THE IGBO

All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in the South-East yesterday ordered to governors in the zone nursing the ambition to join the ruling party to do so now or forget it.

Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha said at the South East APC leaders meeting held in Enugu that the party would no longer tolerate continued prevarication by some governors from the zone who had indicated interest in joining the party.


Okorocha last week revealed that three governors in the region had approached him to join the APC, but he did not disclose the identities of the governors nor their party.

Giving reasons for asking the governors to join APC now, Okorocha explained that‎ the APC in the four states of the region not occupied by the party cannot wait for these governors again as they have to fill up party positions towards taking over the states.

Okorocha regretted that Igbo did not play the right politics in 2015, which led to the systematic marginalisation of the region in the formation of the government at the centre.

He expressed optimism that with the entrance of political heavyweights in the region into APC, they would now take over the zone, saying that if former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo and former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani were in APC, Enugu State would have since been in their kitty.

Okorocha said that the South-East must join in the singing of the new song of change like its counterparts in the South-West and the North who are now reaping the benefits of their support to the party, saying that the Igbo got only the labour and science and technology ministries because the South-East‎ did not do what they were supposed to do.

“We had nobody with us, we were rejected by all and called Boko Haram, but we were determined to get what is due to our people,” he said.

Explaining why he appointed Senator Ken Nnamani the leader of APC in the South-East at their Owerri meeting, the Imo governor said that he had earlier told Dr Ogbonnaya Onu not to accept ministerial appointment for him to remain at the leadership of the party.

He insisted that they needed a strong voice in the region that the other people would rally round to build the party.

Earlier in his welcome address, the APC National Vice Chairman, South-East, Hon Emma Eneukwu said the party would use the forthcoming Anambra governorship election as a litmus test of their strength in the region, saying that “our journey of taking over the South-East Government Houses must start from Anambra State.”

Eneukwu noted that the Enugu meeting afforded both the new and old members of the party the opportunity of sitting together for the first time to discuss party matters of mutual interest in the zone.

“It affords us the opportunity of collectively saying welcome on board to the ruling party to our distinguished political heavyweights who have now joined forces with us to enthrone government of change in the South-East,” he said.

Some of the party leaders from the zone who attended the meeting are former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo; former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani‎; Science and Technology Minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; Labour Minister, Dr Chris Ngige; Imo Deputy Governor, Chief Eze Madumere; Senators Ifeanyi Ararume, Osita Izunazo, Uche Ekwunuife, Nkechi Nwaogu, Emma Anosike; and Chief George Moghalu.

Others are former Abia Deputy Governor, Chief Chris Akomas; Chief Ezekiel Izuogu; Chief Gbazueagu Nweke Gbazueagu; Chief Agunwa Anakwe; Enugu APC Chairman, Dr Ben Nwoye; former APC guber candidate in Enugu, Chief Okey Ezea; for Enugu House of Assembly Speaker, Chief Eugene Odoh, among others.

This particular delicacy stands out among other Nigerian foods, it is made at home and also in most Nigerian restaurants. "Nkwobi"
as addressed by THE IGBOS is often made and eaten in the evening in most popular Nigerian bars and restaurant.

Nkwobi is a classic and very popular delicacy originating from the South-Eastern region in Nigeria. Made with cowleg cooked and smothered in thick sauce, it is one of the many culinary delights to be derived from THE IGBOS origin.

It is more of an appetizer. Nkwobi has become a favourite part of the menu when eating out in “traditional” restaurants both home and beyond.

I love Nkwobi and it brings back memories of some bar movement.. LOL. The only thing I don't love about bar's nkwobi is the native plate it is usually served in...those people na wayo; you think there's a lot on the plate but you quickly realise you got it all wrong!

Now I don't have to go to bar to have my beloved Nkwobi because I can make it myself and eat as much as I want!



  INGREDIENTS

• 1kg cow foot (cut into bite-able sizes)
• 100ml Palm Oil
• 1 teaspoon grounded Calabash Nutmeg (Ehu /ehuru seeds)
• 1 teaspoon grounded edible potash (Akanwu/Kaun)
• 2 tablespoons ground crayfish
• Grounded Scotch bonnet/atarado peppers or grounded dried pepper (to taste)
• 1 medium onion for cooking the cow foot
• 2 stock cubes
• Salt to taste
• 1 medium onion bulb (cut into rings)
• 5 Utazi leaves (you can make use of spinach or washed bitter leaf as an alternative)

COOKING DIRECTIONS

1. If you haven't done this already, de-hoof (remove the hoof) the cow foot, cut the meat into bite size chunks, and wash thoroughly.
2. Place the cow foot pieces into a pot, pour in a little water, just enough to cook the meat. Add chopped onions, stock cubes and any meat spice of choice, and leave to cook until done.
3. While the meat is cooking, pound the potash into powder and add a little water in it to dissolve it. Stir continuously,strain it with a sieve, and set the potash liquid aside for later use.
4. If you'll rather make use of the meat stock, then mix the powdered potash with a little of the stock left after cooking the meat.
5. Pour the red palm oil into a clean pot , and add the potash liquid into the oil .Stir the mixture continuously until the red palm oil begins to thicken and changes from red to yellow.
6. Now add the ground pepper, ground crayfish , ground ehuru and a little stock cube. Stir all this ingredients into the oil .
7. Next, add the cooked cow foot into the palm oil mixture and mix thoroughly , until you get all the meat covered in the oil.
8. Place the pot on heat and simmer . Stir continuously to prevent burning and put of the heat , when the meat is well heated. You'll notice the palm oil gravy, bubbling in the pot.
9. Now transfer the meat into a plate or the small traditional wooden mortar... if you don't have the mortar,you can make use of brown ceramic bowls to get the traditional effect.
10. And finally, garnish with the sliced onion rings and thinly sliced Utazi or spinach leaves

NOTE: To have this meal ready in 15 minutes, you can cook the cow foot ahead of time.



Nkwobi is usually served with Palm wine, but in the absence of that, a chilled drink would do just fine.

ENJOY THIS SEASON WITH NWOKOBI


IGBO KWENU !!!