I am delighted to introduce myself to all the friends on this platform and I am convinced that based on what I have heard, I will be mostly welcomed by all of you.
My name is Idika Michael. I am a native of Amaekpu Ohafia. Amaekpu is one of the most outstanding communities in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State. Abia State one of the states in the eastern part of Nigeria and the capital is Umuahia. Abia is known as God’s Own State and this nickname is born out the Abian’s believe that the name Abia is found in the Bible. The state is also one of the oil producing states of the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria and the Commercial and Economic Capital is the city of Aba. Aba is also known as “Enyimba City” and the “Japan of Africa” because of the doggedness and the creativities of her inhabitants.
Aba is home artisans, manufacturers, commerce and trade and science and technology. People troop into Aba on daily basis from different corners of the world to do business. Among the fastest growing industries in Aba includes the Garment/Fashion Industry, Leather/Shoes/Bags and Allied Industry, Information Technology, Transportation Industry, and the Hospitality Industry.
It is therefore not surprising to see commerce and trade thriving in the city of Aba. You will love to visit such market as the famous Ariaria International Market, Ngwa Road/New Market(Ahia Ohuru), Cemetery Market, Umuehilegbu Industrial Shoes Market, Shoes Plaza, Eke-Oha Shopping Centre, Ala-Ojii Spare-Parts Market, and other markets too numerous to mention. So, anything one does not find in Aba may not exist. Aba people are hardworking, industrious, creative, hospitable, and resilience. Happily, it is this city that I am living in.
Amaekpu Ohafia which is my home town is a place to be. It is a two hour drive from Aba and one hour from Umuahia. In my childhood days, Amaekpu could be described as a rural community but today, the community has witnessed many developments due to influx of investments from the villagers and visitors who have chosen to invest and settle in the community. In those days, many of the villagers lived in thatched houses and drank from earthen pots while a handful lived in zinc house. I haven’t forgotten how we used to sat quietly under the moonlight at night to listen to interesting folklores from our parents and other elderly ones. As scaring as some of the stories can be, however we always learn lessons in bravery, courage, honesty, and love. When we have no stories to listen to, we sing and dance in groups with our peers.
They were few households that own the Back and White television and I can recall how we use to cluster in one of the houses in my compound to watch the then popular television drama – “The New Masquerade”. Such characters as Chief Zebrudaya Okoro Igwe Nwogbo, alias 4;30, his wife Ovuleria, Jegede, Nathy, Gringori, Clarus, always make our day. In those days you hardly see anybody going to buy garri, or yam from the market. Food was plentiful because everybody was a farmer. Ever since the wind of civilization reached and settle in Amaekpu, many things have changed. Many have abandon farming to engage more in buying and selling and food stuffs have become costly there in my village. Today, Television, Internet, Cell-Phones etc have taken away our folkdances and folklores.
I attended Okpocha Primary School. I started school at the age of four due to circumstances time may not allow me to mention here. Don’t ask me about Kindergarten because there were none in my village at the time. So, I finished primary school at 10. I used a small sheet of wood called slate and chalk as writing material when I was in elementary one. I wish I could show you how slates look like. In my elementary two, we uses pencil and exercise books and when I was promoted to elementary three we started writing with Biro. Thursdays was set aside for what was called “Hand Work”. We learn how to produce brooms, baskets, pestle, and many other household items. Today, hand work or craft is gone.
Many schools now collect money, toiletries and other items that may benefit them in place of handcraft. There is nothing like school farms as we have them in our own time. How many of our children know how yam, potatoes, cassava are cultivated? Soon, it will not be surprising if children begin to draw chicken with three legs because they know chicken when the meat is placed on their plates of rice.
I attended Standard College of Commerce. It was a vocational school where the students majored on art subjects and it was owned by an individual. My mother had wanted me to attend school in my village so that I could always stay closer to her. Let me here mention that I was her only son among four sisters. It sadden my heart each time I remember that my Alma –Mater no longer exist. Like many one man business, the school died few years after the death of proprietor. Nevertheless, it is on record that the school produced many great men and women who are doing very well in their different fields of endeavor. It was in my final year in the secondary school that my mother was poisoned and my education stopped. That is how I ended in class five then.
In our days, secondary school duration was five years. Later when all hope to further my education was gone, I signed a five years contract with a certain man in my village to become his apprentice. That took me to Afikpo in Ebonyi State. Sad to say that the man refused to honor the agreement after spending five years and four months with him. Had he honored the agreement, perhaps, I would have by now be a building materials merchant.
When I left Afikpo, I came to Aba where I spent some few months and later, I travelled to Lagos. In Lagos, I worked as a machine operator with Geockave – a factory that produce plastic gallons, bottles, and cups. When I left the company, I ventured into second hand clothes business without much success and, I returned back to the east. I went to Umuahia after some years, I came back to Aba. My life so far has been like a coat of many colors, full of ups and downs.
It was in Aba that I met my wife. A beautiful and irresistible young lady whose humble and beautiful disposition swept me off my feet. Her name is Mary Idika, from Akwa-Ibom and she speaks Igbo language fluently. She is a very wonderful cook and she takes care of me very well. In my house, you can enjoy such delicacies as Afang, Eritang, Atama, and Edikayikong soup and other mouthwatering delicacies that defines the people of Akwa-Ibom.
I love reading and writing and this have helped me to keep improving myself despite my limited education. Some years ago, I published a book on Exam Malpractice. A book I considered as my contribution to the enhancement of education in Nigeria. I have other unpublished books which I hope to publish in the nearest future.
I am a writer, composer and singer. My genre includes Country Classics, Rhythm and Blues, Reggae, and Highlife music. One day, you will listen to some of my songs on this platform. I believe that one must become “Nobody” to become “Somebody”. I am simple, humble, honest, hospitable, and god-fearing. I love people with similar characters regardless of where they come from. I will do my best to relate with all of you friends on this platform and I will welcome your support to enable me do better.
I appreciate the efforts of my good friend 
I love you all.
Idika Michael.