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Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 5:26pm On Jan 22, 2009
A Journey to Republic De Benin in West Africa: My Personal Experiences and the Nigerian Situation


Emeka Esogbue







Not quite long this July, 2008 I set out on a journey to Republic De Benin to satisfy my curiosity because so many interesting things have been said about the country particularly on how organized that society is and how sweet roads in Benin are compared to what exists in our sleeping giant of Africa called Nigeria. I had been motivated by the saying by my father which that “if a child decides to remain in his farm he would think his father’s farm is the biggest of all farms in existence”.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>By the way, Benin officially referred to, as “Republic De Benin” is a country in West Africa. This country is bordered to the west by Togo, to the east by Nigeria, to the north by Burkina Faso and Niger while the seat of government of this country is cotonou, its capital is Porto Novo. Until recently (in 1975) Benin was officially known as Dahomey. Part of the official history of Benin claims that the name ‘Benin’ has no proper connection to Benin City or Benin Empire now situated in modern day Nigeria, still certain aspects of the history of the old Benin Empire asserts or seeks to establish that the modern name of the country owes its origin to this once great empire because the influence of the empire extended to country (Benin).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Perhaps someday Historians may have to work towards this aspect of African history to establish the claim and counter claim to help us gain more insightful knowledge on how the people of these two countries related much beyond biases as each aspect of the history of these two countries are trying to justify its own. History can never be rewritten. Any attempt to do this will therefore amount to an attempt adjust the hand of clock either by trying to move it forward or backward. History remains history having been occasioned by either the activities of man or nature itself. We are told the name ‘Benin’ was picked as a neutral name in replacement of ‘Dahomey’ but where the origin of the name or word derives should also be of essence to historians who will now seek to establish whether a link exists with the Benin of Nigeria or not. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway this article will work outside the history of Benin instead will dwell on the social organization of this very society. In other words, how the people of this country do things compared to other bigger countries such as Nigeria with all our revenues derived from our much-publicized oil will be discussed here. Oil may not be all that a country needs to better the lives of its citizens after all. This is what the present situation of Nigeria tells us judging from our experiences in the country today. Only a Nigerian living in the country and not a wealthy politician or government contractor will adequately understand the real situation of the country and what the common man is going through.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Once I set out to discover Republic De Benin like Mongo Park and Lander Brothers in July 2008, the road leading to this country from Nigeria was indeed a rough one with very serious traffic jam. At Okomaiko bus stop, passengers awaiting vehicle stood in the rain waiting with utmost patience to board a vehicle. Nothing would have deterred us not even the rain because we are all used to it. There was simply no cover at these bus stop. Buses attempting to stop and convey these teeming passengers were often scared away by the presence of the law enforcement engagements most of whom were also threateningly running in pursuit of these commercial vehicles even in the rain. Some of these vehicles could even render one’s ‘Christmas clothes’ torn. We soon managed to catch a bus after standing in the rain for about 45 minutes without any visible shades at the bus stop.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The journey though was a quiet and peaceful one with only the police occasionally stopping us to exchange the usual ‘Nigerian greetings’ with the driver of our bus whom seemed to understand every intricacy connected with driving to this country. He must be an experienced man indeed. We soon arrived Benin after about two hours drive. After the usual procedures at the Seme Border between these two countries, we caught another bus heading for Missebo. Much to my surprise, the people of this country working at the border could communicate in both French and English, and I thought it a deliberate action from the government of Benin to ensure that communication was readily available to the citizens of both countries. Even the commercial motor drivers, petty traders, and money exchangers were not left out.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is a gain over their Nigerian counterparts whose citizens have never in any way been encouraged to understand or learn French by the Nigerian education system to become advantageously armed their citizens with the two international languages. It was also amazing to discover that road and notice boards in the country also existed in French and English languages, a development I very much admired because it gave us the English speakers unlimited knowledge of activities in that country. Excitingly too some of the citizens of this country could at least passably communicate in English and I started to wonder if the knowledge was gained from the education sector in that country or as result of the relationship with Nigerians in the country majority of whom were Ibo. There was really no time to ascertain from any of them how they are able to do this. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>At first sight, you are complimented with ‘bonjour’ but when you respond with ‘good morning or good afternoon’ in English you have set off a conversation with them in English. One Nigerian was at business center to make a call, when she attempted to correct the telephone attendant grammatically the response of the attendant was that she should try and understand French too. We all reasoned with her. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>If the education sector of this country achieved this then it’s so surprising because it is easier for camel to pass the eye of a needle than for a Nigerian student to speak French because he/she learnt it Nigerian school. Benin must have some wonderful schools too. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Benin I must comment presents some of the finest roads in West Africa and Nigeria cannot in anyway rank with this country. Road signs were completely visible starting from Seme border. Streetlights were never missing. At my age I cannot remember the last time I saw the streets of Lagos lit up with streetlights much less other parts of the country like Aiyetoro, Ogun state, Ibusa, Delta state, Etinan, Akwa-Ibom state, Ihievbe, Edo state, Obiangwu, Imo state, Ihiala, Anambra state and indeed other parts of northern Nigeria. Nigeria’s stranger (traffic lights) were also on mounted in all parts of Benin instead of the regular traffic wardens usually accosting us on Nigerian roads. It is unnecessary to state here that motorists and cyclists diligently complied with the instructions of these traffic lights. The last time I saw a functional traffic lights in Nigeria was in 1981 in Festac town. Though I have been told that there are about two or so at Marina Road of Lagos Island, in Lagos.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Have you ever seen a kind of vehicles responsible for the cleaning of roads? If you are a Nigerian in Nigeria and have not, you need to take a quick trip to Republic De Benin and see one before it is too late to do so. I cannot tell how often these vehicles clean these fine roads but these roads present mats or sorts of beds to lie. If these kinds of vehicles exist in Nigeria, will Lagos and some other Nigerians have to carry out the monthly environmental sanitation exercise? Again which particular ministry in Nigeria is responsible for this exercise? Why will an oil rich Nigeria expect its citizens to come out en masse on monthly basis for cleaning exercise when certain vehicles can do it? The last time I saw these vehicles at work in Nigeria was also in Festac town, Lagos and in 1979. Again I bet that a Nigerian living in the rural Jesse, delta state would argue that no such vehicle exists.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My enquiry at the Immigration office of that country in Cotonou showed that the staff go on break at 11.30 am during which nobody is ever attended to not even the bigwig politicians only to resume around 3.00pm. Bribes (‘settlements’) are never obtained to encourage private attendance to anyone. We have a lot to learn from these people of Benin.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>On our way back to Nigeria at about 5.15 pm, we had an easy ride all through the territory of Benin and received warmth farewell from the security operatives in that country with very easy passage made possible by good roads and free flow of traffic encouraged by the police who were always by the side of the roads observing developments on the roads with their whistles intact in their mouths with absolute readiness to carry out their duties. At Seme border, the Benin side of the border absolute orderliness allowed us free departure from this beautiful and well-organized country into our own very ‘Naija’ (Nigeria)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The first enquiry I received from my Nigerian security man at the border was whether I was a Nigerian which though was not a bad one because I assumed he actually wanted to determine my identity which he was ignorant of but when after every proof I presented to him failed to properly identify me as a Nigerian I knew there was much more to it than met the eyes. The Beninese cyclist trying to convey me across, a little inside Nigerian side of the border became enraged and in an emotional outburst told the security man that I was his brother. By the way I could not determine whether this man was a policeman, immigration officer, customs officer, road safety official or even Agbero (tout) because he was appeared in musty. I was soon angered when he responded to the Beninese cyclist that I was not his brother.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“So you would deny me, a Nigerian for no good reasons? I queried. “If you desire some money tell me and I will readily grant your request but not to deny me your Nigerian brother” After I tipped him with some money he became apologetic. I had told him that he had no reason to deny me completely in the presence of a foreigner. “What if I were in danger would you have readily denied me giving away to my predators just because of money? He pleaded more and more with me and I soon left him alone.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Back in Nigeria, I was woken from my sleep inside the vehicle I boarded by profuse heat occasioned by the heavy traffic jam that welcomed us back into the country but some for patriotic reasons I too would have denied the country as my own but I soon accepted it as a fate presented to me against my personal wishes and will by my leaders in the country. Amazingly, we counted up to 22 police, customs and immigration check points from the border to Badagry, not to mention many more existing after Badagry with stern looking security men armed to the teeth all of who frequently halted our vehicle and doing their usual Nigerian businesses much to our discomfort. One Cameroonian sitting by me inside the vehicle inquired from me if Nigeria was under war and I laughed aloud not knowing what to answer but another Nigerian passenger who all along had appeared more patriotic than the rest us but with occasional criticism of our leaders was to tell him that it was the culture in the country.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This impediment to our movement continued until I set down at Agboju and the mother of all battles being power failure welcomed us. The whole city was in darkness and no one recognized the other in darkness. As I hoped to hear children scream ‘up NEPA’ I soon fell asleep still worried in my sleep as I wondered on when things will take shape in Nigeria and when the country will compare with other tinier countries in the same region.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p><strong>About the Author:</strong>
<p>Emeka Esogbue hails from Ibusa, Delta State, Nigeria. He is is a Historian and International Relations Analyst and Author with lots of tremendous published and unpublished works.



<a href="mailto:emekaesogbue@yahoo.com">emekaesogbue@yahoo.com</a></p><p>Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/a-journey-to-republic-de-benin-in-west-africa-my-personal-experiences-and-the-nigerian-situation-480584.html" title="A Journey to Republic De Benin in West Africa: My Personal Experiences and the Nigerian Situation">http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/a-journey-to-republic-de-benin-in-west-africa-my-personal-experiences-and-the-nigerian-situation-480584.html</a></p> Not quite long this July, 2008 I set out on a journey to Republic De Benin to satisfy my curiosity because so many interesting things have been said about the country particularly on how organized that society is and how sweet roads in Benin are compared to what exists in our sleeping giant of Africa called Nigeria. I had been motivated by the saying by my father which that “if a child decides to remain in his farm he would think his father’s farm is the biggest of all farms in existence”.



By the way, Benin officially referred to, as “Republic De Benin” is a country in West Africa. This country is bordered to the west by Togo, to the east by Nigeria, to the north by Burkina Faso and Niger while the seat of government of this country is cotonou, its capital is Porto Novo. Until recently (in 1975) Benin was officially known as Dahomey. Part of the official history of Benin claims that the name ‘Benin’ has no proper connection to Benin City or Benin Empire now situated in modern day Nigeria, still certain aspects of the history of the old Benin Empire asserts or seeks to establish that the modern name of the country owes its origin to this once great empire because the influence of the empire extended to country (Benin).



Perhaps someday Historians may have to work towards this aspect of African history to establish the claim and counter claim to help us gain more insightful knowledge on how the people of these two countries related much beyond biases as each aspect of the history of these two countries are trying to justify its own. History can never be rewritten. Any attempt to do this will therefore amount to an attempt adjust the hand of clock either by trying to move it forward or backward. History remains history having been occasioned by either the activities of man or nature itself. We are told the name ‘Benin’ was picked as a neutral name in replacement of ‘Dahomey’ but where the origin of the name or word derives should also be of essence to historians who will now seek to establish whether a link exists with the Benin of Nigeria or not.



Anyway this article will work outside the history of Benin instead will dwell on the social organization of this very society. In other words, how the people of this country do things compared to other bigger countries such as Nigeria with all our revenues derived from our much-publicized oil will be discussed here. Oil may not be all that a country needs to better the lives of its citizens after all. This is what the present situation of Nigeria tells us judging from our experiences in the country today. Only a Nigerian living in the country and not a wealthy politician or government contractor will adequately understand the real situation of the country and what the common man is going through.



Once I set out to discover Republic De Benin like Mongo Park and Lander Brothers in July 2008, the road leading to this country from Nigeria was indeed a rough one with very serious traffic jam. At Okomaiko bus stop, passengers awaiting vehicle stood in the rain waiting with utmost patience to board a vehicle. Nothing would have deterred us not even the rain because we are all used to it. There was simply no cover at these bus stop. Buses attempting to stop and convey these teeming passengers were often scared away by the presence of the law enforcement engagements most of whom were also threateningly running in pursuit of these commercial vehicles even in the rain. Some of these vehicles could even render one’s ‘Christmas clothes’ torn. We soon managed to catch a bus after standing in the rain for about 45 minutes without any visible shades at the bus stop.



The journey though was a quiet and peaceful one with only the police occasionally stopping us to exchange the usual ‘Nigerian greetings’ with the driver of our bus whom seemed to understand every intricacy connected with driving to this country. He must be an experienced man indeed. We soon arrived Benin after about two hours drive. After the usual procedures at the Seme Border between these two countries, we caught another bus heading for Missebo. Much to my surprise, the people of this country working at the border could communicate in both French and English, and I thought it a deliberate action from the government of Benin to ensure that communication was readily available to the citizens of both countries. Even the commercial motor drivers, petty traders, and money exchangers were not left out.



This is a gain over their Nigerian counterparts whose citizens have never in any way been encouraged to understand or learn French by the Nigerian education system to become advantageously armed their citizens with the two international languages. It was also amazing to discover that road and notice boards in the country also existed in French and English languages, a development I very much admired because it gave us the English speakers unlimited knowledge of activities in that country. Excitingly too some of the citizens of this country could at least passably communicate in English and I started to wonder if the knowledge was gained from the education sector in that country or as result of the relationship with Nigerians in the country majority of whom were Ibo. There was really no time to ascertain from any of them how they are able to do this.



At first sight, you are complimented with ‘bonjour’ but when you respond with ‘good morning or good afternoon’ in English you have set off a conversation with them in English. One Nigerian was at business center to make a call, when she attempted to correct the telephone attendant grammatically the response of the attendant was that she should try and understand French too. We all reasoned with her.



If the education sector of this country achieved this then it’s so surprising because it is easier for camel to pass the eye of a needle than for a Nigerian student to speak French because he/she learnt it Nigerian school. Benin must have some wonderful schools too.



Benin I must comment presents some of the finest roads in West Africa and Nigeria cannot in anyway rank with this country. Road signs were completely visible starting from Seme border. Streetlights were never missing. At my age I cannot remember the last time I saw the streets of Lagos lit up with streetlights much less other parts of the country like Aiyetoro, Ogun state, Ibusa, Delta state, Etinan, Akwa-Ibom state, Ihievbe, Edo state, Obiangwu, Imo state, Ihiala, Anambra state and indeed other parts of northern Nigeria. Nigeria’s stranger (traffic lights) were also on mounted in all parts of Benin instead of the regular traffic wardens usually accosting us on Nigerian roads. It is unnecessary to state here that motorists and cyclists diligently complied with the instructions of these traffic lights. The last time I saw a functional traffic lights in Nigeria was in 1981 in Festac town. Though I have been told that there are about two or so at Marina Road of Lagos Island, in Lagos.



Have you ever seen a kind of vehicles responsible for the cleaning of roads? If you are a Nigerian in Nigeria and have not, you need to take a quick trip to Republic De Benin and see one before it is too late to do so. I cannot tell how often these vehicles clean these fine roads but these roads present mats or sorts of beds to lie. If these kinds of vehicles exist in Nigeria, will Lagos and some other Nigerians have to carry out the monthly environmental sanitation exercise? Again which particular ministry in Nigeria is responsible for this exercise? Why will an oil rich Nigeria expect its citizens to come out en masse on monthly basis for cleaning exercise when certain vehicles can do it? The last time I saw these vehicles at work in Nigeria was also in Festac town, Lagos and in 1979. Again I bet that a Nigerian living in the rural Jesse, delta state would argue that no such vehicle exists.



My enquiry at the Immigration office of that country in Cotonou showed that the staff go on break at 11.30 am during which nobody is ever attended to not even the bigwig politicians only to resume around 3.00pm. Bribes (‘settlements’) are never obtained to encourage private attendance to anyone. We have a lot to learn from these people of Benin.



On our way back to Nigeria at about 5.15 pm, we had an easy ride all through the territory of Benin and received warmth farewell from the security operatives in that country with very easy passage made possible by good roads and free flow of traffic encouraged by the police who were always by the side of the roads observing developments on the roads with their whistles intact in their mouths with absolute readiness to carry out their duties. At Seme border, the Benin side of the border absolute orderliness allowed us free departure from this beautiful and well-organized country into our own very ‘Naija’ (Nigeria)



The first enquiry I received from my Nigerian security man at the border was whether I was a Nigerian which though was not a bad one because I assumed he actually wanted to determine my identity which he was ignorant of but when after every proof I presented to him failed to properly identify me as a Nigerian I knew there was much more to it than met the eyes. The Beninese cyclist trying to convey me across, a little inside Nigerian side of the border became enraged and in an emotional outburst told the security man that I was his brother. By the way I could not determine whether this man was a policeman, immigration officer, customs officer, road safety official or even Agbero (tout) because he was appeared in musty. I was soon angered when he responded to the Beninese cyclist that I was not his brother.



“So you would deny me, a Nigerian for no good reasons? I queried. “If you desire some money tell me and I will readily grant your request but not to deny me your Nigerian brother” After I tipped him with some money he became apologetic. I had told him that he had no reason to deny me completely in the presence of a foreigner. “What if I were in danger would you have readily denied me giving away to my predators just because of money? He pleaded more and more with me and I soon left him alone.



Back in Nigeria, I was woken from my sleep inside the vehicle I boarded by profuse heat occasioned by the heavy traffic jam that welcomed us back into the country but some for patriotic reasons I too would have denied the country as my own but I soon accepted it as a fate presented to me against my personal wishes and will by my leaders in the country. Amazingly, we counted up to 22 police, customs and immigration check points from the border to Badagry, not to mention many more existing after Badagry with stern looking security men armed to the teeth all of who frequently halted our vehicle and doing their usual Nigerian businesses much to our discomfort. One Cameroonian sitting by me inside the vehicle inquired from me if Nigeria was under war and I laughed aloud not knowing what to answer but another Nigerian passenger who all along had appeared more patriotic than the rest us but with occasional criticism of our leaders was to tell him that it was the culture in the country.



This impediment to our movement continued until I set down at Agboju and the mother of all battles being power failure welcomed us. The whole city was in darkness and no one recognized the other in darkness. As I hoped to hear children scream ‘up NEPA’ I soon fell asleep still worried in my sleep as I wondered on when things will take shape in Nigeria and when the country will compare with other tinier countries in the same region.

1 Like

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 2:04am On Jan 23, 2009
,
It was also amazing to discover that road and notice boards in the country also existed in French and English languages,


This is an igboman from ibusa .  So benin can speak english. the first time, i was to see a functional street in africa in my life too was in Benin republic many years ago.  


republic of Benin as oil . And they do export oil. when you look at nigeria oil, too much money want eat it.

,
Excitingly too some of the citizens of this country could at least passably communicate in English and I started to wonder if the knowledge was gained from the education sector in that country ,



,
Benin I must comment presents some of the finest roads in West Africa and Nigeria cannot in anyway rank with this country.,

So you can not compare the road in Nigeria with republic of benin.

,
Road signs were completely visible starting from Seme border. Streetlights were never missing. At my age I cannot remember the last time I saw the streets of Lagos lit up with streetlights much less other parts of the country like Aiyetoro, Ogun state, Ibusa, Delta state, Etinan, Akwa-Ibom state,,

Streetlight everywhere.


,
Have you ever seen a kind of vehicles responsible for the cleaning of roads? If you are a Nigerian in Nigeria and have not, you need to take a quick trip to Republic De Benin and see one before it is too late to do so,

It is clear as abroad.

,
On our way back to Nigeria at about 5.15 pm, we had an easy ride all through the territory of Benin and received warmth farewell from the security operatives in that country with very easy passage made possible by good roads and free flow of traffic encouraged by the police who were always by the side of the roads observing developments on the roads with their whistles intact in their mouths with absolute readiness to carry out their duties. At Seme border, the Benin side of the border absolute orderliness allowed us free departure from this beautiful and well-organized country into our own very ‘Naija’ (Nigeria)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The first enquiry I received from my Nigerian security man at the border was whether I was a Nigerian which though was not a bad one because,


The first picture is abidja , while the second is benin.

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 2:05am On Jan 23, 2009
benin

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 2:07am On Jan 23, 2009
benin

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 2:08am On Jan 23, 2009
benin

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 2:11am On Jan 23, 2009
benin

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 2:58am On Jan 23, 2009
Benin

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 3:01am On Jan 23, 2009
benin

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 3:10am On Jan 23, 2009
Benin

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 3:12am On Jan 23, 2009
benin

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 3:13am On Jan 23, 2009
benin

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 3:15am On Jan 23, 2009
benin

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 3:17am On Jan 23, 2009
benin

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Sammy107d(m): 3:39am On Jan 23, 2009
This tone of this article is enough for me to conclude that the author made the trip, not with an open touristic eye, but with the premeditated intent to make decrying comparisons with Nigeria. I could go to Harare and do the same.
Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by tpia: 3:46am On Jan 23, 2009
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Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by tpia: 7:29am On Jan 23, 2009
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Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by shotster50(m): 7:52am On Jan 23, 2009
There is no basis for comparisons between Benin Republic and Nigeria. Cotonou as a national Capital is at best a shithole. We tend to look at other countries from a rosy tinted glass. The roads are not that fantastic when there are compared with what you have in Abuja, Accra and Abidjan.
Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Nobody: 1:58pm On Jan 23, 2009
There is no basis for comparisons between Benin Republic and Nigeria. Cotonou as a national Capital is at best a shithole. We tend to look at other countries from a rosy tinted glass. The roads are not that fantastic when there are compared with what you have in Abuja, Accra and Abidjan.

SHOTSTER50 COULDN'T PUT IT BETTER.

I grew up in cotonou, been there ever since i was 9, primary and secondary school there but had to go to 9JA for tertiary eduction. Still working there. You cant compare the two countries, we are big brother, they even ackowledge that fact. But in term of efficient utilsation of scare resources, give it to them. If they had our oil money,will do wonders. 24hrs water and electricity supply,communication system good even b4 the advent gsm, for gsm we pay less than 20 naria. If we have this in 9ja, brothers in US and UK will all fly back home, what else are we asking for

piss out men
Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 3:51pm On Jan 23, 2009
Densel , you are sure a lier. Here is the article. I just copy it from the internet. Written july 2007. now compare an average street in benin to nigeria. Here is more of benin picture.



http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/a-journey-to-republic-de-benin-in-west-africa-my-personal-experiences-and-the-nigerian-situation-480584.html

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 3:54pm On Jan 23, 2009
benin

Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 3:57pm On Jan 23, 2009
benin




Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by earTHMama: 4:41pm On Jan 23, 2009
There are more beautiful places in Nigeria than the pictures you display here. If you want to join Togo or rep of Benin, why not move down there with your family as a legal immigrant?. You don't have to drag the whole yoruba race with you.
Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by shotster50(m): 10:32pm On Jan 23, 2009
@ Poster, judging from the way you wrote this article, is it safe to conclude that your visit was your first out of Nigeria??
Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by osisi2(f): 10:44pm On Jan 23, 2009
why are people attacking the guy?
He's merely talking of his experiences.
tpia:



how is one sure the so-called author isnt Becomerich aka Nigeria1 aka some other pseudonym.



@ Becomerich


I keep telling you to try harder to pretend you're Yoruba.

Which place do you actually want to claim- I can count at least three off the top of my head. Or you just cant make up your mind?



@ your pictures- do you know where the Nairaland travel section is? Need help locating that side?


tpia:

in fact, I just no wan vex for this Nigeria1 aka BecomePoor. angry

How can someone be touting these photos with a straight face? Is the guy on medication?

Better head back to Benin republic and settle there permanently. Is Nigeria begging you to stay?

na so the thing vex you?
Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Becomrrich: 11:33pm On Jan 23, 2009
So is the road in yorubaland like this. 99% of the road are piece of shit. While we are the productive people in term of non oil export. we get nothing back from the govt. And the lazy northerner who add no single thing to the economy get their own cities developed by money from the south. While our people live in poverty.


Take this to the bank and call them and everybody who is keeping our people in slavery.  You see when pharus held the people. It is like the same story in nigeria. God put sickness in Pharus but pharus refuse to let his people to go. Then God now allow the killing of thier children. And this is the next stage God is about to do. All children of everybody against the Yoruba leaving Nigeria. By the power of God, which is more powerful than your wicked power. God shall start dealing with thier child, either is a minister, senator, rep a businessman , thier friend, governor  and people like you. God would do just like he did of old the same thing to your children.

The yorubas would say Ababi ja ju ogun lo. If you do not let the yoruba go, Ababi , then your children God should deal not only with you, but everything and everyone that associate with you people. either governor, minister, senator, rep, president. And so shall it be in Jesus name. Amen.

Hear this let Yorubas go so that they may serve him.
Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by romeo(m): 11:55pm On Jan 23, 2009
He's actually from Benin Republic.
Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by ikeyman00(m): 11:00am On Jan 24, 2009
hmmm things unravellin!

now stick to your benin, and stop instigating segregation among nigerians!

yoruba this and that, then what?
Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by seyenko(m): 1:38pm On Apr 22, 2009
I fully understand your write up, Nigerian politicians and uniformed personnels are pathetically a hopeless bunch of idiots that should not be in charge of anything related to country governance. You go to other countries of the world and you see a near perfect system. It is just the shame of a nation
Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by Ilelobola: 1:57pm On Apr 22, 2009
If people actually considered the spirit in which the article was written instead of criticizing what has been written. Whether Benin is better than Nigeria or not, the point is our Nigeria is crying for change for the better/best in all areas.
Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by hajifaty: 4:41pm On Apr 22, 2009
Nigeria is a beutiful country.Though, I never been to Benin but from the pictures I think there are some clean,cool and beutiful places in Abuja and Lagos even in a small town of Abeokua with street lites.
Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by ikeyman00(m): 5:17pm On Apr 22, 2009
@@@@@

what is so impressive about those pic!! just be honest with ur stupid self

nawooo
Re: Emeka Esogbue(Igbo) : A Journey To Republic De Benin: And Nigeria Experiences by ikeyman00(m): 5:17pm On Apr 22, 2009
@@@@@

what is so impressive about those pic!! just be honest with ur stupid self

nawooo

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