It is important to emphasize that what had been erroneously labeled the “Aba Women’s Riot” was actually a resistance and a revolution that originated in Umuobasi Compound in Oloko.įrom a sociopolitical standpoint, the power to define and control the narrative in this context is noteworthy and speaks to contemporary culture wars between oppressors and the oppressed around the globe. For example, one of my paternal great-grandmothers, Nwanyeruwa Ojim, led the November 1929 Resistance (Ogu Umunwaanyi, or Women’s War of 1929) against the British, who had colonized Nigeria in 1914. My siblings and I were born into a rich legacy of ministers dating back to our grandparents and great-grandparents, who were also educators, engineers, political leaders, and entrepreneurs. My first name means “God’s gift” or “God’s portion.” My middle name, Kelechi, means “thank God.” And my last name means “friend.” Names carry great significance in Igbo culture. Oloko was the headquarters for ten villages that constituted Oloko Clan, which is situated in the Ikwuano Local Government Area. My mom grew up in the village of Umuawa-Alaocha, and my dad grew up in the village of Oloko in Abia State, which is in the southeastern part of Nigeria. The conflict was between the nation of Nigeria and the secessionist state of Biafra, which was made up of largely of the Igbo people, the ethnic group into which I was born. My parents emigrated from Nigeria to pursue higher education after the Biafran War ended in 1970. Charles, Illinois, I was blessed to grow up in a two-parent household.
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