Chief MacDonald Enwere.
In Igbo cosmology, ‘Dike’ are seen as valiant men, men of erectile extraordinaire created by Chukwu Okike Abiama with cyclical principles and cosmic forces of nature.
The spiritual, mythological, and philosophical aspects of Igbo belief system recognise the existence and reality of people specially created by God with embodiment of strength and courage. They are called Dike. The concept of Dike personality is indeed central in Igbo physico-spiritual existence and socio-metaphysical view. They are men of great value with aura of intuition, influence, bravery, and courage.
In the Igbo concept, Dike personality signifies a brave warrior or hero, embodying audacious strength, fearlessness, and martial prowess. It is a personality trait that extends to individuals who demonstrate exceptional bravery, especially in battle. The “Dike” personality is also associated with individuals who achieve greatness and power in any field,not limited to warfare, and can mean “powerful man.”
Before any person is referred to as ‘Dike’ in Igbo land, such a person must have performed an extraordinary feat to deserve the appellation.
In Igbo land, great warriors who had shown exceptional bravery at war are given the title like Dike-akola Mba, Dike Di n’mba, Dike sina Mba, Dike Eji Ejemba, etc. Just like Dike Madueke, a well-known Igbo warrior in 1700 from Ukpor Anambra state. He was reputed as the greatest warrior in the Ukpor land who led the people of Ukpor to many wars, perfecting a strategy that enabled his people to defeat their enemies all around. He galvanized and gallantly led his people to stiff resistance against the early European adventurers who came to Ukpor to subdue the people.
It was said that in the process of perfecting his war strategies, Dike Madueke erected in his family compound which still stands today, a twenty-feet tall multi-purpose pyramid tower that aided his people to thwart the plans of their enemies.The pyramid was considered the most valuable war artefact in the olden days.
The historical site is a living history for visitors as not many structures stay in tact for long, and it provides insight into how these people lived and fought. One cannot claim to have seen the ingenuity of the Igbo people during the early years without a visit to Dike’s tower at Ukpor town in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
There is no doubt that today, Sowere has fallen within the categories of Dike Madueke . His courage and brave disposition in resisting the brute and naked force of the government from stopping the planned peaceful demonstration for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from incarcerated detention remain celebratory. He rose like the Phoenix of the Greek mythology, mobilising Nigerians from different tribes for a street March for the release of MNK. He was threatened, intimidated, and brutally warned to back down on the planned protest. Rather than falling to the intimidation, he garnered more courage, calling all Nigerians to rise against the injustice. When they saw that he was unrelenting, the government mobilized more forces against him. That couldn’t deter him.
They used the court to stop him. Rather, he summoned more courage as Dike. On the day of the protest, armed forces from different formations were heavily mobilized against him. All the roads of Abuja were barricaded, and armed security personnel were deployed to all strategic locations only to stop him. He defiled the threat , intimidation, and naked forces and led the peaceful protest. Live bullets were shot, tear gas cannister released on the protesters , he courageously defiled all and faced the challenge headon with exceptional valour, strength, and martial prowess. That is the real igbo personality of DIKE.
Sowere demonstrated exceptional bravery, fearlessness, audacious strength, warrior-like spirit, and intrepid courage signposting the Igbo personality of Dike .
The government should see reason to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Chief MacDonald Enwere (Alirielemba) writes from Owerri.
