In the Igbo culture, a name does not just identify an individual. It can be the sum total of the hope and aspiration of a family, a community and in some cases a whole generation. Those that pay attention to their names or the names they give to their children indirectly embrace, define or shape their destiny. Seeing ones self in the light of your name can place on you a huge demand, responsibility to mankind and God your maker. The best way I can exemplify this is to share with you what my name means to me.
My Name is Izuchukwu Elochukwu, Nwabuonu, Asiegbunam. Izuchukwu is synonymous to Elochukwu. It means God's Counsel. Nwabu onu means ''This child is my joy'' or ''Child is Joy''.
My last name is Asiegbunam which means ''May I not be killed by hatred'' The implied meaning is God's promised to his people in Isaiah 54:17 ''No weapon forged against me will prevail''.
In early child hood I fell victim to the Nigerian civil war and subsequently the devastating effect of hunger that was used as a weapon of war against the Igbo nation. Whereas a lot of my contemporaries did not survive the toll of the war, by God's divine counsel ''Izuchukwu'', I triumphed against all odds. Even though the strategy and weapons of war fashioned against my helpless and hapless generation was ruthless and sophisticated, the promise of Isaiah 54:7 ''Asiegbunam'' prevailed. As I look through the path I have walked in life I can confidently say that living in the consciousness of who I am as defined by my name has carried me though the seemingly impossible hurdles of life.
My prayer is that you embrace the prayers and aspiration that are packaged in these Igbo names. May the bearer of the names rise up and embrace their destinies and engrave their names in the sand of times.