Some times when I take a retrospective look between now and those days we grew up in “Old Owerri” I still affirm that the Old days was better.
You may wonder:how can the Old times be better than now you have Color Television, Handset, Money Transfer,Modern and Cosy Vehicles, Tall Houses, More tarred roads,etc?
Unfortunately, despite what many may see as modernity and jet age, with beautiful environment,made more decent with innovations and science,I still will give one arm for the joyous and natural times we had in our Old Owerri.
We had our fun without fear of the unknown. There was trust among peers and less envy.
Reason was because, though there existed competition,yet you always know where you landed and accepts it because merit was sacrosanct.
And we knew each other,up to our parents who knew us all, too.
Every Parent must as a matter of law,know who the friends of their Children are.
My Family first lived in Kagha Street and later moved to No 4 Christ Church Close, after the newest Four Storey building,near White House Hotel,was Constructed.From their own to own house in Prefab Estate.
Then we knew who owns which vehicle in Owerri and what he does for a living.
Just to hang a Television pole will attract attention of who owns it.
People lived within their income, were satisfied and happy, including their Children.
When you visit a friend and he is not around you simply pick his door key from the door lintel and open the door.
If you are spending the night,the mother will feed you.
“Unfortunately, despite what many may see as modernity and jet age, with beautiful environment,made more decent with innovations and science,I still will give one arm for the joyous and natural times we had in our Old Owerri”
In Owerri,there were a few modern houses then,but life moved on and boisterous.
Major Roads/Streets includeTetlow,Mbaise,Wethral, Okigwe, Douglas, Royce.
No girl will ever attempt to visit you at home as you dare not visit any in her own house. It will take months for a girl to acknowledge your advances.
Our meeting points were either at “Public Taps” while fetching water, which usually is in the midnight when Water Corporation pumps water. The other place is the State Library,where your Studies and seriousness with your Academics win you the opposite sexes.
Our books were our focal points,even though we socialized too.
We exchanged Novels like James Hardly Chase,Agatha Christy etc.
You may attempt suicide for failing JAMB or WAEC while your Colleagues passed and entered University before you.
Nearly all the Secondary schools are equal in academic standards,no matter where located, except those in Owerri town preferred usually for first choice in Common Entrance.
Schools were known by their Nicknames.
We have OCOGRAM,in Mbieri,HOGOSCO,OGIMGBO,ECOL,all in Owerri town ,St CATA, Nkwere, ACGUINAS in Anara,Sabastin ACADEMY,Emekuku,Ejiogu Memorial,Egbu,SAHACO,NGWA HIGH,all in Aba,OGS and NGOR HIGH in Ngor Okpala etc.
We have “Commercial Schools” which we saw then as places for those who failed Common Entrance or those whose parents can’t afford Secondary School.
There was OZIMS Commercial at Nwaorie axis and CITY Commercial at Amaram extension.
Children’s Day, Independent Day and Inter House Sports in Schools were like our Christmas and New year Celebrations put together.
They are days Principals and Parents leave us,at least Eight Hours out of their sights. And you “Utilize it well”.
We prepare for these Occasions like there won’t be tomorrow.
Apart from saving money for JUMP or DISCO, they are days to display our best Cloths. We wear School Uniforms but change after.
To look Clean we visit places like Soul Scissors Barbing Saloon,Tetlow road, for perfect hair cuts. That was the only Barbing Saloon in Owerri that had Electric Clipper. And they charge high. If you visit two times,you get one free hair cut.
Latest fashions then still include Jeans(Amos,Easy). Crazy Horse, Velvetin, Yobris, Acapulco Shirts, Silk etc.
We keep records through pictures taken with Kodak and Polaroid Cameras, which we call “Wait and Take”.
After the march pasts held at Old Stadium, Tetlow road,the next is to enter O’town and “Rock” before 6pm to hit back to Domentry or prepare to head home for suspension.
But we must go to “Afternoon JUMP” before returning to school.
Hotels in Owerri make heavy sells in such days.
We have Gulf Course, Awareness,Kakadu,Chesside,James, Ambassador,Domino,Third House in Emekuku, Tourist Centre,Pelly,etc.
You can go to Angelo,Unit One or Kemo if you want Pastries.
The Headquarter of entertainment then in Owerri was Afurola Night Club located at White House Hotel, owned by late Eze Philip Nowsu,where you must save enough money for ticket.
“Not many families had vehicles then. Those of privileged had to find a way to “roll out” your parent’s Car or we hire one at Mbaise road for a few hours and return the vehicle. Running away with the vehicle will not even enter your mind”
Geraldo Pino and Bina Kofi usually perform. It was for “Big Boys”. And we return to tell our friends who couldn’t make it what they missed.
If you grew up in Owerri you will also remember Aforo and Cocoanut Inn. Don’t you? What of Rex Cinema at Royce Road?
Talking about Cinemas,we were ok with our Parents’ Black and white Televisions until the Color brand started coming in vogue.
We enjoyed our Movies; like Bruce Lee, Hawaii 50,Sky Force,Hotel de Jordan,Samamja,Jaqua,Dallas, Charles Angels,Zubrudaya,Jangoand others.
We also enjoyed Brizillian League. The only Player I can remember is Zeze.
The Common Drinks include ever lasting Coca Cola,Green Sand Shandy, Champion Beer,Golden Guinea, Dubic,Royal Crown,Dr Pepper,etc.
Available Cigarettes were Saint Morris,Gold Leaf, Marlboro,Dunhill,Three Rings, Bicycle, Erimoore, Flight,Benson and Hedges.
If you want to get Higher than these Stuffs,you visit OKon, located inside Mami Market,Shell Camp, Aluma,at Wethral road, Paddy Yama,in Naze,Wazobia in Agbala,or Nda Jonel, (na ime Ohee!) You know!
If you want Best Palmy you visit IGBOKWE,Alvan Quarters, by Amakohia/Orlu Road.
We hardly joked with Music as we are always alert for new “Release”.
Shalarlama, FELA, Whispers,Bob Marley,Chris Okotie,Jide Obi,Onyeka Onwenu,Bongos Igwue,Osibisa, Jimmy Cliff, Brothers Johnson, Commodores, Michael Jackson,MC Hammer, Felix Liberty ,Chris Okotie, Christy Essien, Temptation,Somkey Robbison, Bony M, Earth Wind and Fire, Barry White ,Smokies,Rod Stewart,Jonh Coquar, Bostons,Cutis Blow, Lijadu Sisters,Donna Summer,Gladys Knight and the Pimps,Grace Jones, Teddy Pendagrass, Cool and the Gang,Sir Warrior,Alloy Anyanwu,Kabaka,Joeneze,Ederi Chukwueke,Abaraka,Olololo,Paulson Kalu,Raskimo,Majek Fashek,Malvin Gay, Billy Ocean,Odessy,etc.
Dancing styles include Electric Shock, Shuffling, Break Dance and Bruce or Wholesale.
Owerri had a known Recording Studio then; Labamba along School Road.
We can’t forget Beaton(Vitais Ajumbe) and Alan B,who were the Major and Best DJs in Town.
I remember Awila,Martin Momo,Major Otuka, Kofi Nnaj,Bob and Eze Nnodi, Practicals, July Best, Innocent Boy, Massacre, Ekeledo(Agenda)Fusion(Toto) Saboo,Topscat,Alibuto, Ikeotuonye,Lazoo,Poto, Broken,Nna Meen, Ngozi &Chinyere(Umu ejimma).
I also remember “World Man and Bro Ken who Thought us “Guy”.
“Guy” was to have good dress sense and be bold among sexes.Know how to toast and do Talking To(TT).
Not many families had vehicles then. Those of privileged had to find a way to “roll out” your parent’s Car or we hire one at Mbaise road for a few hours and return the vehicle. Running away with the vehicle will not even enter your mind.
The popular brands were Toyota Crown,Citreon,Datsun,Pannel Van,Lada, Renault, Peugeot,Range Rover,Rio,Land Rover,Passat,Opel,Bettle,Fiat, Honda, Kawasaki,Vespa,Moblet etc
I can vividly remember the white color Range Rover belonging to Chief Loveday Ememe, my uncle’s friend,a Commissioner then,who usually parked it in front of his house at Commissioners Quarter,Shell Camp.
The only available Swimming Pool was at Shell Camp(Secondary) School until Mbakwe built Concord Hotel.
Attending Football matches was a must. At Old Stadium fenced round with Zinc.
We either scale the fence or follow a Military Man to enter free.
There was nothing like Premiership here. Who has time for that!
Our Clubs were Spartans,P&T Owerri,Ministry of Works FC,Elemats Ubomiri, Trojans, Owerri.
Outside Owerri were Asabatex, Standard of Jos,Ewekoro Babes,Bendel Insurance, Flamingos of Benin, Leventis of Ibadan,IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan,Rangers International Enugu, Vasco Da gama of Enugu,Enyimba of Aba, PZ FC, Aba, Stationary Stores Lagos,Racca Rovers Kano,Calabar Rovers,Sharks of Porthacourt,DIC Bees of Kaduna etc.
My Stars were in Spartans: Leo Nkwocha(Atila) Emma Ajunwa(Piccolo) Ben Akanu(Pele) Nicholas Ukadike(Thunder) Evans Ikwuwegbu(Mpoto) Sidney Ugorji,Cardinal Ugwuegbu(Dont Dirty), Jerry Chukwueke, Sylvester Oparanozie(Bahama)Ik Madukairo(Man Mountain) Emeliano Momokobo, Frank Njemanze,Ugo Harrison,Eugine Ohuabunwa,Kevin Uwana, Jonny Nwadioha, Goddy Ebomuche,Amadi Nwokocha,Goddy Agbarawke,Peter Erege,Kelechi Emetole(Caterpillar) Ben Nwosu(Zico)and others.
I recognize late Chim Chim Pepper,the Number One Fan of Spartans FC.
I am glad Owerri has developed and is developing into a Bigger City. Shops and Plazas every where now.
Then we had Chanrai Super Market at Okigwe road,where PDP office is located presently,GayGill Super Market, at Wethral road, Ghana Stores at Douglas(owned by the Chukwuezis) Amadi Gun Store, on School road(by Willy Amadi’s Family) Donna Summer and Tonnison Electronic Shops,Tims Printers.
We need a replica of SULLO,an Environmental Company Mbakwe brought that made Owerri sparkling clean.
Although Development and Science have made the City look more exciting,but much of her Historical artifacts are gone to give way to Civilization.
“There was nothing like Premiership here. Who has time for that! Our Clubs were Spartans,P&T Owerri,Ministry of Works FC,Elemats Ubomiri, Trojans, Owerri. Outside Owerri were Asabatex, Standard of Jos,Ewekoro Babes,Bendel Insurance, Flamingos of Benin, Leventis of Ibadan,IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan,Rangers International Enugu, Vasco Da gama of Enugu,Enyimba of Aba, PZ FC, Aba, Stationary Stores Lagos,Racca Rovers Kano,Calabar Rovers,Sharks of Porthacourt,DIC Bees of Kaduna etc.”
I still remember the Jonny Walker Clock at Ama Jk Round About which survived even the Biafran War.
And lest I forget. In our growing days we only knew of Assumpta Cathedral and Bishop Unegbu and Bishop Nwankiti at Egbu.
Things have really changed.But I still remember my Old Owerri Days and very Nostalgic indeed.
(NB: You can call or text on 08036695010 and update me more on Areas I forgot or missed. Man is not getting Younger,Bro/Sis)