“Yes, our correct name is Ibeakpu not Obeakpu.” Nick Okpara.
2 min read
The Umuaka Times last week story which focused on the correct spelling and name of Obeakpu, a famous community in Umuaka Municipal Council has continued to trend over the social strata in and outside Nigeria. Although some prominent sons of the community had reached out to Umuaka Times privately over the publication to air their views but in the middle of last week, the Chief Executive Officer of Greenland Hotel, Chief Nick Okpara issued a press statement to Umuaka Times where he made his views known on the subject matter.
In the press statement dated Wednesday May 11, 2022, Chief Okpara (the Omereoha 1) stated and totally agreed with the previous Umuaka Times publication that the correct name of the community is “Ibeakpu” and not “Obeakpu.” He further disclosed that the name is not only meaningful but self explanatory. Chief Okpara in his own words stated: “Ibeakpu was and probably is still one of the communities in Akah Ebeiri with very low population. History has it that in spite of our paucity in number, Ibeakpu was never overwhelmed in war with any of her neighbouring communities.” Chief Okpara continued: “As a corollary to the name Ibeakpu, we are also called ‘Elezuo Anya Agbazu Oso’.”
Umuaka Times in its investigations further gathered from the press statement that Ibeakpu was reputed for her bravery and proficiency in the use of traditional means in warfare. “Ask any elderly Akah man today and he will attest to this. Even in recent time, events at Eke Ibele involving Ibeakpu on the last day of Owu Festival lends credence to these historic claims.”
While debunking the name “Obeakpu”, Chief Okpara maintained that as a name, “Obeakpu” has no direct meaning either genetic or poetic in the Igbo dialect within the Umuaka metropolis. “The Akpu I know but not Obe! Even if we are to be named or called by what we eat, then Amaji should be it; otherwise, nnu (salt) should come into our name.”
On a lighter mood, Chief Okpara concluded that “those of us from Old Ama Ozo Ano (Amazano) still remember that Ibeakpu consumes nnu, Umuele, akpu, Ibele mmanu and Amakor ukwa.”
On when the name of the community was changed, mispelt and mispronounced, Okpara told Umuaka Times that he never knew when and how it all started. “I don’t know at what point or time our name Ibeakpu was misspelt or misrepresented as Obeakpu but it certainly was never changed! Nevertheless, the desire for a correction has been inert with those of us who have had cause to interrogate the name Obeakpu in all ramifications.”
It is now very clear that the community, Ibeakpu, will henceforth be properly addressed with its correct name as an Igbo proverb says . “The name you call a child and he shakes his head is not his name.”
