Recently updated on August 30th, 2022 at 12:34 am
The PositiveNaija Interviews (What Is And Why Your Name?): Episode 3 – Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam) and Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo is a series of interviews with the human race including Nigerians and Africans on recognising and understanding the meaning, purpose, importance/value, impact and story of their names.
This series, conceived and conducted by Toju Micheal Ogbe is dedicated to the lives of every human being with the hope that more understanding is provided on the subject of our names, which are the words everyone of us hears the most through our lifetime containing unique identity features.
Special thanks to people who have shared their stories and unique insights with us as well as with the world.
“A good name exceeds the value of fine perfume, and the day of someone’s death exceeds the value of the day of his birth.”
– Ecclesiastes 7:1
Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam) shares her story, experiences, thoughts and insights on the meaning and value of her name with PositiveNaija on July 6, 2022
PositiveNaija: Please, what is your name in full?
Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam): Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam)
PositiveNaija: What is your nationality and city you are from?
Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam): Nigerian (Enugu)
PositiveNaija: What decade were you born?
Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam): 1990s
PositiveNaija: Who named you your name(s)?
Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam): Reverend father, Mum and Dad.
PositiveNaija: What is the translation or meaning of your traditional name(s) in English?
Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam): Sandra means “helper of humanity”. Nzoputa means “saviour” and Nkemakonam means “I shall not lack my own”.
PositiveNaija: Why were you named your name(s) – the reason or story?
Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam): I was given lots of names, but the one I put is my official names. The reason I was named Nkemakonam by a Reverend father was because of the reasons surrounding my birth. My mum was suffering from breast cancer before she gave birth to me, she narrowing escaped death during labour. As soon as I was delivered off, the missionaries then took her away, I was left in the hand of a matron under the supervision of the missionaries. I wasn’t opportuned to taste my mother’s breast milk. I was raised with thick pap and hot water as there was no means of either breast milk or other milks. I later saw my mother after two years. I couldn’t suck the breast because I was all grown up. My growing up and surviving was miraculous. The day I was baptized, the Reverend baptized me with Sandra while my mum kept on calling me Nkemakonam. My father calls me Ukamaka meaning “Church is good”.
PositiveNaija: Did you give yourself a name – officially or unofficially? If yes, why and what does it mean?
Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam): I added Iretioluwa meaning “hope of God” in Yoruba language. It was in a bid to fulfill the promise I made to an elderly woman who accommodated me when I was thrown out in Lagos State. She picked me up, fed and accommodated me like her biological child. She gave me the name I promise to bear the name all through.
PositiveNaija: Culturally and/or spiritually, do you see or perceive a significance or impact of your name based on the result of your life so far?
Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam): Yes. The Sandra and Nzoputa affect me mostly. I am always always a helper. I can give my ‘last card’ just to make others happy. I can go any length to help someone but the sad story is that I hardly get help when I need.
PositiveNaija: Do you think your name has an impact on the lives of people or anyone who calls your name and why?
Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam): Yes. As far as help is concerned, anyone that seek help from me will surely get.
PositiveNaija: What do you want your name to be remembered for?
Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam): I always wish my name will be a positive tool to my only child in terms of getting whom to sort him out when I am no more.
PositiveNaija: Any other insights or experiences you might want to share on the subject/importance of names?
Aninwaeze Sandra Nzoputa (Nkemakonam): Nzoputa means a lot and it comes with a strong force.
Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo shares his story, experiences, thoughts and insights on the meaning and value of his name with PositiveNaija on July 12, 2022
PositiveNaija: Please, what is your name in full?
Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo: Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo
PositiveNaija: What is your nationality and city you are from?
Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo: Nigeria (Ijebu)
PositiveNaija: What decade were you born?
Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo: 2000s
PositiveNaija: Who named you your name(s)?
Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo: My parents and grandma.
PositiveNaija: What is the translation or meaning of your traditional name(s) in English?
Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo: Busuyi means “Add to my worth”
PositiveNaija: Why were you named your name(s) – the reason or story?
Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo: I was reportedly born on a Sunday with little or no stress at all with my mother in child birth. She walked to the hospital herself and I came out in no time. That was really special with my birth.
PositiveNaija: Did you give yourself a name – officially or unofficially? If yes, why and what does it mean?
Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo: Yes. “Overcomer” and it means someone who is always ahead. I gave myself this name because I believe I was born a leader.
PositiveNaija: Culturally and/or spiritually, do you see or perceive a significance or impact of your name based on the result of your life so far?
Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo: Yes, my name Emmanuel has reflected in my life in many ways. When I pray, God answers. It’s just as if he is always around me. I feel him every time.
PositiveNaija: Do you think your name has an impact on the lives of people or anyone who calls your name and why?
Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo: Yes my name has an impact on people around me. Whenever I am around people, good things abound.
PositiveNaija: What do you want your name to be remembered for?
Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo: I want my name to be remembered for a man who defied the world system and lived uprightly.
PositiveNaija: Any other insights or experiences you might want to share on the subject/importance of names?
Adebajo Emmanuel Busuyi Ayomipo: Names are significant and highly symbolic. They carry both spiritual and physical worth and relevance.
Research Credits
*Conceived, conducted, written/edited and poster designed by: Toju Micheal Ogbe.
*Inspired by: The PositiveNaija Interview Series (Advice of Nigerian Mothers) and Joshua Selman message (Redefining Inheritance)
*Last updated on July 12, 2022.
*The Interview Series is open for donation, sponsorship, collaboration or partnership.
*If you enjoyed these stories or have more questions/observations, please comment on this post below or message us on WhatsApp. Thank you.
Get Featured
If you would like to be featured on this series irrespective of your nationality, kindly send in your photograph and your submission according to the interview format above to our WhatsApp number on +2349064503292. Thank you.
