Names are current channels for communicating cultural creeds, expressing intimate identity, and promoting linguistic legacy. Names reflect extensive experiences, reflective religiosity, social sophistication, and tributes to traditional tenets. Names encapsulate the philosophy of a people.
When uncommon names pop up in most scandals, we hardly reflect on the significance; instead, we use them to generate new meanings. “Casanova” has become a man who dates many ladies, a playboy… not to be confused with “gigolo” (a male prostitute). The name came from Giovanni Giacomo Casanova, a Venetian writer. “Casa nova” is Italian for “new house.”
Ned and Regina popped up in a trending scandal. Nollywood wasted no time in using it to fly a 2023 flick: “Ned My Love” (featuring popular Edo State comedian Charles Inojie and charming Imo State rising sun, Sunshine Roseman). It is not a Romeo-Juliet story; it is a May-to-December, trophy-wife marriage made of money.
As made-up twists and coverup versions enter and exit social media, a priest used the sad saga in his last Sunday sermon. Some pastors now speak for hours without mentioning Jesus, let alone quote a Bible verse. Trending sociopolitical stories dominate. The chronicle of Ned and Regina is the latest.
Nollywood Regina Daniels has been in the public domain. The name holds little mysteries: She is a “queen.” She said so. “Ned” is another story. Though a standalone name, it is a diminutive form of Edward (“wealthy guardian”), as Bill is a shortening of William, and Dick is a short form of Richard.
Abuja’s Prince Chinedu Munir Nwoko, popularly known as Ned Nwoko, is a serving senator, a proud polygamist, and a jolly jetsetter. From where did “Ned” come?
Enter village people: A “cousin” told us that Ned Nwoko is the son of Nwoko. We know, ‘nwa Oko’ is “child of Oko”; “Nw”–as “W” in Wike—is from “nwa.”
Such affixes show in many names, either as prefixes or suffixes: arap (Kalenjin, Kenya), esco (Italian), escu (Romanian), ić (Slavic), mac/mc (Celt), omo (Yoruba), sen (Danish), son (English, Swedish), yar (Fulfulde), etc.
The cousin confirmed that “Ned” is funkified ChiNEDu. Duh: It was unhidden in plain sight! A style is set. Chiedu, Edu, or Nedu is out; “Ned”—as with “Chuks”—does not take the cake nor get anyone’s goat! “Chinedu” is a popular, great Igbo name from “Chi na-edu” (The life force leads). It is a parent’s prayer point that the Almighty will guard and guide a son to fulfill his destiny.
“A chọwa mmà ụsọekwu n’ụtụtụ, a gbaa ama ihe e riri n’abalị.” (Looking for the kitchen knife in the morning reveals the menu of last night’s dinner.) Basically, we should keep certain discussions out of public domain. When folks display their laundry in public, then we must milk the lessons.
Our purpose in life is a deep mystery. Blessed are those who find their purpose, pursue it, and finish it. That is a life well-lived. Everything else is embellishment.
@OkaaMoe
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
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