Thought Provoking,

what is in a name?

Nigeria was named by Lugard's wife when he was on top of her; could that be why Nigeria is so messed-up?

Who is Harcourt to own Port Harcourt?
By Odimegwu Onwumere

THEY called him Lewis, Viscount Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies of Britain. Harcourt was said to have founded a port in the year 1912 now known and called Port Harcourt, which is the capital city of the present day Rivers State, Nigeria. But Rivers State was created, as a state in Nigeria, in the year1967.

But how did the rapacious Harcourt found the now called Port Harcourt whereas there were people (blacks) who were living in this port before the alleged discovery, and they called it Igwe Ocha? The population of Port Harcourt is estimated at 1,320,214 as of the year 2007, of which no lineage of Harcourt was included. Igwe Ocha lies along the Bonny River and is located in the Niger Delta. We were meant to understand that the initial purpose of the Port Harcourt founded was for him to export the coal which geologist Albert Ernest Kitson had discovered in Enugu. That in earnest means that there was a particular place, a small place, where this greedy Harcourt was using as his port, and should not mean the whole of Igwe Ocha, now called Port Harcourt. Still using the name Port Harcourt reminds one of what happened in the days of colonialism and the name Harcourt, in Igwe Ocha, showcases the hand of colonialism still intact in Nigeria.

However, after the equivocal Harcourt may have died chasing the trade of coal, Nigerians were enlightened on what goes on in the present day Port Harcourt. We are meant to understand that the main city of Port Harcourt is the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area. In this council there is Azikiwe Road, Aggrey Road, Eastern Bye-Pass, the beginnings of PHC-Aba Express Road and Ikwere Road as its major roads. And the Port Harcourt Urban Area (Port Harcourt metropolis) is made up of the city itself and Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Its major roads are the extensions of PHC-Aba Express Road and Ikwere Road, Olu Obasanjo Road, Airport Road, East-West Road, Refinery Road, Stadium Roads and amongs many others.

Abuloma, Amadi-ama, Amadi Flats,Borokiri ,Rumuokoro, Rumuodara, Woji, Presidential Housing Estate, Rumibekwe Housing Estate, Shell Residential Estate,and Elekahia Estate, are towns or in African parlance villages in the Igwe Ocha. The main industrial area is located in Trans Amadi. But those who still hold to the colonialists' view said some of Port Harcourt's more popular and well-known residential areas are Port Harcourt Township; better known simply known as "Town", G.R.A phases 1-5.

The University of Port Harcourt and the Rivers State University of Science and Technology are two universities within the city. According to accounts, the city has an international airport, Port Harcourt International Airport, two seaports (F.O.T Onne, Port Harcourt Wharf), two stadia (Sharks Stadium and Liberation Stadium) and two refineries. As at 1967 when Rivers State was created, there were fifteen Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the State and when Bayelsa State was carved out in 1996, additional LGAs were created such that the present Rivers State is made up of twenty three LGAs. The State has many communities that organise community development efforts aimed at mobilising the local resources and assisting the State government in the maintenance of law and order. And this is not done by Harcourt or his descendants, if there are any.

The ethnic composition of Rivers State is very diverse, according to analysis. These include Kalabari, lkwerre, Okrika, lbani (Bonny and Opobo) Ekpeye, Ogba, Etche, Khana, Gokana, Eleme, Ndoni, Abua, Odual. Linguistic scholars have grouped these communities into six major linguistic groups, namely ljoid, lower Niger (lgboid), Ogoni, Central Delta, Delta Edoid, and Lower Cross. The ljoid group comprises four groups of dialects namely eastern ljoid (Kalabari, Bile, Okrika, lbani and Nkoro).

The Lower Niger (lgboid) comprises dialects such as Ekpeye, lkwerre, Ogba, Egbema, Ndoni, Etche, and lgbo. The Ogoni group includes a large number of dialects which can be grouped into four Khana, Gokana, Eleme and Tai. The Lower Cross group has only one member in Rivers State, with the rest being in Akwa lbom and Cross River States. The language, Obolo, in this group, is spoken in Andoni and Opobo Local Government Areas (Salawu.

Like in other world's democracies, we are told that there are three arms of government in Rivers State. they include, The Executive Council; The Legislature; and The Judiciary. The State Executive Council is made up of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, and around 20 commissioners, special advisers and the Secretary to the State government. The commissioners are the overall heads of the ministries, while the permanent secretaries oversee the daily activities of the same ministries. The parastatals are organs of the government charged with the establishment and running of certain key economic areas of the State government. They are placed either under the supervision of the Governor or the Deputy Governor. The special advisers are assigned responsibilities in the following areas to enhance productivity and accountability: education, information, hotels and tourism etc.

We are also told that there is block called the Podium Block of Rivers State Secretariat, which is the icon of the city, an eighteen-storey building. It has the tallest building in the South/South and South/East Geopolitical zones combined. The city is sprawling in nature as building codes and zoning regulations are poorly enforced.

Igwe Ocha being a peace-loving town before the advent of Harcourt, the activities of several armed militant gangs have cast a huge shadow on life and commerce in the once peaceful town, in recent times. The gangs claim to fight for the interest of the indigenous people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, without going to fight Harcourt who exploited the land. These gangs are asking for a share of Nigeria's oil wealth. They are however better noted and feared for violent conduct that includes random and targetted killings, arson, kidnappings of both foreign workers and indigenous people and bombings. After a spate of violence in 2007, a curfew was imposed on the town. This was however lifted by the Governor of Rivers State in the last days of 2007. On new year's eve, 2007, Port Harcourt was once again rocked by violence which left at least sixteen people dead.

So, should we still continue to answer the name of this English man who looted us? What remembrance is there in answering Harcourt's Port, instead of Igwe Ocha? Igwe Ocha is African, not Harcourt. We have to look into this and make amends. The same is applicable to those who bear the white man's names. For what reason should the clergy prefer to baptize a child with the name of a white man instead of our local names? It is high time we began to look into most of these errors the white men caused us and begin to correct them; else we remain a people so confused forever.


Onwumere, a poet and an author, is the Founder, Poet Against Child Abuse

clearly this Odimegwu Onwumere has no work, hence his dabbling into unnecessary debate.

We Port Harcourt residents can find work for him directing traffic at Slaughter, Garrison or any where there's a traffic jam.

So in his opinion, giving African children 'white man's names' is part of the reason why we're a confused people?



PS: Does he know how many streets are named after Patrice Lumumba? Or the university in Russia formerly named after Lumumba? The streets in Western countries named after Nelson Mandela?

'poet' my arse.

Lame.

It is hilarious and at the same time heart breaking and shameful that 100 years after the coming of Harcourt; grown up Nigerians like Landis and Onwumere does not know what causes violence in Rivers state. You guys should keep blaming Nigeria and River's problems on Lugard's wife for their "names".

Even if Nigeria and portharcourt decide to change their name to "god" and "saint" respectively, it wont make a single digit difference in the atrocities going on in the forbidden country and city.

As much as i feel sad any time i remember what the white man did in Africa, one will think it was only Africa the white man used. We forget places like Hong kong, south Korea, Malaysia etc. Africa has only failed woefully to use the coming of the white man to his advantage.

As for people bearing English names; i can assure you that no true church forces any of her members to change his/her name to English. (i was baptized with a local name)

Nigerians like Landis and Onwumere the poet should go and pick their pants where they hung them.  You must do it now!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: Does he know how many streets are named after Patrice Lumumba? Or the university in Russia formerly named after Lumumba? The streets in Western countries named after Nelson Mandela?

you missed the whole point.

There is no problem naming place after successful/famous people but the naming of that town to PORT-HARCOURT was not from the people of that area; it was impose on them by some colonialist as sign of master-servant relationship.

the problem of identity is sublime but it's what shape everything.  For city to develop and be prosperous; the people need to identify with it.

You again!!!!!!!!

Landis please don't tell me you will attempt to defend an article so lame and irrelevant as this  

If what texazzpete wrote didn't ring a bell the first time you read it, try reading it over, three times.

The problem of identity is sublime but it's what shape everything.

Thats why the EUROPEANS that went to America, killed all the RED-INDIANs and change everything to identify as their own history.

It same reason UK will never change their identity to be French or French to German etc

The worst part of colonialism or occupation; it rubs you of your identity.

what Nigeria presently witnessing are just after-effects; we live in Nigeria but dont identify with Nigeria.

it is similar to what we just saw in South Africa last few weeks

People that live others people's life are lost.

You guys need to see the Big Picture; Kudos to Onwumere.

Dude.  Now I believe you're just talking out of your buttocks.  Read it again 6 times.

Nigerians don't identify with Nigeria. . . . What hogwash!  Where do they identify with?  Pakistan?
Dudey, you can do better.
If it's any news to you bro., we have had many years now to reclaim our cultural identity and we are doing a good job of it.  A city's name isn't the cause of Nigeria's problems.  You are just delusioned.
You're just attaching too much stigma to this useless article, or just plain suffering from astigmatism.

landis:

Thought Provoking,

what is in a name?

Nigeria was named by Lugard's wife when he was on top of her; could that be why Nigeria is so messed-up?

Lagos is also a Portuguese name.

Africa is European in origin.

@ landis
The info I have was that Flora Shaw was actually on top.

You have even made Onwumere and Landis look like they had a good point, cos Lagos and Africa seems to be in the same dilema with Portharcourt.

Igwe Ocha must be the name of only the Ikwerre (Igboid) side of Port-Harcourt. I do not see the Okrika part of Port-Harcourt naming themselves Igwe Ocha. From Amadi-flats up to Oil Mill is the Ikwerre part whilst Isaac Boro Park down to Borokiri is the Okrika section.

As for the naming of the Port Harcourt, we have many places in Port-Harcourt named after the old colonials. From Churchill road to Harold Wilson road etc.

Nigerians don't identify with Nigeria. . . . What hogwash! Where do they identify with? Pakistan?

if they identify with Nigeria;

why steal money here and take it abroad?

why send your kids to school abroad?. Note BOLD its not same as 'exchange program'; just to see whats done in other places

why run away abroad when small wahala here?

why obey laws abroad and same nigerians break all laws once they land in MM?

why is it that degree abroad is valuable than degree from here?

why is it that Nigerians kill each other at slightes provocation?

why is nigeria waiting for abroad to come and solve their problems?

landis:

Thats why the EUROPEANS that went to America, killed all the RED-INDIANs and change everything to identify as their own history.

um. . .Wyoming, Oklahoma, Missouri et al are all INDIAN NAMES!!!

PS: Despite the fact that most of the present day Americans emigrated from great britain, the word 'America' is not of British origin. See any poets making noise about that?

Please kindly forward my earlier offer to the 'poet'. There's a lot of work for him to do, the traffic at Rumuobiakani (did i spell it right?!) this morning was terrible. You can also join him since you're apparently lacking in work to do.

texazzpete:

um. . .Wyoming, Oklahoma, Missouri et al are all INDIAN NAMES!!!

PS: Despite the fact that most of the present day Americans emigrated from great britain, the word 'America' is not of British origin. See any poets making noise about that?

Please kindly forward my earlier offer to the 'poet'. There's a lot of work for him to do, the traffic at Rumuobiakani (did i spell it right?!) this morning was terrible. You can also join him since you're apparently lacking in work to do.

thats exactly the point. They formed a new identity for themselves.

Oklahoma was named by the indians themselves and not the EUROPEAN invaders as one of the negotation points in1865.

And its faultless; Nigerians dont identify with Nigeria; if US/EU FREELY open their gates.

Nigeria will be empty in 24hrs; it would be exodus!

The POET has spoken.

Not only that we don't identify with ourselves we also don't believe in ourself.
Harcourt will always be there to remind us of the slavery days and the servant we will remain.
If a British MEP can make a suggestion for Trafalgar Square to be renamed as it infuriates the french tourist
when ever they come to london i don't know why such a write up should be termed lame and stupid.

Its a clear evidence that we don't identify with ourself.

Is this thread about the name Portharcourt or that RV state is Igboland ? because I haven't seen where the poster also suggests that Lagos be renamed since Lagos is a Portuguese name. The poster and writer should try to change Wetheral Rd to Igwe Ocha rd before coming to talk about Portharcourt

ow11:

Is this thread about the name Portharcourt or that RV state is Igboland ? because I haven't seen where the poster also suggests that Lagos be renamed since Lagos is a Portuguese name. The poster and writer should try to change Wetheral Rd to Igwe Ocha rd before coming to talk about Portharcourt

Abi!

So many other countries have moved on past colonialism. Why are we still stuck in the past?

methinks this second-rate poet merely wanted some airtime, and we've given him what he wanted.

Gaining fame through infamy seems to be in vogue now.

@Tex

Exactly.

I have told him the name of the thread he should have opened. Instead of investing in Aba and Owerri, they are looking for how PH can be renamed after Igbo villages.

When does this thread turned to Igbo and RIvers issue.

because I haven't seen where the poster also suggests that Lagos be renamed since Lagos is a Portuguese name

you are not reading the post.

Lagos is identified as EKO. Eko ile. Eko Akate. Eko Federal

Thats why it has a soul. Eko o ni Ba je.

landis:



if they identify with Nigeria;

why steal money here and take it abroad?

why send your kids to school abroad?. Note BOLD its not same as 'exchange program'; just to see whats done in other places

why run away abroad when small wahala here?

why obey laws abroad and same nigerians break all laws once they land in MM?

why is it that degree abroad is valuable than degree from here?

why is it that Nigerians kill each other at slightes provocation?

why is nigeria waiting for abroad to come and solve their problems?

Nigerian economy is teetering on the edge of calamity and all you can blame is the historical relevance of a name?
This has nothing to do with their Nigerian identity. Do you even understand the meaning of identity?

Those who have broken the law and stolen her money are just looters and criminals. They're the exact people who have turned the economy into the catastrophe that it is today.

Those who have broken the law and stolen her money are just looters and criminals. They're the exact people who have turned the economy into the catastrophe that it is today.

You are still missing the point. Are these people from MARS? NO.

If they truly identify with Nigeria, they will LOVE it and work for its progress but rather they have no identity with Nigeria.

To them, it is just a place to steal money, rape, and stash the wealth in somewhere more safe.

That's the key to Nigeria's problem: We dont identify with it. We only carry the name in passport or documents.

It is people that make a place great and not the resource the place has.

Well then let us rename Nigeria or rather, split into our constituent villages because the entity Nigeria is a creation of the British colonialists!

texazzpete:



Please kindly forward my earlier offer to the 'poet'. There's a lot of work for him to do, the traffic at Rumuobiakani (did i spell it right?!) this morning was terrible. You can also join him since you're apparently lacking in work to do.

lmao
@topic,what really is there in a "name"

ow11:

Is this thread about the name Portharcourt or that RV state is Igboland ? because I haven't seen where the poster also suggests that Lagos be renamed since Lagos is a Portuguese name. The poster and writer should try to change Wetheral Rd to Igwe Ocha rd before coming to talk about Portharcourt

Where did you read that from? Or are you still blinded by tribalism? Your tribalism is misplaced in this issue.

A simple article has turned into igbo bashing by our tribalphobic nairaland trolls.

ow11:

@Tex

Exactly.

I have told him the name of the thread he should have opened. Instead of investing in Aba and Owerri, they are looking for how PH can be renamed after Igbo villages.

you are nothing but a dumb ass by saying that!

ASL33:

When does this thread turned to Igbo and RIvers issue.

Abeg help me ask that dolt.

ifyalways:

lmao
@topic,what really is there in a "name"

Go to any one and say:

I am from Afghanistan

I am from Nigeria

I am from Swdeen

and see the reaction to each of these statement. You will know whats in name.

why do you think Biafra started? simple: they do not identify anymore with Nigeria

why do you think OPC started? simple: they do not identiy anymore with Nigeria

why do you think AREWA started? simple: they do not identify anymore with Nigeria.

na wa

landis:

Go to any one and say:

I am from Afghanistan

OMFG!!!! I think he has what appears to be a bomb under that flowing gown !!!

landis:

I am from Nigeria

Oh Crap! Hold onto your credit cards like your life depends on them!

landis:

I am from Swdeen

Ahhh. . . how are you today, my good friend?




Anyone still want to know what's in a name?

My house is in Fairfax county in Virginia USA, we also have prince williams county, prince georges co, etc. all name after british
prince.
we all should be retarded according to you

gmcln:

My house is in Fairfax county in Virginia USA, we also have prince williams county, prince georges co, etc. all name after british
prince.
we all should be retarded according to you

In my secondary school in Benin, we had different 'houses' for Inter-house sports touneys.

Usman Dan Fodio house always came last. I used to think it was because they were pretty lame there, but now the Poster is telling me that if they were named after a prominent Bini chief, they'd have been awesome.

Right?!

rubbish post by grafikdon - is the name responsible for those impressions you noted or the actions of the people associated with the name?

The article by a poet shows he is clearly one - lost in idealistic musings with no real grasp or import of reality. If the name was the problem, then Ibadan, Owerri, Uyo, Yenagoa, Kaduna, Potiskum and Lokoja would be world beaters now. This is another flight of fantasy in my opinion.

The 'village' or whatever named Igwe Ocha does not comprise the entire area known as Port Harcourt today, so how can any reversion to that name cause a change or benefit?

India's financial capital is Mumbai (formerly Bombay) - was it the name change of a few years ago that made it into a financial capital or a place of commerce? Don't confuse petty nationalistic mumbo-jumbo for identity. The name of that place has little or nothing to do with what happens there. Rio de Janeiro is a portuguese name, so is Sao Paulo - how have those names prevented those cities from becoming world renowned centers of commerce and entertainment?

AREWA and co do not detract from the name Nigeria - what would satisfy them? changing the name to oduduhausaigboijawtivia? Nigerians have the nack for finding the most ridiculous and asinine reason behind their problems.

Colonial or not, Port Harcourt, in my view is a better and neutral name for that location, instead of having endless fights among the igboid Ikwerres and the Ijoid Okirikas, kalabaris and co fighting over whose name should be on the city - I remember some silly fights over whose name should be given to an oil platform, as if that is what guarantees their income and benefits.

PS - The reason NEPA/PHCN isn't working is the name, name it Sango Power and we'll have electricity straight from the god of thunder himself!