₦airaland Forum

2% of people on this planet have green eyes.

hobermener: What's the hype about this overrated argentine all about. He's Been in barcelona all his life, he has no idea what life outside barca is like. Ronaldo has seen it all in england and in spain. He thrives everywhere he finds himself, and that's one hallmark of an exceptional player. Messi was favoured by barca @ the 2010 ballon dior saga and this time messi should be an "all time great" simply because he's on the verge of lifting his first and possibly only world cup(that's if they narrowly excape the german machines). Pele has over a thousand goals and messi is still struggling to reach the 500 goal mark, yet messi should be an all time great, how ridiculous!!! Ronaldo put up a less than stellar performance simply because he has injury problems, and that doesn't make messi any better than him. Scoring against inexperienced and weak teams like iran bosnia and nija, and unconvincingly making it to the finals should not make messi an 'ALL TIME GREAT' should he lift the trophy or not. Gbam!!!

BAD BELLE PEOPLE take it easy on sunday u might die of heart attack when he finally lift the trophy

I had waited for this day with sorrows in heart,now Messi can claim his rightful throne as the greatest player of all time.though he is already but he must win this WorldCup to shut his critics. Pele,man united fans,real madrid fans and all d bad belle people.ARGENTINA ALL D WAY

Abel202: [b]My people,
Its like ethnicity has so blinded many of you that you even fail to comprehend what is written here.
The whole article is based on assumption and insinuations that it is the Nigerian students based in Malaysia that are scamming the love-hungry western women, but does their facts prove them right?
1. The western women said (& believed) they were dating "American men".
2. The said women hadly ever met the "American men".
3. Even the woman that visited Malaysia was further scammed by a "White Lady" porporting to be the lawyer of the "American man".
4. The US officials said the Malaysians lacked the capability to track and prove that these acts were actualy being perpetrated by Nigerian students. Although at diffeerent points they have raided and arrested a few Nigerian students for one reason or the other.

QUESTION IS:
How did the Writer of the article became THE ONE THAT SEES AND KNOWS ALL THINGS, to determine and accertain without any equivocation that the said crime was being committed by Nigerians.
Since the victims never said their predators were Nigerians, and the Malaysian authorities never affirmed categorically that the perpetrators were Nigerians either. Even the US affirmed that the Malaysian authorities lacked the capacity to actualy investigate and prosecute the criminals; SO HOW DID THE WRITER OF THIS ARTICLE CAME ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE SCAMMERS ARE ALL OR MOSTLY NIGERIANS?
HOW? Oh I forgot, America knows all things, abi?

Useless write up being digested by unquestioning people.

Truth is that We Nigerians are the smartest people on earth and I have no freaking apologies for that.
Some Nigerian haters can go ahead to paint us as black as they like, it will not stop us from being the great people we are. It will not stop their women from loving us. It will not stop intelligent people all over the globe from doing business with us.
Whether you love us or hate us, I dont give a damn. Continue to malign us at your own peril. Anuofias!!![/b]

We have to start telling ourself the truth..I don't see anything speculative about this article what the writer states there is absolutely right Nigerians are criminals,scammers,fraudulent infact 90 percent of cybal crime in the world today are commited by nigerian..I know so many in my environment living in malasia small boys has properties in lagos and abuja .presently some are even runinng back to nigeria because of malasia present immigration hash policy.

Convert to wordship a white man may the Gods forbid

Mad Cow: Alteast I am not an Akwa Ibom Mad Cow..

me too

rozayx5: well the rate at which your commenting at this thread, and what your comments reflect does not speak good of you

he is a mad cow

my best gov

Confirmed! GEJ TILL 2019

i rather suggest we do away with white wedding...........

topsyking: [b][b]

Yoruba and Benin Kingdom: Ile Ife The Final Resting Place of History

By

Kunle I Sowunmi

kshoid@2wayexports.com

Introduction
The first edition of this article was titled “Yoruba and Benin Kingdom The Missing Gap of History” following the Statement credited to Oba Ereduwa Omonoba Polopolo, that the Yoruba race originated from Benin Kingdom, was very rich in details and calls for re-examination by historians of high repute from all the Nigerian Universities and recognized institutions not from uneducated and bias sources of chambers or shrines of some Obas or traditional rulers as presently being envisaged or contemplated. The statement from Ooni of Ife disputing the fact of Oba of Benin was not strong enough or capable of influencing any academic exercise. The statement from the two kings and the follow up from Oba of Lagos and host of others had generated lots of discussion worldwide but some questions still remain unanswered. This has given this writer the opportunity to further ask questions hopefully it will lead to getting the solution about the source of the Yoruba and Edo with the publication of this second edition now titled “Ile Ife the final Resting place of History”.



I was often fascinated by the different versions of uncoordinated folk stories we were told about the origin of the Yoruba. As a very young Yoruba man from Abeokuta I was told Oduduwa was the first man created by God just like the Bible said Adam and Eve were the first to be created by God. The Bible says Cain the only surviving child of Adam and Eve went to another city called Nod to marry his wife. The question is who created the wife, the wife parent or the family of the in-law if any. Just like I asked in my innocent mind as a student in the primary school then who created Oduduwa and how did Oduduwa marry his wife? Where did parent of the wife of Oduduwa come from? My Teacher never told me the answer. We were even told Oduduwa was the son of one Lamurudu from Far East most likely Saudi Arabia and that some of Yoruba cousin can be found in Uganda infact they call the Yorubas in Uganda Akarabas, which is true. Most of these uncoordinated conflicting stories were very difficult to prove or be binding on history for any academic minds.


The Genesis of the Yorubas



Oduduwa had sixteen children we were told and the eldest was Orangun of Ila and the Egbas in Abeokuta were descendants of the female child of Oduduwa named Alaketu. None ever disputed the fact that Oranmiyan the last born of Oduduwa also ruled the Benin Kingdom. Why did Benin or Edos allowed the last child of Oduduwa to be made a king over them or his descendants through Eweka 1st, if there was no blue blood connection? Oba of Benin gave a detail account of fact of history that are very difficult to dispute. The Yoruba share so many things in common with the Edo’s in names and culture, which must be part of the reason why it is very difficult to dispute the version Omo noba polo polo Oba of Benin.



Again, in the Bible, Adam and Eve who were believed to be the first human creation by God never told or shown Cain the only surviving child the Garden of Eden where God created them, just like Oduduwa never shown the place and real evidence how he was created by God. The idea of a rain and dove as the method of earth creation sounds more like magic than real. Archeologically, the Yoruba race is not more than 2000 years meaning other tribes excited before the Oduduwa appearance. None availability of any other serious fact to negate this lend credibility to Oba Benin’s version in which he the Oba of Benin himself has not proved positively where the Edo’s also came from. Did the Edo’s also come from heaven? Or emerged from the Igbos that often regarded themselves as the lost tribe of Israel? Why does is necessary to bury the head of any late Oba of Benin at Ile Ife or why is it compulsory to receive the blessing of Ooni before a King or Oba is crowned in Benin. All these are missing gaps of facts and history, which the academic institutions must trash.



Aside from the above both versions of History from Oba of Benin and Yoruba agreed that Oramiyan the last son of Oduduwa returned to Ife from Benin after he installed his son, Eweka the first as Oba of Benin after he became frustrated with the strange land. He met his father Oduduwa who was very advanced in age and blind more also, all properties had been shared and distributed among his fifteen brothers and sisters. Alternatively, seven brothers according to Oba of Benin, Oduduwa was at a dilemma on what to do because he assumed Benin Kingdom would be enough inheritance for Oranmiyan.



Both versions of history agreed that the name Benin meant “the land of the annoyed” because Oranmiyan left the place in annoyance. Could it be said that Benin had another name before Oranmiyan went there? What was the name? Does it have anything to do with the destruction of the Edo Empire or can we say Oranmiyan actually founded the Benin Kingdom, which must be the reason why he changed the name of the city to Benin? Oba of Benin comment on the Edo’s checking the secrecy of Oranmiyan led to his abdication of the thrown for his son is not convincing enough taking into consideration the attitude of Oranmiyan who was believed to be ruthless, one would have thought he would have handled the issue in different method.


The Returns of Oranmiyan



Oduduwa found an easy way out to appease the disgruntled son Oranmiyan he gave him, his staff as a symbol to present to his brothers and sisters to be able to collect ten percent of revenue derived from yearly harvest through out Yoruba Land. With this, Oranmiyan was able to collect over 150 percent of all the returns throughout the uncoordinated kingdom. Oduduwa also grudgingly agreed to allow his last son Oranmiyan to be king at Ile Ife after his death. The reason for this was unknown as this was against the customs and traditions of giving priority to first child or son who was Ila of Irangun.



On the other hand, could it be said that Orangun was too afraid to challenge his junior brother or Oranmiyan was indeed the senior? Or could the version of history that actually claimed Okanbi as the only son of Oduduwa was right and Oranmiyan was indeed the same person as Okanbi? This is a fact of history the present Orangun of Ila should clarify. His silence amounts to selling his birthright to his junior brother if he was indeed the first-born and why did all other 14 brothers and sisters fail to do something? Some even say Oranmiyan was not a direct son but a son of Okanbi. Some even argued that Okanbi was the same person as Oranmiyan but Okanbi literarily meant only child if that should be the case it will amount to a conclusion that Oduduwa had only one child while his only child Okanbi gave births to the 16 children that became the pillar of Yoruba race this is another area the historians must explore.



Oduduwa was primarily a skillful priest and voodoo person who the Oba of Benin argued picked up the powers in the forest. Who were his teachers? Was it by demons or gods? Or by the power of abcadabra. Who verified how Oduduwa acquired his powers? None and how did Oba of Benin come to this conclusion? It is often said rituals and sacrifices is an everyday issue at Ife except for one day and that is never made public probably the only day Odududua took vacation. Oba of Benin must explain the reason why the Head of all previous Oba of Benin were buried in a cave at the shrine of Oduduwa at IFE.


Origin of Ooni Title



We have read and heard stories that in one of the ritual ceremonies where nobody was allowed to be outside, an unidentified foreign woman of no means of tracing her background was captured and was to be used as sacrifice for the gods. She was later spared because she was found to be pregnant beside; it was against custom at that time to use a pregnant woman for sacrifice. The child from the woman was dedicated to the gods and acted in an assistant capacity to the aging Oduduwa in his day-to-day ritual and voodoo job. The child was named Ooni: meaning, “This is Spared One”. This cannot be totally disputed because the Yoruba’s often named children after events surrounding their births. Nobody apart from this simple understanding of Ooni has given any other meaning interpretation of the title. This writer did not create this meaning every Yoruba man or woman grew up with this assumption. It may not necessary be the reason.



After the death of Oduduwa his son, Oranmiyan was invited to take over the job of his father, which was primarily ritual and voodoo, as well as traditional ruler of Ile Ife. Oranmiyan refused because he had succeeded in building an economically viable place at Oyo Ile with administratively sound method of government around the Oyomesi council in chief and it would be very degrading to leave and move to Ile Ife to be involved in ritual daily sacrifices exercises. In the light of that assumptions Oranmiyan gave conditions that he must be buried at Ife to symbolize his right to Ife thrown. Ooni the Assistant to Oduduwa in the day-to-day ritual sacrifice exercise continued with Odua’s job while he continued with supervision from Oyo Ile. It was that condition Ooni the son of the slave woman that was captured and dedicated to the gods who was assisting Oduduwa continued the work of Oduduwa at Ife. This is the reason why ALafin of Oyo will never accept Ooni of Ife as a king or a superior in any Yoruba gathering of Obas. The creation of Oshun State out of Oyo State was the major events that separated the two kings in one of the sittings of Obas in the old Oyo State the Chairmanship issue was almost a national problem that which was exploited by the political leaders of both the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and national Party of Nigeria (NPN) at that time.



Ooni assumed superiority was a British creation because the King of England assumed a king at Ife the assumed cradle of Yoruba must be superior to all Obas just like the British did in Abeokuta by imposing Alake superiority over other Obas at Abeokuta. In case of Egbas Sorunke who led the Egbas from Ibadan to the present Abeokuta was from Oke Ona, which Oba Tejuoso is the King today. This is the reason why there was conflict between late Alake of Abeokuta and Osile of Oke Ona. In fact both the Akes and Oke Onas met Owu’s in the southwest area of the city. Power and control in Abeokuta was not evenly distributed among the five kings. The British creation has led to communal disagreement among the city’s five kings. Including the Ibaras and Gbaguras the side of late Moshood Abiola. Although the late Alake of Egbaland was very technical and tactical in the way he cautiously curtailed other Egba Obas to accepting his leadership that can not be said of Ooni who does one thing better by allying himself with the government at the center in and out of the state all time a strategy Alaafin must have to adopt.


IFE The Final Resting Place of Oranmiyan



Why was Oranmiyan buried at Ife not at Oyo Ile or Oyo Igboho? What is the meaning for Opa Oranyan symbol at Ife today? Except to confirm his right to the thrown or seat of Oduduwa. If Ooni was not a true son or direct descendant of the sixteen children of Odua or a relation of Okanbi how did he get his title so recognized that it became the symbol of Yoruba center of unity and not Alaafin the much feared Iku babayeye? Some historians will argue that Ooni was just his name that became his title. If Ooni was a direct son of Oduduwa how come he could not be traced to the 16 children of Oduduwa? Did the first Ooni pay tributes to Alaafin or Oranmiyan like all other Yoruba Obas and Baales (village Heads) at that time or was he exempted from taxes or levies? If not. Why? Those emerging empires that refused to pay were destroyed or sold away as slaves. The practice to sell any opposition as slaves stopped after the Oyo Empire was destroyed. It is rather difficult to accept the Ooni’s version as against the Omonoba Polo polo but then Oba of Benin’s version was not full proof. Has any Oba of Benin from history been a member of governing council at Ife? If yes. Why? And why must Oba of Benin’s head be buried at Ife if Ile Ife is not the source for the two tribes? Oba of Benin must be courageous to explain this fact of history.



Oranmiyan’s Role In Yoruba History



Oranmiyan from history was a belligerent person. A war hero and where his brothers and sister failed to give the yearly ten percent duty as agreed with the staff of Oduduwa he used force. He later appointed his representatives in each of the kingdoms of Yoruba to monitor the returns, thus the creation of Oyo Empire that lead to the end of the kingdom Oduduwa created which was not properly coordinated. There was no proper channel of control during Odua. Oyo Empire gave the Yoruba race the much respect and proper foundation in the south of Sahara. The new empire grew with amazing rapidity throughout West Africa and was like the Ghana or Shonghai Empire of the medieval history in the south of Sahara.



One of the strategies of the Oyo Empire was engagement in slavery. It was a tactical way to weaken opposition among the Yoruba’s and those captured. Oranmiyan and his descendants were absolute in control and management. Infact, the word Kabiyesi that was later adopted by subsequent Alafin from the time of Sango oko Oya in Oyo meant absolutism the king could never be wrong. Such was the fear and power of Alafin throughout Yoruba land.



Oranmiyan’s administration was the best in Africa and could be likened to the British system of Administration during the colonial government. The Empire expanded up to the present Benin republic. Those who escaped the control of Alaafin are the Yoruba’s living in Benin Republic, which was formerly Dahomey. On the East side there was no historical record of any interference between the father and the son the rulers in Benin Kingdom. The reason for this was not known but it will amount to fighting yourself if Oranmiyan had to wage war of control over Benin. Oba of Benin Omonoba Polopolo did not explain the reason for the prolong truce between Benin and Oyo Empire. Spiritual contact was established with each Benin King’s head buried at Ife and spiritual approval from Ife before any Oba is crowned at Benin? Why is this so if Benin was the source how come the source goes to the Ife for approval of final rest of the head of Benin Obas? Ile Ife in actual fact demonstrated its superiority by having the head of Oranmiyan himself.



At least there was no record of history of any transaction between father and son commercially or any known tribal or communal war between Yoruba and Benin Kingdom while Benin Kingdom continued to progress and Oyo Empire continue to expand to the west coast. In Lagos, there could not be a clash, it was a place of reunion for Edo’s and Yoruba it was said Eko, which is Lagos, and in our local dialect is a Benin word. Why did Oranmiyan and his descendants fail to expand towards the East of the empire, which would have been a clash with Edo’s? Was it a mutual agreement or respect or tactical error or oversight in the expansionism of Yoruba Empire?


The fall of Oyo Empire



Oyo Empire later suffered from over expansion while some local heroes started to emerge to challenge the authority of the Oyo kingdom or that of the Alafin of Oyo. Among them was the Lisabi Agboagbo Akala who liberated the Egbas from Oyo Empire to create a fearless Egba Kingdom. Lisabi was never a king in fact he was murdered by the Alake of Egbaland because of his popularity after he used his Aaro o method to form a rally point and effectively destroying the mirth surrounding the Alaafin control in Egbaland The Egba emerged as a new power block in the south west. And major control of the slave market at Badagry and women like Madam Tinubu from Owu Abeokuta moved to Lagos known as Eko to further consolidate the gain of slave market route.



Egbas as a kingdom with its own capital at Abeokuta in the present Ogun State with a conglomeration of five kings with its own National Anthem “Lori Oke ati Pele” was merged with Nigeria by the British Empire after 1914. In addition, Lagelu emerged from Ibadan, Ogendegbe Agbogungboro from Ijeshaland and Shou of Ogbomosho and Ilorin through the deserter Chief of Army Staff of Oyo who was killed by Alimi a Fulani thus the end of Oyo Empire. The new empires moved toward western civilization with sophisticated weapon while the Oyo remained old fashioned and did not modernize its weapons. The attack from the Sokoto Caliphate from the North finally nailed the coffin of the Oyo Empire. The collapse of the Oyo Empire led to the Yoruba Wars, which was never concluded until the British finally took over Nigeria in 1914 with the amalgamation of North and Southern Nigeria by Lord Luggard. The present Oyo town is a shadow has Old Oyo town, which is still visible at Oyo Igboho. Oyo town in the present Oyo State is just a new creation to symbolize the memory of the Old.



The Egbas and Ijebus took over the control of southwest towards the Atlantics because of lucrative slave trade and closeness to the white man. The emergence of western civilization further weakened the Old Oyo empire, the empire collapsed and the ruminants of it can still be found at the old site, the irony of it is Alafin of Oyo in the present Oyo town continue to live in the memory of his ancestors glory of the Old Oyo empire. Alafin has never made spiritual contact with old Oyo town nor effort to salvage the relics of history, which should be used as fundamental tourist place in Yoruba history


[/b]

This absolute rubbish,I discover that people tend to twist history to suit what they believe or feel

This is what you get when living around religions wakos.exactly what is happening to me in my office they think am insane for not believing any religion but they are all hyprocrates praying every day even in the office stealing government money

good for him barcelona wanted to go for him too bad

Am not an IT expert but i know what happened to nairaland could have been prevented,@ seun please do anything within and outside your power to prevent this tragedy from reoccurring.thanks and welcome back.

am so happy nairaland is back

24F45B44 girls only

Abagworo: I told you guys on Nairaland that the Presidency were arming youths in Bayelsa and Rivers since last year and people seem not to believe. There is also counter-arming going on right now which means there will be a war in Rivers and Bayelsa State in a few months. Very serious war.

you re a bloody he goat for writting that rubbish

SIR ANDREWS: I sent u a PM

pls I need that stuff

May the gods save Africa from religion

Daniel203: An evil intention can be turned into Good. Some of the missionaries might have been sent for political reasons. Again some came because of genuine zeal to act for conversion of souls.
Whatever the reason the at the end people converted to Christianity and Not a thousand pagan can undo the spread of Christianity here in Africa and elsewhere.
Which amuses me when I see the likes of pagan9ja and other zealots both Christian and Muslims writing articles upon articles fighting among themselves proving to one the other is better than another.
It tells me either most of these people are jobless or actually working in places not so demanding.
Money is out their to be made. Dreams are out their to be realized and I joined nairaland about two weeks ago (was on leave. Works starts on Monday) and I keep seeing the same folks making articles everyday.
Get a life all you zealots both xtian, Muslim and pagans and atheists. Another year started. Time waits for no man especially in a tough clime like naija. The amount of time you invest here if you do it in your business your turnover will improve. Christianity has come to say. Islam has come to say. Those who don't believe in God will also always on earth. Channel your megabyte and more importantly your time to be better venture. Today is already 4th January........tick tock before you know it September and December. And you have not achieved anything meaningful.
This My last comments. Deleting my acct after now. Sorry I might read ur replies but definitely not replying. Go into the real world and make a life for yourselves.

shut up do you think you are more productive and sucessful than folks that spent their time here in nairaland? Nonsense

Happy new year every one.....am getting reed off some unnecessary runs in this my life this new year.

HaPpY NEw YeAR TO EVerY NAirALander

i intend asking the same question,there is a colleague of mine who doesnt believe in God, majority of people in my office hate him for that but he is nice.He is the most truthful and sincere person i have ever come across in my life..All the religions people in my office steal government money he is the only one that believed in doing the right thing i love him for that.

I hate that governor star of leadership,I live in the state I pray for bayelsa's to experience good governor's one day nt these monsters

rudedough: [b] Of course, your God accepts "LIFE" human sacrifices.

** Here God is sending his servants to attack an innocent city, kill everyone in it and sacrifice their bodies to him as burnt offering.

Deuteronomy 13:15-18
15 You must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock. 16 Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the open square and burn it. Burn the entire town as a burnt offering to the Lord your God

The Lord your God will be merciful only if you listen to his voice and keep all his commands that I am giving you today, doing what pleases him.

** And here again they are appeasing the Lord with 7 "LIFE" human sacrifices.

2 Samuel 21:1-14
There was a famine during David’s reign that lasted for three years, so David asked the Lord about it..... Let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord’s chosen one.”

...He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the Lord. All seven of them died together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.

...After that, God ended the famine in the land.

If you want more "LIFE" human sacrifice just type YES!!! and i will make your acquaintance. I am at your service tonight. [/b]

There is no difference between yaweh and okija

Religion can make someone mad

These scammers never stil repent

Nice reply MR president

emmyskies: goddess abi?? No wonder they are making progress as such. The devil is truely the ruler of this world. Big names, big countries, fame and so on. Brethrens, forget the vanities in this world. Turn to GOD, so we can together inherit our portion in GOD'S kingdom prepared for us. Righteousness and holiness in christ will take us there. JESUS CHRIST is the saviour. GOD bless you all.

shut up..people like you are the reason why nigeria is nt moving forward..be waiting for jesus to take you to sky. Why others are using their brain,china was once third world nation like us