as explained.
Each community supports the Ibeku organization and help enhance the life in it which includes art, culture and other awareness that is needed on issues . They come together to promote affair and positive dialogue, develop new and future audience in major projects in visual and performing arts, heritage preservation that are representative of ibeku local cultures, and its regional within the igbo [ibo] tribe.

THE SOCIAL STATUS as in IBEKU

Ibeku like every other Igbo group, as an organization with culture and heritage ,has well defined social structures. These structures were in places before the recent advent of christianity. These classifications are never over estimated in values and they apply to both men and women. They are different from recent accomodations given to people for mainly ceremonials shows.

The social category is highly differentiated. The Ibeku / Igbo recognize and respect social distinctions among members of each status category of kinship, residence, wealth,and association depending on their political, economic, and religious achievements.

FAMILY VALUES With The Nwaiwu's

2012-06-18T01:43:00.000-07:00

FAMILY VALUES
Our feature family presentation on “family values” sounds more of a fairy tale than what obtains in the real world but I tell you what? It’s real, real and nothing but REAL.
In recent times, families have lost its essence and the once placed values on families are lost and replaced with incessant “Separations, Divorces, Adultery, Hate, Rivalry and other social vices”.
In the days of our forefathers, families (even the very polygamous ones) were bound in love, unity, respect for wife, husband, elders and siblings. The reverse seems to be the order of the day in today’s marriages and homes. Wives blame husbands while husbands blame wives for decadence in family values. Who really takes the blame?

WHAT ARE FAMILY VALUES?
Family Values are the primary tenets on which families are founded, raised and appreciated. They are those things that make families worthwhile. These include: Integrity, Trust, Love, Understanding, Respect for self & others, Faithfulness, Truthfulness, Humility and above all, the fear of God.
A perfect example of a family with its values intact is one in which the husband of the house lays perfect solid foundation by first loving his wife, provides for his family, raises his children in the fear of God, upholds the belief of “FAMILY FIRST”. He not only spends quality time with his family, but teaches them also, the importance of mutual respect, understanding, peace and love in the development and advancement of family.

WHERE DID TODAY’S FAMILIES GET IT WRONG?
Most today’s families got it all wrong by making wrong choice life partners. Many today’s marriages were built on lies, materialism, fame and selfish gains. With due respect to the ladies, most of them refused to look beyond the ordinary when it comes to marriage. They are easily attracted to material things and as such, turn blind eyes to the man behind the wealth. When reality sets in, only then will they realize the man they got married to lack in almost everything a marriage needs to work. Same thing applies to men who focus all their attention on ladies’ beauty and physical appearance more than the inner qualities required for sustainability in marriages.

It is horrifying to note that most young married couples engage in extra marital affairs owing to the reasons given above. Most embarrassing is the fact that most of our young married men see nothing wrong in this. With due respect to our men, they are the most guilty of committing adultery. What fun is there outside that can’t be created within your household? I need answers from the men please. The women are not exonerated as some have been caught in the act as well.

WHAT IS THE REMEDY?
All hope is not lost as there is good news to us. Abia Post found out that there are still exceptional men out there bent on upholding family values against all odds. This family’s story can only be compared to those found in Fairy Tales’ but right here in our midst is a PERFECT FAMILY WITH ITS FAMILY VALUES INTACT.
Dear Readers, we present to you, THE NWAIWUs:

AP (Abia Post): May we get to know you sir:
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: My name is Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu
AP : And your wife?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: Mrs. Ifeyinwa Hadasha Nwaiwu
AP: How and When did you meet your wife?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiuwu: (Laughs and thinks), At a friend's wedding in Terminus Hotel, Aba on August 14th, 1994 to be precise. She was the bride's chief.
AP: What attracted her to you?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: Her colour and calm nature. It was so real and original.
AP: How did you approach her?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: I suggested to take a photograph with her and the brother who happens to be someone i know. They agreed and we took a photograph, a copy I kept and cherished. After the wedding, I never got to see or hear from her again till four years later when she came for her baptism in my church. It was then I got to know she was based in Awka, where she attended the wedding from. Her presence in my church for her baptism rekindled my interest in her.I didn't take any further chance in getting to know her properly and before we knew it, we became husband and wife.
AP: When did you get married?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: 24th October, 1998.
AP: Is your marriage blessed with child/children?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: (Laughs)Ofcourse, they are the ones you are seeing now. Four boys and one girl. The girl, Nancy, is the first and marked her birthday today, 17/6/2012. Duke is next to her, 11years. Justice is the third and 9years. Shallom follows after Justice and is seven years. The baby of the house, Eva is 5years old.
AP: What is responsible for your youthful look?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: My wife, she is fitness crazy so i keep in shape for her. She also makes sure I eat rightly by cooking and providing the right meals.
AP: What is your normal day like?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: I leave the house mondays-saturdays by 8:30am & return 6pm.
AP: What is your relationship with your children like?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: Intimate. I am very close to each of them.
AP: Do you have any favorite child?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: No. I will discourage parents from having a favorite child because it breeds and encourages envy from the lesser loved children towards the favorite one and this is not good for the unity and peace of the family.
AP: What has been your biggest marital challenge?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: I don't really have marital challenges per se. The only initial challenge I had was infusing the two families together.
AP: What has kept your family united?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: I must say it's the fear of God, Prayers, support and understanding from both families.
AP: Most women complain of infidelity from their husbands, what do you say to this?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: I am of the view that marriage is sacred and should be kept so. I do not subscribe to extra marital affairs and advice men in such habit to desist and respect the tenets of marriage as the bible instructs.
AP: Are you saying you are not party to this allegation?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: I am married to my wife and shares my bed with none other.
AP: What advice do you have for both young and old married couples?
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: I want couple to understand that there is no spefic formular for marriage and as such, should stop trying to be like the next door neighbour. Let them be themselves, understand each other's strengths and weaknesses, support each other, create fun within the house and above all, invite God to be the ultimate head of the family. Once there is mutual understanding and respect, everything naturally falls into place.
AP: It's been a pleasure being with your wonderful family. Thanks for your time.
Emmanuel Ekene Nwaiwu: You are welcomed anyday. Thank you and God bless.

Mr. Emmanuel Nwaiwu is an astute businessman with a humble beginning who through hardwork and committment has grown his business to International Standard. He deals on all types of High Class Laces.