ONITSHA The Truth I Know

Nwachinemelu Tony Obiagwuncha Obiogbolu is, a retired banker and capital market investor. He descends from one of the royal family clans in Umuezearoli village in Onitsha, which has produced many of the kings of Onitsha. Currently, he is Diokpa Chimedie, the patrilineal head, of the clan, which Obi Alfred Achebe, the incumbent Obi of Onitsha hails from. Born and raised in Onitsha, he has a rich knowledge of Onitsha customs and history handed down from generations. He tells it like never before, in his autobiography, Onitsha: The Truth I Know. Here, he relives his life through the lens of activities in his time. Like our grandmothers' folklores, his life story is replete with the narratives of his roots, his childhood, the Onitsha man's first contact with the Europeans, his faith, the origin of Christianity in Igbo land. He also regales us about life before, during and after the Biafran war, our culture and traditional systems, and his role as a father, patrilineal head, and leader in the African Continental Bank (ACB). The story is relatable for the reader who seeks to reminisce childhood, adulthood, and parenting. They will also learn of politics, leadership and conflict resolutions at different levels: within our families, amongst our kinsmen, churches, and traditional systems; such that every leader can draw inferences on how to navigate the current times. Most importantly, this book challenges the stereotypes about the Onitsha people as it gives better understanding to certain traditions and customs portrayed as harmful by unverified tales and unproven audio/visual scripts on the media. One finds a meeting point as a religious, traditional and social person who should be flexible enough to fit into society and firm enough to take right decisions. Nwachi strives to harmonise the tradition of old and new Onitsha. His autobiography is an echo of our forefathers and a gong to the present and unborn generations of the people of Onitsha, and the Igbo race