By: Ike Philip Abiagom
Pastor Idowu Okeze,the founder of Obi Nwaokocha Joseph Okeze Foundation, UKPECHUKWU Igbuzo has extended his Heartfelt congratulations to HRH Omu Obi Josephine Isioma Nwannabuogwu on her auspicious hosting of Ibusa women on one day Conference on the Working of Peace and Progress in Ibusa on Sunday 24th,August 2025 at the Obi Nwaokocha Okeze event centre, Ibusa.
Omu Igwe, Your vision and leadership has been Top Notch, and your unwavering commitment to progress of Ibusa women is Laudable.
In Ibusa, Omuship thrived until the era of 1995 when the Obuzo system was birthed. Like everything else that was affected, Omuship was not spared of the accompanying crises which led to the division of the community. As the troubled house of Omu spirits became divided, a factional Omu emerged and almost immediately, certain ‘giants’ of the community started to align with one Omu or the other, giving rise to the last of Omuship in the cultural phase the community was to see thus, ending the beautiful institution put together by the Ibusa community’s ancestors.
With the loss of Omuship came the attendant loss of its beauties, the market duties, the settlement of disputes among women, the Omu critical role and interventions in the smooth running of the society such as the stay on untoward attitudes, the age-long native laws in the market,the voice of the women in Ibusa,the second burial rites of women,the seat in the Obuzo-Council, all jettisoned to the division.
The Omu-ship in Ibusa has not been all about the market as it also involves deep spirituality, it is the vehicle for women development and governance of some sort. It is a vehicle for the mechanisms of economic and welfare of women. The beautiful Omuship of Ibusa once lost in Ibusa has been restored by the emerges of HRH Omu Obi Josephine Isioma, From the Omuship of the aged and the rarely talked about, HRM Omu Obi Josephine Isioma Nwannabuogwu has now made it an attractive institution with interest from younger women.
The people of Ibusa should take immediate step towards aligning with fellow Anioma communities.We must give HRH Omu Obi Josephine Isioma Nwannabuogwu total support for her remarkable wisdom, unwavering commitment to the promotion of peace among Ibusa women and preservation of our cultural heritage.
Ibusa, once a viable cultural room of Omuship must work towards her own restoration,an assiduous assignment for the community leadership even though the community has once produced series of Omu in the past.
Omu Igbuzo,As you embark on this year 2025 Ibusa Women Working for Peace and Progress Conference, your advocacy is for women to stop being clapping members, and for men to see if they can allow women to come into the fold, then the nation will be better. Look at various countries in Europe where women are leaders, you can see what is happening, that they are moving forward, positively.
Omu Igbuzo,the Omu institution will never be lost again in Ibusa, Your dedication and Leadership will continue to inspire many young women in Ibusa. Obi Okeze Foundation wish you continued success in all your Endeavours.
Congratulations.
