Home Is Not Far: A Nigerian Family Biography

By Dr. Owete S. Owete

Home Is Not Far is the biography of a Nigerian family. It narrates the history and character of the family in Emu-Uno, Delta State, Nigeria. The book describes the values, challenges, and successes of the family in context with the traditions and socio-cultural structure of the Emu Kingdom. This family thrived through a culture of respect for elders and leadership by elders. This family’s culture was typical of the Ukwuani tribe and of Nigeria, and yet unique unto itself. In this home, even the goddess of water found her place of peace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9798369424889

Dr. Owete S. Owete

Dr. Owete S. Owete was born May 29, 1950, in Emu-Uno, Delta State, Nigeria. He grew up in a loving family and with a passion for the physical and socio-cultural environment. He attended Federal Government College, Warri. He has a Ph.D. in petroleum engineering from Stanford University and a B.S. and M.S. in petroleum engineering from Louisiana State University. Dr. Owete is a consultant and a Florida licensed Professional Engineer. He is proficient in the remediation of petroleum contaminated sites. He is a qualified expert witness in the evaluation of engineering, geotechnical and hydrologic design of stormwater management systems. He received special awards and recognition from the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) and the Lockheed Martin Space Operations for the environmental study and facility modifications of the launch pads at the Florida Kennedy Space Center. Dr. Owete is the author of the book, Abiding in the Doctrine of Christ. More information about Dr. Owete’s publications is available at www.owete.com.

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Copyright © 2024 by Dr. Owete S. Owete.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 06/28/2024

Xlibris

844-714-8691

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Contents

Disclaimer

Acknowledgements

Ukwuani Alphabet

List of Names

Introduction

Chapter 1:   The Greener Grass Beyond

Chapter 2:   The People’s Kingdom

Chapter 3:   Living with the Gods and Men

Chapter 4:   A Place of Peace

Chapter 5:   Love of Family

Chapter 6:   Aging with Dignity

Chapter 7:   Learning Tree

Chapter 8:   A Brother’s Love

Appendix : List of Tribes in Nigeria

To my father,

Chief Edengulu (T.E.) Owete

Onotu-Uku of Emu and Member (1964-1966)

Midwestern Nigeria House of Chiefs

in the First Republic.

To my uncle,

Ogbuewu Okobi Owete

Okpala-Uku of Emu (2009 – 2018)

To my mother,

Ofashi Obesem Owete

Ada-Uka of Emu (2014 – 2022)

Disclaimer

We lived in the village. The extended family life, the traditions and the remnants of the ancestral footprints affirm the oral history of our people. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the presented material, including estimated dates and periods to provide contextual understanding, discrepancies may exist. This author and the publisher cannot guarantee the absolute accuracy or validity of the information contained herein, including cited references. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be held liable for any consequences arising from the application of this information beyond the confines of this book’s intended context; such actions are undertaken at the reader’s discretion.

Acknowledgements

My family, which is the village, taught me the history and culture of our people – the Ukwuani people. I was inquisitive, even as a child. My parents conversed with me instructively as to say, "pen these things down." They took me to places and gave me a front-row seat (figuratively speaking) at family, social, and political gatherings. Farming and festival activities were teaching moments. I learned of my great grandparents’ folks in Emu, Abbi, Elu and Ndoni through visits that started when I was four years old.

This book was in the making for years. I scribbled notes and told stories about my people, taking every opportunity to teach and pass down what I had learned. I called and travelled home in later years to ascertain important details about people, events, and dates. I am thankful to my mother for her incredible memory. I freely dipped into her memory bank even shortly before she passed at the ripe old age of about 117 years. My brother-in-law, Chief Richard Ossai Omononye, filled the gaps in my account of the Emu culture. This role was not unexpected of him, as the Onu Eze (the King’s mouthpiece or speaker) of Emu. Azuka Ferdinand Iwegbue and I shared a passion for wanting to know more about the family structure of Emu. He did the legwork for the Table of Families in Emu-Uno. Ndudi Omononye and Kechukwuyenum (KC) Omononye checked on information that otherwise would have been difficult to verify. I communicated with Alexander Chukwuyenum Egedi on Emu family ancestry. Shadrach Azubike Ochonogor and I exchanged pleasant memories of my brother, Amos Okei Owete. Dr. Roseline Abonego Adejare (nee Maledo), Dr. Stephen Enwefa, Kenneth Iwebema and Raymond Ochonogor provided valuable information. This book was a collaborative effort of family and friends.

Special thanks to my wife (Derbra Bolton Owete), my cousin (Barrister Uche Owete) and my nephew (Bertram Owete) for their interest and contributions. Thanks to Dr. David Oyibo Ogbe and Dr. Margaret Amulum Odili (nee Onyenokwe) for their feedback on specific subjects. It was fulfilling to engage the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of Owete, Inyam and Nwaomucha. Lastly, I share my immense pride and thanks to my daughter (Inyam Owete Griggs) for her loving contribution in editing this family biography. I am grateful for her joyful efforts and genuine affection for family history, and the time we spent together working on this book.

Ukwuani Alphabet

List of Names

Introduction

One of Ukwuani’s profound and dear-to-heart greetings is Eje l’ụnọ. It is a one-phrase statement, a farewell wish or prayer for a loved one to return home safely from a long journey. The translation of the phrase in English is easier from the unabridged version, Onye ije ne lu ụnọ. It means that the traveler does return home. The phrase is often more than a wish or prayer. It is a beckon cry to a loved one not to forget home but return to his people. Returning home is in the affirmative because of the abundance of unspoken assurances, including the fact that home is not far, figuratively that is.

But where is home? Most people, without much thought, are inclined to say that home is where the heart is. In truth we often think of home as a physical location in the past or present; in the past, as where we were born or raised, and in the present, as where we currently live. However, home can be thought of in a spiritual and future sense. As such, home is a hope, and we are travelers in this world. Onye ije ne lu ụnọ.

Dr. Owete S. Owete

Chapter One

The Greener Grass Beyond

I am Owete, the son of Edengulu. My great-great-grandfather was named Evboharu, meaning let’s go forward. Evboharu named his son Erhiẹnya, which means home is not far in Isoko language. Erhiẹnya (or Eliẹnyẹ, which is easier to spell and pronounce in Ukwuani language) was