₦airaland Forum

This is very strong and all shades of wrong.

Even if the kids are not his, which is likely, no need to torment the kids for life.

He should have just left the woman and the kids alone.

At 36, he still even a boy sef. He can have another family easily. Many marry at 35 to 40 years these days.
Very sad. He lost big time. Everybody lost here.

RIP to the lady.

@ Samuk

The truth has been there in the open for decades but many didn't want to see it.

Take Obis of Agbor for example. Irrespective of what they say of their history, several of them had Benin names such as Gbenoba (Igbinoba) 1890-1911, Obika Gbenoba (Igbinoba) from 1935-67 and others who ruled much earlier such as Agho, Obanor, etc. Benin links to the royalty and streets/quarters are very clear.

In Benin, no Oranmiyan link in folklore or kings is obvious. They say Eweka comes from Owomika. The whole magic of playing Akhue seed and suddenly speaking is not a popular story in Benin. Most people in Benin don't even know about it. Whereas the stories of Akpanigiakon, Ebomisi, Arhuanran, Ewuakpe, Osogan monster, Ogiso Obioye and others are well-known.

What could have made "Owomika" episode so unknown except to those who read Dr J U Egharevba's book and later history that now talk about it?

It can't just be because it supposedly happened relatively long ago because Obioye and Osogan story are older.

One must suspect that a "neat" link between Oranmiyan and Eweka needed to be promoted for exigency.

Nothing new about it. Every clan in Yorubaland is suddenly finding a link between themselves and one son, daughter or grandchild of Oduduwa to legitimise their Yorubaness. Any king or baale who doesn't magic a link to Ife is these days considered to be less in importance.

The fallacy of this trend is that it portrays Yoruba people as only springing out of Oduduwa about 900 years ago. That can't be true. Igodomigodo was already well-established as a kingdom by 40-50BC, about the time Julius Caesar was being murdered in Rome. How can Yoruba clans be that young?

Some rush here to say Yoruba is over 900 years old. Great! That would make more sense. But why is every clan claiming Oduduwa that is about 900 years ago then?

What pisses me of is when our SW people boldly say things like "shebi Benin come from Oduduwa, they are Yoruba". The level of ignorance among majority is astonishing.

Assuming there was concrete evidence that Eweka I was son of Oranmiyan, which there isn't, only a tiny fraction of Benin people would be descendants of Oduduwa through Oranmiyan. They can be identified by Lamogun morning greeting and only one of over 100 common family morning greetings. There is even NO concrete evidence.

I have suggested for years here that we should select a few members of Ooni of Ife family and Lamogun group in Benin to do a DNA test to determine the link or lack of. Nobody took up the offer.

The same way Samuk placed $1,000 reward on anyone getting a concrete proof of documentation of Benin-Ife link before 1824 and nobody has done anything.

We from Benin seek the truth and are even prepared to walk the talk. Others make claims, shout, insult, yet no action to back it up.

samuk:
The Oranmiyan story was written into Benin history after the fall of Benin in 1897, this is why no one has been able to backup the story earlier than 1897.

In my opinion, any person, mostly Edo person that believes and link the Benin throne to Ife has been miseducated on Benin history. If Benin had anything to do with Ife, it would have been way back in antiquity, I don't believe the relationship is the way we were told. It's difficult for some people to unlearn what they have been told for too long irrespective of were the evidence lead.

Between 1400s to 1897, there was no Benin prince or princess that had a yoruba name, why?

No Benin monarch in history had a yoruba name or adopted a yoruba title, why?

All yoruba monarchs in history had yoruba names and titles, why was Benin different?

The truth has been there in the open for decades but many didn't want to see it.
Take Obis of Agbor for example. Irrespective of what they say of their history, several of them had Benin names such as Gbenoba (Igbinoba) 1890-1911, Obika Gbenoba (Igbinoba) from 1935-67 and others who ruled much earlier such as Agho, Obanor, etc. Benin links to the royalty and streets/quarters are very clear.

In Benin, no Oranmiyan link in folklore or kings is obvious. They say Eweka comes from Owomika. The whole magic of playing Akhue seed and suddenly speaking is not a popular story in Benin. Most people in Benin don't even know about it. Whereas the stories of Akpanigiakon, Ebomisi, Arhuanran, Ewuakpe, Osogan monster, Ogiso Obioye and others are well-known.

What could have made "Owomika" episode so unknown except to those who read Dr J U Egharevba's book and later history that now talk about it?

It can't just be because it supposedly happened relatively long ago because Obioye and Osogan story are older.

One must suspect that a "neat" link between Oranmiyan and Eweka needed to be promoted for exigency.

Nothing new about it. Every clan in Yorubaland is suddenly finding a link between themselves and one son, daughter or grandchild of Oduduwa to legitimise their Yorubaness. Any king or baale who doesn't magic a link to Ife is these days considered to be less in importance.

The fallacy of this trend is that it portrays Yoruba people as only springing out of Oduduwa about 900 years ago. That can't be true. Igodomigodo was already well-established as a kingdom by 40-50BC, about the time Julius Caesar was being murdered in Rome. How can Yoruba clans be that young?

Some rush here to say Yoruba is over 900 years old. Great! That would make more sense. By why is every clan claiming Oduduwa?

What pisses me of is when our SW people boldly say things like "shebi Benin come from Oduduwa, they are Yoruba". The level of ignorance among majority is astonishing.

Assuming there was concrete evidence that Eweka I was son of Oranmiyan, which there isn't, only a tiny fraction of Benin people would be descendants of Oduduwa through Oranmiyan. They can be identified by Lamogun morning greeting, only one of over 100 common family morning greetings. There is even concrete evidence.

I have suggested for years here that we should select a few members of Ooni of Ife family and Lamogun group in Benin to do a DNA test to determine the link or lack of. Nobody took up the offer.

The same way Samuk placed $1,000 reward on anyone getting a concrete proof of documentation of Benin-Ife link before 1824 and nobody has done anything.

We from Benin seek the truth are even prepared to walk the talk. Others make claims, shout, insult, yet no action to back it up.

Nice one, Litmus.

Mods, front page please.

Or should Litmus add Toke Makinwa to this video to reach FP?

Our cultural heritage is more important than bumbum and boobs o.

OyinO:
So why was the Olu of Itsekiri once referred to as the Nana of Itsekiri? Thanks

Nana was NEVER an Olu.

In fact Nana was one of the most prominent Benin River administrators and a chief. There were several other Itsekhiri chiefs who were administrators before him.

In fact, Chief Idiare was the first administrator. You know how the British liked to cause confusion, divide and rule back then. Chief Idiare was already administrator before Nana Olomu was even born according to history. In reality, other administrators were not called Nana at all as such. Nana's father was the Ologbotsere of Itsekhiri, not Olu. In fact, Nana hoodwinked the Emaye family that was due to produce the next rotational Administrator after Nana's father. Ologbotsere can serve as Prime minister of Itsekhiri but the Iyatsere can also do that function.

In Benin, the Iyase has always been the prime minister while Ologbosere is 4th in command of the Imperial Army behind the Oba, Iyase and Ezomo. In reality, post Oba Orogbua era, Ezomo became Field Commander and Ologbosere 2-in-c. Unless the Iyase was also at war. Actually if Ezomo went to the war front, Ologbosere stayed behind to defend Benin-City. Chief Edogun also had a vital military command pre-1897. Iyase although has more political power than Ezomo, he didn't actually control troops unless he was specially provided with troops if needs be to go to war. Politically, he also used Iyase to control Ezomo and his military powers.

Oba Ewuare I was a military and administrative genius. He gave Iyase huge political powers but no miliary brigade and his position is not hereditary. Ezomo he gave a huge army to command but with lower political clout. Oba used Iyase to keep the powerful ancient elders/chiefs, the Uzamas in check. A proper chess game master. Quite impressive.

Almost 400 years after Oba Ewuare I, Alafin of Oyo still hadn't checked the powers of Bashorun of Oyo, the prime minister and the tyrannical Bashorun Gaa really dealt with three different Alafins of Oyo, weakened the nation, divided it politically and Dan Fodio was able to pounce. Oyo people should know how Bashorun Gaa used the basket and its content to tell Alafin that his time was up.

The reason we all know Nana is because he fell out with the British to the point that he was exiled to Ghana.
He fell out because the British were now travelling up the Benin River Inland to trade directly with the Urhobos. Urhobos in the house should be able to enlighten us better on this.

This direct trade with Urhobos infuriated Nana and other Itsekhiri merchants of coastal trade with the British. Nana and his people became quite wealthy as trade middlemen between inlanders/Urhobos and the British.

I don't want to dig up old issues, but the Urhobos were attacked by Nana's people, which made Urhobos to stop trading with the British. The British then got very angry with Nana because their now more lucrative trade had been disrupted. The rest is history.

That is what I remember. Maybe our Delta people can expand on it.

OyinO:
You have already said it that they have a Yoruboid root. So what happened to Nana of Itsekiri title? Where did it come from and where did it go? Why was it discarded?

Nanas were in charge of Benin River area during the inter-regnum in the Ogiame stool from 1856-1936. Nanas were basically merchant chiefs. They were not Ogiames.

Out of respect for our Itsekhiri brothers, I won't delve into the inter-regnum issue.

samuk:
Some people and certain situations does make someone more patriotic.

Are you aware that there is absolutely nothing either in tradition and written accounts until late 1890s that support Benin monarchy having the sort of relationship with Yoruba, the way you have been made to believe. There is political history and real history of a people, both serve different purposes.

Most Edo contributors on this forum are not even aware of the above. I agree with AreaFada2 and hope that the real Edo G.O.A.T is yet to join this forum. Most have debated from the point of miseducation about Benin history.

Once your education about Benin history is faulty or tainted, your contributions will also be faulty from the point your mis education began. This is why I am mostly interested on the contributions that reference early Europeans writings like the burial of the Oba of Benin in the 1540s as presented by Physics.

The way I see it, is that the various contributions here are to help those who are yet to come. I have looked at various works and even Physics failed in my opinion to realise that Benin/Ife or story of Oba of Benin being related to Yoruba was only concocted in late 1890s after Oba Ovonramwen had already been banished to Calabar, before then such history never existed, but sadly some Edo people are helping to propagate these falsehood albeit unknowingly.

I was once guilty of the above until that Edo guy in France, the teacher asked me a question that made me probed Benin history further and earlier than the writings of the late 1890s. I look at various sources and the history of other Edoid tribes and also look at the history I was told as a child when I use to visit my great grandmother who was born during the reign of Oba Ovonramwen in the village during school holidays. I came to realised that Benin history falls into two categories.

1. Pre 1897, authentic European eyewitness historical accounts.

2. Post 1897, polical history.

If you are not careful, you will not be able to separate the two. You must know where one ends and the other begins.

The late 1800s was when yoruba people started uniting their people together with the help of the British, the rallying point of yoruba history shifted from Oyo to Ife and Benin was dragged along.

The alleged Benin/Ife connection gained ground during the reign of Oba Eweka 2, his ground son Oba Erediawa 2 later attempted to repair part of the damage this coursed Benin history. The fallout was that most modern people who didn't have enough knowledge of pre 1890s Benin history became confused.

I look at the work of Ajayi Crowder, who is probably the father of modern yoruba nations and history, I never saw any connection between Benin monarch and Ife in Ajayi Crowder's time even though about three Oba of Benin reigned in the same period Ajayi Crowder returned to Nigeria and was active in writing, I did a writeup on this on this forum sometime ago.

If Benin monarch had any relationship with Yoruba before 1891 Ajayi Crowder would have written about it. There were atleast three deaths and coronations of Oba of Benin in Ajayi Crowder active writing years.

Ajayi Crowder travelled Nigeria and knew about Benin.

I hope future Edo people will look at all our contributions with fresh pair of eyes and interrogate them for the advancement of Benin history.

Samuel Ajayi Crowther (c. 1809 – 31 December 1891),

As for the bolded, elderly folks back then had no access of means to research but today we do. It would be our fault if we didn't do so.

I was quite surprised when current Oba included Oranmiyan among the list of Obas. I prefer the stance of Oba Erediauwa. Oranmiyan stuff is too controversial in our history and has not been resolved yet. I don't know when he was crowned, by whom, when or where he was presented to people of Benin as the new Oba. Eweka I on the other hand was clearly crowned and his life and times well-known in Benin. Eweka I as first Oba of current dynasty removed any uncertainties, not Oranmiyan.

A lot of things need to be looked at afresh with all honesty and boldness.
Ajayi Crowther travelled across Benin to Igboland and even narrated how the Benin-ness of Asaba was being diluted by influx from across the Niger, yet he didn't mention Benin-Ife link. That alone shows how recent and political the whole thing is.

Many Benins have lived a fairly comfortable life. No need to head for all corners of Nigeria to hustle for food. We have very fertile land, families support each other and we are not people who want to make money by any means traditionally.
Only very few of our ladies marry to follow their husbands to another state. Instead they normally meet their hubby in Benin or Lagos and reside there. Or even move abroad.

When leaving Benin or Lagos, it's mostly to go abroad. Not to Damaturu, Offa or Kafanchan. Of late some have moved to Abuja, another melting pot.
Therefore, we are quite oblivious of how deep tribalism runs across 9ja. We also typically don't queue up for FG job, police or military recruitment and we care less or not even of the discrimination in recruitment of so-called minorities these days.

It seems we are one of the most prepared people to stay on our own if 9ja crumbles.

AutomaticMotors:
AreaFada2 in my opinion is the G.O.A.T!! He stood the test of time and he is still here strong as ever!

Anybody who has taken their time to correct the falsehood peddled against our history here has really done well. It is much easier to be quiet but falsehood repeated often enough can suddenly become reality. It is an ongoing campaign that we must sustain. I hope that the real G.O.A.Ts are yet to join us here and surpass all our efforts till date.

We Benins (not Binis) have been too urbane, relaxed and somewhat naïve. We believe in maintaining peace and being accommodating. But we cannot do it at any cost.
We need to realise that we have many frenemies, many of whom we have welcomed and accommodated. When it suites them, they will say we are same people. But in reality they will deride our history and backbite us with other people.
I understand their envy as they do not have our illustrious history. Some seek to compensate for it by aggressively pursuing money, position, wealth, etc.

If they can supress, deceive, take food from your mouth or divert good things away from you as a Benin man, it's a massive boost for their ego. It also satisfies their historical grudges. Frenemies believe that they are able to outsmart us. It is simply because we have cultural values and are never desperate, which is the opposite of their situation. So we must be watchful but cool, calm and collected.

Izoduwa narrated a story of contesting for student leader position at OAU, Ife. His experience was like a fraction of mine and dating from much earlier than his until now. It was one of the things that made him to become such a patriot. We all have our Eureka moments.

Nobody can love you as much as you love yourself or your history/culture. Nigeria is a badly divided country now. It is every tribe for itself. As 9ja's expiry date gradually draws closer, we must prepare ourselves. The North has oil now. They might discover more huge gas deposits that they won't want to share with the South.

I pity our women that pastors from outside Edo gather to build churches, fill their pockets and then demonise our culture. Of course they don't have any great history to cherish so why should they cherish ours? We need to wise up. It is women who chiefly propagate culture.

We got Christianity before other tribes in 9ja. It may be "sharking" those who got it under 150 years ago now, not us that got in the 1470s. We even indigenised it as Aruosa Cathedral centuries ago. How many other kings in Africa are the heads of a Christian Church? None other aside Oba of Benin. King Charles of England is another king who heads a church but that's in Europe. Because they have no ancient indigenous church of their own to show, suddenly they say Aruosa is pagan.

But Coptic Church of Egypt and the Ethiopian one are not pagan o.

So nobody should tell us about Christianity, paganism or whatever. We got it before anyone else. We need to wake up.

Diaspora that you people couldn't give voting right?

Because you can't buy their vote with 5k.

samuk:
The problem these people are having is that every aspect of old Benin kingdom was documented by independent European eyewitnesses for centuries, which makes it easier for any serious Benin history researcher to expose their lies.

Their simple mission is to miseducate less informed Nigerians and some Edo people. The reason is simple, European eyewitness accounts of yoruba history only started in 1824. Even at that, they have changed what the Europeans saw and wrote about them, for example, the Europeans met the Alaafin as king of yoruba people, today that position has been changed to the Ooni. They can do as they wish with their history but they should stay out of Benin history.

It is astonishing that people cannot be objective when looking into history. In Benin we want to remain authentic with history. In Yorubaland, it is about politics and what will make Yoruba people unite and speak with one voice. Therefore, truth and authenticity become the victims.

I can understand the trauma and bitter experience of Intra-Yoruba civil wars. Also the internal divisions and weakening of Oyo Empire due to Bashorun Gaa's troubles and high-handedness with various Alafins that later partly made conquest by Dan Fodio more possible.

But they should leave Benin out of their politicised history.

We can remain neighbours with mutual respect.

Franciscabless:
Why have a dna check if there wasn't any doubt?

Or better still, why didn't she point out the "off thing" in the child to her hubby and do the DNA test together?

She knows that her hubby may start asking questions soon so she quickly ran the test. Now she wants to prepare a ready cast-iron excuse to give him and wants the public to help her.

Who told the lady that her hubby hasn't noticed "the off thing" about the child? May be the hubby is still doing "siddon look" as the child develops.

Some women really underestimate men o.

The resemblance to a neighbour, the lady's work colleague or best friend of the man will become obvious soon enough even to the blind.
Trust people totally at your own peril. Expect nothing and expect anything. Only always hope for the best.

HOWEVER, if the lady really trusts herself, did not have a drunken overnight sleep over with another guy, truly never cheated, the hubby might be a chimera. The hubby as a baby in the womb absorbed the genes of a twin baby that nobody is aware of. It is very rare but happens. She must be steadfast and inform the man.

Although her sneaky way of going about it is suspicious.

Olu317:
Just imaging your interpretation of what Alake said ? Hatred will not kill you Edo lying e warriors.

How is Alake Junior to Oloyo or Oba Bini ? In your falsehood, thought, military might is what makes a bonafide king greater than the other ?

Rather than posting gibberrish in this thread, it is advisable you post information on Pa Idu history,and not bring in views you do not have knowledge on because a king made statement on politics. Go learn and educate yourself .

Can Edo stand without Yoruba Race ? Can Oba Bini openly support disconnect between Yoruba ileife and his Kingdom ?

Seriously,your purpose on Culture Thread is quite questionable because you should this view of your on Politics thread.

I just wonder, reason you have not shed more light on Pa Idu as the pioneer man in your history . Hopefully, let us learn Edo historical information without controversy.

Well, Benin already led Midwest out of Western Region concocted by the British and we have stood on our own, thank you very much. You can keep your teleporting Dr Who Oduduwa. Or is it Arabian flying carpet?

The fact is that on 07/01/1952, Alake's statement infuriated non-Yoruba members of Western House of Assembly. On the opening day of parliament no less. Oba Akenzua II led all non-Yoruba members to walk out of the chamber that day. Alake's statement was reckless and an affront. Midwest movement took on more momentum from that moment. Shebi una dey claim over-education? Go and learn your history first.

Or you want to tell those offended how to interpret Alake's statement?

Even Alake ranting in 2016 to rank Obas in Yorubaland didn't even dare to rank himself above Oba of Benin. So what are you saying?

Because Egbaland has produced many heads of state doesn't make Alake rank higher than Owa Obokun, Soun or Timi.

I know you guys do political obaship, even the selection sef na wa.

Of course he probably had too much time to spare and he went about the fruitless journey of mentioning Benin inside Yoruba supremacy battle. I know your hubris and ignorance won't allow you to know the woto woto Alake received in 2016.

Why do Alakes take it upon themselves to infuriate other people minding their own business? In 1952 and again in 2016.

Let Alake openly rank himself above the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Frederick Akinruntan and see the woto woto he will get.

Cc Automechanic

TayehJiboluwa:
It is very hard for a young wife that is still schooling not to cheat with her colleagues and other men. Most guys that did this regretted it, including a friend of mine. If I were you, I would make her sign a oath with her blood not to cheat on me before the commencement of her schooling. Both men and women do it anyway. This body is not wood. She can't stop now. Get sufficient evidence and show it to her parents and family then let her go, if you want to progress in life.

No. If OP / Nextlife1 wants to be alive to raise the children they have together. The kids may be his excuse to forgive her. But he should remember that a cheating wife is a risk to her hubby's life because the man becomes an obstacle to her flexing. Even an obstacle to her following other guys outside after getting a taste of it.

OyinO:
Not Olu of Warri but the Nana of Itsekiri. Besides, the word [b]Olu [/b]reveals the fact that he's from the Yoruba ethnic stock, meaning he's a migrant Prince to the Warri Kingdom.

Olu was a later addition. The only true name is Ogiame. Loss of Ogiame title would technically invalidate his throne whereas Olu means nothing.

When Okoro/Prince Iginuwa was sent from Benin by his father (Oba Olua) in 1480, he appointed him as "Ogiame" or Lord of the Seas/Waters as his title in his new domain by the coast.
Just about 10 years ago when the late father of current Ogiame (Atunwatse II) wanted to renounce Ogiame title, Warri people and his family advised him to retain the title or abdicate.

See link below: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/09/olu-of-warri-reverts-to-ogiame-title/

In any case, the title Olu can be used by a duke in Benin Kingdom, for example the Olu Awure (Elawure) of Usen, the duke of a Benin-Yoruboid town in Edo South. Of course Ogiame was 500 years plus ago only meant to be a duke under Benin just like Eleko of Lagos was intended.

When the Portuguese-made crown of Ogiame was stolen last year to prevent coronation of current one, he was able to rely on using one of the 14 crown beads that Oba Akenzua had given to his grandfather, Ogiame Erejuwa II, to crown the next 14 Ogiames of Warri. This current Ogiame even said it in his coronation speech last year. You can listen to it online. In essence, using the crown bead from Benin along with the original title are the most important part.

While lots of current Itsekhiri people are a mix of some early Ijebu, lots of Owo/Eastern Yoruba, Benin and other tribes, the royal family and early/senior chiefs/aristocratic families are Benin and moved there in 1480.

The result is that Owo dialect is about 90% similar to Itsekhiri. Both are a mix of Yoruba and Benin and developed own unique flavour. Itsekhiri has some Urhobo language influence too.

samuk:
You are very current with what is going on, those that understand what Benin City is about turn into is already positioning themselves to take huge advantage. Lagos is the only pointer to a future Benin city in Nigeria. Like I said before, there is no city in the south east has big as Benin City, no city in south south as big as Benin city, only Ibadan is bigger in south west besides Lagos, only Kano is bigger than Benin city in the North. Benin-city is currently the fourth largest city in Nigeria, only Lagos will be able to compete with her in the next 20 years with Obaseki's plans being implemented.

Ekiadolor Road is being done to link up with old Akure Road.

As a result of Obaseki's reforms, Edo Igr have grown from about 3 billion naira under Lucky Igbinedion to abou 40 billion with a projection of 60 billion naira next year, 50% increase in a year. Unfortunately for some indigines, very few actually understand what is going on, all the big guys are already landing from Lagos. The second phase of Benin city reborn (home for elites, mostly second homes for none resident business people) is already sold out with four more on the pipeline in various design stages.

The guy that brought shoperite to Nigeria said his Jara stores in Benin City is the second most profitable stores in Nigeria after Lagos.

Benin city passport office is the second busiest in Nigeria after Lagos according to the interior minister.

Edo state recently worn the best state with independent power project in Nigeria and this is even before 24 hours Ossiomon power get to private individuals, currently most industries and few private individuals are already enjoying 24 hours power supply from Ossiomon power.

Plans are in place in the immediate to complete the Benin city bypass making the inner city a 40 miles radius. The current distance from the centre of the city to the halve that has been completed is 20 miles, you can check this out on Google map, when fully completed, one end to the other will be 40 miles.

Benin city to Lagos is 196.6 miles. There are plans in place to extend inner Benin city to 40 miles, about a fifty the distance from Benin city to Lagos.

More Benin people with the resources will continue to see Benin as first choice irrespective of the number of extra local government areas created in Edo south, Benin city will only grow out into other Edo south towns.

Benin City's development was badly thwarted from 1983 until mid 2007. When military governors without ties to Edo and the very poor performing Lucky were in charge. Marwa that performed well is a Lagos boy (early education in SE and SW, like many military kids) despite his Northern origin. Before people quote his example in Lagos.

Before that, Benin was a pivotal political and meeting City in 9ja with Lagos, Ibadan, Enugu, Kaduna and Kano. That Benin always had many hotels and bars is due to its history of hosting many guests and travellers. Kaduna Nzeogwu's retirement dream was to have a nice hotel in Benin, according to his friend OBJ and others.

Benin is very strategic in location and a visionary governor can do a lot with it. But most of our people in 9ja care mostly about today. Vision and future are too farfetched. Poverty for some and greed for others are the main reasons.

adedayoa2:
nawa o, I know 3 women that went there before their husbands, they worked and invited husbands over.

3:1 ratio. You are currently winning. The guy you quoted should step up.

The marriage that broke up, the lady wasn't happy in the marriage in 9ja. Circumstances just shackled her into the marriage. So are lots of marriages in 9ja. Maybe she was even cheating on the guy while in 9ja sef. Probably better for the ex-hubby long term, who knows?

Nyanabo:
Original bride price are really not expensive, in any part of the country. We are the ones that wants to be the talk of the community and how well we spent money on the traditional marriage.

True. Things like English hot, sewing machine, deep freezer, Rolls of Benson and Hedges and so on, when did they become traditional items?

All these modern additions nor too follow.

Yes, culture evolves but it should be positive.

There are areas in 9ja where marriage is even pocket-friendlier than the SW list. Many parts of Edo for example. Bride Price is like N24 as in 24 Naira. Even if the groom brings 100k or 1m as bride price, bride's family will take N24 and return the balance to the groom.

It goes back to the era with the belief that just having money doesn't necessarily make you a good husband, father or in-law. Also marriage is a long race. How you persevere as a man to sustain your new family, look after our daughter, cherish her and her kids long term are far more important. Not like buying a cattle one day and up to you what you do with it.

TakeNigeriaBack:
Another foolish African that has decided to carry the white man's Jesus for head like gala. Africans and Christianity/Islam foolish like 5&6.

Dude, mental health issues.
It happens to people who are NOT practising Christians too. Such as some oyinbo who never go to church except for baptism, wedding or funeral. People of every other religion or no religion also have it.

She probably heard a voice (auditory hallucination) claiming to be Jesus and asking her to do it.

At times it can be a powerful person asking her to do it: King, Queen, president, etc. Not restricted to religion.
Her condition can actually be treated well, especially in the West. Only that we Africans over-stigmatise mental ill health and making many to refuse to seek help on time.

UGBE634:
The fg would have undeniably granted a seventh state for the south south, bear in mind that the second in command to Abacha who is equivalent to the vice president today was an Esan man in the person of Akhigbe.
Anenih might have thwarted this one because of the fact that the state capital lot did not fall on Esan people but rather the lot of the state governors which is Even rotational. But this is a different issue,

I am talking about Aikhomu that was the vice to Babangida. Eredieuwa did not allow the creation of local government which would have allowed these communities and their kings some form of independence and these towns some form of development. If not for what Eredieuwa did, there would have been strong population concentration in several towns rather than the strong congregation of Bini populace in Benin city as a residential area. He was however afraid that these kings in these towns with some form of independence and a separate local government would have enabled them to chart their course. That was his major concern. He wanted strong undiluted control over all Edo areas, however it has caused Edo major underdevelopment aside Benin city.

Look at Esan today, their five major towns are fairly developed and are inhabitable, same cannot be said for the Binis

Why did they not grant SW a seventh State? Abacha was from NE by origin but family settled in Kano. He didn't grant NE a seventh State. Remember that Anioma, Adada and other states were all also discussed but not granted. IBB didn't even create Gbagyi State for his own tribe and didn't create Anioma State for his wife. Which other reasonable thing was Aikhomu able to bring to Irrua never mind Esanland at large? Is it a whole state he could have done? It's not that simple.

Erediauwa was at the heart of Gowon's regime's cabinet office (before retiring from it) and truly knew how to pull one or two strings but history is more important here.

Regarding state creation, it's easy to see things from the outside and look easy. In 1995 I discussed with a now late General who was in the group of IBB, Abacha, Dongoyaro, Vatsa (before the alleged coup), Bako (died trying to go arrest Shagari in 1983 coup), Dimka (1976 coup leader) and those many North Central officers. You know our big men in 9ja become very simple in Europe/abroad. Especially under certain circumstances. It gave me insight into just how complex 9ja is at the top level with many vested interests.

UGBE634:
Yes now, till today my father still have some subtle beef for the late king as a result, when we discuss politics, he usually brings it in once or twice, saying he has helped drag Edo back because of his interest. If it is some other tribe, Urhonigbe would just be a local government of his own, it is a large town with ten quarters

See this statement below:

"On my right sits the Oni of Ife;
On my left, the Leader of our Government,
Obafemi Awolowo.
The Voice of the West is complete".

This statement was made by Alake on January 7th 1952 at the Western House of Assembly. Alake, a very junior king behind Alafin, Ooni, Awujale, Olowo, even Timi of Ede, Soun of Oshogbo and Ewi of Ado-Ekiti if you look into history properly, dared to stand up to make such a reckless declaration. In Ibadan for that matter.

He totally ignored other monarchs present including Oba Akenzua and others from Delta Province who were also members of the House back then.

Oba Akenzua led non-Yoruba people to walk out of the Assembly. Momentum to split from Western Region gathered from that event. It was achieved in 1963 referendum.

Oba Erediauwa's father was key to creating Midwest and fought for it. Later Bendel to Edo and Delta.

You can understand Oba Erediauwa's passion to maintain unity among Edo. He witnessed that part of our history. We need to educate people about where we are coming. We shouldn't take what we have for granted.

Now times have changed. 9ja is far more disunited now than in 1996. FG might not even have granted a 7th SS state in 1996.
It's probably just about the right time now.

samuk:
AreaFada2

UGBE634

My account was temporarily suspended, but I was able to read your contributions, well done.

The only point I wanted to add is that Edo/Benin have nothing to drag with any other tribes. Our ancestors have left us a great legacy that the rest of the world are now committing resources to study.

The study of Benin kingdom has now been incorporated into the UK secondary schools curriculum to give all black students irrespective of countries of origin a sense of belonging, inclusion and pride in themselves. Benin kingdom is the only kingdom in Nigeria that have enough authentic materials to be studied.

Whilst Benin history is deliberately being undermine by some of our jealous neighbours, the rest of the world see Benin as the leading light for the black race historically. Locally halve baked scholars can continue to write fictions that the word doesn't take notice off.

https://educationblog.oup.com/secondary/diversifying-history-at-ks3

That's how they play dirty when they cannot logically argue. We are not dragging anything o. But others should stop claiming that we took this and that from them, they first called us this and that name, we took the name for this or that animal, from them.

Very true, as e dey pain dem, e dey sweet us. Oyinbo just can't have enough of Benin. I grew up seeing books on history being written. I often read original manuscripts, edited manuscripts and published books.

So those without such background or any particular history of /interest in seeking true knowledge but are now using ethnic pride to say nonsense online are wasting time. The more jealous neighbours try to undermine us, the more we grow worldwide. 9ja's expiry date is coming ever loser. Soon enough we won't have any reason to argue anything. We already have a history and culture to build on worldwide.

I only come to Nairaland to banter and laugh these days.

In real life, there are very sound and reasonable people from East and West. I have monarchs who are relatives in SW. They know their historical links with Benin. You will be surprised how well they know the links. More than some Benin people even. But these are people of true old royal lineages, educated and well-travelled. Others are also from leading aristocratic families mostly.

Those people who overzealously insult and deride Benin have no status in their land. If they claim they are from Royal families, it's from the likes Oyetola hurriedly created in Osun to set trap for the dancing senator.

I am prepared to visit and take anybody on a tour of those places in SW. Anybody who can talk should be able to show it in action in real life. If not, that person is a mere riff-raff.

UGBE634:
There are about 2.5 million registered voters In Edo state. There are still unregistered voters everywhere, unregistered voters in Edo state should still be up to 2.5 million let alone adolescent and children. If they should carry out a proper registration in Edo state, Edo state would do 3.3 to 3.5 million effortlessly

Besides I was talking about 1996 not 2022. Your analysis of the population of Edo south was for 2022 not 1996 which according to your analysis 2.75 million in 2022 would not have been enough to create a state in 1996

Lastly our diasporan population is mighty, I remember an Hausa man telling me that he went to Holland that the only Nigerian he met there was a Bini

Edo south is 57 percent not 67

Also don't underrate those penis o especially the rich ones . Osula even in today's world just died and he gave birth to 56 children and over 300 grand children.

I met one of Adun's sons and I asked him how many are they. He answered and said his father said he should no longer disclose it to people. Why I asked, he said they usually laugh when he tells them, as at the last count with Bob izua, I am aware he had twenty-nine wives, if he had added more to it since that time I can't tell.

This man called Bob Izua cannot be with less than 70 children even in today's world. Let alone then, just imagine having the wherewithal to marry two princess, let alone how many commoners he must have gotten married to and how many would have given birth for him. We know Bini is a highly polygamous society, no men in Benin were getting married to one wife until 1995 or 2000 even in that era and in today's world, men with average capacity are still on with the Idea of two wives or more

My father gave birth to sixteen, his father gave birth to 25. Some men in his era gave birth to 70, 60 and more.

For the facts that there is no more political turmoil which enabled migration out of the land, rituals killings has greatly reduced, wars is no more there and survival fight to the throne which led to the death of many supporting both princes is no longer there since 1897, I still hold on to the fact that Bini cannot be less than 4 million today

The thing is we have never had an accepted census since 1960.
By the way, there is nothing like "Bini". Edo people should avoid that word. BTC has repeatedly announced that the name for the tribe is Benin, capital is Benin City and the Language is Benin/Edo. We use the Benins to describe the people. You can get clarification from Frank Irabor. Outsiders can use "Bini" if they want, we nor mind them. But we shouldn't be using it.

If you listen to the Iyase speak or interviews of late Dr E Aisien, the surgeon turned historian, you will only hear Benin. Also listen to Izoduwa.

Even if Benin population is 1m or 6m, it's enough to be a stand-alone state.

I have only ever read that Edo South has 67% of the population, never heard of 57%. Like I said, nobody really knows. I wouldn't even trust voters register.

UGBE634:
my argument now is that pedro Obaseki said his Obaseki lineage is over a hundred thousand on Either Arise or Channels tv, pedro Obaseki is obviously schooled and not a push aside, then Benin cannot be less than 4 million. He granted this interview two years ago, I have watched it, I don't know how to get it back, I might just go watch all his videos of that era. Supported with the fact that Otaru of Auchi asked for a separate state for Benin in 1996 and was intimidated by the Bini population because he thought that power might never get to his people

Benin people move a lot, We always moved to form other places. Currently we move outside 9ja more now.
Edo South makes up 67% of Edo population. Of course around 20% of that population will be from Edo North/Central and outside Edo. Every State and senatorial district has non-indigenes, so Edo South is not unique.

In my opinion, Edo South should be around 2.5 to 2.75 million. More than enough for a State. I don't believe Obaseki clan is up to 100k. Ogbeide-Oyo followed Oba Osemwende from Anioma (Nsukwa, I believe) to take the throne in Benin. Looking at history, Oba Osemwende reigned from 1816-1848. His name as a prince was Erediauwa. I know descendants of Osemwende quite well in Benin. Ogbeide was an Omada to Oba Osemwende. It was Oba Adolor who first ennobled Ogbeide as Chief Ineh. His son Agho, grew up with Oba Ovonramwen when he was still a prince since Chief Ineh takes care of princes welfare as part of his roles, not just only head of Igun artisans.

Oba Ovonramen became Oba in 1888 and later purposely created the title Obaseki for his childhood Friend. He was later made a de facto Iyase (Prime Minister/administrator) by the British in interregnum . The British actually pressured Oba Eweka to officially make Agho Obaseki the Prime Minister/Iyase in 1914.

This history is vital to know the capacity of Ogbeide to marry many wives and have many kids/descendants. Yes, Agho had trade monopoly for cash crops sales from late 1890s and some imported goods and his kids became rich too. He even married two princesses. A daughter each of Ovonramwen and Eweka II. Yet within 8 generations (1816-2022) Ogbeide-Oyo's children can't be up to 100k. He came as a kid too. Pedro exaggerated a bit I believe.

For our SW friends, Oba Osemwnde sacked Akure and chopped off Deji Arankale's head in 1818 due to Deji of Akure's insolence and murdering of Oba's emissary Chief Osague. They won't know that history of course.

UGBE634:
I am not doing it because of him but posterity who may come across his questions and my answers someday

True. I have been contacted by researchers over the years. Some needed information for their doctoral work and other reasons. I was able to direct and refer them as best as I could. Sensible people know how to sift through things posted here on NL. If only they will come with humility and ready to learn and exchange ideas. But many come with arrogance and the mentality of " Benin that has only 7LGAs, that small Benin, what is their population, how can they talk of empire, na we go school pass, etc"

They forget that Rome was only a village on the banks of River Tiber initially. As of 278BC when Pyrrhus of Epirus (a Greek General/King) faced Roman soldiers in the Battle of Tarentum (Magna Grecia/Greeks living in Italian Peninsula), the Greeks still called Romans barbarians. In fact, from 280BC the various Tarentine Wars had started, with that of Asculum (today's Ascoli in Italy in 279BC and of Heraclea very well-known. Though Pyrrhus won against the Romans, his personnel loss was so much that it became known as "Pyrrhic victory".

By 168 BC, Romans had conquered Greece. Small Rome had began its march to become a massive empire. By September of 52 BC, Julius Caesar had conquered Gaulle (today's France/Switzerland) in the Battle of Alesia. Romans were now calling French, Germans and others barbarians. Anyway already earlier by the time Julius Caesar was born in 100BC, Rome was already quite powerful. Building a massive empire to rival Alexander the Great's massive empire as at his death in 323BC.

I have visited all these places mentioned and museums about these wars. I have also seen Benin Arts in Museums in London, Berlin, Quai Branly Museum in Paris, Amsterdam and other places. Of course arts from other parts of Africa too. Benin arts has no pair in Africa, once you remove ancient Egypt. My quest to understand ancient societies, how empires grew, the driving force and so on began decades ago.

So when I see kids without much experience or proper training jump on to NL and start insulting their dad's or mother's agemates due to ethnic pride, I shake my head.

BanyXchi:
bro you're very different from thag guy that went straight to insults, I want to have a healthy conversation with you bro, pls I genuinely want to know the answers to those questions.

I was like UGBE634 9 to 11 years ago, believing that one can have a decent conversation with your likes. But no chance.

Chinua Achebe wrote that: "Aneke the bird said, ever since humans learnt to shoot without missing, it has also learnt to fly without perching".

The Wotowoto you are getting now is the result of the insults and abuse your SW people sowed here on NL trying to shout down Edo people. Enjoy the rofo rofo.

BanyXchi:
pls don't let me go that lane with you, I love and respect my Benin people and I only believe in a peaceful seperation where they can have their Bendel or Niger Delta. I lived in Edo for just 3 months and I know they are the cheapest thing to Bleep, it's not even a insult. You can Bleep the average Benin girl for just a plate of Omi ukpoka. They dominate both local and international and you know that yourself.
Not you talking about skullminers when your state is the HQs of witchcraft, ritualism and other barbaric practices that are not even reported in the media. The numbers of skulls and heads being hacked in Edo every week by cultists are more than the number of skulls mined in my region every year.

'You broke away' from our region not from the country, I want my people to seperate from your kind.

Yorubaland was neutral until the east tried to invade us, at the same time some Yorubas fought on biafra side. You were not neutral. Your people protested and supported 'One Nigeria' on the streets of Benin during the war and there were also Benin Soldiers in the Nigerian army.

Also you didn't see anything in 1897,you were bombarded and defeated by the British.

If you had any sense and knowledge of history you'd know about the ijebu-anglo war. And you didn't fight the Brits, they invaded you and defeated you mercilessly, and your Oba ended up fleeing to Calabar. If Yorubas are Hausa slaves, then imagine what a minority tribe with 7LGA like you are lool.

Tapa descent? You think I'm like you a Igala turned edo claiming a imaginary Benin empire? I'm a proud full blooded Ondo and Yoruba man and yes I'm of ife descent I have nothing in common with your kind. You should be ashamed that you want to force yourself on people that don't want you. You will always remain a minority no matter how much you delude yourself.
And why is your own governor campaigning for another fulani man Atiku? Does that make you a slave?

Lol. So you don't even know difference between fleeing and exile to Calabar?
I remember that Badagry and Epe were popular exile destinations for deposed Yoruba kings. No, you won't know such history.
As for bleeplogy, we all know na. Everyone sabi SW ladies as champions na. We all know. Haba! Even Igbo guys boast of how they bleep married women in SW here on NL. Even magun popularity in SW has a reason na.
As an Edo person, we forbid bleeping married women. So I have no such to talk about, otherwise I know my experience in Yorubaland (not Eastern Yorubaland) and I know how things went down. So just forget bleep matter. At least they are people's daughters, likely wives by now, some maybe even grandmother by now. So no details.

We wanted to avoid colonisation instead of having to breakaway later. Way ahead of others.

Well, if we didn't want Nigeria to exist, you don't have to be very smart to know that referendum to breakaway from SW was all we could do legally. And we did. When the chance to legally breakaway from 9ja comes, we will too.

Losing war to people with Superior firepower is no disgrace. Even today, Nigerian Army can't win a war against British Army. No change there. At least in 1897, the British had to go re-enforce with guns, more military to return to attack. Or you think Amotekun can defeat British Army in a war today?

Well, with 7LGA, we will develop faster. We did it 600 years ago already as documented by the Europeans. Today, Luxemburg and Monaco have better living standards than India, China, India, Nigeria, Russia and even most European nations. You can have a large Agbero, urchins and dregs country. Goodluck to you.

The girls you claim to have bleeped might just have used you to practice and later use it to earn big abroad, you never know.

UGBE634:
You quoted me with Egbe, how do you expect me to see it, don't roll with the pig. He is obviously pained

At times, with these people need you to match and surpass them in Agbero tactics. They take our urbane and moderate approach for weakness.
I have seen all their tactics over the years. When they see that they can't "out-agbero-lize" you, they will conspire to ban you. I have seen all over the years.
It's just fun for me anyway.

BanyXchi:
I said no sane Yoruba gives a Bleep about your kind. We don't claim or have anything to do with y'all and we can't to seperate from your kind when Nigeria disintegrates.
No part of Yorubaland belongs to a minority tribe that can't even claim more than 7LGA. I'm from Ondo state and I don't have anything to do with your kind.
You claim that Yorubas wants y'all and you still want to gumbody to some of us. Focuss on your women wasting away in Italy and tour

At least a woman taking hard currency abroad is wiser than one that opens leg for Agbero just for amala and Ewedu from Iya Basira Buka. Italy one can benefit well compared to local champion. If you must chop frog, chop a nice fat one.
At least their skulls will not be mined whether in Edo or Italy but your people in SW thank heavens if they wake up on any given morning with their head intact.

We already broke away without waiting for the people we have in SW. No biggie.

So why did you guys support your Hausa masters to stop Biafra then? Midwest was neutral when the war started. Since when did leaving Hausas become a priority for you guys? We already realised in 1897 that allowing the British to colonise and merge us with people that thrive on betrayal was a bad idea, you guys suddenly realise that you want to separate?

You are just seeing what we saw in 1897 already and what even the SE saw 70 years after us in 1967? Upon all the claimed education and sophistication?

Keep doing evostick gum because of oil and gas in the SS.

We fought the British head on and we still have 7 LGAs. Those that didn't have the liver to fight are now Hausa slaves. Even after your people are slaughtered, your god emilokan still asks "where are the cows?"

I sight you, we have many takpa people in Ondo, they now claim Ife origin too.

BanyXchi:
you are obsessed with Yorubas, I promise you no sane pure Yoruba man or woman wants to identify with y'all or care about your Benin. Many of us can't wait to seperate from your kind.

Whether sane Yoruba, slave Yoruba, alloy Yoruba, impure Yoruba, mixture Yoruba or whatever Yoruba, you guys should just stop dragging Benin into your history. It was your Alake of Egbaland ranking Oba of Benin among Yoruba Kings last time. Please go and handle it with him if he is pure Yoruba or not, I don't care. It you promise no sane Yoruba claims or associate with Benin, then your region must be full of Aro and Yaba Left. Because your people are doing it daily, even here on NL.

Remember that Benin led referendum in 1963 to breakaway from colonial contraption called Western Region. Know your history first. Benin distanced itself from you guys. We have not only waited to separate but have actually done what has been legally possible to separate.

By the way, we know which parts of Yoruba historically belonged to Benin Empire. The history, culture and norms confirm it. Not the other way round. Go and ask Oba of Lagos, Obanikoro, Eletu odibo, people of Upele and swathes of Eastern Yorubaland and many more their history directly. Go to the palaces directly to ask.

Just stop your obsession with claiming Benin is part of Yoruba. Please begin with telling Alake. Once you guys stop being arrogant, believing that nobody else went to school, forming being over-sophisticated, only then there will be peace.

Thank you.

Samuk, EGBE634

UGBE634:
the yoruba name for Lion is kuniun, it is not even close to .I see it as every group has a name for Edo as at the time they related with her. Urhobo-Aka
Igbo-Idu
Esan-Edo

Same way we cannot interprete Edo sufficiently but it was the name of a Bini servant at the time
and so on, why don't the Igbos used the naming pattern of the Urhobo for us. a peculiar name for Edo is not restricted to Igbo. and as have explained before, it has to do with the dominant activities or name of the person that was on ground, there were different epoch in Bini history. Igbo is ancient, Edo Is ancient, it certainly is for the fact that they know the Bini or Edo "founder" or ancestor by name that's why they call us his children

take for example, the name Esan call Bini today which is Edo was given to Benin just some years before Esan migrated enmasse out of Benin by the person under whose reign they migrated

I have been called Ndi-Idu by Igbos when I was in Sabon-gari when I was in Egbe and we know what that means child of Idu or Offspring of Idu as they interpreted for me. This is my take on this matter.

Idu as a word is not what we don't know, Idu as a word is not close to Idun at all or people, it would not make any sense given the fact now that it was the name of a person in Benin, and the fact that there are lineages tied to him which is undeniable evidence that he lived. Idu as a word would mean something mysterious
IDU-AGBON- It means the deep mysteries of the world
ODU-AGBON-it means the deep mysteries of the world
You cannot wish the undeniable evidences that abound in Benin, if you were not watering down the civilization, you would have considered these evidences and shift your ground a bit. I don't think the Binis would name any shrine, there are lineages after him,and you would now start looking at the fact that the Binis have a shrine, two mighty lineages because the Igbos called us Idunoba
It is rather the other way round. They saw that Idu was our principal man at the time, and his lineages are evidences that he lived, then he evolved into a shrine as with great individuals. The relationship between Edo and Igbo is very ancient, it predated the Oba's dynasty, he came in 1200.

The fact that Idu as a word means a group of people and Igbos started calling us a group of people does not really tally. There were several kingdoms and towns around, Idu as a word would not have been specific to anybody if that was the meaning.

They called us who we are. Cc samuk, Areafada2

Wotoporiously once again. Nice one.

East and West are desperately trying to water down our history and claim influencing our achievement. If you nor let them do attachee, dem go dey huff and puff.

When pikin hand nor get a share of something, he go say "wetin I dey use that yeye thing dey do before?".

People should know that any attempt to water down our very clear and well-documented history out of envy and tribal bigotry will only be met with a robust assertion of the facts and a dose of well-deserved ridicule.

People can rewrite their history as they want: Their progenitor descending from heaven with a parachute, flying, swimming or teleporting from Nubia, Egypt, India, Israel, Papua New Guinea, Afghanistan, fleeing from Nebuchadnezzar, or suddenly coming out of Loch Ness. It is all allowed but they should leave Benin out of their porously and amateurly cobbled together history.

samuk:
Thanks for sustaining the battle and for your contributions, hopefully another generation will be inspired to take Edo history more seriously. Whilst history is not being taught in Nigeria schools, the United Kingdom have incorporated aspects of Benin history into their secondary school history studies. I believe Benin history is the only Africa history being taught in some secondary schools in the UK.

My brother, it's a collective duty we owe our land, ancestors and people. My ancestors and kinsmen went to war for the land routinely, some proudly celebrated across the kingdom till today with statues and all. So, my part today is just a token compared to what my duty would have been if I lived before 1897.

Oh, Britain has done rather well in that aspect. All they need to do now is return our artifacts with a massive compensation to boot. Aside ancient Egyptian history, Benin is the only still existing African (Egypt of today is 95% Arabs that invaded Old Egypt after demise of Roman Empire, dynasty long gone) people's history covered so well in British primary school history already. It gives British-Edo kids quite a sense of pride when teachers ask them to relate Edo culture, their family tree, morning salutations, etc.

The British saw it live from 1553 and were compelled to call the Imperial Capital a City. Our history is too well rooted and documented in European accounts, drawings and even our refusal to sell slaves. Only ignorant people using modern population politics yarn dust.

Samuk and UGBE634
Giving it to them wotoporiously.

Very happy to see another generation doing what I have been doing here since around the year 2010/2011. Before that I was an onlooker just reading posts. They got bolder with their falsehood especially our SW people and I had to become active.

Thank God I spent time listening to old people back then and I was exposed to history being debated and written growing up.
Yet, I barely know anything about Benin history, never mind outsiders with far less history of their own.