[Carrygo]

Adepoju,

I have heard tales of gruesome acts of ritual killings in Yoruba land; I have heard/read people say that the Yoruba are very fetish/magic-minded, but these have not made me change the way I see them. There is no particular pleasure of living in any part of Nigeria. Living in Nigeria brings you into confrontation with every variety of evil. Any attempt to carve out an exception is resisted by unalterable realities on the ground.

A human parts market was recently discovered in Lagos, plus the unending tales of Yoruba politicians involved in ritual killings. There is a flourishing culture of ritual killing in Yorubaland and many Yorubas are prepared to resort to babalawo ‘remedies’, but I do not see all Yorubas that way. I will never go to Yorubaland with any peculiar apprehension because these acts do not flourish uniquely there. I do not see every Yoruba person as a ritualist or capable of the most bizarre acts of magic. I do not mind living in Yoruba land or encouraging any one to marry a Yoruba person. I will never shy to record the immoralities of Igboland. Evil enjoys a flourishing kingdom there.

I have been told that people of Benin origin are ingrained in ‘Juju ways’ but I do not see all of them that way. I have heard things spoken about the Ijaw etc, but I do not see all of them that way. Tales of precolonial ways abound in that country, so particularizing a certain section may just be another manifestation of tribalism. Igbos have donated large amounts of their blood to Islamic extremist killings and other acts of lawlessness across the country, but they still pledge geographical bond to them. Nigeria is a very dangerous place to live in, period.

I am sure you are acquainted with all these facts and they should in my view, lead you to make a balanced judgment about living in Nigeria. I will like to see Nigerians broaden their horizons, move out of the dense ways of their parents and acquire geographical breath. I have dealt with the Yoruba and I am aware of the conclusive ‘Omo Igbo expression.’

It is the same Igboland that gave Africa literature( with a breakneck expansion of creativity amongst Igbo youths), the biggest African movie industry( Nollywood), spurned Comedy, music, commercial industries that have been killed by Nigerian socialism, the most brave CBN governor, professionals in universities, industries around the world. The Southeast, you may not know, is filled with very talented people. Hear tales of ingenuity there, at university and outside. These ingenuities of the Igbo have lead many of them to harbour thoughts of ethnic superiority. My dear, every part of the country is steeped in immorality. If I should go by what I have heard, I will have no place to travel.