₦airaland Forum

Please tell ur Engineer to make the building 10 blocks from DPC(foundation) and four blocks from the lintel....
My brother, you will like the looks of ur building more than this original one, and your building will still be in fashion 30 years to come.

For more information 07037211667

Jessepaid:
If money is not your problem...

Then it's possible...

Use togo or cameroon labourers..

They are more skilled and charge less..


Divide the work into..24hour rotation...

Day and night...

Open borehole and buy gp tank before anything else sha...

Remember to settle omo onile...

Make person no go shit for your compound stop your progress.

Oga, two months is enough for the building....
See analysis....
Clearing of the bushes = 2 days
Marking of the foundation = 1 day
Digging of the foundation with enough manpower = 1 day
Blinding of the foundation and setting of blocks = 2 days..
Laying of blocks to lintel level = 2 days...

When all this are going on, the iron man for lintel is on work already and people digging as soak away are always on duty...

Boarding of the lintel = 3 days
Casting of the lintel with enough manpower = 1 day
Raising the blocks to roof level = 2 days.
Roofing = 7 days
Plumbing (if surface) = 3 days
Plastering of the house = 5 days
Installation of pop already molded for windows = 3 days.
Tiling with enough experience workers = 6 days
Installation of windows and doors and the dressing of them = 3 days
Painting = 4 days...
Concrete floor for the compound = 3 days

Jessepaid:
If money is not your problem...

Then it's possible...

Use togo or cameroon labourers..

They are more skilled and charge less..


Divide the work into..24hour rotation...

Day and night...

Open borehole and buy gp tank before anything else sha...

Remember to settle omo onile...

Make person no go shit for your compound stop your progress.

PLEASE GO AND DOWNLOAD NIMC MOBILE APP....
All the network providers, mtn, airtel, Etisalat, etc has been sending us messages to dial some codes to link up our sim cards with our NIN.
I have upto 6 active lines from different networks, and I have linked all of them up with the codes being sent to me by the network providers..
To my surprise today, I downloaded the NIMC app and followed up some procedures in login to the app, I found out, that it was only my main line, I used in registration of NIN that appeared in the platform, I decided to add another line, using the app and they immediately send me OTP to the line, I intend using, and immediately I cue in the OTP, the line got added.

MY ADVICE.....
Go to Google Playstore and DOWNLOAD NIMC app,login and register your other lines, if your are using more than one line, forget all those codes the network providers are sending, for you to link your sim......
#observer2020

Please oh, I need to learn this Google stuff, someone should put me through.
My digits
07037211667
Email
mgbatoguvictor2020@gmail.com

FCMBIssues:
Good Day Nairalanders,

I’m a Blogger and Google Publisher. I’m here to Report my Issue with FCMB Bank.

On The 21st of this Month (December 2020), A Payment was sent to me by Google Ireland Limited just as they do every month Since this Year Started. The Payment was sent into my FCMB Bank- same Bank I’ve been using to receive all my Advert Payment From Google and Other Companies, but this time Around FCMB is refusing to Credit my Funds which was sent in by Google and I want to use this medium to WARN People about Transacting with FCMB Bank (Mostly International Money Transactions).

My Story goes as thus:
On The 21st of This Month Google Sent $2,685.38 USD to my FCMB Bank Account (The Same which they have been sending to every month and I’ve been getting credit – without issues).

22nd of December: I called FCMB Headquarters via this Phone Number: 012798800 and informed them about the incoming WIRE Transfer from Google Ireland; I mailed the Payment Receipt send to me by Google to them (via: customerservice@fcmb.com) and FCMB Bank’s Customer Service Rep who Picked up my Call and Logged my Transaction responded to me as thus: “I have Logged your Incoming Transaction, Be rest assured that FCMB will credit you once we confirm we have the corresponding Inflow…. Please, expect an update within the Next 24 Hours – You should receive it immediately we confirm we have the Funds in question”. That has been the response they always give me whenever I call in to inform them about an incoming USD Inflow every month and I get my credit before the end of Working day on that day or early 23rd which is the next Day….. This time Around I didn’t get it even on 23rd December.

23rd December: On This day, I called back FCMB Headquarters and the Customer Care Representative that spoke with me confirmed the Inflow and made me understand that he can see the Inflow pending and FCMB Bank is in receipt of the Funds and the only thing remaining is to credit my account, I asked him “Why is this taking Long? Since FCMB is in receipt of my Fund, Credit my account because I need my Money!”, The Customer Service Rep went ahead to let me know that “From what I can see here, This Current Inflow is bigger than what you usually get from Google in the Past Months, we are looking into it – why is it so?” I replied as thus: “It’s not a Fixed Payment, it might go up or even be lesser depending on so many factors, but the Payment for this Month is bigger”, The Customer Service Rep went ahead to end the conversation by telling me this “Please, I have done a follow up on this issue to confirm why You’ve not been credited this amount which I can see from my end. Please, give us 24 Hours; you should be credited on or even before the 24 hours elapses”. After everything, I was expecting my credit as he promised But I saw nothing and I didn’t get any Credit after 24 Hours.

24th December: On This Day I called FCMB Headquarters again to complain on why they have not credited me my Inflow despite conforming they are in receipt of my Inflow, the Customer service Rep that Picked up my call told me this “We are in receipt of the Fund but the appropriate team noted that Your Name was not written in Full by the sender, Please inform REMITA to write your name in Full” I was dumbfounded because that was not my first time of receiving payment from the same Company Google Ireland Limited, and IF it was a Wrong Account or mistaken transaction, They wouldn’t see the inflow, neither will the transaction bear my account number and I explained it to the rep to check my previous inflows from the same company and see that’s how all the inflows has been and I have always been credited without such issues, I made her to understand that I need my money credited fast because I need to use it for my Christmas Celebration. I also made her know that it’s a Wire Transfer which has been coming in monthly like that and I’ve been getting my credit and I don’t have any transaction or history with Remita to start up a conversation with them… The Customer Rep informed me that I would be credited before the day runs out as she has done a Follow up on my Issue…. Uptill Today I have not received my Payment… I Was Home all day Yesterday being Christmas and uptill Now I’ve been and I’m Still feeling Bad because I have #0 With me and FCMB is holding my funds with Flimsy excuses. That Made me Not To Celebrate my Christmas- FCMB BANK is WITHOLDING MY HARD EARNED MONEY.

I decided to send a tweet to their Twitter Handle so as to make a further report in regards to the issue, and on getting to their Most Recent Post (as at 24th December 2020) I noticed a tweet by another Blogger who complained about FCMB Holding his Payment which was sent to him by Google Too (Screenshot Attached to this Post)… There and then I noticed I was not alone on this and it looks like FCMB is trying to play a Fast one on Bloggers. I sent out a tweet to their Official handle but got no reply even till this moment.

I have been getting my Credit into my FCMB Bank Account every month until this December and some FCMB Customer Reps have handled my Google Transactions in the Past and here are their Details for further confirmation:

Rep 1: Ayomide Omole
E-mail: ayomide.omole@fcmb.com

Rep 2: Mariam Okubena
E-mail: mariam.okubena@fcmb.com

Current Inflow Transaction Request ID (Assigned to me for this transaction by FCMB Via Mail): RE-1962584
Transaction Amount: $2,685.38
Date Sent: 21st December 2020
Payment Method: Wire Transfer

FCMB BANK plc, please Credit me My Google Inflow!

Please oh, I need to learn this Google stuff, someone should put me through.
My digits
07037211667
Email
mgbatoguvictor2020@gmail.com


quote author=FCMBIssues post=97432252]Good Day Nairalanders,

I’m a Blogger and Google Publisher. I’m here to Report my Issue with FCMB Bank.

On The 21st of this Month (December 2020), A Payment was sent to me by Google Ireland Limited just as they do every month Since this Year Started. The Payment was sent into my FCMB Bank- same Bank I’ve been using to receive all my Advert Payment From Google and Other Companies, but this time Around FCMB is refusing to Credit my Funds which was sent in by Google and I want to use this medium to WARN People about Transacting with FCMB Bank (Mostly International Money Transactions).

My Story goes as thus:
On The 21st of This Month Google Sent $2,685.38 USD to my FCMB Bank Account (The Same which they have been sending to every month and I’ve been getting credit – without issues).

22nd of December: I called FCMB Headquarters via this Phone Number: 012798800 and informed them about the incoming WIRE Transfer from Google Ireland; I mailed the Payment Receipt send to me by Google to them (via: customerservice@fcmb.com) and FCMB Bank’s Customer Service Rep who Picked up my Call and Logged my Transaction responded to me as thus: “I have Logged your Incoming Transaction, Be rest assured that FCMB will credit you once we confirm we have the corresponding Inflow…. Please, expect an update within the Next 24 Hours – You should receive it immediately we confirm we have the Funds in question”. That has been the response they always give me whenever I call in to inform them about an incoming USD Inflow every month and I get my credit before the end of Working day on that day or early 23rd which is the next Day….. This time Around I didn’t get it even on 23rd December.

23rd December: On This day, I called back FCMB Headquarters and the Customer Care Representative that spoke with me confirmed the Inflow and made me understand that he can see the Inflow pending and FCMB Bank is in receipt of the Funds and the only thing remaining is to credit my account, I asked him “Why is this taking Long? Since FCMB is in receipt of my Fund, Credit my account because I need my Money!”, The Customer Service Rep went ahead to let me know that “From what I can see here, This Current Inflow is bigger than what you usually get from Google in the Past Months, we are looking into it – why is it so?” I replied as thus: “It’s not a Fixed Payment, it might go up or even be lesser depending on so many factors, but the Payment for this Month is bigger”, The Customer Service Rep went ahead to end the conversation by telling me this “Please, I have done a follow up on this issue to confirm why You’ve not been credited this amount which I can see from my end. Please, give us 24 Hours; you should be credited on or even before the 24 hours elapses”. After everything, I was expecting my credit as he promised But I saw nothing and I didn’t get any Credit after 24 Hours.

24th December: On This Day I called FCMB Headquarters again to complain on why they have not credited me my Inflow despite conforming they are in receipt of my Inflow, the Customer service Rep that Picked up my call told me this “We are in receipt of the Fund but the appropriate team noted that Your Name was not written in Full by the sender, Please inform REMITA to write your name in Full” I was dumbfounded because that was not my first time of receiving payment from the same Company Google Ireland Limited, and IF it was a Wrong Account or mistaken transaction, They wouldn’t see the inflow, neither will the transaction bear my account number and I explained it to the rep to check my previous inflows from the same company and see that’s how all the inflows has been and I have always been credited without such issues, I made her to understand that I need my money credited fast because I need to use it for my Christmas Celebration. I also made her know that it’s a Wire Transfer which has been coming in monthly like that and I’ve been getting my credit and I don’t have any transaction or history with Remita to start up a conversation with them… The Customer Rep informed me that I would be credited before the day runs out as she has done a Follow up on my Issue…. Uptill Today I have not received my Payment… I Was Home all day Yesterday being Christmas and uptill Now I’ve been and I’m Still feeling Bad because I have #0 With me and FCMB is holding my funds with Flimsy excuses. That Made me Not To Celebrate my Christmas- FCMB BANK is WITHOLDING MY HARD EARNED MONEY.

I decided to send a tweet to their Twitter Handle so as to make a further report in regards to the issue, and on getting to their Most Recent Post (as at 24th December 2020) I noticed a tweet by another Blogger who complained about FCMB Holding his Payment which was sent to him by Google Too (Screenshot Attached to this Post)… There and then I noticed I was not alone on this and it looks like FCMB is trying to play a Fast one on Bloggers. I sent out a tweet to their Official handle but got no reply even till this moment.

I have been getting my Credit into my FCMB Bank Account every month until this December and some FCMB Customer Reps have handled my Google Transactions in the Past and here are their Details for further confirmation:

Rep 1: Ayomide Omole
E-mail: ayomide.omole@fcmb.com

Rep 2: Mariam Okubena
E-mail: mariam.okubena@fcmb.com

Current Inflow Transaction Request ID (Assigned to me for this transaction by FCMB Via Mail): RE-1962584
Transaction Amount: $2,685.38
Date Sent: 21st December 2020
Payment Method: Wire Transfer

FCMB BANK plc, please Credit me My Google Inflow![/quote]

Melodycomng:
Congratulations to Laycon

Was he the one that won Edo state election, because I have been hearing the name

BRIEF HISTORY OF DUNUKOFIA CLAN
INTRODUCTION:
Writing a full history of a clan like Dunukofia will not be an easy task, but on this write-up, I will make it concised, for a layman to understand the history of Dunukofia, in Anambra state.
Dunukofia stands as only homogenous clan among all the 774 local governments in Nigeria. Dunukofia might look like a mere political creation just like every other local government, to the younger generations, but it is not only a local government but also a dynasty or clan whose origin could be traced only to remote antiquity. It is bigger and larger than a local government.
Dunukofia population in the last census was 96,517.

ORAL HISTORIES
There are numerous various accounts as regards to the oral history of Dunukofia clan.
FIRST ACCOUNT:
The first account says that Dunu was the wife of Okofia, the great farmer.

SECOND ACCOUNT:
Another account says that Okofia was a title name given to Dunu.

THIRD ACCOUNT:
This particular account narrates it, that Dunukofia is the name of the founder of dynasty/ clan.

FOURTH ACCOUNT :
This account states that Agwolila, the father of Dunu came to the present aboard of Dunukofia from Omambala basin a long time ago. But the account couldn't expantiate how the interfix "Okofia" came into existence.
In this account, which is somehow acceptable among the Dunukofia clan, Okofia was presumed to be the father of Dunu, the originator of the clan. Still on this account, it was presumed that Ukpo, Ifitedunu, Umunachi, Umudioka and Ukwulu which now make up Dunukofia, originated from a man called Dunu, who is also the son of Okofia.

FIFTH ACCOUNT:
Dunu made his way to the present day abode of Dunukofia people, the place was a very thick forest. He decided to live in this thick forest (Okofia), and for this reasons, others that migrated and settled around him, made reference to him as Dunu that lived at Okofia, and that is what give name to Dunukofia.

MIGRATION OF DUNUKOFIA PEOPLE
It is stated that Dunu, the ancestor of Dunukofia people migrated from an ancient community in Omambala basin, around Igala land. This migration was not done by Dunu alone. It was accounted that, Dunu migrated with his siblings, that is Nri, the founder of Agukwu, Enugwu-Ukwu, Nawfia and Enugwu-Agidi; then Owelle, the father of Nimo, Abagana and Eziowelle and the ancestor of Awkuzu, Ogbunike, Umuleri, Aguleri, Nnado etc, that is why Dunukofia belongs to Omambala associations.

Though, there is no proper time recorded for the migration. Nri was believed to be the eldest of the siblings, therefore he performed the purifying function in the whole of igbo land, and so did his descendants.

OLDEN OCCUPATION OF DUNUKOFIA PEOPLE
Dunukofia was a renowed farmer, the farm products he gots always triggered envy from it's neighbouring towns and uptil now, Ukwulu town still holds the ancient occupation of their ancestors.
Dunukofia was also a celebrated hunter and warrior. Because of the thick forest around him, him and his children took the advantages to make hunting one of their occupations. And because of bravery of Dunukofia, he was a renowned wrestler and a great warrior among his neighbouring town and Ukpo has taken up that traits from their father.

MARITAL LIFE OF DUNUKOFIA
Dunu was a very successful hunter, warrior and a farmer and because of his versatality, he owns many slaves. He got married to two wives, Obumma was the first wife, while Ayolo was the second wife.

Obumma was the mother of Ukpo, Ifite and Ukwulu, while Ayolo gave birth to Nnachi-ogu and Okachi (Dioka). They were called the children of Dunu, that lived at Okofia. Therefore, Ukpo, Ifite, Nnachi, Dioka and Ukwulu were the progenitors of the present day Ukpo, Ifitedunu, Umunachi, Umudioka and Ukwulu towns.

SUMMARY OF GENEALOGY ON DUNUKOFIA
In this write up, I will briefly summarize and outline the towns and villages that made up Dunukofia.
1. OBUMMA CHILDREN
A. UKPO
(i) Oranto
(ii) Isiekwulu
(iii) Akpu
(iv) Akezi

B. IFITEDUNU
(i) Umungagu
a. Obieze
b. Ukpommili
c. Akwa
(ii) Umuezeanugo
a. Umuanugo
b. Igbuala

C. UKWULU
(i) Enuagu
(ii) Amegbu
(iii) Umugama
(iv) Adagbe

2. AYOLO CHILDREN
A. UMUNNACHI
(i) Ozuh
(ii) Umueze
(iii) Nkwelle
(iv) Mgbuke
(v) Nagbana

B. UMUDIOKA
(i) Adagbe
a. Okpuru
b. Uruowelle
c. Uruagu
d. Umuezekwo
e. Umueze
f. Ugwu

(ii) Olioba
a. Akpom
b. Umuchigbo
c. Umuezechua
d. Umuajana

OLDEN ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM OF DUNUKOFIA
The five towns of Dunukofia had their systems of administration through which they performed executive, legislative and judicial functions. There was no division of function as we have it today, rather executive, legislative and judicial functions were fused together and performed by the elders and the titled men.
Their decisions were often implemented or enforced through the following agencies: age grades, masquerades, the alusi and umuada. The communities in Dunukofia were separately administered, they came together at their meeting place at Ukpo only when a gravious/serious offence had been committed like killing of masquerades (igbu mmuo), in times of war or a dispute between one town in Dunukofia and another.

MODERN ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM OF DUNUKOFIA
There was formation of town unions, which championed the promotion of the interests of their own. The town unions administered the executive functions and distributed the judiciary and legislative function to the appropriate units.
The following are the town unions in Dunukofia:
1. Ukwulu Town Union ( U.T.U)
2. Umudioka Improvement Union (U.I.U)
3. Ukpo Town Union (U.T.U)
4. Ifitedunu Town Union (I.F.U)
5. Nawgu Development Union (N.D.U)
6. Umunnachi Improvement Union (U.I.U)

FIRST IGWES IN DUNUKOFIA
1. H.R.H Igwe Micheal Eze
Ukpo
2. H.R.H Igwe S.N. Chukwunulu
Umudioka
3. H.R.H Igwe Engr A.C Okoye
Ifitedunu
4. H.R.H Igwe F.E.O Ugochukwu Onochie
Umunnachi
5. H.R.H Igwe Chukwukadibia Tagbo
Ukwulu

NAMES OF DEITIES IN DUNUKOFIA
Deities in Dunukofia had shrines where they were worshipped or venerated. Like the modern day court of law, the deities were the harbingers of justice. They ensured that justice and equity were maintained in the day-to-day administration of the society.
The deities in Dunukofia:
a. Ani shrine (Okwu ana)
b. Ajani shrine
c. Ifejioku
d. Aro
e. Ugwogwo
f. Oye
g. Nkissa
h. Akpu
i. Omechili
j. Mkpukpa
k. Neze
l. Mmanka
m. Ogbegbe
n. Okpimodu
o. Isiukwulu
p. Ikenga
q. Nneukwulu
r. Agumaro

DUNUKOFIA AS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT
With the introduction of the local government system in the sixties, Ukpo, Ifitedunu and Ukwulu remained in Njikoka local government area with headquarters at Abagana, while Umudioka and Umunnachi were in Idemili local government area, with Ogidi as it's headquarters.

The reunification of the people under one local government Area became a reality in 1996 through the onerous and untiring effort of our illustrious son, a Prince of the clan, Prince Engineer Arthur Eze. He single handedly made Dunukofia a local government of six towns. Nawgu which was previously in Njikoka local government Area decided to join Dunukofia local government. Thus, the towns in Dunukofia local government area are: Ukpo as the headquarters, Ifitedunu, Umunnachi, Umudioka, Ukwulu and Nawgu.

FESTIVALS OF NDI DUNUKOFIA
Dunukofia has a rich array of festivals that marked it out from it's neighbours. Dunukofia were known for their rich cultural displays and festivals. Dunukofia in this regard could be termed a miniature form of the igbo race, in so far as festivals were concerned.
There were festivals celebrating the starting of the farming season, festivals of harvest, those showing or signifying rest from work, there yet others celebrating success in farming, successful return from a journey, victory from war, appreciation to a deity for it's protection, in fact, the list cannot be exhausted.
Dunukofia people had the big and the small festivals. These festivals were spread all through the year and celebrated with great zeal and absolute delight by the people.
Festivals were not uniformly celebrated in Dunukofia clan. But in this write-up, I will discuss, the festivals that is being celebrated by the five towns, that made up Dunukofia, together.
1. ALOMMUO/IWAJI OR NEW YAM FESTIVAL
Alommuo, now called Iwaji due to Christian influences was celebrated by all the towns in Dunukofia, in the beginning of every traditional year, which was, in the month of September. It was called Alommuo Dunukofia (today, Iwaji Dunukofia).
Nowadays, the function of Iwaji is performed for the towns by their traditional rulers. The Okofia of Ukpo does it symbolically for the whole town, while the traditional rulers of the various communities do so for their respective towns.
After the Iwaji (cutting of the yam) by the traditional rulers, individuals would then commence the cutting and eating of the yam in their homes.
It is often highly celebrated with guests trooping in from neighboring communities. It was a taboo, in fact, a great sacrilege for one to dig out yam and eat before the performance of this festival. The culprit was said to have committed the taboo of Ufejioku (the gods of crops)
Christians do celebrate New yam festival today, not because they do not want to incur the wrath of Ufejioku, but as a sign of thankfulness to God Almighty. Even before the festival, people do not only dig and eat, but equally but yams from the market and eat.
New yam festival is a symbol of cultural identity and also a cultural symbol of unity in the clan.

2. OFALA FESTIVAL
Ofala is celebrated in most clans in Dunukofia, as a memorial ceremony for the remembrance of the ay, the traditional ruler of the community ascended the throne or was installed as a king.
Indigenes of different towns in Dunukofia clan always look forward to their ofala festivals, which take place annually, usually towards the end of the year.
Ofala festivals is also an avenue, for the traditional rulers to pray for the progress of their subjects and protections against evil.

TABOOS IN DUNUKOFIA
The following below are regarded as Taboos (Alu) in Dunukofia.
1. Adultery
2. Theft
3. Uprooting or cutting the tendrils of new planted yam or cocoyam
4. The setting of fire on a house or a barn
5. Climbing of palm treeor kolanut tree by woman
6. Killing of totem Animal (sacred pythons, sacred green snakes etc)
7.Murderv
8. Suicide
9. Incest
10. Sexual intercourse with a woman still mourning her husband.

BRIEF HISTORY OF CHURCHES IN DUNUKOFIA
1. CHURCH IN UMUDIOKA
The C.M.S missionaries in Umudioka planted the first seed of Christianity in Dunukofia in 1904.
The Roman catholic brought and sowed the seed of catholicism in Umudioka in 1913.

2. CHURCH IN UKWULU
The Anglican church came to Ukwulu in the year 1905.
The Roman catholic came into existence in Ukwulu in 1928, but it died out almost immediately due to some problems. It was only in 1930, that it made a come back and has continued to stay up until today.

3. CHURCH IN IFITEDUNU
Anglican church came into existence in 1921 into Ifitedunu with the help of C.M.S in Umudioka.
Roman catholic church came into Ifitedunu in the year 1911.

4. CHURCH IN UMUNNACHI
C.M.S missionaries was established in Umunnachi in the year 1910.
The catholic church came into existence in 1914 in Umunnachi.

5. CHURCH IN UKPO
Anglican church planted their first seed in Ukpo in 1914.
The Roman catholic came into existence in Ukpo in the year, 1923.

PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN DUNUKOFIA
1. St. Mary's High School, Ifitedunu
2. Walter Eze Memorial Secondary School, Ukpo
3. Community Secondary School, Umunnachi
4. Nneamaka Girls’ Secondary School, Ifitedunu
5. Community Secondary School, Ukpo
6. Community Secondary School, Ukwulu
7. Girls Secondary School, Umudioka
8. Community High School, Nawgu

MARKETS IN DUNUKOFIA CLAN
1. Oye Ukpo
2. Nkwo Ifitedunu
3. Eke Umunnachi
4. Afor Ukwulu
5. Afor-igwe, Umudioka
6. Afor Nawgu.

CONCLUSION
Finally, if Dunukofia people remain as united as they are now, if we eschew corruption and redirect our attention to all these things that are noble in total neglect of all forms of base political and social behavior, Dunukofia will in the nearest future be the envy of all other towns around them, more than ever before.
DUNU AMAKA!!!!!!!

Written by:
Mgbatogu Victor Chukwudi
Observer....
07037211667
Umudioka.

CONCISE HISTORY OF UMUDIOKA TOWN ,IN DUNUKOFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE.
Writing a full history of communities has not been an easy task, but on this write-up, I will make it concised, for a layman to know the history of Umudioka town,in Dunukofia LGA.
Umudioka is an Igbo community centrally placed among the Igbo communities of Anambra State. Umudioka was previously under Idemmili North Local Government Area, before the creation of Dunukofia LGA as only Homogeneous Local Government in Nigeria. The origin of Umudioka town takes the pattern of most many centuries behind, when men in this part of the world wandered from one place to another in search of a suitable place to settle and toil for subsistence.
According to Dunukofia mythology, it was said that Dioka is the fourth son of Dunu of Okofia, which made Dioka to be the ancestor of the present day UMUDIOKA (meaning the children of Dioka).Umudioka people are normally referred as EZEBO.

VILLAGES IN UMUDIOKA
As the Umudioka town began to expand into villages,two major separation occurred. Some myths said that Dioka has two wives (Olioba and Adagbe) , why another myths has it that Dioka has two sons (Adagbe and Olioba) , but for better understanding of this article, I will view it as Quarters. The two Quaters of Umudioka are made up of :
1. ADAGBE:
The Adagbe Quaters consists of six (6) villages, namely
a. Okpuru
b. Uruowelle
c. Uruagu
d. Umuezekwo
e. Umuigha (Umueze)
f. Ugwu

2. OLIOBA:
The Olioba quarters consists of four (4) villages , namely
a. Akpom
b. Umuchigbo
c. Umuezechua
d. Umuajana.

In the Olioba quarter, Akpom is regarded as the headship of Umudioka , though, other villages disagreed saying that Akpom was a town of it's own assimilated into Umudioka ,because of their small size. Those who held that Akpom was different, buttressed their point by stating that in the days of "itu nru" (making or paying homage to the head of the town). All the villages in Olioba took their contributions to Okpuru except Akpom which did its own internally.
Formerly, all the villages in Adagbe took shares before those in Olioba. But a recent arrangement that was undertaken to ensure equal sense of belonging and justice made it for villages in the two quarters to take shares alternately. It is still practiced up until now.

OLDEN OCCUPATION OF NDI UMUDIOKA
Dioka chose Igbuichi (facial sacrification) as his occupation. As his father Dunu wanted to settle him (though this didn't mean that he abandoned other things- hunting, farming entirely). When his father Dunu demanded further clarification of what he meant, he (Dioka) took a knife from Nnachi and demonstrated it on the bark of a tree. The "mma nka", was formed and given to him (a sharp knife-like object used in the sacrification). Thus in the whole of Igboland, Dioka and later his children were the only people that had the "mma nka", hence, the only people that gave the "ichi mark" in the whole of Igboland. It should be noted that "Igbu ichi" was entirely different from what we all know as tribal mark.
Dioka and his children were great travellers equalled only by the people of Awka (Blacksmiths).They did not only give the "ichi" (facial scarification), but also person performed other functions like "Iwa eze" (parting of the frontal teeth), "igwe ogwu" (traditional healing), "mbibi" and "okika" for pregnant woman.

MARKET IN UMUDIOKA
Umudioka community has one of the best market in Igbo land. It is called Afor-igwe market, Umudioka. It is formerly a four days market that do have many buyers and sellers on Afor market day, but in this present times, Afor-igwe has not only became a daily market, but one of the most busiest markets in Igbo land. In Afor-igwe market, it is one of the places you can get a variety of food stuffs, especially beef and bitter leaves. The market is suited at the heart of Umudioka and that makes it easy to access. It has an opportunity to grow and I see it as one of the greatest business hubs in Africa.

RIVERS IN UMUDIOKA
Umudioka has some streams and rivers, which the notable ones are Nkisi Umudioka, Ogba nenu and Mmiri Mkpukpa, now regarded as Mmiri Jesus. Mmiri Nkisi has been one of the busiest river in Anambra, though it might not have big river bank for fishing, but it is popular known for washing of bitter leave in Anambra state.


FESTIVALS OF NDI UMUDIOKA .
Umudioka celebrated the below listed festivals in the past,only a few of them survive the modernization :
1.ICHU AJA ARO: It was a celebration to mark to mark the end the end of a year and usher in the new year.

2. UKWU NA IJE: It is a feast to thank the gods of the land for their guidance to and successful return from OSU (travel)

3. MKPUKPA: This festival was celebrated after cultivation, to mark rest from work.

4. NEZE: It was an arbiter of peace in the land ,thus ,the people swore or took oath before it. The ceremonywas performed to it for it's protection during the past year and for the years ahead.

5. OGBAEGBE: It was made for vengeance against evildoers in the land. Also taken as an oath , it is normallycelebrated two weeks after celebration of mkpukpa and neze.

6. OGWUGWU: The deity is feminine. It was celebrated three weeks after neze or as stipulated by the custodian. Each village in Umudioka has its own OGWUGWU. The celebration is normally on Nkwo market day.

7. IWAJI OR ALOMMOU: This was usually two weeks after Agwu had been celebrated. This festival is to mark the beginning of eating of new yam.

8. MMA NKA: It is celebration of craftsmanship (Igbu-ichi)

9. ALOMCHI:It is a feast of thanksgiving to Ani, the god of fertility.

10. EDE OPOTO
11. MGBA AGBOGHO
12. IME OGBU
13. AGWU

NDI UMUDIOKA IN DIASPORA
There are still other Umudiokas living away from the ancestry home. They are Diokas in the diaspora. Though they live very far away from their original homes, close contact is still maintained especially during important ceremonies.
These are other Umudioka in diaspora;
1. Umudioka Neni (Umudioka Ezenu): It was a man from Ngoka family from Ugwu village, Umudioka that migrated to Neni.

2. Umudioka Awka (Ajajaja Awka): They settled at Awka as a result of Ije osu.

3. Umudioka Orlu (Ije Osu): It was born out of ije osu business.

4. Umudioka Awkuzu: They originated from Umuezechua village, Umudioka.

5. Umudioka Okija: They were part of the Umudioka at Neni.

6. Umudioka Nzam : They were born out of osu business.

7. Umudioka Achalla
8. Umudioka Obote (Ngwaland in Abia state)
9. Umudioka in Ojoto
10. Umudioga in River state etc.

TABOOS IN UMUDIOKA
The following below are regarded as Taboos (Alu) in Umudioka.
1. Adultery
2. Theft
3. Uprooting or cutting the tendrils of new planted yam or cocoyam
4. The setting of fire on a house or a barn
5. Climbing of palm treeor kolanut tree by woman
6. Killing of totem Animal (sacred pythons, sacred green snakes etc)
7.Murder
8. Suicide
9. Incest
10. Sexual intercourse with a woman still mourning her husband.

CHRISTIANITY IN UMUDIOKA
Anglican missionaries planted the first seed of Christianity in Umudioka in 1904 and the first Anglican priest was Late Rev Cannon B.O Nwosu ,who was ordained in 1979.
Roman Catholic sow their first seed in Umudioka in 1913 and the first Catholic priest was Late Monsignor V.J Madike,who was ordained in 1958.
There are some other notable factors of religious activities in Umudioka, Blessed Iwene Tansi was the first parish priest in Umudioka and Dunukofia region, and Umudioka son is currently the Catholic Archbishop of the Onitsha Dioceses.

IGWESHIP IN UMUDIOKA
Before we had a constituted Igweship system in Umudioka, Chief Mbachu (Umuezechua) ruled Olioba quarters as the paramount ruler, while Chief Okoye (Umuezekwo) ruled Adagbe quarters as Paramount ruler.
The first Igwe Umudioka was His Royal Highness, Igwe Solomon Nwafor Chukwunulu and he was coronated 17th of December, 1976 and was regarded as EZEDIOKA 1.
The second Igwe and present Igwe of Umudioka is His Royal Highness, Igwe Raphael Chukwurah and he was coronated on 21st May, 2019 after 15 years of igweship tussle. The igweship in Umudioka is rotating between the two Quaters of Umudioka.

PAST PRESIDENT GENERALS OF UMUDIOKA
Mr Simon Mgbatogu from Umuezechua village, who happened to be the first indigenous cathecist of Anglican church in Umudioka organized and formed the first ever union in Umudioka, which gave birth to Umudioka Improvement Union and he was regarded as pioneered head of U.I.U.
Others are once the president general of Umudioka, Chief Augustin Nweke, Chief Ikelie, Chief Patrick Ebolue, PA Uriel Igboneme, Mr Azubuike, Prof A.C Mbanefo, Sir B. A Ikeagwuonwu, Mr Cosmos Makachi, Bar Chuka Odenigbo, Bar C.U.U Ikebudu and Hon Chike Odoji (presently Care Taker Committee Chairman U.I.U).

NOTE: There is still room for constructive criticism on this article, which will help the writer be more elaborate in his next write up.

Com. Mgbatogu Victor
Umuezechua Village,
Umudioka.
Dunukofia.
07037211667.

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I am so happy that my article on traditional marriage rites of my town hits the front page. My main reason for this article is to help undergraduates carrying out research on traditional marriage of Igbo land.

TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE RITES IN UMUDIOKA, DUNUKOFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

Umudioka town is a community situated in Anambra central senatorial district, which is also under Dunukofia LGA in Anambra State. In this write-up, I will narrate the traditional marriage process of Umudioka Town.
In many parts of the world, a marriage ceremony is mainly an affair between the bride and groom, but in igboland, parents of the couple, their extended families, villagers and towns people play active roles in traditional marriage ceremony.

Ndị Umudioka (also known as Ezebo ) are from the eastern region of Nigeria, and the traditional marriage rite in this part of the counrty is usually very festive and colourful.
In the olden days in Umudioka , traditional marriages used to be arranged by the parents of the future bride and groom, after careful investigations into the background of both families. These days, however, young men and women are now free to choose whoever they want to get married to, with parental approval.
Despite the seeming change in the method of choosing a spouse, the Umudioka culture has been sustained, where traditional marriage is concerned. The process involves different stages.


STAGE ONE: IKU AKA (VISIT TO POTENTIAL IN-LAWS)

When a man meets a woman he likes and wants to marry, he informs his parents of his intentions. The man then goes with his parents and other family members to the woman’s house to notify her parents or guardians of their interest and to ask for their consent to marry their daughter. When going on such a visit, the man will take the following items along ; Wine/Hot drink, kola nuts, one cartoon of beer and one cartoon of mineral, to present to the woman, her parents and other family members.,

When the intentions of the man has been known, the woman’s parents will usually not give an immediate answer and will tell the man’s parents to return at a later date. Before the date of the next visit, the family of the woman will take that time to look into and investigate the history and background of the man’s family. They will use the time to find out about the man’s personality what he does for a living among other issues and also extend their investigation to other members of his family.

It should also be noted that the man’s family would have done a similar check on the woman their son intends to marry before visiting her parents and making their intentions known.


STAGE TWO: ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL (NOT TOO IMPORTANT IN THESE MORDEN DAYS)

When both families are satisfied with their findings on each other’s background, they will meet again on the date set for a return visit. Once again the man’s family will state their intentions and will come along with more gifts this time including palm wine, dry drinks, soft drinks and other items.

At this point, the woman is called in by her family members to be part of the meeting and is told about the man’s intentions to marry her. If she accepts his proposal the gifts that were brought will be shared immediately among the family members. If for whatever reason the woman does not accept his proposal, then the meeting will come to an end and all talks about marriage will be over and done with.

In a situation where their daughter is not around because she does not live with them, the parents will tell the man’s family they will have to get in touch with them later and give them an answer. If they get a positive reaction, then proceedings will move to the next stage which is to set a bride price to be paid by the man who intends to marry their daughter.



STAGE THREE: IRU ỌNỤ NWAANYỊ NA IBU EGO (PAYING OF BRIDE PRICE)

Once both families have decided to be in-laws, the next stage involves the woman’s family setting a bride price which they feel is befitting of their daughter to be paid by her husband to be.

In Umudioka town, bride price is not that high when compared to other towns in the Eastern part of the country. Also what the man will be asked to pay in terms of cash or goods or both may vary from family to family.

It should be noted that setting a bride price does not mean the parents of the girl plan to sell off their daughter, far from it, the bride price just indicates that they appreciate their daughter as whatever is paid cannot be said to be the value of their daughter.

With that stated, there are times when the bride price is negotiated especially if the man and his family feel they may have been asked to pay a lot of money .
The family of the woman may set a high bride price if they feel their daughter has accomplished a lot in life or if she is well educated and has a good job. They can also set a high bride price if they feel she has been brought up and raised properly by them and has the virtues every man looks for in a wife.

On the other hand, the man’s family will also present their own case by presenting their son as a man worthy to take care of any woman as his wife. They can also present other attributes that the man possesses to state their case for a reduction of the bride price.

This can go on for some time before a price is finally agreed. Other items involved in the bride paying ceremony includes, 20 liters of palm wine, two cartoons of beer, one cartoon of Stout, one cartoon of mineral, one bottle of St Remy, Kola nuts to be accompanied with not less than #200.


STAGE FOUR: EWU NNA (KILLING OF KINDRED GOAT)

This stage is called igbu ewu nna, because it is solemn for the kindred of the bride. Sometimes, The groom can combine stage three and four together, depending on the agreements between the two families. Once you have performed this stage, it is assumed that you have officially completed the marriage rites of the bride, because in this stage, a prayer is being said by the elders of the kindred for their daughter and they do bless their in-law. Once you have done this stage, any child from their union is automatically the groom’s child.

The items for this stage are divided into two, one for men of the kindred and the other for the women of the kindred;
For Men: one big castrated goat (Ewu Hausa), 10 big tubers of yam, one big cock, four cartoons of beer(mixed), two cartoons of malt, one cartoon of Stout, two cartoons of mineral, one bottle of St Remy, 20 liters of palm wine, kola nuts.
For Women (Ife Nkpuke) : 10 big tubers of yam, one big cock, one cartoon of malt, one cartoon of mineral, one thousand naira, one piece of hollandes (wrapper), kola nuts.


STAGE FIVE : ỊGBA NKWU NWAANYỊ (THE TRADITIONAL WEDDING CEREMONY)

In the final stage of the traditional marriage rites, the groom will go to the house of the bride-to-be with his immediate and extended family, villagers and towns people with the above items. Host families will prepare different kinds of indigenous dishes to entertain their guests. Both families and their extended families including members of their communities will eat, dance and drink together.
The traditional wedding ceremony is usually a fun filled event with a lot of happy faces, people gorgeously dressed with a lot of good food to eat and lovely music to listen and dance to.

A major aspect of the traditional wedding is the wine carrying part. This is an aspect of the traditional wedding ceremony most brides will never forget and even the groom as it ignites a lot of fun and excitement.

The bride is given a cup of palm wine by her father or a male member in her family. She is then told in front of the guests that they do not know who her husband is and will like her to fish him out for all to see and present him with the cup of wine.

At this point in time the groom would be hiding among the guests as part of the fun to make it difficult for his wife to locate him. When the wife finally finds her husband, she will kneel down before him and a take a sip of the wine and give him the rest to drink which he will finish. Afterwards, the bride and groom will dance along with their family members.
The following are items for the ịgba nkwu ceremony ; 80 liters of palm wine, 12 cartoons of beer, 2 cartoons of Stout, 2 cartoons malt, 8 cartoons of mineral.

NKWU EKPERE (FORMERLY KNOWN AS ITU NKWU)
This stage is being done within the day of the traditional marriage. After every merriment on that day the groom, bride and few representatives from both families will gather together and say their final prayers and give blessings to the newly married couple. During the ceremony, the bride and the groom will be asked to kneel down. The parents and elders in the family of both the bride and groom will pray for the newlyweds and the for success of their marriage.
The items for these stage are; 20 liters of palm wine, one cartoon of beer, one bottle of St Remy, kola nuts, two rolls of tobacco (isi ụtaba), two packets of cigarettes, Ego ndị Nze #500, Ego Umuokolobia #500, Ego Umuagbogbo #500, Chencheghanata #100, Ego Otiti okpili #100.

When the ceremony is over, the bride will go home with the family of the groom signifying that the two are now husband and wife.

IDU UNO/MMALU UNO (SETTLING THE BRIDE BY HER FAMILY / VISITATION TO THE GROOMS HOUSE BY THE BRIDES FAMILY)
In Umudioka town , "Idu Uno" is practiced. Idu Uno is when the family of the bride officially goes and visit the home where their daughter will be living. Note that the previous ceremony and meetings took place in the bride's family home.

The bride's family buys cooking utensils, bed-sheets, boxes, sewing machine, bed, pillow cases, plates, clothes and other things newly married couples need to start a life and family.

Also, the bride's family along with their extended families sets a date to visit the couple with all the goods they bought. On "Idu Uno" day, the wife's family will give the newly married couple all the things they bought for them.

This is usually done to give newly married couple a head start by defraying some of their expenses. Marriage ceremonies in Umudioka can be a long and expensive undertaking, but they are usually worth every kobo., because our daughters are the best to get married to.

Mgbatogu Victor Chukwudi (Observer)
Umudioka, Dunukọfịa LGA, Anambra State

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We are extremely happy to declare that we are going to fulfill our long years of dream to be together, through marriage and so you should be there at the auspicious occasion to join our happiness.

#Observer2019......

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*PLEASE READ ME*.........
Npower Teach Exams is here again.
Because of the number of people that applied for the category, it is very competing.
SO YOU ARE ADVICE TO WRITE THE TWO SKILLS EXAMINATION THAT IS INCLUDED IN OTHER TO BOOST YOUR CHANCES OF BEING SELECTED.
For help or assistant that guarantee you 100% success in the Skill part of the exam, contact me on WhatsApp or call 07037211667.
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PLEASE READ ME........
Npower Teach Exams is here again.
Because of the number of people that applied for the category, it is very competing.
SO YOU ARE ADVICE TO WRITE THE TWO SKILLS EXAMINATION THAT IS INCLUDED IN OTHER TO BOOST YOUR CHANCES OF BEING SELECTED.
For help or assistant that guarantee you 100% success in the Skill part of the exam, contact me on WhatsApp or call 07037211667.
Note: Your BVN is not required for the assistant, all is required is screenshot the test and send it on WhatsApp,the correct answer will be given to you within some seconds.

*PLEASE READ ME*.........
Npower Teach Exams is here again.
Because of the number of people that applied for the category, it is very competing.
SO YOU ARE ADVICE TO WRITE THE TWO SKILLS EXAMINATION THAT IS INCLUDED IN OTHER TO BOOST YOUR CHANCES OF BEING SELECTED.
For help or assistant that guarantee you 100% success in the Skill part of the exam, contact me on WhatsApp or call 07037211667.
Note: Your BVN is not required for the assistant, all is required is screenshot the test and send it on WhatsApp,the correct answer will be given to you within some seconds.

*PLEASE READ ME*.........
Npower Teach Exams is here again.
Because of the number of people that applied for the category, it is very competeting.
SO YOU ARE ADVICE TO WRITE THE TWO SKILLS EXAMINATION THAT IS INCLUDED IN OTHER TO BOOST YOUR CHANCES OF BEING SELECTED.
For help or assistant that guarantee you 100% success in the Skill part of the exam, contact me on WhatsApp or call 07037211667.
Note: Your BVN is not required for the assistant, all is required is screenshot the test and send it on WhatsApp,the correct answer will be given to you within some seconds.

Breaking NEWS :

Unknown gunmen invade church in Ozubulu..

The death toll is on the increase as the injured and the dead bodies have been taken to NAUTH Nnewi..

Today being Sunday, all the Doctors and pharmacists attending mass in the hospital have retired to the theatre and casualty units for surgeries and treatment...

The heart of men are extremely wicked.

MKPUKPA FESTIVAL....PRESERVING CULTURE AND UNITY OF NDI UMUDIOKA IN DUNUKOFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE
Nkpukpa Festival is a major cultural celebration in Umudioka town of Anambra State. Within the same period, other neigbouring towns such as Ogidi and Ogbunike communities celebrates Nwafor festival,while Umunya also celebrate Isigwu.
Performed after the cultivation of yam to mark the beginning of a resting period, Nkpukpa takes a period of 11 days, starting from the first Friday (Afor) in the month of July and for the next 10 days (In some cases,where we have two Afor market day that falls in July, Umudioka people do choose the last Afor Friday in July to celebrate their festival as the case maybe last year being 2016)
A day to the festival, on Thursday precisely the Orie market day, ceremonial masquerades perform their traditional dance around the community, setting the tone for the main event. The highpoint is usually on Sunday when the people gather at the community hall (Umudioka Civic Center) to say prayers and thanks God for a successful cultivation period and also pray for a large harvest of the New Yam.
On the significance of the age-long festival that unites people of the communities, Nkpukpa festival is the highest cultural festival in Umudioka Community. It brings our people home for celebration, it is also economically beneficial to the community as there is increase in trade. Outside Christmas, only Nkpukpa festival brings Umudioka men and women together, it cuts across religious divide because everybody enjoys it.
There’s a popular saying in local parlance that an Ezebo should not be outside when Nkpukpa festival is being celebrated. This clearly points to the importance of the feast to people of Umudioka.
During Nkpukpa festival, people normally send word home, maybe by way of money or materials to support those at home to celebrate. It marks the end of the planting season. It’s kind of a transitional period after the planting, because by August and September, we will start talking of harvesting our yam, which will precede New Yam Festival.
Unlike other festival dates that could be altered,Nkpukpa festival has a fixed date well know to everybody, therefore giving enough room for preparation, nobody is taken unawares.
Thursday before the commencement of the feast is for the induction of new initiates into the masquerade group. That’s for young boys of around 10 years of age and above. And when he gets initiated, it’s assumed that he has come of age, when there’s a meeting in the family, you don’t send him away, because he is now a full grown man.
As part of the celebration, there are no funerals and wedding ceremonies in community or else the person died on emergency, it’s all about fanfare. Though other communities celebrate at the same time,Umudioka remains the centre of attraction during Nkpukpa festival, because we have only one central place where we do celebrate our own,whereas other communities have a decentralized venue for the celebration.
Because we live along the major road that connects to Enugu-Onitsha Express, other people like to come to celebrate in Umudioka. In fact, it has assumed a carnival atmosphere. Each joint you go to, you see live band entertaining people. This is one festival that brings Ndi Umudioka together.
However, not minding the level of popularity and acceptance Nkpukpa festival has enjoyed over the years, the Festival, in recent times, has come under severe attacks from some Christian groups, especially the Born Again Christians, who dubbed the cultural feast a fetish celebration. In a way to counter the acerbation, these groups have resorted to organising crusades and youth camp for the youths, as a way of taking their minds off the traditional feast.
Many people of Umudioka disagrees with the notion, saying, “as far as we are concerned, Nkpukpa festival is a period of celebration, just like when you celebrate Christmas. There’s nothing fetish about Nkpukpa festival.”
Using other festivals and carnival across the globe as case in point, the world is now a global village, it’s easy to access Brazilian carnivals. In their carnivals, you see masquerade with people wearing masks and costumes, they are all forms of celebration. It’s the same thing here in Umudioka, it’s just pure celebration. Time has come for Africans to rise and protect our cultural heritage.
In an interview with one of Chiefs in Umudioka, he says, “This is my 26th year as a lawyer, but I assure that I’m traditional man to the core. I still break kola nut and offer libation to my ancestors; I commune with them. Do you sometimes wonder why the Whiteman has to come back to this place and try to buy off our artifacts and oracles from the shrines? Why do they take them away? It’s because they’ve discovered there’s some potency about these oracles. So, they now go there and spiritually harness the powers; people are turning back.”
He also urged Christian leaders to desist from turning the people against their culture and traditions, adding that, “the problem we have here is ‘do as I say, not as I do.’ The Christian clerics, they will not tell you the truth; everything you do, they try to censor you and say you are being unchristian like. But then, at your back, those things they criticize, they all do it; I assure you,” he said.
The culture and tradition of a people is paramount in their development and must be guarded jealously. It’s very, very important, because you can never lose your values. Go to the Whiteman’s country, they never lose their values, they still cherish them. Even when you go to places like South America, all those blacks, those traditions and cultures from where they came thousands of years ago, they still remember them, you can never do away with them. If it’s that easy, maybe the Born Again folds would have wished that Nkpukpa Festival would have fade away, but it cannot.
A man’s level of education or religious affiliation shouldn’t be a barrier to practicing his culture. Many people prefer to think of what people will say about them, but it is good to prefer to think of what God thinks about you. Don’t make an exhibition of your believing in God, it’s those people that advertise their believe in God that make a mockery of it. When challenges come, you see that they don’t even believe in the God they claim to know. It’s God that knows who believes in him. Culture is a way of life, so, if you lose it, you’ve lost your heritage.

Mgbatogu Victor Chukwudi
(Observer)
Umudioka, Dunukofia LGA, Anambra State