A few months ago, Ekaette Udo traveled from El Cajon, California to Africa to visit her family in Nigeria and to visit Star Center Three in Owerri. Despite the challenges of undertaking a five-hour trip, via public transportation, to Owerri, Ekaette did it, and even went back for a second visit along with members of her own family. When she returned last month, she shared details of meeting the members of Center Three, including long-time students Nwabueze Adirije and Ikechucwu Ihemegbulam, in a class session at Star Center One in El Cajon. We all loved hearing about her trip and appreciate her efforts and the connection made with our fellow students in Africa. Here is what Ekaette had to say about her visit with Star Three, as she calls it:
Nwabueze Adirije & Ikechucwu Ihemegbulam
I had a great time visiting Star Three in Nigeria last summer. The first time I went there on a bus and it was a long ride, five hours. I was unable to locate the center right away on Orlu Rd. in Owerri since the sign had been taken down for repair. (The center is housed in a small office on the 2nd floor of a building on Orlu Rd.) When I called Ikechucwu on the phone telling him that I was on Orlu Rd. and unable to find the center, he told me he would be right over to where I was and I should stay put. As I was waiting in front of an electronic store, he came, we greeted, and he quickly notified Nwabueze. He told me we were going to the center right away, which I was really glad to hear; I wanted to see it.
It was really great to meet Nwabueze and Ikechucwu; it felt like reuniting with long-lost family.
Ekaette with Star Three members
As all of us sat in the center, I showed them the mail, a book, and video I brought from Star One. They were very joyful to see some members of Center One on the video. Both of them wanted to know what happened to Kevin, David, and Deci—why they were not in the video. I thought about it for a second and then I agreed, they’re not in there. Then I realized that Kevin was not in the video because he was filming. I was really impressed that they practically knew everybody at Star One. We shared a lot of great personal experiences about Uriel, Star One’s relationship with Star Three and how Nwabueze had tried numerous times to visit while Uriel was alive but couldn’t. Star Center Three is very small yet there is great energy. Nwabueze, who is called the Moderator by the other students, and Ikechucwu are peaceful, really sharp with their knowledge of the Unarius concepts.
It was time for me to depart Owerri to Calabar in the evening. They told me it was getting late and that I should stay. It really didn’t make sense to me that I should stay overnight since I didn’t plan on staying and I didn’t bring a change of clothing. I told them I’ll be fine and that it was only five in the evening and by ten o’clock I should be home or close to being home. Both of them escorted me to the bus station, put me on bus, and off I went. I didn’t get far due to extreme traffic, so by the time I got to where I was supposed to make my connection to Calabar, it was midnight. Most drivers didn’t go my way and some didn’t want to drive on the road at midnight; they told me is not safe. One driver was going my way only in the morning. He told me I could stay on the bus until morning and his driving would start around five a.m. So I stayed on the bus until five in the morning. While I was there, Ikechucwu was calling me all the time to check on me and I told him everything that had happened. His answer was, “Stayed tuned to the Light Brothers; they’re with you.”
Star Center Three
The second visit to Star Three was much smoother. I drove with three family members from AkwaIbom to Owerri on Sunday morning. We left very early in the morning to beat the traffic. When we arrived, the Moderator looked at my family that was with me and told me he believed it was not an accident that a few of my family came with me at this time. Star Three holds their classes on the second Sunday of every month, so we attended the class. Nwabueze told us about his experience with Unarius before becoming the moderator, about members that had made their transition, and current members, including two that were coming from very far away, but that day they were unable to make class.
They were very appreciative about Star One’s support and assistance. They’re planning, hopefully, next year to be able to tune into the Conclave (through the live stream) despite the time difference. They use a generator to get electricity, which is needed to make an Internet connection, and the generator cannot be run all the time.
Before we left they gave us lot of food, drink—seemed like we were having little party. The road was really bad driving home because we made a wrong turn on the way back and ended up on a very bad road, but we got home early and safely.
