10 states in Nigeria where Bekwarra indigenes are found in large Number.

Article by Ushie S. A

Bekwarra local government is one of the major ethnic group in Cross River State located in Cross River North. It is believed to be one of the most populated ethnic group in Cross River with Bekwarra language as the major language of the state together with Efik and Ejajgam in South and Central Cross River respectively.

Bekwarra has a unique culture and language amongst other ethnic groups in Cross River state. They are the most travelled and are scattered everywhere in Nigeria. Just like the Igbo of the then Eastern Region, anywhere you go and you didn't see a Bekwarra man there you have to run for your life.

Outside Cross River, the people of northern Cross River are refers to as Ogoja including Yala, Obudu, Obanliku etc. But Bekwarra language is spoken everywhere in all the local government in Cross River State. An average Obudu man understood and speaks Bekwarra fluently.

Note that Northern Cross Riverians being refers to Ogoja doesn't really mean that Ogoja is popular neither is there any ethnic group called "Ogoja". Because we have the Nkim clan, Ishibori etc all under Ogoja local government. Ogoja is not an ethnic group but a combination of all the ethnic group in Cross River State North. This was so because before the formation of statehood in 1967 and local government reforms, Ogoja was a province where the present Abakalike was under Ogoja province and also, Ogoja houses some of the missionaries who came for evangelism especially the CMS and Assemblies of God missionaries who settled early in Ishibori and Anyikang of Bekwarra respectively. However, this topic would be treated in subsequent time.

However, Bekwarra people occupied about 40% of the populace in Ogoja, they are much in calabar, Obudu and Yala, Boki, Ikom, etc. It was due to the political exigency that made the Bekwarra people to be reduced to just a local government. Bekwarra are indigene of Ogoja, ikom as we speak.

The people are very hard working, both their children men and women. They have exploit majorly all the fertile lands in Cross River state especially Ikom, Boki where they are found in large number farming. They are known for farming and they go out looking for fertile land for their farming activities. They majorly specializes in cocoa farming, groundnut, palm oil, palm wine, yam, cassava etc.

Below are 10 states in Nigeria where Bekwarra are found in large numbers without doubt.

1. Edo state: located in South South of Nigeria. The areas in Edo Benin city where they can be found in Okada, udo, ukomu etc. Majorly specializes in cocoa, pineapple, cassava and palm oil in large quantities.

2. Benue state: is in North Central of Nigeria. The areas they can be found in large numbers are zaki biam, Gboko, katsina ala etc. Specializes in groundnut business, handwork like carpentry, mechanic, welder, etc.

3. Ondo state: is located in south western part of Nigeria. They have fertile lands too. Areas they can be found are Idanre 1, idanre 2, itaogbolu, Owena, Ore, ondo etc. Specializes in Cocoa, palm oil, palm wine.

4. Abuja: the federal capital Territory is no doubt a no man's land but Bekwarra are found here in large numbers. Areas they can be found are; Lugbe,kubwa, karmo, Mpape, No man city, etc. Specializes in white collar jobs, menial jobs and farming.

5. Kano state: located in North West of Nigeria. They can be found in Badawa, Bacharawa, etc. Specializes in handwork, business etc.

6. Taraba state: located in North East of Nigeria. They are found in Takum, Wukari, Beli etc. Specializes in farming of groundnut, cassava, yam, business etc.

7. Lagos State: located in South West of Nigeria. They can be found in Lekki 1, Victoria island, Mainland. Specializes in white collar jobs, menial jobs and business.

8. Nasarawa state: located in North Central of Nigeria. They are found in mararaba, kadoroko, Nyanya, Ado etc. Farming, business and collar jobs.

9. Kaduna state: Television, Nasarawa and kakuri.

10. Akwa ibom state: Uyo main town, itu etc.

All the aforementioned are where Bekwarra are found in numbers.
Bekwarra are everywhere but we hide under Ogoja during head count which has been affecting since 2006 because they felt we have a population of just 100 thousand. Go to Cities what we have is Ogoja community, Ogoja Association etc while 95% of these members are Bekwarra. This is not because the Bekwarra people don't want to associate with the name "Bekwarra" But the word Ogoja too is historically significant in the context of presenting any ethnic group in Cross River state North to the world.


Long live Bekwarra.
Ushie S. A
Historian

Lovely state cross river

Bekwarra in Ondo


1st time of hearing this.

Seerade029:
Bekwarra in Ondo


1st time of hearing this.

He meant as migrants.When you would not even bother to read sef, olodo human being

darfay:



He meant as migrants.When you would not even bother to read sef, olodo human being

Ode, I've not seen heard anything like that in my own Home town.

Other than, Igbos, Benins and hausas.

Seerade029:


Ode, I've not seen heard anything like that in my own Home town.

Other than, Igbos, Benins and hausas.

To you Yoruba people especially Yoruba Muslims anybody not hausa is omo igbo, maybe you mistook them for omo Igbo. Mumu

darfay:



To you Yoruba people especially Yoruba Muslims anybody not hausa is omo igbo, maybe you mistook them for omo Igbo. Mumu

Ode, I'm from Ondo city, so I be Muslim abi

You know my city more than myself, that I can't differentiate a Benin guy from an igbo guy??

Yet, You guys are travellers.

Audio travellers

Seerade029:


Ode, I'm from Ondo city, so I be Muslim abi

You know my city more than myself, that I can't differentiate a Benin guy from an igbo guy??

Yet, You guys are travellers.

Audio travellers

You c the rubbish I'm talking about? You erroneously labelled me as a bekwarra, nawa o
Yoruba people sef ehn

darfay:



You c the rubbish I'm talking about? You erroneously labelled me as a bekwarra, nawa o
Yoruba people sef ehn

Who labelled you as Bekwarra

I told you their is nothing like that in Ondo.

Seerade029:


Who labelled you as Bekwarra

I told you their is nothing like that in Ondo.

Ok sorry
Happy ileya to you Ibrahim seerade Amao

darfay:



To you Yoruba people especially Yoruba Muslims anybody not hausa is omo igbo, maybe you mistook them for omo Igbo. Mumu

shit up never heard of this berkwa in ondo before and I can’t differentiate between almost every southern tribes just by name alone.

Moneywomen17:
shit up never heard of this berkwa in ondo before and I can’t differentiate between almost every southern tribes just by name alone.

Good for you Mr salako habeeb

darfay:



Good for you Mr salako habeeb

thanks mr Ahmed nwonsu.

darfay:



Ok sorry
Happy ileya to you Ibrahim seerade Amao

You're welcome, chukwudilliah my Muslim brother

Moneywomen17:
thanks mr Ahmed nwonsu.

Lol Yoruba Muslims and their inferiority complex so I'm no longer bekwarra again I'm now Igbo. Most Yoruba Muslims cannot mention up to 5 tribes in their country. Wetin concern Yoruba Muslims and knowledge? As far e get him Amala dudu ati ewedu, life is ok

@ Ibrahim seerade029

darfay:



Lol Yoruba Muslims and their inferiority complex so I'm no longer bekwarra again I'm now Igbo. Most Yoruba Muslims cannot mention up to 5 tribes in their country. Wetin concern Yoruba Muslims and knowledge? As far e get him Amala dudu ati ewedu, life is ok

@ Ibrahim seerade029

Bekwarra ko, Bekworro ni
Chukwudilliah

Seerade029:


Bekwarra ko, Bekworro ni
Chukwudilliah

Mr Ibrahim salisu akanderudeen seerade029

darfay:



Lol Yoruba Muslims and their inferiority complex so I'm no longer bekwarra again I'm now Igbo. Most Yoruba Muslims cannot mention up to 5 tribes in their country. Wetin concern Yoruba Muslims and knowledge? As far e get him Amala dudu ati ewedu, life is ok

@ Ibrahim seerade029

love the rant mr abdulahi osu.

Moneywomen17:
love the rant mr abdulahi osu.

Happy salaah Mr salisu Ibrahim abikurudeen

darfay:



Happy salaah Mr salisu Ibrahim abikurudeen

same to u my brother in Islam alhaji abdulahi Ahmed osu.