Literature has an uncanny way of unearthing the under-belly of society. Eze Emmanuel Chukwuemerie's Ndi-Ogbuu, a people, their origin, their prospects is a new book just released recently but its issues are as old as generations.
It dwells on how the Ndi- Ogbuu clan, one of the popular clans in Abia State evolved since the generations. It digs into the veracity and history of the people in a no-hold bare way. The author, graduate of Abia State University, Uturu, gives the reason to document history for future generations as why he embarked on the project.
The writer also said he is proud of where he comes from and penned down the work for whoever wants to learn the history of his clan, how they evolve over the years and how the clan settled down where they are today. The 53-page book is loaded with very insightful information about the family tree of the Ndi- Ogbuu clan.
Neither a hardcover nor a tome, Chukwuemerie's Ndi-Ogbuu, a people, their origin, their prospects not fantastically bond is sure to attract any reader who picks it up and pauses to read just a bit. The book has it way of drawing the eyes. The cover is also attractive given the images of a typical village compound and car parked in front of the house. The book digs into the history of Ndi-Ogbu clan.
Structured into nine major chapters, according to the author the clan is located in Umuogwugwu, a major component unite of Amaise, one of the autonomous communities that makes up present day Umuobiala village in Abia State, South East Nigeria.
The author traces Ogbuu to be the first son of the second wife of Akwaraja, a merchant who traversed the length and breadth of Arochukwu, Uzuakoli, Bende and nearby areas. Akwaraji dealt on items like matches, trade niddle and similar household items sometimes in the late 19th century.
His first wife name was Ada Akangwo, from Obioha, in Amaise. And she gave birth to four boys namely, Okpu, Nkakara (Nkemdirim), Ikwuagwu and Azubuko. Ogbuu's second wife named Erimma had two sons namely, Onyezewe and Ogbuehi.
These last two sons, the author reveals are the origins of six major families that make up the present day Ndi-Ogbuu clan. The author also revealed that the Nkakara family later changed their name to Nkemdirim at the instance of one Solomon Iroanuwu, who attended Methodist College Uzuakoli, Hope Waddel Institute Calabar and Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
The author wrote it for whoever wants to understand Ndi-Ogbuu clan. The book has 53-pages. Because of the importance attached to the subject matter, Ndi-Ogbuu clan, the author, from the beginning shows that he had his people in mind as his primary audience. But indeed any other person who is interested in learning the history of the people, young or old, especially those born or bred in the Igbo diaspora can really benefit from the book.
The book has many moving poems at the beginning of each chapter which covers a variety of topics ranging from Ndi-Ogbuu geographical location, to numerical, modes of evolution among other issues. The author referred to important historical evidences which give the clan its place today.
The motive was to establish a base for authentic history of the people. Shedding more light on the man Akwaraja, the writer reveals that he was an itinerant trader whose primary motive was to establish a success for his fledging business. This done, he began to express himself and it was the beginning of growth of his influence.
Chukwuemerie indeed traced his ancestry to that generation and what later led to the modern day Ndi-Ogbuu people in Abia State. The intention is for the author to show his linage and why their history is incontrovertible. Today, the people of the clan have become an important town with many illustrious elites who makes the difference in Abia State.
This is largely so because the people placed high premium on education over the years. Therefore, the clan produced men and women of high caliber in science, politics, business and arts.
Some other chapters of interest in the publication include, Ndi-Ogbuu: who they are, Eze family: a historical family chart, Nkemdirim family, Ikwuagwu family, Azubuko family, Onyezebe family, Ogbuehi family, Ndi Ogbuu, link with umuogwugwu and Ndi-Ogbuu, future prospects. • Agozino is a journalist and reviewer
National Mirror