Visiting my Grandma with my friend on the 1st January 2025
1st January 2025 was another visiting day, I and my friend embarked on a trip to Okobodi usen located in Ibiono LGA Akwa Ibom State Nigeria, a calm village settle close the river where my grandmother and other of my relatives base.
It had been a long time since my last visit on 17th December last year, and with the start of the new month and year I felt it was the perfect time to reconnect with her and embrace the peaceful atmosphere of the village again. in the the journey there was a mix of excitement as the familiar landscape began to unfold before my eyes.
The riverine area of Itu has always been special to me and other residents, the sound of flowing water the sight of the river stretching into the horizon and the breeze that sweeps across the village always bring that sense of calmness that is hard to find in the hustle and bustle of city life where I reside currently.
On my previous diary was the Joy of visiting my cousin and her baby, I was so thrill arriving to see her and her baby at my grandma's house, I guess we were all complete haha!!!. One habit I found and try emulating from my grandma is the habit of welcome visitors irrespective of your type, my grandmother greeted me and my friend with her usual warm embrace.
She wasn't just satisfied the hug and greetings she gave us what to freshen up and hydrate.
The quantity of food my grandma gave us really showed she prepared with excitement of having me around, hmmm see what I have been missing. Rice and stew was very plenty 😃, I call my grandma's food best because her food taste unique and palatable if to be compare. The unique stew flavor brought me back the memories of her delicious meals, I my friend ate, ate and we ate.
Few minutes after eating, we relaxed a bit since the day was sunny. It's been long I visit the river and and enjoying the peaceful breeze on a canoe, so I had in mind leaving home when the weather is conducive to the mini harbour down down my home.
But we hard to take some pictures with my grandma before leaving because coming back from the harbor on time wasn't really guaranteed.
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After spending some time with my grandma and sibling and I headed down to our river which is vital to our village’s way of life and income, the Okobodi Itu village economy and source of revenue is based on farming, fishing and timber exportation, as they are surrounded with forest alongside the rivers.
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As part of their survival farming is the backbone of the village with the fertile land irrigated by the river supporting crops such as maize, cassava, yams, groundnut and rice partially. A successful harvest is crucial for the community’s prosperity and most time this community do collaborate to celebrate festival with calabar. |
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another means of survival is Fishing, it is another key income source which God has bless them, the river do provid abundance of fishes for the fishermen. Early each morning, fishermen set out to catch fish which are sold in their local market and also preserved for future use. |
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here is another means of their income Timber, the timber exportation also contributes to their revenue as the surrounding forests provide valuable and quality hardwood which is harvested and sold to big cities for furniture, roofing and other craft like structures, This resource is managed sustainably benefiting the village economically. |
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There in the community, canoes are used to transport firewood and farmers to nearby markets This method allows the villagers to sell their goods and earn money providing income for families. The river also serves as a transport route making it easier for farmers to reach markets that would otherwise be inaccessible base on the that fact the environment is surrounded by water, by using canoes the community sustains its livelihood and connects with surrounding areas around them, I could mention Odu Itu, T-junction, Okuiboku and some communities surrounded. |
I really took time to touch most places I missed, I and my friend. Though something that could trauma me happened guess!!!!, At the process of snapping in the river my phone slip out my palms and sub merged the water. It was a mistake cause by my friend, what helps was that it fell around where the water dept was as compare to 20 to 25 inches dept. With immediate effect I rushed to find it out.
During that moment my phone started malfunctioning and it was night, already there was no nearby place that I would've rushed to for repairs. After i tried shaking out some water from the speaker and all the peripherals in my phone for one hour, I recovered someone features and begin my normals which is snapping more but this time with 100% care.
Few hours after, the sun was down and it was time to return back to my grandma. Guess what happened after returning, during those hours we spend at the harbor, grannie was busy gathering stuff to surprise me and my friend.
the air was filled with the delicious aromas of her cooking, she moves with care preparing a meal you’ve always loved while my uncle ever the supported by ordering palm wine, it's been long I take palmy. the warmth of family, the taste of tradition and the anticipation of shared stories make this moment feel like home.
After all the moment, it was later night a time to sleep and embark a different journey the next morning. Wow!!!!!, I ate, I chew, I ate and I drank.
Before I left today morning, I promised my grandmother that I will be visiting more often now than before. It’s easy to lose touch with the past but a visit to grandma at Okobodi Itu reminded me of the of family ties and the peace that comes with returning to my root.
As I made my way back I carried with me not just memories but sense of appreciation for the village and my grandmother.
Thank you friends for spending to read my diary, believe it was a nice experience.
thank you all for your time reading my post. ❤️🥰
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