The PositiveNaija Interviews (What Is And Why Your Name?): Episode 6 – Okporie Emmanuel Kalu and Joshua Oshoze Idogho 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.
“If you don’t know who you are, anyone can name you. If anyone can name you, you will answer to anything.”
– African Proverb
Okporie Emmanuel Kalu shares his story, experiences, thoughts and insights on the meaning and value of his name with PositiveNaija on July 13, 2022
PositiveNaija: Please, what is your name in full?
Okporie Emmanuel Kalu: Okporie Emmanuel Kalu
PositiveNaija: What is your nationality and city you are from?
Okporie Emmanuel Kalu: Nigerian (Afikpo)
PositiveNaija: What decade were you born?
Okporie Emmanuel Kalu: 1970s
PositiveNaija: Who named you your name(s)?
Okporie Emmanuel Kalu: My dad.
PositiveNaija: What is the translation or meaning of your traditional name(s) in English?
Okporie Emmanuel Kalu: Okporie means “Strong male, son of the land”. Emmanuel means “God is with us”.
PositiveNaija: Why were you named your name(s) – the reason or story?
Okporie Emmanuel Kalu: Okporie – in our place, we name through friendship especially one of great impact or help received. Also, in our place, we give names based on what day you were born.
So, I was named by my dad in honor of his friend (Okporie) who helped him a lot. Orie – second day (of market day).
PositiveNaija: Did you give yourself a name – officially or unofficially? If yes, why and what does it mean?
Okporie Emmanuel Kalu: Yes – Emmanuel and I chose it when I was about to be baptised in the year 2000.
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?
Okporie Emmanuel Kalu: Yes because number one, right from the day I was baptised/born again with the name Emmanuel, things have really turned around positively and favorably as God honors His word and seeing me through.
I just get favor unexpectedly, not that I am the most holy or righteous nor the only person bearing the name but I strongly believe indeed that God is with me and forsakes not His word in my life. In a nutshell, God is ever faithful.
PositiveNaija: Do you think your name has an impact on the lives of people or anyone who calls your name and why?
Okporie Emmanuel Kalu: Yes, it has an impact. For instance, when I was ‘in the world’, the name I was called was Uncle Chelsea because of my love for the Chelsea team and when people need something, they usually referred to me using the name Uncle Chelsea. However, I do not think it affected anybody and moreover, I do not want to bear it anymore as I was not gaining anything from it. It was given to me by little children and it is interesting because a lot of people did not know my real names anymore (Emmanuel / Okporie) – just Uncle Chelsea.
Regarding the name Emmanuel, for me I cannot say it has any impact on their lives because they (people who are around me) know themselves better.
PositiveNaija: What do you want your name to be remembered for?
Okporie Emmanuel Kalu: I want it to be remembered for good.
PositiveNaija: Any other insights or experiences you might want to share on the subject/importance of names?
Okporie Emmanuel Kalu: Some people should know the kind of names they give themselves or carry about. Remember Jabez, when he knew his, he asked God to change it.
Joshua Oshoze Idogho shares his story, experiences, thoughts and insights on the meaning and value of his name with PositiveNaija on september 6, 2022
PositiveNaija: Please, what is your name in full?
Joshua Oshoze Idogho: Joshua Oshoze Idogho
PositiveNaija: What is your nationality and city you are from?
Joshua Oshoze Idogho: Nigerian (Ivioghe)
PositiveNaija: What decade were you born?
Joshua Oshoze Idogho: 2000s
PositiveNaija: Who named you your name(s)?
Joshua Oshoze Idogho: I was named my native name Oshoze by my Dad.
PositiveNaija: What is the translation or meaning of your traditional name(s) in English?
Joshua Oshoze Idogho: Oshoze means “God caused it”, more like God allowed it.
PositiveNaija: Why were you named your name(s) – the reason or story?
Joshua Oshoze Idogho: Well, I was literally born when my Dad was in his old age more like Jacob-Joseph story been born at old age. The whole circumstances made my Dad call me Oshoze, ‘God caused it’.
PositiveNaija: Did you give yourself a name – officially or unofficially? If yes, why and what does it mean?
Joshua Oshoze Idogho: Yes, I chose Joshua to be my official English name.
At the time when I left home to stay with my sister, I only had my native name and I needed to start school with an English name. Due to this, my sister’s husband named me Abraham. When my day heard of it he didn’t approve of it saying he didn’t name me that. On a festive season when I returned home my Dad called me one day, brought out a magazine with rolled papers inside and said “This papers contain different names, Abraham is also included so pick the name God wants you to bear”. So I went ahead and picked one paper when I opened it, he asked to see it and helped me pronounce it Joshua, which means GOD’S SALVATION. This is why I bear Joshua now and I sometimes say I named myself. (laughs)
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?
Joshua Oshoze Idogho: Yes very well and in many ways.
Being called Joshua, being a leader in the Bible has reflected in my name. Joshua shows authority, shows leadership. I have always been opportuned to be at the helm of affairs in wherever I find myself.
PositiveNaija: Do you think your name has an impact on the lives of people or anyone who calls your name and why?
Joshua Oshoze Idogho: Yes. Joshua means “God’s salvation”; those whom I’ve come across or have been opportuned to lead has had a feel of God’s goodness.
PositiveNaija: What do you want your name to be remembered for?
Joshua Oshoze Idogho: Two of the things you will remember Joshua in the Bible for is; the falling of the walls of Jericho and a man of Valor who held the Sun still for two days. Likewise I want to be remembered for my great impact on humanity through service in leadership, innovative ideas, tech etc.
PositiveNaija: Any other insights or experiences you might want to share on the subject/importance of names?
Joshua Oshoze Idogho: Not really but then, it’s good for the readers out there to know that names are very significant in a child’s life. Don’t just give names. Name your child a name with history. Look around; the circumstances will give you a name. It’s not how fancy the name is, it’s how meaningful it is and how impactful it will be to that child. Names come to life.
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 September 6, 2022.
*The Interview Series is open for/to suggestion, 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.
