By Ik Ogbonna, fcai, anipr.
The people of Mbaise are a great people doing exploits around the world in all fields of human endeavors, from sports, to education, entertainment, politics etc.
Mbaise is a region in Imo State made up of three local governments areas of Aboh, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte. It has towns, cities, clans and villages, call Mbaise a nation if you like and you wont be wrong. It is reputed to be the most densely populated area in Western Africa.
The name Mbaise (5 Clans) was derived from its five (5) clans of Agbaja, Ahiara, Ekwereazu, Ezi na Ihitte and Oke Uvuru. It is the land where Ahiara Declaration was made by Ikemba Nnewi, Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu. Ahiara Declaration containd the principles of the Bafran Revolution. Dim Ojukwu didnt just go anywhere, he went to Mbaise to make the declaration on the 1st of June, 1969.
Mbaise is the home of great men like Nna Anyi ID Nwoga, Mike Ahamba, SAN, Sen. Isdore Obasi, Dr. Sir Warrior, Prof. COE Onwuliri, etc. Mbaise is also home to the very popular Abigbo music that unifies the people culturally and otherwise.
Sen. Anyanwu hails from Amaimo in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State but his grandmother, Ada Paulina Anyanwu (nee Ogoko) was married to his grandfather, Chief Paul Anyanwu (Anwu Anwu) and gave birth to late Chief Sebastine Anyanwu, father of Sen. Sam Anyanwu. Late Ada Paulina Anyanwu (nee Ogoko) is from the OGOKO DYNASTY of Umuezeala, Amano, Obohia in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA. Hon Gerry Ogoko, former Executive Chairman, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA is a cousin to Samdaddy. In his infancy, young Samuel was a regular in Obohia which is a walkable distance from Amaimo through the Uzaku Obohia bridge via Ugirike. His grandmother used to take him to the popular Eyiri-Eyi Cultural Festival that held every August before Iriji Mbaise. The Eyiri-Eyi festival attracted sons, daughters, relations, inlaws and well-wishers of the community who attended with gifts and young Samuel has always been present as a darling of his maternal home.
MBAISE & THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME SAMDADDY
The name Samdaddy is also traceable to his Mbaise lineage. As a matter of fact, Samuel lost his grandfather shortly after his birth and in the Igbo cosmology and belief, they said he is a reincarnation of his grandfather and called him DADDY. In his maternal home in Obohia, he is still called "Daddy" till date.
Samuel on establishing his business empire (SAMDADDY INVESTMENTS including Samdaddy Farms) added Sam (short form of Samuel) to Daddy making SAMDADDY which is often called by friends, admirers and associates. In his own words, "In one's life, sometimes your pet name takes your real name, because we believe in reincarnation. I am a reincarnate of my grandfather according to what I was told by my father, and they called me Daddy. So when I wanted a name that was unique, that nobody else would answer I went and slept and that name was given to me. That was how I came up with Samdaddy and today it has taken over my name" The Life of Samdaddy In My Eyes by Paulcy Iwuala.
Not many people know that distinguished Sen. Samuel Anyanwu has untainted Mbaise blood in his veins unlike some others whose Mbaise origin is not rooted in Mbaise land but outside it.
The recent spate of endorsement of the aspiration of Sen. Anyanwu to be the next governor of Imo State from the leaders, youths and critical stakeholders of Mbaise seems to say that, Ndi Mbaise would not reject their own juxtapositioning the overwhelming rejection of the third term mission of Ihedioha, Mbaise people now have another option of a "nwa nwa" who they are now embracing whole heartedly especially having enjoyed his representation as Senator of Owerri Zone with distinction from 2015-2019.
Ik Ogbonna, a PR Practitioner and Media Consultant, writes from Owerri.
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