http://ashawonews..com/2014/04/a-thread-on-history-of-igbanke-people.html

This is my candid and unbiased idea on how our proposed memoranda to the CONFAB should look like. This, in no way, is final copy of it. Please, lets have it subjected to a comprehensive analysis with the view to removing things considered irrelevant and injecting those viewed most appropriate. IGBANKE IN SEARCH OF LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL IDENTITY

INTRODUCTION

Language and culture are two of the most fundamental factors that unite and identify a people . A people and their race go into extinction once their language is dead. Once a group of people who share similar linguistic and cultural affinity are dismembered or have other language and culture super-imposed on them, the resultant effect is gradual, systematic and eventual disintegration of the people, their language and culture.

A classical example of a people who have suffered aforementioned linguistic and cultural annihilation were the Sects. Sects, the original owner of the present-day England were, in the 4th century, attacked by the three Germanic tribes- Jutes, Saxons and Anglo-Saxons. The imposition of the dialects of the three Germanic tribes led to the total extinction of the Sectic language.

Though, the descendants of the Sects are still in England, but their linguistic and cultural identity have gone into oblivion.

To this extent, the people of Igbanke in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo state are face the Sects experience. Igbanke is one of the few Ika-speaking communities in Edo state. For this singular reason, they are subjected to all forms of discriminations and marginalization.



STATEMENT OF FACTS ON THE SUBJECT MATTER

The language and culture of the good people of Igbanke are losing their envious identity and relevance in culture-linguistic market-place in Edo state in particular and Nigeria at large.

Several reasons are evidently present to support the fears and anxiety of the people of Igbanke that our identity as a people would go into sudden extinction if urgent measures are not quickly taken to address our emasculation by Bini language dominance. The following points support the facts of the subject matter:

1) Igbanke is one of the few communities in Edo state that speak Ika language

2) Igbanke is located in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo state.

3) Igbanke, by name is in Orhionmwon LGA, but geographically, we do not share common boundary with any community in the council

4) From the eastern flank, Igbanke shares common boundary with Mbiri, an Ika speaking community in Delta stae, from west, it’s bounded by Oghada, another Ika speaking community in Uhunmwode LGA in Edo state. In the northern sphere, Igbanke has boundary with Ekpon, Ika speaking community in Igueben LGA while from the south, it has Agbor and Oza-Nogogo, Ika communities in Delta state as neighbours.

5) Igbanke is in Edo south senatorial district

6) Igbanke people and community came under the Bini empire during the latter’s expantionist programme.

7) Most of other Ika speaking communities that were conquered by Bini empire same time with Igbanke have gotten their independence in Delta state while Igbanke, Oghada, Otobaye, Iru, Ekpon and Ogbeka etc are selfishly scattered in three local government areas with the attendant linguistic discrimination and political marginalization.

cool Igbanke are gradually losing their linguistic and cultural identity as a result of our involuntary affiliation to the Bini language-speakers dominated Orhionmwon LGA.



ISSUES FROM THE STATEMENT OF FACTS

Consequent upon the facts drawn from the subject matter, some issues could be deduced to support Igbanke search for linguistic and cultural identity. These issues would go a long way in justifying our position.

1)Igbanke was deliberately, but selfishly carved into Edo state during the 1991 state creation irrespective of the linguistic difference between the people of Igbanke and the dominant Bini speaking population of the state.

2) Over 96% of Ika speaking communities in the defunct Bendel state were carved into Delta state while Igbanke and a handful other Ika speaking communities were severed into Edo state where they are presently subjected to acute linguistic and sundry discriminations

3) Because of linguistic factor, the people of Igbanke feel more at home with their kiths and kins (Ika speaking people) in Edo and Delta states.

4) Igbanke is made up of six (6) autonomous clans: Ake/Obiogba, Idumu-Odin, Igbontor, Oligie, Omolua and Ottah. These clans were governed by traditional rulers called ‘’Eze or Obi’’. These terms were of Ika origin, but have been forcefully changed to ‘’Enogie’’ a Bini term by the conquering Binis.

5) Our ancestral heritage like language, names and beliefs are being systematically destroyed by the domineering power of the Binis.



ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF ISSUES RAISED

1)Most Igbanke indigenes who have Ika ancestral names like, “Emeka”, “Maduka”, “Chukwuka’’, “Chinyere”, “Amaka and “Ogorchukwu etc are often confronted with all forms of harrowing experiences when there are needs to visit our council headquarters, Abudu to process one official documents or the other. We are often denied the issuance of documents like, ‘’Certificate of Local Government of origin’’, Protest Letter’’, To Whom it May Concern’’ etc on the guise that we are Igbos not Binis.

2) Those who have the likes of the Ika aforementioned names, but can speak Bini language are rarely subjected to the above embarrassments and discriminations. This act goes a long way to vindicate our fear that there is a subtle, but carefully planned agenda to make us lose and abandon our ancestral linguistic and cultural heritage.

3) In order to escape from these unnecessary embarrassments, some have no other option left than to change their identity from Ika to Bini names.

4) Today, we, the good people of Igbanke are gradually losing our once envied linguistic and cultural identity.

5) Some of the eminent sons and daughters of Igbanke, whom out of their outstanding contributions to the development of the community, were recognized and given chieftaincy titles had had such titles changed from their original Ika origin to Bini equivalence. For example, few years ago, one of our sons who addressed himself as “Chief Orike-Eze” in Oba of Benin palace was shamefully harassed, insulted and forcefully forced, right in the palace to change the title to its Bini version. According to the palace, the title, “Orike-Eze” had its origin from Ika and Igbo nations.

5) Most times, when we have cause to attend meetings with the Binis in our local government area or senatorial district, deliberations are often conducted in Bini in language without considering the fact that the people of Igbanke in such meeting neither speak nor understand the language. Often than not, when we attend such meetings, we left the venue more confused than we were before we went.

6) In Edo state, Igbanke is only tolerated, not respected, seen, but not accepted. Today, in Edo state, plans are underway by the state Ministry of Education to introduce the teaching of Bini language in Primary and Secondary schools across Edo south senatorial district including Igbanke. Unfortunately, our indigenous language, Ika is not in any way considered qualified and appropriate to be taught in schools in Igbanke. To us, its another deliberate attempt to send our linguistic identity into extinction.

7) Our people have also suffered several inexplicable discriminations when it comes to political appointments. During the 2013 Edo state local government elections, one of our sons, Mr. Peter Ikem was refused to contest the chairmanship position in Orhionmwon local government area. Reason? His surname, “Ikem” was an Igbo, not Bini name.



PRAYERS/ RELIEFS SOUGHT

Sir, based on the foregoing, we therefore, solemnly ask for the folling:

1) A local government be created that would comprise all Ika speaking communities scattered in Orhionmwon, Uhunmwode and Igueben LGAs of Edo state. Some of the Ika speaking communities in Edo stateinclude:

Orhionmwon LGA ----Igbanke, Iru, Ohezenaka, Otobaye, Ugbeka

Uhunmwode LGA ----- Oghada

Igueben LGA ------- Ekpon



2) Where, for any reason, creation of a local government area that would consist all Ika speaking communities is not in the immediate possible or feasible, we therefore ask that Igbanke be severed from Edo state and merged with our kiths and kins in Ika south local government area in Delta state.

3) The people of Igbanke should be seen, recognized and accepted as Ika people residing in Edo.

4) That Igbanke people, based on our forceful membership of Edo state, reserved the natural and inalienable right to decide, at any time, either to continue our membership with the Binis in Edo state or join our Ika kiths and kins in Delta state.



CONCLUSION

Igbanke is an Ika speaking community in Orhionmwon local government, Edo state

We, the people Igbanke are gradually losing our linguistic and cultural identity as a result of our forceful membership with the Binis through conquest.

If urgent measures are not taken, our linguistic and cultural identity would sooner than later go into sudden extinction. In order to avoid the impending extermination of our race, we therefore, ask that a local government area be created that would consist of Igbanke and other Ika speaking communities in Edo state.

Alternatively, if local government creation is not feasible or possible, Igbanke, should therefore, be severed from Edo state and merged with Ika south local government area in Delta state.

Mods Please take to front page

More facts



Igbo Akiri is an Igbo community in Edo State, Nigeria. It is made up of six villages namely, Umuolua, Obiogba (Aki), Umuiru, Igbonto, Umuodi,
Olije and Ota. The community was previously
misspelt "Igbanke" by the British colonists. But
today, the people of this community have
successfully organized rallies which resulted in
changing their name back to the correct spelling "Igbo Akiri". The leaderdhip of Igbo Akiri is headed by Eze, Dei (Dim), Ndi Ichie, Dike, okenye ulo, and okenye ala.
Each of these heads has their jurisdiction. The
jurisdiction could be stratified into three: The family
level (ezi na ulo), the clan or hamlets and the villages (ebo). At the family level, the okenye ulo
(usually the oldest man in the family) presides. At
the village quarters, the okrnye ala is the head,
while the Eze rules over the entire village.
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/igbo_akiri ............................................................................IGBO AKIRI (IGBANKE) Indigene Wrote: Well i'm not really bothered about the change of name be it Igbanke (Edo) or Igbo akiri (Igbo) because that can change pending on the region you are in, since everyone will want to call it their own way. There is another one which is Omolua (Edo) or as Umuolua (Igbo) but i will prefer to stay in the middle to avoid controversy and the middle is where we really fit in which is Anioma, although that is more Igbo.

I am a first class indigene of Igbanke from Omolua as it or Igbo akiri from Umoulua village (whatever). I'm in my late 30s and what i have always known our king to be called from childhood till date is Eze ( Eze Umuolua) even though most of us call it Omolua. we used to visit the palace whenever we travel. I attended the university of Benin so i know plenty about benin too but my going there was not because we were ceded in Edo State, after all my Dad wanted me in Unilag.

However, i'm naturally at home with Anioma people mainly because of my IKA-ANIOMA LANGUAGE, style of music, cultural attire and way of life with no affiliation to bini which i still do not speak or understand despite living in the town in the past. I have flair for languages but struggling to even understand bini.

We from Igbanke see Agbor as our big brother and that is where we go shopping back in the day. To be honest, Agbor is about 10 mins drive from my village.

Naturally (without struggle) all Igbanke people understand central Igbo language and many of us also speak the central Anioma tongue which i love so much because there is no struggling with it.

I have heard the whole story concerning Ogbemumia and how Igbanke became Edo but most youth of today we are not comfortable in EDO and some of my Yoruba friends in secondary school days jokingly call us slaves because we speak delta, yet being trapped in Edo but that is what it seems. when people ask us where we are from we just say Agbor just to spell us the whole question and answer thing because if you start to speak Ika then i and my brothers can respond better.

whether the Oba of Benin calls the king of Igbanke as enogie does not matter but what the indigenes calls their king is what counts. To call the king an Enogie is expected because he will adopt a bini name and title being that he finds himself under Edo state but ask any Igbanke person (first hand) what we call the king, then you will be told it is Eze because naturally we can relate with that. In my village it is called Eze Omolua. My uncle's name is also Ezewani meaning "the land belongs to the king". In terms of names, we bear Ika-Anioma names and Edo names which for me does not matter because somethings can influence that.

If you ask Igbanke youths out there, none of them will go with Bini because already Agbor and the Ika town is a big influence on us. We have been with Bini since but no affiliation to be honest.

It is unfortunate that an Ika-Igbo community such as Igbanke (Igbo Akiri)is trapped in Edo state when they should have been in Delta state.

Its the same way that the Umueze-Okoha people are trapped in in Benue instead of being with their Kith and Kin in Ebonyi state

interesting

what do u want federal government to do now...



this country is really not organised

nice and educative

educating

I really don't understand. I thought Cire80 said that they were Binis originally, so why would the Ika people have a problem with dropping their Igbo names and titles that they acquired due to trade with Igbos for a Bini one. Shouldn't they be more proud that they're finally going to be reunited with their bini people.

Btw, this should be moved to the culture section.

-This distinct group, whether Igbos or not should be rejoin back to their people in Delta State, atleast.

-Similar absurd situations like this abound all over Nigeria. Those before us who participated in all this State & Local govt. creations are not as smart as some people want us to believe. Respect for natural borders is basic in creating political units.

#iStandWithIgbanke

Afam4eva:
I really don't understand. I thought Cire80 said that they were Binis originally, so why would the Ika people have a problem with dropping their Igbo names and titles that they acquired due to trade with Igbos for a Bini one. Shouldn't they be more proud that they're finally going to be reunited with their bini people.

Btw, this should be moved to the culture section.

this is a compilation of different articles and write ups. Who is Mordsith? Is he from Igbanke? If he's not, he doesn't have any business with Igbanke. It's a fact that Igbankes are of Edo origin. Whether Bini or Ishan or Ora or whatever. Edos are not one. Today Igbanke is ethnically Ika and linguistically Ika/Igboid as well. This post is filled with half truths and lies so I have to ignore it.

very funny set of people , how can you claim to be part of a major ethnic group yet being bullied by a minority group . why dont you identify with the larger igbo race, join ohaneze integrate yourself properly , thats your only hope of salvation . they are not the only igboid groups in other non igbo state but their situation is bad because they have decided to isolate themselves from the larger group . more like what happens in the jungle , once you leave the pack or herd you become meat for other predators .

biliky:
very funny set of people , how can you claim to be part of a major ethnic group yet being bullied by a minority group . why dont you identify with the larger igbo race, join ohaneze integrate yourself properly , thats your only hope of salvation . they are not the only igboid groups in other non igbo state but their situation is bad because they have decided to isolate themselves from the larger group . more like what happens in the jungle , once you leave the pack or herd you become meat for other predators .

u made point though

biliky:
very funny set of people , how can you claim to be part of a major ethnic group yet being bullied by a minority group . why dont you identify with the larger igbo race, join ohaneze integrate yourself properly , thats your only hope of salvation . they are not the only igboid groups in other non igbo state but their situation is bad because they have decided to isolate themselves from the larger group . more like what happens in the jungle , once you leave the pack or herd you become meat for other predators .

They claim to be part of Ika. Ika is not a majority. Do you even know what you are talking about?

In summary,igbanke are Igbo's according to you...lmao..everyone sha get opinion continue!!!

I'm sure there are no oil wells in this Igbanke,otherwise the theorem would have been too strong in favour of Bini ancestry or wherever else they will claim to come from.

Why should this be a problem? all of you that deny your igboness, continue