.Dr. Peter Odili, And The Ijaw Question

The threat being issued by the so called Niger Delta Coastal Guerrilla’s agains...Read the full article.

[Abraxas]

Hi, Mr. Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu!

For a start, and for your enlightenment, it was because of over 400 years of sustained slave trading activities, in which Bonny Island (whose indigenous name, incidentally, is Okoloba, NOT Umu Ubani, as you fallaciously imagine in your morbidly chauvinistic universe) played a leading role as a major slave trading and export zone, and not because of your so-called “massive intermarriage between Ijaws and Igbos” that gave rise to the language “IBANI”, a deliberately corrupted (if not comic) version of an adapted lingua franca among the remnants of stranded Igbo slaves in Bonny Island, post-slave trade abolition era.

The aborigines of Bonny DELIBERATELY deprived their slaves and slave guests (who were in transit from Igbo land in the hinterland, to the Americas and the Caribbean Islands) from speaking the indigenous Ijaw-based language of Bonny. In simple Queen’s English, the slave masters of ancient Bonny kept their language to themselves, and only communicated with their slaves (from Igbo land) in a truly laughable variant of a “cocktail of tongues”, more or less, a kind of “broken” language that was an amalgam of Igbo and the host language. The idea was to keep their (Igbo) slaves permanently quarantined from their language, for reasons of security, and ease of identification (between slave and slave owner!)

If, in the USA, for example, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana happen to have large Black populations, would it not sound absolutely cock-eyed for one to stand on a soap box and repeatedly yell out all manner of profanities that those states were originally the land of “NdiBlack”: i.e. Africans? Would it not sound foolish to insist that because, as per the narrative in the historical fiction "Roots", one Kunta Kinte (a slave of Gambian origin) led a slave revolt, and raised several generations of Black Americans of substance in Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and beyond, therefore Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee are Gambian colonies, based on "research"?

Finally, you may not realise it, but your palpably Igbocentric fixation and intransigent cultural chauvinism in cyberspace seem not to allow you appreciate the inanity in referring to others as “Ndi-Edo, Ndi-Yoruba, Ndi-Efik, Ndijaw, Ndi-Urhobo, Ndisoko, Ndi-Annang, Ndibibio, and Ndi-Itshekiri”. I hope you see the light.

Muchas gracias.



Don Juan Carlos ABRAXAS (III)

Abraxas has said it all.
Mazi Lawrence You are blowing hot and cold at the same time. You are talking of 'the ijaws facing the wrath of the entire igbo nation should the igbos be attacked in Rivers state', in Rivers' state we are not even thinking of killing a fly that flew in from Mbiase, but if MASSOB is thinking of exporting their violence from Onitsha to Rivers' state and they expect siddon look, I think it will not be accepted by the Rivers people.

Before the '"Delta-igbos" were called Bini people& fake igbos by the other igbos. They began to refer to themselves as IKa, Aniocha, Anioma etc, now Nigeria is hoping to lift Oil from their land the igbos are begining to hold lectures, confrences, and workshops to reorientate the Ikas and co of their igbo lineage (all because you hope to take their places).

As for Oyigbo, Porthacourt and the rest, since you guys were under the british crown why are you people still Ndi-igbo, and not Ndi-ocha, or Ndi-Britain, since your are using old colonial sectional divisons to claim areas as Igboland ?

[denker]

Chinedu, big thanks, you have again proved that you're a true son of the soil...we'll always protect our people...!

[Tony]

@Abraxas, LET ME WARN YOU, and this would be for the last time,if you are not enlightened enough to engage in enlightened debate please stay of people's articles.
You are the one who in your inherited Igbophobia is demonstrating unnecesary ethnic hatred with a people who are your neighbours because of unnecesary and unfounded fear. The ethnic mix in Bonny and Opobo was highlighted to encourage love, integration, and co,operation, which will in the long run be mutually beneficial to both parties.

The history of both Bonny and Opobo,and the inter-ethnic marriages is not a secret, i have friends who are from Bonny and Opobo and they hacve attested to this facts.

But in your monkey mentality you concentrated on making derogatory statements about the (Igbo slaves) as if Ijaws were not enslaved during the slave era.

YOU HAVE CONVENIENTLY FORGOTTEN, THAT KING JAJA AN IGBO SLAVE BECAME YOUR KING IN OPOBO.

The slave syndrome is still visible with the Ijaws even today, most of them bear yeye english surnames like " CLARK. WEST, DOUGLAS etc" their traditional hat unlike other Nigerians is the english bowler hat, this goes to show that Ijaws were both slaves and evil slave traders more than other Nigerians,and you are shameless enough to even talk about slavery.

You are one of those divide and rule chairmen who parade this forum claiming that Ikwerre's are not Igbo, now that it does not suit your Ijaw purpose, your people have suddenly remembered that Odili is Igbo.Where it to be Chibuike Amaechi you would still have remembered he is Igbo. HYPOCRITES!

With this ethnic division introduced into the South-south presidency, let us wait and see how they can win the presidency. Maybe Clark and co. wants to field an Ijaw candidate heeee, hahahaha, hohohoho!

[Tony]

Come to think of it, Ndigbo should even be happy that the Ijaw have introduced ethnicity into south-south politics,at least those foolish Igbos who use to deny their identity will now learn their lesson. As for the Ijaw and south-south politics, Ndigbo should just siddon look and watch them fail. Ijaws and most of the ethnic groups thar make up the south-south are minorities, there is no way they can succeed in getting the presidency without internal unity, and without carrying other major ethnic groups along, it is absolutely impossible, Governor Lucky Igbinedion of Edo state has already started campaigning against south-south presidency.

Hence the Ijaw and co. could not see the wisdom in working together with other south-south ethnic groups to get the presidency, they will fail and return to where they have always been. Minorities period!

Warning! Ndigbo are not Itshekiri's, Ndigbo have already tolerated enough insult from the Ijaws. If the Ijaws ever try to harass any Rivers state Igbo, the whole Igoland will descend on them,and they will live to regret it!

@Abraxas you are living in Latin America, Rio de Janeiro,but you are sowing the seeds of hatred in the South of Nigeria. Why dont you go back to the creeks and swamps to preach the hatred? Ewu. Listen brother Ndigbo know the ethnic groups they have to contend with in Nigeria, definitely not the Ijaw who are just our little cousins in our backyard. It was the civil war that gave the opportunistic property robbing Ijaw voice. If not for the civil war you Ijaws would have been consigned to were you always were in the creeks.Not to worry, those who hope and pray that Ndigbo will continue to remain down are waisting their time, for time and change cannot be held back,when Ndigbo does rise again,the Ijaw will have to return to the creeks, mark my words!

[AfricaWest1]

Abraxas and Toku .A

I can assure you that Ndi-Igbo I know are not your problem and their legitimate aspiration to become the next Nigerian President should not cause the excitment I detect from your posts. They neither seek domination nor colonialisation of the Ijaws or any other African nationality.

I think you guys should spend more of your energies seeking common grounds between the peoples of Southern Nigerian rather than celebrating hate and distrust. If Lawrence is wrong in his Igbo-Ijaw analysis (and I am not saying he is), all you need do is correct him in a civil manner.

I believe the African has the capacity to rise above his station as an uncivilised savage and settle disputes without the level of irrational emotionalism that seems to continue here. And, if the African is to be taken seriously, s/he must show maturity of thought and approach to issues - the African needs to grow up.

So my brothers/sisters, it is not about what the Igbo said or didn't say, or what the Yoruba did or didn't do, or what the Ijaw is capable of doing or isn't capable of doing. The issues at stake go far beyond this sort of pettiness. Lets start by defining what is fair and develop a collective conscience to guide us.

For I believe, the Black African is human and possesses a soul capable of guidance by conscience. I know the Nigerian state has debased what was noble and excellent about African values and institutions, but I am sure the Black African is capable of demonstrating conscience and resolving issues according conscience. And, yes even on a collective basis.

Thanks!

AfricaWest1,

I believe no one at the moment is trashing Mazi. Lawrence; however the truth has to be said irrespective of how bitter it is . Mazi. Lawrence can not simply lampoon the Niger Delta and the Ijaws in particular and expect a round of applause from us. He made a lot of irresponsible statements concerning the ijaws and I expect that being the "pan-Africanist" your name suggests you should be civil enough to correct him on his threats to the Rivers people, who of course are Niger Deltans with an Ijaw majority. As for the "Igbo said this the Yoruba said this, and the South needs to work together to stop Northern lordship (as you say)", the Niger Delta will only learn to work with other geo-political zones when there are signs of changes in the mind sets of the majority tribes, and for the Igbos and Yorubas alike, with the Ojukwu led massacre of the Niger Deltans especially the Rivers people, The Awolowo's withdrawal of our rights of ownership of our petroleum resources, The Obasanjo led seizing of our lands in the 70s, his recent armed desecration of our lands in Odi, Obakiri, Tombia, Warri etc, his leaving the Bakassi people at the mercy of the dogs, and his anti corruption war that only starts and ends in the Niger Delta, does any right discerning human being need to be lectured on why the Niger Deltans have any reservations on a common southern front? Please spare us the honey coated offerings of black/African unity in Southern Nigeria. The Germans accepted their errors with regards to the Nazi govt's actions and they have begun to enjoy some form of trust from their Jewish counterparts. The Igbos and Yorubas alike can not continue to smack the Niger Deltans in the face, deprive them of their rights, encourage the North to increase our burdens at any slightest oppurtunity, and expect the Niger Deltans to be talking a common language of 'Southern interests', no be so my brother.

[Tony]

@TOKU A. I can now see that you have been blinded by your fear of the majorities as you called them. Here you are talking about Niger-Delta, Niger-Delta, is it not the same Niger-Delta where the Ijaw have suddenly realised that Odili is an Igboman? if the Niger-Delta is divided how can you hope to succeed in Nigeria? As far as i am concerned the Ijaws are the problem in the Niger-Delta period.

You have recounted how your people were massacred in Odi, Odioma etc,where was your beloved Clark when the massacres were taking place?
Your resources that you claimed was taken away by Awolowo is total hogwash, it was your beloved Clark that conspired to kill Aburi arrangement that would have given you 50% of your resources, so dont blame Awolowo . Clark sold his birthright for a pot of porridge,and the consequences are here for all to see, as the chickens are coming back home to roost.

The only legacy that Clark has, is the engineering of the abandoned property robbery, killing aburi arrangement, and preaching hatred in the East.

As for Ndigbo, Toku A. i feel so sorry for you your fear has paralysed you,you no longer see or hear the truth. I will advice you to be reading Nigerian newspapers, the only people who have continued to support the Ijaw 100% is Ndigbo. As i said earlier only Ndigbo supported the south-south 100% in the "NATIONAL POLITICAL REFORMS CONFERENCE" on the resource control issue. Go and check your records. The Northern state governors, and some Western state governors went to court to challenge even the 13% meagre derivation accruing to the Niger-Delta states, only Ndigbo stayed away from such action.
Ndigbo are doing all this, inspite of what the Ijaw did to them at the end of the civil war, yet you guys are not satisfied, and there is no sign of appreciation.

Instead your people have started ethnic politics in the Niger-Delta, but this time around it will fail.Ijaws should mind their territory,they must not encroach on the territory of the Rivers Igbo, if they venture it, they would know that "when you kill a madman, his relatives will appear" this is a warning!

[Abraxas]

Hi, Mr. Tony!

Don't be silly, my friend. All you seem to do in cyberspace is to repeatedly recycle and regurgitate clichés and worn-out xenophobic stereotypes of Ijaws, the very victims of misplaced Igbocentric aggression, post-Biafra.

With your very conniving and paternalistic posturing towards the people of the Niger Delta region generally, and Ijaws in particular, as clearly displayed on this thread, it does not require a genius in quantum electrodynamics to show how and why the Biafran dream collapsed some 36 years ago!

Charity must begin at home. For example, handle the on-going insanity in Anambra State or resolve the apparently intractable question of “unity” in Ohanaeze first, before hallucinating recklessly about controlling the affairs of other people.

Muchas gracias.



Don Juan Carlos ABRAXAS (III)

[Tony]

@Abraxas, Obi has said it all,in the other write up on the Ijaw question. There is no need celebrating Biafra's demise, because apart from the abandoned property your lazy kith and kin stole, there is nothing in Nigeria for you,and Ijaws definitely dont fare better than Ndigbo even in your beloved Nigeria.

Those who actually became victims of the federal government after the demise of your fearful Biafra are Ijaws. The Ijaw areas are militarised,and Ijaws are routinely massacred in their own land, ODI,ODIOMA etc.

When the oil runs dry,and i am praying that happens soon,i will see how lazy noisemakers like you will survive in your creeks and swamps.

I am sure you know Ndigbo does not contend with the Ijaw in Nigeria, far from it, Ndigbo are just playing a big brotherly role. However based on several analyses by Obi and other Igbo analysts, Igbo politics vis-avis the Ijaw will soon change.From now on expect to see a muscular approach to the Ijaw question by Ndigbo, if you know what that means.

We have noted that the Ijaws respect those who massacre them,and insult those who sympathise with them. That is why they continue to insult Ndigbo,but all that will soon change.

By the way what are you doing in Rio de janeiro? Ewu latin America!

[Auspicious]

Gosh..it's heart rendering, if not sickening, I swear, to read people on
both sides - citizens of the same countries - communities a few hours
apart..educated people..throw ethnic slurs at each other like these.
We are so full of hate at each other in Nigeria. Little wonder why we
are where we are after 36years of independence. Yab the guy but
never take on his race or ethnicity. It is sick..so sick to do that. My
heart aches with terrible 'pain' to read some of the invectives hurled
at whole races here by suposedly 'educated' or 'enlightened' members
of the Nigeria Village Square. Nigeria o, Biafra o, Ooodua o..even if we
all split with that same mentality of reducing whole communities to
relentless invectives, we will never amount to much. That's no curse;
it's a fact. A people divided have little chance of success collectively.
Let all who have never debased another ethnicity be very proud of
themselves. Let those who have labelled or collectively maligned other
tribes cover their faces in shame. You don't have to carry a gun to kill
a man froma different tribe to be like those Tutsis/Hutus in Rwanda;
forget your education or command of English or anything; you are
just as terrible as any Janjaweed out there. This addresses all those
who fit this picture. Look inwards and change. Nigeria needs some
vigorous campaign against ethnicist sentiments..it's really bad. Some
comments here make me want to puke!

[denker]

@Abraxas! Facts about Ndiigbo!

It is amazing that the kind of education or information that were handed to us by our teachers in school or even the mass media in Nigeria regarding who we are, or are not, is often short of the living facts or reality on the ground. What we were taught, not in science or arts, but in sociology and anthropology, do not stand as facts that can be verified and certified as truth, and nothing but the truth. Methinks, we know, that the mission of education is to seek truth and propagate same undiluted, unembellished, and convincingly proven at all times. If it is a fact, then there is no "ifs" or "buts." Nobody can truly claim to be educated who doctors the truth, or manipulates facts in order to suit his or her whims and caprices. Fact is not like history said to be largely subjective, that can be doctored or manipulated. When you have arrived as a truly intellectually liberated person, is when you call facts and figures as you see them, no matter who it may concern. Besides, truth is very exhilarating and bubbles like champagne wine. If you try to stand it on its head, it quickly reverts to its natural form - truth. And if you try to force it into your mind, it tastes sour. Truth is easier to manage, falsehood shifts like quicksand. See?

For many of us, it took coming to America, and devoting significant time, aside from our normal engagements, to dispassionately study our own native societies and where we fit in the larger world in which we all inhabit. And, didn't we know that it took coming to America for people like Mbonu Ojike, Zik, Nkrumah and others, to educate themselves that Africa was a great continent, that Europe had no right to colonize Africa, that the black man was part of the great civilizations of the world contrary to the bleak picture painted of the place of the black person in the sun. Consider how much you knew about the slave trade when you were in Nigeria. Very little, I must say, at least for me. What did you know of Egypt, the pyramids, African civilizations, and the fact that man started his journey on earth from Africa? Who ever knew that there are more pyramids in Sudan than in Egypt? We were taught British Empire History, European History, History of the World, and American War of Independence. We were never taught the making of our society, the ancient and modern accomplishments of our people. We were not taught our culture, our spirituality, our trade and commerce.

In this piece, I intend to focus on the Igbo as a people. The Igbo, their culture, civilization, and their contributions to world greatness, are, perhaps, among the most little understood, taught, publicized and recognized of all human knowledge. What is sometimes upsetting is the little the Igbo themselves, including their educated sons and daughters know about themselves. Or, more bafflingly, how the educated Igbo parrot, and hold fast, without taking a second look at the false information about the Igbo, which they heard or read from scantily informed or biased sources, foreigners and natives, and, of course, the ever busy Igbo detractors.

I decided to write this article after the now familiar surprise look I get from many an educated Igbo when I begin to discuss Igbo factoids and misrepresentations. What embarrasses most of them is that certain incontrovertible, and some would say, elementary facts about the Igbo, which were always self evident, now suddenly hits them like a thunderbolt and it becomes crystal clear to them that their previous beliefs which they parroted were false. Here are a few facts in question and answers:

Question: Is Southeast and Igboland the same thing?

Answer: Not at all. Southeast is only about 3/5th of Igboland. Igboland covers the whole of Southeast, parts of Rivers, Delta, Benue, and Akwa Ibom states.

Question: Why were we taught in school that Igbo people are easterners?

Answer: It is both an unfortunate parroting by teachers and careless adoption by Igbo educated class. Igbo people come from Southern Nigeria and not Eastern Nigeria. It may be correct to say that the Igbo are found predominantly in eastern Nigeria. However, by saying that the Igbo are easterners, the implication is that the Igbo in western Nigeria, numbering about 2.5 million (Agbor, Ogwashi Ukwu, Ibuzo, Okpanam, Asaba, Orimili, Ndokwa, Anioma, etc) are not Igbos. The best known Igbo anthropologist Professor Mike Onwuejeogwu is from the western part of Nigeria, Chukwuma Nzeogwu, Dennis Osadebe, Okonkwo Adibe (the famous musician), Sony Odogwu, etc. are all from the western part of Nigeria. They are no less Igbo than those who live in the eastern part of Nigeria. The correct answer to your question is "the Igbo come from Southern Nigeria."

Question: Why do some Igbo refer to themselves as "core Igbo?"

Answer: That is clearly arrant nonsense. Nobody is core and others peripheral. All Igbo are the same. It is both arrogant, thoughtless and insensitive for anybody to regard others as marginal.

Question: Is Igboland landlocked?

Answer: Not at all. Igboland stretches from Igwe Ocha (Port Harcourt) to Agbor. The Atlantic ocean washes the shores of Igboland. Africa's second largest river - River Niger, traverses Igboland with one part of Igboland in the east and another part in the west of Nigeria. Uguta Lake has the potential of accommodating large ships and could be made a navigable port. If Igboland is landlocked, then all Nigeria is landlocked.

Question: Is there oil in Igboland?

Answer: Yes, indeed. There is a lot of oil in Imo State, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers State and Delta States Igbo areas, and now in Anambra. Besides, Igboland has many other natural resources, including coal, limestone, etc.

Question: Are the Igbo a nation or a tribe?

Answer: The Igbo are a nation, and a very large one. There are many tribes in Igbo nation, just like you have many tribes within Israel.

Question: Why do some Ikwerre people say they are not Igbo?

Answer: First, it is not up to them to say what they are and what they are not. When God created them, He did not ask them who they wanted to be. He just created them Igbo. The only way you'll know who belongs to what ethnic group in Nigeria is the name and what language the name comes from. Anybody whose name is Amadi or Onyeri, or Eke, or Odili, Wanodi (Nwanodi) does not need to tell you who he is. He is Igbo, his politics notwithstanding.

Question: But they claim that their language is Ikwerre, not Igbo.

Answer: That is politics. Ikwerre is a dialect of Igbo language. Just like an Ngwa man speaks Ngwa Igbo, Arochukwu speaks Arochukwu Igbo, etc.

Question: Some people say that Igbo language is not complete, is it true?

Answer: No language is complete. All languages borrow from each other. Igbo language is very rich. It has inexhaustible and rich linguistic features like idioms, proverbs, aphorisms, sayings, anecdotes, riddles, folklores, etc. Igbo language is one of the major languages of the world, being spoken by millions of people.

Question: How many are the Igbo?

Answer: The Igbo are very numerous. There is educated guess that if Nigeria's census is properly enumerated, the Igbo could easily be the largest ethnic group in the country. They may number up to 40 million. Everything right now, is speculation. Nobody knows the true stratification or ethnic populations in Nigeria. The Igbo are the only ethnic group found in large numbers everywhere in Nigeria, and foreign countries more than any other ethnic group in Africa.

Question: Do the Igbo have a culture of their own?

Answer: Yes, indeed. Igbo culture is perhaps, one of the richest and all-encompassing cultures in this world. Igbo culture always observes the temporal and the spiritual aspects of cosmology. The study of Igbo culture reveals that it is extremely deep and original.

Question: Why do the Igbo wear Yoruba Agbada and Hausa babban riga but the Yoruba and the Hausa do not ever wear Igbo national dress?

Answer: Unfortunately this is the case. The Igbo have very attractive and resplendent national dresses. And they come in assortments that are extremely dignifying. The Igbo take up foreign cultures more readily than other Nigerians, and they seem not to care that nobody reciprocates their carefree attitude to life. Most ethnics promote their cultures and show off what makes them unique. Actually, it is still the same so-called educated Igbo class who behave in such disgraceful and the devil-may-care attitude.

Question: Why do the Igbo call themselves Biafrans?

Answer: Great question. Some people have the idea that Biafra originates from the Bight of Biafra. But that is wrong. There was the Kingdom of Biafra that ruled most of the ancient world about 50,000 years ago. Unfortunately, nobody talks about it, for whatever reason, I do not know. But, it is in the ancient maps of the world. If you wish I'll make a copy and send to you.

Question: Were the Igbo also taken into slavery during the slave trade?

Answer: Yes. The Igbo slaves themselves gave account of their travails in slavery. Olauda Ekwuano an Igbo ex-slave who bought his freedom in Britain was the first slave to write about his experience in slavery. His book has become a classic. You ought to find it and read it. Also, other Igbos who were brought to America revolted and some walked back on water and were said to have returned to Africa. Several books have been written about them. One of such books is "Ibo Landing." It is available in bookstores like Barnes & Noble. In Haiti, the Igbo settled there and refused to be colonized by anybody. There are many places where the Igbo left their mark or their signature.

Question: How did the Igbo know days and years?

Answer: The Igbo invented an accurate, if not the most accurate calendar called "Iguafo Igbo (Igbo Calendar)." In Igbo calendar, there are four market days - Eke, Afor, Nkwo, Orie that make one week. Four days make one week, seven weeks make one month, and thirteen months make one year. There are 28 days for each month, with the last month having 29 days. Each month starts the same day as the previous. Igbo calendar forms the perfect astronomical alignment with the cosmos, and regulates the seasons, agriculture, navigation, astrology, geography, mathematics, travel, etc.

Question: Did the Igbo have their own alphabets?

Answer: Yes, indeed. It is called "Nsibidi."

Question: How about mathematics; did the Igbo know mathematics?

Answer: Yes, indeed. There are such inventions as "Okwe" and "Mkpisi" which the Igbo used to resolve figures.

Question: Did the Igbo know anything about banking?

Answer: Yes. Igbo banking was more in the nature of Savings and Loans. The authentic Igbo savings and loans invention called "Isusu' in which contributions are pooled each week and one person, who has the need, collects, is still in practice. Igbo slaves took this invention to the Caribbean Islands where they still practise it and call it "Sue Sue."

Question: Some people say that Igboland is too small for the Igbo, that they have no alternative than to live as Nigerians: is this true?

Answer: False. Igboland is a large country. Do every Igbo need to stay and work in Igboland? No. Everywhere in the world, some will stay home while others venture abroad in search of opportunities. Igboland is large enough for the Igbo. And it is a very rich and hospitable part of the world. It has rich soil for agriculture, abundant rainfall, good sunshine, and table land in many parts. Its land space and population are more than that of over half of the present countries in the world.

Question: Where did the Igbo come from?

Answer: That question is still being asked. There are very intriguing theories or histories now being studied. You may have heard of the Jewish angle, the Egypt angle, and the Origin of man angle. This twenty-first century, hopefully, will resolve the mystery.

Question: Why do people say that the Igbo are not united?

Answer: Those who say so, do so out of ignorance. The Igbo are famous for their unity. In the colonial period and the First Republic of Nigeria, the Igbo were always envied for their unity. Under Igbo Union, they accomplished many things. They were feared by others for this. Since after the war, the Igbo are gradually recovering and getting rid of the individualism they developed brought about by their war experience which enabled them to survive as a disinherited people. Now, there are vigorous efforts to reunite them and return them to their old glory which served them well in the past.

Question: Some people say that the Igbo are susceptible to being bought by some other Nigerians, and that they "sell" the Igbo in the bargain; is this true?

Answer: The same parroting and recycling of unfounded talk. When you hear such a talk, challenge the one who is mouthing it to give you evidence, or to cite an example of such an Igbo person. He is likely to say "what of Jim Nwobodo?" Tell him that the Igbo number about 40 million, if it would be fair for the action of one person to represent the integrity of the other 3.99.9 million. The truth is that an Igbo is like any other human being, when he sees where he can take advantage of a situation, he goes for it. It has nothing to do with "selling." Were we not told that fish clusters where the river was deepest or that the dog follows he who has crumbs? Not long ago in the history of Nigeria, other Nigerians were also running after the Igbo for crumbs because the Igbo were in position to call the shots. Things will not remain as they are today. In fact, things are changing fast.

Question: Why are other Nigerians always persecuting the Igbo?

Answer: I have always tried to know myself. I am one of those who believe that the Igbo are among the most peaceful people on earth. But, because of the fact that they are very hardworking, ambitious, and not afraid to live anywhere, or take up any task, they tend to be resented by their less ambitious and successful neighbors or hosts. When you confront a non-Igbo to say what specific offense the Igbo have committed against them, oftentimes they draw blank, or engage in fabrications, which they insist must stand for a fact. The Igbo believe in live-and-let-live. It is virtually impossible for any Igbo to rise against their guests or hosts. It has never happened in Nigeria, or elsewhere. It is an abomination in Igboland for a host to cause his guest harm. Instead, a guest is considered metaphysically and physically under the protection of the host. All Igbo deities forbid doing harm to a guest. The Igbo are accused of "loving money." I suppose the charge is based on the fact that they work hard and acquire money in the bargain. One would like to believe that the outcome of hardwork is good harvest and hopefully prosperity. If anybody takes offense at the prosperity of a hardworking person, then the Igbo or for that matter any other person or persons, have no apologies to render.

Question: Do the Igbo have their own system of jurisprudence before the arrival of the white man?

Answer: Yes. The Igbo had a system of resolving conflicts. The elders were presented with cases that could not be satisfactorily settled within the family or kindred. Matters where veracity must be ascertained, the Igbo resort to spirituality. Oath-taking is a matter left to the spirits to settle. Those who swear falsely were expected to be killed by the spirits within a given period. After the period, he is acquitted and he could celebrate with public merry-making. The Igbo did not have any prisons, but they could ostracise a culprit, exile him, or send him into slavery or to serve to a deity.

Question: Why don't the Igbo teach these things you are telling me to their children?

Answer: In the pursuit of what they taught was the "new way" either from Europeans or o Christianity, the Igbo began to distance themselves from their heritage, and in the process became lost in the wilderness of a world they hardly understand. They have learned their lesson the hard way. The twenty-first century will lead them back home.

It sounds like we are having a vulgar show here. Cant we discuss or agree to disagree peaceably?

@ Tony,

The Igbos did not support the Ijaws on resource control during the National Confrence. They toed our line because their demand for a new state was not going to be granted. But should we accept that the igbos walked out because there was not going to be an increase in derivation then they would have been foolish not to do so, or it is the igbos cashing-in on resources that do not belong to them so they are not bothered even if it is taken away. Sounds like the case Solomon juged in the bible.

[Exxcuzme]

All this war of words are nothing both a shame! shame!!shame!!!

Colonization has really messed us all up. This is why we need a true Blackperson to lead us and let us NIGAS die.

If a child is born and raised in any section of Nigeria irrespective of where the parents come from, the child should be able to claim the birthplace. In a situation where history found large proportion of people that have settled in a place for thousand of years, I see no reason why another people should still see this people as strangers or visitor i.e Modakeke or so called Ndigbo of Rivers.

How can we that live in the west have a chance of being elected a governor abroad while in Nigeria it is difficult for example with someone with non-Yoruba name being a governor of Lagos, Ibadan than if he/she lives in Alabama or London?

Just because of a faceless Ijaw group said some stupid things about Ndigbo does not mean "educated" Ndigo guys in the west will be threatning the whole Ijaw with fire and brimstone. Most Ijaw would not subscribe to those *****s and most Ijaws would not subscribe to Dokubo Asari insulting Awolowo, for example

There is no supremacy of particular group in Nigerian we need to educate each other about this issue of indigenes vs non indigenes.

[DoubleWahala]

"...Southern Nigeria is too divided, and that is why the North has dominated power to the detriment of Southern Nigerians....."

This is the crux of the matter. No more, no less.

DoubleWahala

[Tony]

@ TOKU A.

Ndigbo did not support the South-south on resource control in the "NATIONAL POLITICAL REFORMS CONFERENCE"? Thank you very much for your ungratefullness, i beleive Igbo leaders will learn their lesson and change their politics vis-avis the Ijaw in particular.I do not see what state creation has to do with Igbo support for the South-south on resource control. Ndigbo did not need the South-south, to actualise the creation of the extra state. Besides the principle of an extra state for the South-East had already been accepted on the grounds that only the South-East had 5 states as against a minimum of 6 in other zones.

I hope you will be honest enough to accept that when Northern governors and some Western governors were going to court to challenge the meagre 13% derivation accruing to the South-south only Ndigbo stayed away from such action.

As for the resources you guys keep talking about, as if oil is found only in Ijaw areas.
Do you realise that a substantial part of the oil producing areas in Rivers state is Igbo speaking? If not for Gowon's arbitrary state creation by decree to balkanize the Igbo nation, those Igbo speaking areas of Rivers state would have remained in Igboland proper.
So stop behaving as if oil is found only in Ijaw areas. In fact this whole oil mentality is total bull****.

Last question for you, do you realise that the South-south zone the Ijaw is now struggling to dominate was created at the instance of Dr. Alex Elwueme an Igboman?
Do you know that the Ijaws never fought for the creation of the South-south? please go and check the recods. I leave you with this questions, because i am fed up with Ijaw ungratefulness, and hate mongering.

[Abraxas]

Hi, Mazi Tony:

Please stop telling hard-boiled lies in cyberspace. Be a good Christian, and kindly cut the crap, quick, quick!

For your enlightenment and further education, His Excellency Chief Dr. (Arc.) Alexander Ekwueme (GCON) did not, repeat, DID NOT “create” the South-South, or any other geopolitical zone for that matter, neither are Ijaws struggling to dominate the South-South or any other geopolitical zone. Please get your facts right, and keep your sentiments under check.

The idea of six (6) geopolitical zones is just what it is: AN IDEA. A concept! Period. It is not constitutionally sacrosanct or even operationalised in concrete terms yet, especially with respect to true federal governance.

His Excellency Chief Dr. Alexander Ekwueme happened to be just one among several other participants in the Abacha-designed constituent assembly that muted the IDEA of moving away from the current crude oil addicted 36-states structure of mostly unviable states, to a suggested maximum of eight (8) VIABLE geopolitical zones. The current implied six (6) geopolitical zones are not constitutionally valid yet.

By the way, do you know that Ijaws fought for the creation and LIBERATION of the old Rivers State? If in doubt, please go and check your records. Read as much as you can about the legendary activities of a special Task Group within the 3rd Marine Commando Division called “Commando de Boro”. Please learn as much as your MASSIVE brain can absorb about the war front exploits of Isaac Adaka Jasper Boro. I understand your pain and the reasons for your paranoid anti-Mbammirism (Ijawphobia): your father and uncle were Biafran soldiers. Sorry, you hear? O ma şé-o! I can see, you need help to understand the dynamics of your recurrent anti-Mbammirism.

But please, remember: “It is only a full-time ***** that would want to prove his bravery by fitting his head into the mouth of a yawning tiger!”

Por favor, Estoy apesadumbrado para usted, mi amigo. Muchas gracias.



Don Juan Carlos ABRAXAS (III)

[Tony]

@ABRAXAS monkey man,

Which Boro are you talking about,is it the same Boro that could not even survive the war?
haaaaaa,hoooooooo,heeeee! .

When Boro started his scout uprising in the Eastern region what happened to him? he was promptly arrested by Ndigbo, and would have been promptly executed if not for the civil war. He joined the Nigerian side of the war,as a bargain for his freedom and died soon after,cut down by Biafran hot lead.


Your lazy Ijaw struggled for the liberation of Rivers state? liberation from what? are you free today in Nigeria? when they were struggling for the so called liberation of Rivers state,why did they not concentrate on liberating only Ijaw speaking areas?
My brother let me tell you, your Ijaw leaders were just opportunistic, betraying judases who were looking for peoples property to steal period!go and read about Judas in the bible, that was simply what your Ijaw leaders where.

But today the law of Karma has descended on the Ijaw, rather than the so called freedom you sought, what the Ijaw got is crunching poverty, militarised Ijaw towns and villages, and frequent massacres and rapes right in their own land.

Among Nigerian ethnic groups, the Ijaw are easily the poorest (church rats), most deprived, and most massacred in their own land in postwar Nigeria.


Ironically even Ndigbo that fought and lost a war, are one of the most succesful group of Nigerians. A courageous,proud, adventurous, hardworking, creative and resilient people. Even in Port-Harcourt (igwe ocha) where properties were stolen by rogue opportunistic Ijaw thieves, Ndigbo have bought up everything in sight. Check out everything in contemporary Nigeria, there must be an Igbo name, from sports, Okocha, Oliseh, Kanu Nwankwo etc, To home entertainment (Nollywood) incidentally pioneered by Ndigbo, Genevive Nnaji, Jim Iyke, Peter Edochie, Stephanie Okereke, etc, to Industry, Stan Ekeh, (Zinox, made in Nigeria computer) Nnamidi Ozobia, Diamond Bank, Tony Elumelu UBA, Phillip Asiodu, Ekene Dili Chukwu, Billionaire luxurious bus merchant, Festus Odimegwu, Nigerian breweries corporation, Ndi Okereke Onyuike Chairwoman of Transcorp, Maduka (Coscharis, sole agent of BMW Nigeria),etc. To politics, Nnamidi Azikiwe, Okpara,old generation, new generation, Alex Ekwueme, Ngozi Iweala, Dora Akunyili, Charles Soludo, etc, to music Charlie boy Oputa, Tony one week, Julius Agwu, Onyeka Onwenu, etc to publishing, Sun newspapers, Orji Kalu, Champion newspapers, Iwuayanwu, This day newspapers Nduka Obaigbena etc,etc. This shows that inspite of being given only 20 pounds 36 years ago, Ndigbo have bounced back to become some of the richest people in Nigeria, with the largest single income distribution. Anambra state has more individual millionaires than any state in the Country.


My father and Uncle who both survived the war are well and thriving, my uncle is even an industrialist and a billionaire. On the contrary the betraying Ijaw that was on the federal side during the war, where are they today? how many Ijaw names, if ever, do we have in Banking, industries, home entertainment, transport, politics etc?, it is almost nil. So on a balanced scale, it is actually the Ijaws that are suffering the post traumatic stress of the war, and their betrayals therein. I have travelled extensively in Ijaw areas, they are just unimaginable desolate towns and villages with mud huts, thatch houses, a typical eyesore, and most of the Ordinary Ijaw are living in extreme unbeleivable poverty.
ABRACAS OR ABRAXAS, in all honesty your people need salvation.


IJAWPHOBIA? heeeeeeee, hahahahaha, hooooooooooooo! and who is the yawning Tiger, The Ijaw? huuuuuuuuuuu,hoooooooooo,haaaaaaaaaa! my brother dont kill me with laughter o, abeg i am recommending that you see a psychiatric doctor, please o before it is too late.

[Son of the Delta]

To Chinedu,Tony & co

I would say that it is Igbos like you that have made it difficult for the Niger Deltans to trust the Igbos who happen to be their nearest neigbhours.

How on earth would you wake up and accuse the Ijaw youths of being a threat to the ambitions of Dr.Peter Odili.This cheap propaganda would not lead you anywhere.Chinedu wrote in his article that a group of Ijaw youths called the Niger Delta Coastal Guerillas
threatened Odili´s presidential ambition.Are you sure these people who made such publications are really from the area?

We all know that the name that was given on that publication where Odili was allegedly threatened by this group(Niger Delta Guerillas) was Olu Jacobs and does that tell you he is an Ijaw man?

This Igbo divide and rule game would not work!

Remember if Odili is truly the governor of the people then the people of Rivers state would rise up on such an occasion to defend him.

Everybody knows that Odili won by the barrel of the gun so it is no sprise that Odili´s opponents are trying to win the game through his own method.

From the article and the comments you Igbos made on it you only succeded in presenting yourselves as war mongers.Why wont the Hausas attack you in the north if you talk to them in such a manner?You really need a true transformation to be able to relate well with your neigbhours.