User talk:Emanuel ighekpe

Emanuel Ighekpe (Ighiiepwe born 28 August 1975)

Was the President of Young Christian Association to be elected in a fully representative election, serving in the office from 1994–1995. Before his presidency, Emanuel was a human right activist, and the leader of the Evangelistic Squad movement. Both in Africa and internationally, Ighekpe's opposition to military rule made him a symbol of freedom and equality for many.

Following his self made exile from his Country on 22 February 1999, Ighekpe, supporting reconciliation and negotiation, helped lead the transition towards multi-cultural democracy in Nigeria. Since the end of Military rule, many have frequently praised Ighekpe, including former opponents.

Ighekpe has received many awards over two decades; He is currently a celebrated Voice of Africa, who continues to voice his opinion on topical issues. In Africa he is often known as udo, an honorary title adopted by elders of Ighekpe’s clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Emanuel Ighekpe.

Ighekpe belongs to a Christian group of the Assemblies of God, which reigned in the Edo Territorial Districts of Nigeria.[1] He was born in Ewohimi, a small village located in the district of Esan south east, of Benin City.[2] His patrilineal great-grandfather Ighekpe (who died in 1830), ruled as the Azen of Ubiaja, or King, of the Ubiaja people He was a great warrior who was the chaka zulu of esanland.[3] One of the king's sons, named Ighekpe, became grandfather and the source of his surname. However, because the Azen birthed his grandfather by a wife of the Ogelemodu clan, Ighekpe’s family was delegated to the lesser "Left-Hand House" branch of the royal family, and are thus not eligible to succeed to the Onogie’s throne.

Ighekpe father, served as chief in the Nigeria Army.[4] However, upon alienating the colonial authorities, they deprived James of his position to a higher rang in the military, and moved his family to and fro from barracks to barrack. [5] Ighepke's father had five wives,[5] with whom he fathered a total of thirteen children (ten boys and three girls).[5] James Fourth wife, Comfort Ebhodaghe, birthed Prince Emanuel Ayemhere Osayande Ighekpe. Comfort was a daughter of Ebhodaghe of the Ewohimi clan, the dynastic Right Hand House, in whose Enekaka of esanland or homestead Emanuel spent much of his childhood.[6] His given name Okamwewore means "my crop grows up", or more colloquially, "troublemaker".[7] English name "Emanuel".[8]

Education

When Ighekpe was six, attended Igo primary school located next to the palace of the regent. He was initiated at age sixteen, and attended Army Days College; in Ogun state completed his Junior Certificate in two years, instead of the usual three. And also move to Army Command day’s college Benin City in which most military children royalty attended. At fifteen, he took an interest in cultural, literary and debating society at the school. After enrolling, Ighekpe began to study for a Bachelor of Arts at the Ambrose Ali University. Ighekpe also became close friends with his kinsman, Frank Osifo, who is a very good friend, At the end of Emanuel’s first year, he became involved in a Students' Representative Council boycott against university policies, and was told to leave AAU and not return unless he accepted the obligations. Later, while on suspension, Emanuel made a self exile to Europe and later studied for a Bachelor of political science.

Move to Europe

Shortly after leaving AAU, family announced to Emanuel and Abigail that they had arranged marriages for both of them. The young man, displeased by the arrangement, elected to give up the comforts of the regent's estate, relocating to Europe. Upon his arrival, Ighekpe initially found employment as a Baker at a bakery. However, the employer quickly terminated after learning that he was working as an illegal refugee. Ighekpe later started work as an Order picker at a Edah Warehouse through connections with his friend, While working at the Edah Warehouse, Ighekpe completed his study degree at the ROC Eindhoven via correspondence,, where he first befriended fellow students and future political activists. During this time Ighekpe lived in Helmond, north brabant.

He later move to spain and he is settle at the moment in Extramadura, married with two children Loretta Omomwengbe and Ayemhere Emanuel Junior