IANA Blog- January 2025

 Blog

Happy Gregorian New Year…and Happy January…


As IANA gets ready to bring in the New year, I wanted to open this month’s blog and the first blog of the year with the chieftaincy of my parents.


December of 2024, my parents Mr. Onyeabor and Dr. Veronica received their chieftaincy in Issele-Uku, Delta State, Nigeria. Crowned by my cousin, his royal highness, Obi Nduka Henry Ezeagwuna II, my father received the honor of being crowned the Ikedi-Uge of Issele-Uku, which means the strength in the Issele-Uku royal palace. My mother received the honor of being crowned the Uvie-Uge of the Issele-Uku kingdom, which means the beauty or the honour of the Issele-Uku royal palace. Uvie-Uge is significant, because my mom hails from the Ogboli village in Issele-Uku, which is highly regarded as holding the title of “Onishe of Issele-Uku.” 


When I heard that both of my parents were receiving the honor, I was happy for them, especially considering that my dad had a chance of receiving the honor years ago, around 2013, but passed on it. Also, my grandfather Chief Isikwei Umemezie Ufoegbune, was the Iyase of Issele-Uku, so I felt like it would eventually be passed down. It also felt good hearing about this, because…let’s just say…one of my uncles became a chief around the time my dad rejected it…and he supposedly didn’t do it the right way…that’s all I’m gonna say. As for my mother’s side, my grandfather on my mother’s side was also a chief…so, I pretty much have both of those lineages in my DNA.


Being crowned around Christmas time was also perfect, just as I let my friends who have never been to Africa know that West Africa during Winter time is their Summer, and especially since countries like Ghana are offering African Americans to gain citizenship. Just wanted to point out the significance. One of my friends even went to Gambia over Christmas Time and was even given a special name. Seeing the African diaspora reconnect with Africa always puts a smile on my face.


Here are some photos of my mom and dad’s chieftaincy in Nigeria.



Once again, congratulations to the Uvie-Uge and the Ikedi-Uge of Issele-Uku. Next thing you know, I might gain chieftaincy…


…now I just gotta take care of my Nigerian visa…


A link to the article about my parents’ chieftaincy in Nigeria.


https://thehillng.com/issele-uku-king-confers-ikedi-uge-and-uvie-uge-chieftaincy-titles-on-american-based-couple-from-ufoegbunes-dynasty/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

IANA Blog- August 2024 Part I

Image
Blog Happy August, From August 9th to the 11th, we had our 2024 IANA Convention and Regional Gala in New York City…Queens, New York to be exact. Like I did with our Convention weekend in Chicago, Illinois, here is a recap of what you missed. Friday Friday was the first day of the convention. We met at LaGuardia Plaza Hotel in Queens, welcoming everyone. The 2nd Gen Dream Team would also present a powerpoint of the Progress Update led by IANA 2nd Gen President Chiedu Nwaesei, Vice President Ifeany Azul, Jr., Secretary Ogechukwuka Nwaesei, Assistant Secretary Onyebuchim Nwaesei, Treasurer Onyi Ozoma…and me. Unfortunately, our other public relations officers Chekwume Nwaesei and Chekwume Ufoegbune couldn’t make it, but were there in spirit. After that, it’s bowling time. Oh yeah…I forgot to mention that…his royal majesty…Obi Nduka Henry Ezeagwuna II made it to the convention this year. Saturday We started off Saturday with a Lunch and the IANA Membership Meeting, similar to last year’s m...
Read more

IANA Blog- August 2024 Part II

Image
Blog Happy August, Back with another blog this Month. I felt like this was something I needed to talk about after hearing about it. As I was coming back from the IANA 2024 Convention Weekend in New York City, I was watching a recent interview with legendary Reggae artist Buju Banton. He was being interviewed on the “Drink Champs” podcast hosted by hip hop artist N.O.R.E., and they were talking about  Reggae and Dancehall music, which then would turn to Afrobeats music. Link to Buju Banton’s full interview on “Drink Champs”: Buju Banton On Rastafari, Bob Marley, Overcoming Jail, Iconic Dancehall Career & More | Drink Champs Buju Banton speaking on Afrobeats music: https://x.com/MusicConnoisseu/status/1822688618990694588 Buju had a huge critique on Afrobeats music and Afrobeats artists. He also brought up how when he went to Ghana in 1991, he was disappointed with the spiritual connection that Afropop/Afrobeats artists didn’t show with Jamaica. He also stated how Afrobeats music ...
Read more