MAYF Hosts Special Guest from South Africa

By Nduka Ozor
February 13, 2006

LAGOS NIGERIA: MAYF recently hosted a special guest from South Africa, Daryn Liddle, 22, a conflict resolution and management advocate. Liddle visited Mgbala Agwa Community for a two week stay, from December 24 2005, through Janurary 7, 2006, to assist with a HIV/AIDS peer health educators training conference.

Liddle meeting with Eze Charles A Ukwu at his home in Mgbala Agwa.

Liddle participated in the two day HIV/AIDS peer health educators training conference, held January 3rd – 4th 2006, organized by Internationellt KulturUtbyte (IKU) and Mgbala Agwa Youth Forum (MAYF) for teachers and MAYF members who will be educators in the ongoing HIV /AIDS Catch Them Young program. Specifically, Liddle conducted two workshops given daily at the conference: Introduction to Conflict Resolutions and Conflict Resolution Strategies.

Mgbala Agwa is located in the Oguta Local government area of Imo State, Nigeria.

During his two-week visit, Liddle explored the gamut of rural Mgbala Agwa community life. He began his stay in Mgbala Agwa with a celebration of Christmas Eve according to Mgbala Agwa custom, usually marked by visits to friends and relatives. He attended mass at the local catholic church both on Christmas day and then also on New Years day, celebrating both after the traditions and customs of Mgbala Agwa; and he had the opportunity to observe traditional marriage ceremonies organized in Mgbala Community. Liddle visited the palace of the traditional ruler of the Mgbala Agwa community, meeting with Eze Charles A Ukwu, his cabinet members, and other religious and political leaders of the community. He also met with senior members of MAYF and the MAYF coordinator, Nduka Ozor, commending them on the good work they were doing to save lives.

Liddle presenting a workshop on conflict resolution to members of the community..

Liddle also became acquainted with the Mgbala Agwa community, visiting community markets, talking with market visitors, and watching local football competitions - even participating as a player in several practice football sessions. He also visited the local health centre in the community and met with the nursing sister to discuss HIV/AIDS and other issues. Schools were not in session, during his stay, and thus Liddle was not able to observe class sessions. However, he was able to tour community school facilities. Liddle had the enjoyable experience of travelling rough and bumpy roads that join Mgbala to neighboring communities. He also visited Owerri, (the capital city of Imo State) on several occasions to contact associates and friends in South Africa via the internet, as Mgbala Agwa lacks all such basic amenities.

Liddle sharing a traditional meal with Mgbala Agwa community members.

What Mgbala Agwa lacked in basic amenities was more then compensated by the warm hospitality and camaraderie of the Mgbala Agwa community. Liddle was accepted by every member of the community, and was even honored with a new Igbo cultural identity by Nze Ozor Anyadioha, 98, the head of his family host (Nduka Ozor). Nze Ozor Anyadioha christened him ‘Azubuike,’ meaning, "There is strength in the back." In Mgbala Community it is believed that the number and quality of the people that an individual has around him in life reinforces his strength and vigour. Liddle was also honored with a new name by MAYF members, "Uzoma," during their host day, providing him with a chieftaincy cap and beads. "Uzoma" means "good sojourn - good road" and reflects the belief among Mgbala Agwa people that when a road or sojourn is favourable there is the likelihood of embarking on a similar sojourn in the future. Mgbala Agwa community members warmly greeted Liddle using his new names, during his stay with the community.

MAYF continually welcomes visitors from all parts of the world to participate in the rich cultural heritage of the Mgbala Agwa community and to help collaborate on strengthening Mgbala Agwa values and beliefs. Through such participation and collaboration, MAYF hopes someday to change the world.