₦airaland Forum

Andre Uweh:
Action from Iri Ji 2010, London.

It appears the festival kicked off in full swing after we left. . . and we missed out on all the fun. Pity!

pete11213:
STREAKS OF DARKNESS, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ON ABIA

For sometime, Abia State has been in the news for the wrong reasons. The reason is the seemingly high incidence of kidnapping and robbery by hoodlums, imitating the methods of the armed agitators in the Niger Delta. They killed, maimed and despoiled in the name of profit. Adopting crude and savage methods, they carved up parts of Abia and held the people down in great trepidation and anxiety. Thankfully, their activities have been brought to a permanent end by the single-minded and decisive move by the Governor, Chief Theodore Orji to invite crack federal troops to flush them out.

However, for all the consequences, of the senseless sin assembly of kidnapping none appears more upsetting than the bad publicity it brought on Abia State. For a time, all people wished to discuss was the question of kidnapping in Abia. Predictably, that odious news almost beclouded the good works of the governor, as well as the unprecedented edifying things in other spheres that add to the glory of Abia. For those who did not remember, while the miscreants were rampaging, not a few illustrious sons of Abia were elevated to very high positions at the federal level.

The first on the list of these elevations is the appointment of Lt. Gen. Ihejirika, a native of Ovim, in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State as Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army. A seasoned and experienced army officer, Lt. Ihejirika’s appointment has been widely celebrated for all the right symbolisms. He is the first Igbo man to head the Nigerian Army, after late Gen. Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi, who was savagely slain in the counter-coup of 1966. It is worth remarking that both men are from Abia State. The most remarkable of all these, especially for the moment, is the irony. At a time, when Abia and Nigeria were being assailed by all sorts of security problems, one great son of Abia State was chosen and given the responsibility for Nigeria’s security and stability.

Another remarkable elevation is the appointment of Mrs. Rose Uzoma as the Comptroller-General of Immigration. She is the second woman to hold that position in recent times. Considered very dedicated and highly competent, Mrs. Uzoma’s elevation did not come as a surprise. She measures up to the mould of the kinds of persons that come out of Abia State. There is no point stressing what Nigerians should expect at the end of her tenure. Whatever her mandate is, you can be sure that the commission will be run efficiently. She will be dedicated and passionate. And she will leave the place better than she met it. That is how Abia people are.

As if these were not enough, the Police Service Commission (PSC) also elevated two Abia indigenes to the position of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIG). The first is Mrs. Ivy Uzoamaka Okoronkwo from Arochukwu. For some years, she was Assistant-Inspector –General of Police (AIG). Many thought she would have become the first female Inspector-General of Police (IG). But she was only made DIG and number two police personnel in Nigeria Police. Okoronkwo is widely respected for her integrity, efficiency and professionalism. Widely versed in law and other issues, the very beautiful woman is another recent crown on the glittering head of Abia State.

Mrs. Okoronkwo is not alone. Another great son of Abia was also elevated to the position of DIG. He is Mr. Azubuike Udah. Until his promotion, Udah was the AIG in-charge of Zone 2, Lagos. Those who are familiar with the workings of the police will tell you that you must be an insider to be given charge of Lagos. Holding that position meant that Udah knew his salt. But then, there was a pointer. He was the AIG in-charge of Zone 9 in Calabar. He was involved in both the battle against militancy and execution of amnesty programme that has fairly calmed the unrest in the Niger Delta. Udah hails from Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. It was his close attachment to his state that led to his involvement in the botched amnesty programme in Abia State. These two appointments in the police tell a story about the quality of Abia people. There are just about seven DIGs. For two to come from Abia, in spite of the intrigues, balancing and politics, and the wide field of states, underlines that Abia people clearly rank among the first class Nigerians.

In normal times, talking about all these would amount to some immodesty. But things have gone down on the face of Abia. Things have happened to scrawl dirt on the illustrious heritage of the people. So people now forget that the man who built the Eastern Region when he was Premier, Dr. M. I. Okpara was from there. They have also forgotten Dr. Jaja Anuchia Wachukwu, the first indigenous Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prof. Eni Njoku, the first Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Navy Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, the former Chief of General Staff, Mr. Paul Ogwuma, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Major General Ike Nwachukwu, the former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, the Chairman of Pfizer, and also lately Mrs. Arunma Oteh, the Director-General of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). There are indeed, many significant others in numerous fields –industry, banking and finance, commerce, academia, arts and governance. However, the contributions of these illustrious men and women, and indeed, their star quality stand in danger of being obscured by the deviance of a few misguided citizens who chose to live by the gun of mischief.

Now the next question is: is there a thing for Abia in these appointments? There is enough reason to believe that Abia stood to gain from these appointments. The reason is that almost all their responsibilities relate to security. It will be inexcusable, even for their careers, from the sort of madness in Abia to continue under their watch. If a Chief of Army Staff and two DIGs cannot keep Abia quiet, then their appointments would have been in vain. In reality, these appointments have taken away the difficulty the governor was having in impressing the Federal Government, the enormity of the insecurity in Abia. All that is required now is for the governor and these men and women to work in concert to uproot the problem so that the task of rebuilding Abia can begin in earnest.

Indeed, it would appear that some synergy is coming into place. From the interactions of Mr. Udah with stakeholders in the build up to the failed amnesty programme, he as a trained professional has a firsthand knowledge of the patterns, roots and manifestations of the insecurity in Abia. And this, one can say, he has made available to his colleagues. Beyond this, the recent deployment of troops in Abia, appears to take an unprecedented form. Rather than a sprinkling of soldiers, a huge number of troops are to be stationed at Ohafia, Asa High School in Ukwa West Local Government and Ngwa High School in Aba. What this means is that enough troops are on ground to police the swath of territory where the hoodlums roomed, killed, despoiled and maimed without challenge a few weeks ago. It was also a great relief to see that the Joint Task Force (JTF) on the Disturbances on the Niger Delta was able to participate in the search for the 15 school children abducted in Aba. Before now, all such suggestions were hard to brook because of bureaucratic encumbrances. Their incursion; there is reason to believe, must have been made easier by the directives of the Chief of Army Staff.

In all these, whether the presence in office of these men and women will be of benefit to Abia depends on a large extent on the governor. Specifically, it depends on whether the governor wishes to succeed in defeating the insurgency permanently. A lot also depends on whether the governor sees opportunity in the cocktail of coincidences that has carried these Abia persons into very strategic offices while he keeps watch as governor of their state. Everything about the temperament of the governor indicates that he wishes to succeed. He has spoken of his willingness to deploy resources to ensure lasting security in the state, and expressed a wish for the troops to stay for the long-haul. These are very good indications of a willingness to succeed. Once he restores security, it is easier for him to get on with the business of governance. And that is the right wish, or goal to pursue.

While it is safer to await the fruits of this optimism, it is impossible not to place on record that out of Abia, has come four fine citizens on whose shoulders the nation has placed enormous responsibilities and indeed, confidence. They represent what Abia is, its true face, and the quality that the people strive to attain. There is huge ray of sunshine on a temporary streak of darkness that fell on Abia.

. . . the good works of the governor, such as?

^^^

We will come.

I am usually very punctual. . . i find the whole 'African time' thing a bit rude, actually!
I do hope that the festival is usually child-friendly and that kids - below the age of 7 years - attend. My kids wouldn't want to be the only ones of their age there!

. . . found it. http://www.icsn.co.uk/content.php?cmd=gF&du=1&cID=71

Andre Uweh:
Sometimes, anti Igbo campaigners posts are so laughable. The Obi of Owa was in London this summer and was visited by Igbo sons in London. The Obi does not go about denying Igbo but preaches for unity between Ndigbo and Nigeria. On several occassions, I have been tempted to post photographs am not suppose to post. Any one who wants to know if Ikas are Igbos and belong to Igbo organisations should attend this years Iwa Ji festival of Igbo Youths U.K. Location: Monarch, Edmonton. Unit 7J Nobles Road, Eley Industrial Estate.
One of the cultural dance groups is even an IkaIgbo dance group. Date 16/10/10. (sat).
You are invited.

@ Andre,

Is there a website for this and what time is the festival from?. . . I am thinking of taking my kids along, seeing that this is Black History month and this would most certainly give them a lot to talk about at school.

niceprof:
Even the uninformed knows that kidnapping in Abia state is politically motivated,it became pronounced when the rift in PPA became apperant.The Fedral government have  been non-chalant about it cos they (PDP)were weignig their options on how to  takeover Abia State.Now that Abia is in PDP bondage,FGN is deciding to do what it ought to have done and save innocent lives that have so far been lost -playing politics with innocent lives.

When Theo orji decided to dine with the devil(PPA) didnt he know that this will be the outcome if  he ever tried to back off? when he agreed with them to stage manage the alleged shooting spree attempt  on his life in the earlier days of his administration,didnt he know that the game could be taken farther?  The innocent lifes been killed in ABA are not that of kidnappers cos we all know that there are only two kidnappers in ABIA STATE -PDP AND PPA.
 
So let the security outfits stop these extra judicial killings and go after the true culprits:PDP-THEO ORJI-PPA(ORJI UZOR KALU)

Spot on. . .

What's wrong with these facking kids?:  Their parents. . .that's what's wrong.

After having read Mr Udezue's post I actually bothered to call a school friend of mine who comes from the Ohafia area, who like myself schooled in Aba in the 80's.

I asked him whether, as a non-Ngwa person, who was born and brought up in Aba, he finds the term 'Onhu hu' to be offensive. He responded as I thought he would; to the best of his knowledge it has no derogatory connotations, unless of course it is now interpreted otherwise in the politically charged environment of today's Aba.

If it now has derogatory connotations, then my apologies to everyone else.

The term 'Onhu hu', as far as I am aware, comes from the story of how the progenitors of ndi-Ngwa and their siblings; specifically ndi-Mbaise came to be in their present location. The story has it that the brothers had journeyed from afar, and arriving at the banks of Imo river, decided to rest a bit and prepare something (Yam) to eat. One group who seemed to be in a hurry, decided to quickly boil their yam and get on with the journey, while the others preferred to spend more time, roasting theirs.

Unfortunately for them, the level of the river started to rise before the latter group. . .the ones that preferred to roast their yam. . .ndi onhu hu. . .were able to gather their things and cross the river. As a result, they were separated by the river from their brothers. . .the ones who had been in a hurry. . . or ndi-ngwa ngwa. . .

The Ngwa say that's how they became known as ndi Ngwa (short for ngwa ngwa), while their brothers who remained on the other bank of the river were referred to as ndi onhu hu. In recent times the term has been used to refer to all people who come from outside Ngwa land and not just ndi-Mbaise.  Most Aba people would know that. But then Mr Udezue admits that he doesn't know much about Aba; which makes one to wonder why he would then bother to comment on something he knows absolutely nothing about!

On the issue of whether Ngwa people want non-Ngwas to leave Aba, I would respond that whoever introduced that angle to this thread is rather mischevious and has an evil agenda. It certainly has not come from me. And I doubt that any enlightened Ngwa person would say anything like that.

What I had raised in my earlier post was about how some of the LGA chairmen in Aba hold their non-Ngwa contractors in contempt and sometimes even resort to open derision. I then mentioned some of my own personal experiences of being a victim of anti-Ngwa sentiments and then stated that as a result of such experiences and because of such statements like;  'an Ngwa person can never be govenor in Abia state'. . .which by the way is not an invention of that airhead that prattles around Nairaland. . . I am not surprised about the apparent rise in 'Ngwa Consciousness'. . .even if such is being orchestrated and manipulated by Ngwa politicians. 

Using 'merit' as an excuse for there never having been an Ngwa Govenor in Abia state, as insinuated by Mr Udezue, is laughable. Let' not forget that this is a state where the likes of OUK and T.A.Orji have been govenors. . .

The way I see it; the Ngwa problems in abia state almost parallels the political problems of ndi-igbo in the Nigerian experiment. . .and the one who wears the shoe knows where it pinches. . .

@ Udezue,

Read my post again and then assess for yourself whether your response to it is appropriate.

udezue:
Aba belongs to all.

There is no evidence that Aba will be better if just Ngwa ppl were in charge. The last time I checked they are not handing out freebies to non natives. Everyone is contributing. Only morons will start pointing out that this and that corrupt Chairman or whatever is not Ngwa once he messes up. Do u also point out that the ones performing well are not Ngwa? Just elect good people to lead. Its this attitude that kept the Ikwerre of Rivers in political wilderness for a long time.

The issue is not whether Aba will be better off if Ngwa people are in charge.

The issue is about the long standing contempt with which some of those who are not indigenes treat the indigenous population as they plunder the resources meant for the development of their LGA's. The issue is with the attitude of some Abians who say that an Ngwa person can NEVER be govenor in Abia state, as though Abia does not 'belong to all', the way 'Aba belongs to all'. The issue is about how one particular village buffoon, who for some weird reason is even occasionally hailed as an Igbo hero on Nairaland, goes about deriding Ngwa people. . .this same attitude,  I personally experienced in the few years I attended secondary school in Aba, even though I had a British accent and came from a comparatively more comfortable and enlightened background than most of those onhu onhu ragamuffins who would so exhaust themselves trying to deride me, simply because I am Ngwa. . .

Are some people less Abian than others?

Some people have even ridiculously insinuated that Ngwa people sabotaged the rest of ndi-Igbo during the war, in their plot to justify their continued discrimination. This discrimination is not just political but manifests in the state civil service as well. My own family have been direct victims of this.

Bringing in the plight of the Ikwerre in a multi-ethnic Rivers State and comparing it with the plight of ndi-Ngwa in Abia state is not only insensitive, but also reveals the mindset that riles up a lot of Ngwa people about some of you onhu onhu people!

You then wonder why there is a growing Ngwa 'consciousness'. . .

@Abiacc,
A beg remove your personal information! You wan make dem gbab you!!

You can't absolve T.A.Orji of any blame for the chaos in Abia state. He IS the current state governor!
He is equally culpable and would be booted out come 2011 in an ideal world where votes count!

But votes don't count.

excanny:
I dont quite agree with you on this one.

With the way things are going now, no indigenous L.G chairman will be tempted to mismanage public funds. If he does so, he does so at his own peril because sooner or later the indigenous youths will come down on him with their might.

The monies accruing to Aba South L.G.A alone is more than what the remaining 16 L.G.As are getting combined, so the city of Aba deserves something better than what it is now.

If the non-indigenous representatives are not working in line with that goal because of the contempt they have for their hosts, then it's time they take the back seat.

Aba must get what it deserves and this is non-negotiable.

I think the bolded is the sentiment of most Ngwa people.

^^^

To be honest, they are 'embezzling it (the allocated money) like others'!

The sense I get, from members of my extended family who occasionally go about soliciting for contracts from some of those LGA chairmen, is that the indigenes are being 'marginalised' from partaking in the obscene carnival of resource-squandering that goes on at those Local Government offices-at the expense of salaries, development etc obviously and to the knowledge of the state governor, who gets his share! One of my cousins who now prefers to look for contracts outside of the state, says that the indigenous contractors are treated with such open contempt and derision that that that sense of being occupied by 'outsiders' continues to be re-enforced. And from all indications, seem to be getting more intense.

So it's difficult not to see why things are getting so heated up!

The pervading attitude, which i don't necessarily subscribe to, now seems to be; IF the money meant for development of the community must be misappropriated, then let the indigenes do the misappropriating! Unfortunately even in those LGA's where the 'indigenes' are in control of the 'resources', it's still only a powerful clique, who are hands in gloves with the rest of the criminals (like TA Orji, OUK etc) and who use OUR money to feed their insatiable appetites. They send their families abroad to live in the various properties they have bought in the UK and the USA, send their children to private schools abroad, and then use the leftovers to try to consolidate on their political ambitions by buying cups of rice and garri to distribute to the impoverished lesser human beings that make up the population of their run down LGA's!

This is a thing of shame.

The issue of non indigenes of ala Ngwa becoming LGA chairmen, is mostly an Aba thing.

Isiala Ngwa North and South LGA's, for instance, have always had chairmen from those areas.

Is Aba a reflection of what Biafra would have been?

The truth is, we will never know. Biafra was a child of circumstances, which could have retrogressed into yet another failed African state; overwhelmed by its megalomaniac leaders rulers who are cloaked in their obscene and larger-than- life-appetites for corruption and incompetence; perhaps it too would have been weighed down by the 'tribally' motivated internecine bitching and politicking, and other such factors that are only too common in most 'developing' African states of today.

Or Biafra could have been different.

Perhaps the spirit that birthed it would have enabled it to not only survive as a nation but also excel. Perhaps in that nation, the rule of law would have been allowed to prevail. And things like quota system, ‘federal character’ etc that only breed mediocrity, would have not only been eschewed, but would have been alien concepts, replaced instead by the celebration of hard work, entrepreneurship, creativity and scholarship.

Perhaps its citizens would have known the meaning of security and had an unwavering sense of belonging somewhere. And perhaps all the citizens would have been in agreement that their heroes dead or living had the best interest of their people at heart and were not ‘tribalists’ or betrayers, or cowards; and perhaps those citizens would have a sense of shared narrative of its destiny and history, which would have allowed them to cultivate that sense of nationhood and pride, which 'civilises' one and enthuses with a mental attitude and heartfelt desire to aspire to be a better person. So that the nation can be a better nation.

Biafra, the idea of a nation that one can call one’s own and be proud of, is a receding dream that has been replaced by a horrific nightmare that Nigeria is becoming. And Aba, a place which l call home, my roots within Nigeria, is in ruins because of a failed leadership. And it breaks my heart.

Let them who take joy in my misfortune, gloat.

hackney:
Don't mind them.
Very dishonest people.
Literally every single thing is about money in aba ; nothing is in good faith.
This is why if some terrible trend starts in aba, it never ends, like the fake goods and kidnapping.

The ND has stopped it, it has almost ceased in Anambra but Aba is carting away bus-loads of pupils.

Very ignorant world view.

@slap 1,
I am not from Asa.

Saying that an Asa person is an Ngwa is like saying that Ndoki, Etche and Ikwere people are Ngwa. They are not.  Asa falls within one of the Ukwa Local government areas.
The issue here, however is not whether the criminal elements are Ngwa or not. The issue is that the residents of Aba and environs, irrespective of the ethnic subgroup they prefer to be identified with (and not minding the ignorance and buffoonery of some of the posters here who know themselves), are ALL hostages of the pervading chaos and lawlessness that is over riding Nigeria. It's not an Ngwa problem. It's an Aba problem that mirrors the lack of will of the government at large to secure its citizens within the failing contraption called Nigeria. So it's also a problem of the failing state of the nation. If Aba residents are tired of the situation they should ask questions of T.A.Orji, the person in charge of security in the state. The same person who will mostly likely come back come 2011.

Trying to blame it on the Ngwa, who one wonders whether they make up the majority of Aba residents, is rather obtuse. It's like people caged in bondage,  exhausting themselves in petty squabbles instead of trying to figure out how to break free from their chains.

So, no. Asa people are not Ngwa.

slap1:
After parting with a hard N1million, my friend's dad was allowed to go yesterday. He was also a victim of the mass kidnapping that took place two weeks ago. When we heard of his release, we went to see him and he narrated his ordeal to us. ** The camp where they were kept was situated at Asa village in interior Ngwa community, also in Aba. There were around 5 camps. He was able to tell because orders were shouted now and then to go bring someone from camp this or that, that his relatives have paid. These camps were previously residential buildings, but the owners have fled for their lives long ago. For food, they only ate enough to keep the worms at bay. Every victim has a ransom of N1m tied to him, it doesn't matter if you're worth it or not. No. Although they were blindfolded, the things he heard could make a nightmare for 50 people. If you try to remove the blindfold, you get a shot in the leg straight away. If you bargain poorly, you get up to thirty minutes beating. A popular steel magnate, Prince C.C. Infor Plc, is currently going through rounds of beating for asking to pay N500,000. They're about to retain a graduate of medicine who was kidnapped doing menial job in the Timber market, since he can't pay up. They only started kidnapping women because they won't stop gossiping. If the woman is young, they gang-r@p£ her and set her free. If aged, she gets the day light beaten out of her. Whenever money comes in there is a sporadic shots of celebration for about 30 minutes. . .I can't finish the whole story once but let me add this warning: They still have unfinished business at the Timber market. After that comes the big one -- Ariaria International Market! If you've been to that market before, you'll know what the casualty figure is going to be like. As for the governor of Abia State, I can only say: you shall reap whatever you sow.

Asa is not Ngwa.

^^^

1. Will I be exempted from NMDC exams or will I still need to do an exams?
You won’t be exempted from the NMDC exams.

2. Will the specialist degree be accepted by NMDC coz its undertaken only for 2 yrs?
Follow this link for the registrable postgraduate medical qualifications
http://www.mdcnigeria.org/  Under the section titled ‘Quick links’, click on the 4th bullet point-MDCN recognised Additional Qualifications.

3. What post(position) can I be employed as and what is the likely salary?
I doubt you will be employed as anything other than a Senior House Officer. But you may still be required to do the House Officer thing first. I don’t know what the current salaries are.

4. What specialty is on high demand(hot cake) in Naija as of now?
I will let somebody who is in Nigeria answer that.

5.   I was planning 2 go for the remedial and write the licensing exams immediately after my MD here before and do a year internship, NYSC services?(coz I will be 30 next yr) and start a private practice as my dad is also a medical doctor and has his private hospital, though I don’t intend working with him due to family issue, am from a polygamous family and the 1st son and only child in the medical field. I am 100% sure I will pass the exams coz I really utilize my 6years of medical school here for studies. I have acquired some medical equipments like ECG machine, Multi-purpose ultrasound machine, Dialysis machine, Lithotriptor for kidney stone lysis, Urine analyzer, Hematology analyzer, Glucose meter,3 laparotomy sets etc 2 set up my clinic. All I need now is your brotherly, fatherly advice because I dont want to make a mistake as its the crucial stage in my life and career as a whole.

You pretty much seem to have figured out what you want. It’s a workable idea to go into private practice after your NYSC, given that in Nigeria you can pretty much set up ‘shop’ immediately out of Medical school, but the truth is that your postgraduate qualification may not be recognised ‘officially’. At least not immediately.

I seriously doubt that two years of postgraduate training is registrable as a postgraduate medical (specialist) qualification outside of that region. But then the MDCN site is a bit ambiguous about what it means by 'specialist certificate', from the CIS states (former USSR). You may be aware that in some places in that region (say some schools in the Russian Federation) those 2 years would be qualified as Ordinatura and not even Aspirantura and the certificate you get identifies this. Perhaps things have changed now given that you’re probably a paying student and what you get depend on how much money you have etc.

If I were in your position I would register to do the USMLE and consider doing my postgraduate training in the USA. I would spend the resources that I would have invested in 2 years of training in the Ukraine to prepare and pass the USMLE and then relocate to America for 4 years and get an Internationally recognised postgraduate Medical qualification. A year is enough to pass all the USMLE steps, given that you’d be fresh out of Medical school.
 
In the olden days (say 10 years ago and earlier) people did get their Aspirantura  recognised in Nigeria as a Postgraduate qualification, but even then (because of the way they view qualifications from that region) it required ‘knowing people’ and still demanded a period of topping up of ones training in Nigeria, and also being required to pass the relevant postgraduate exams before they could work as Consultants.

The MDCN website link that I provided above should give you additional information.

All the best

Onlytruth:
Ordinarily, one would not fault the bolded words. But we are dealing with a peculiar problem (sort of). You can make that argument if there had not been a Nigeria/Biafra war which Ndigbo led and lost. That fact alone led to about half of Igbo peoples denouncing their lineage. So, that argument is not only impractical in this context, but plays into the hands of the victors/revisionists. The case of Bonny Igbo being railroaded into speaking Ibani in schools is just one. There have been several others.
One of the attributes that distinguishes a nation/tribe/people is their ability to keep accurate information about themselves. Such information gathering and maintenance is key to the survival of such tribe.

Normally, this topic should not even arise at all, after all, we are supposed to be ONE people by virtue of our history and heavy intermarriage. This topic shouldn't even arise at all. But we have a situation where our neighbor keeps trying to tell us that we have no sea access, even when we have information which proves that they were recent immigrants to those sea access lands. How else do we explain, for instance, that a people who migrated to areas bordering with, and were frequented by a huge tribe, have been systematically gnawing at the neighbors lands even while retaining the neighbors language of trade, only to turn around to claim a different tribe?

If the Ijaw share a political destiny (as they should) with the Igbo, why would anyone remind them how they came?
Is it our fault that European slave merchants brought them, or that the Oba of Benin was a mean dude and they had to flee from him?
So, like I've said before, were are all Easterners and must necessarily share one destiny. But, when anyone tries to be mean and stab Igbo in the back for whatever reasons, then, we owe no such persons any kindness.

If left to their own devises, even some Ngwa people will claim not to be Igbo, because we still have Nigeria with her civil war issues. That is what we are fighting here.

A lot of the posts on this thread have been most informative, prompting at times pauses for reflection on the politics and the fears that have shaped Nigeria, post-Biafra. But now and then, some comments interlace these well thought out posts and leave a bitter taste in the mouth. The bolded, for instance, is one of such distasteful comments.

@ Onlytruth, on what do you base your assertion which I have highlighted? I ask this not only because I find the comment patronising, as it insinuates that the Ngwa as a group are kept by somebody from exercising their freewill, but also because it almost whiffs of ignorance by stating that some Ngwa would rather not be Igbo if given the choice by whoever decides for them what their identity must be.

As an Ngwa man, I find the bolded to be divisive and actually offensive, given that it's coming from somebody who should know much better.

houvest:
Thank you Akanbi. In a Nation with so many ethnic groups that are mutually suspicious, I think power rotation among the Zones ( not necessarily bw North and South) is the best thing that can happen. We do not have to pretend as if we are so politically mature not to help ourselves survive as a Nation. My problem however is that it has to be enshrined in the constitution to make all groups and political parties mutually compliant because tomorrow another section that has benefitted from it can also renege or use another party to sabotage the sections that have not thus introducing more mistrust and tension in the polity. So Constitution review needs to capture it for it to have authority. We do not have to also pretend that we are so politically mature to toe the line of other democracies as per their Constitution. What we should evovle for ourselves is what is best for our survival as a Nation, constitutionally speaking. See my post on this issue 2 months ago:

   Forums / Politics / Re: Presidency: Northern Leaders Want Zoning Till 2047  on: June 19, 2010, 12:14 PM 
My feelings are that most folks started pushing for a Jonathan candidacy for 2011 and the abandoning or altering of the PDP zoning formula for 2011 because of all the noise IBB started making about his plans to run . These sentiments for Jonathan i think are mainly because of IBB's giant shadow and the need for an incumbent to use state machinery to crush it and overrun him in the elections. Methinks that most folks that want Jonathan to run are IBB opponents. If for instance IBB drops out of the race and the North brings out more credible, acceptable and younger candidates like El Ruffai, Umar, Ribadu,etc. wont it be more prudent to sit back and analyse the virtues of the PDP zoning formula for at least another 36 years ie till each of the 6 geo -political zones had ruled for 8 years. I think it is not the best democratic arrangement but the best option so far for a Nation as diverse and mutually suspicious as Nigeria. If this is written into the constitution to ensure mutual compliance by all parties and zones it will not be a bad idea but will go a long way to welding the entity called Nigeria more strongly together and avoid a future apocalypse, bloodbath and eventual failure as predicted by US intelligence. The time is for now the elders of the Nation to sit down and talk reach such a consensus and encourage Jonathan and the National Assembly in a constitution amendment exercise that will engender mutual trust, love and make everybody have a sense of belonging, have a future and hope in Nigeria and go a long way in conquering separatist sentiments and agenda.

With Such a Constitutional arrangement made that is subject to amendment by May 29 2047, we would have taken our destiny in our hands, dealt with mistrust and thwarted the prediction of Nigeria failing by year 2015. We could now go into the full democratic mode or continue for another 48 or 24 years till we have matured as a nation. The American experience in democracy is almost 250 years old and they have gone through developmental stages before this era that a black man can win the presidency without any Affirmative Action of any sort.

Now look at the upside of a non -Jonathan candidacy.He will have his full attention on governance for one solid year without distractions or politicking, he. would tackle tough national questions like true federalism, electoral reforms, a people's Constitution, an acceptable census, uninterrupted power supply, capacity building and self sustenance in oil and gas, institutionalized infrastructural development and maintenance, sustainability in the corruption war, Independence of the judiciary and Legislative maturity, educational, health and housing ,etc reforms without fear or favour , things OBJ should have tackled in his second term. Above all he will conduct the 2011 elections transparently since like Mandela and perhaps Azikiwe nation-building would be his goal not kingship and by so doing he would have laid a solid foundation for a great and successful Nigeria, midwife-ing the Nigeria of our dreams in the process and so becomes the father of a modern Nigerian state. The time is short but he can set the ball rolling. Who knows whether that is why God brought him to lead Nigeria into her jubilee .

Methinks that 2011 is a ticking timebomb for Nigeria  or when Nigeria will make a giant stride to really becoming one Nation. Nuff Said.

Makes a lot of sense to me.

@ChinenyeN my brother, perhaps what Abagworo meant to write is: 'and are presently in Ndoki and Ngwa'; but that wasn't how I interpreted it from what he wrote. My bad then!

@ the non-'intellectual liliputian'; what's with the insults?!

Abagworo:
Why are people wasting their time?if you go back to history written in pre-colonial times,the okrika and bonny admitted being founded by igbos long before the arrival of some ijaws.the stories we hear now are very recent and are therefore manipulated.the most important thing is that they are presently ijaw and not igbo.some ijaw elements also entered into igboland along the banks of imo and aba river and are presently ndoki and ngwa.the past is history.

So what you are now saying is that Ndi-Ngwa are Ijaw migrants-na wa O! Pray, tell; from which history books did this one come from?! 

I stifle a laugh in Ngwa: meanwhile make me sef go begin dust my history books as dis attempt at historical revisionism tori done pass me. I swear!

Bobybarny:
not every one is destined to be what they wanted to but prayer is the bit.

Pls any one can offer advice on medical criminology

Medical criminology? That term is rather vague. You may need to be a bit more explicit in what you mean by the term and what advice you need.

But-
If you are talking about a 'Medical Doctor' who is a specialist in 'Criminal behaviour' then the term is 'Forensic Psychiatrist'.
If it is a specialist in Criminal behaviour who does not 'treat' them, then you're most likely referring to Forensic Psychologists.

For Forensic Psychiatry, you need to first of all undergo basic specialist training in General Psychiatry and then additional training in the subspeciality of Forensic Psychiatry. The Postgraduate training (after your 6-8 years in Medical school) is 6 years in the UK and 4 years in the USA. For Forensic Psychology you need to first of all become a Psychologist (4 years) and then get your PhD specialising in Criminal behaviour etc. That will take you probably another 3-4 years.

I hope the infomation is useful.

zilosxp:
Please i am in need of advice from doctors in here. I have always had the dream of being a medical doctor but due to JAMB issues,i had to settle for a Bsc. Degree in animal and environmental biology. In my school, the discipline has two options either Environmental biology or Medical parasitology.Now i specialised in Medical parasitology due to the 'medical' attached to it. 3 months after graduating,am still not satisfied with myself. I should be going in for the Nysc batch C later this year but i want to go back to studying medicine as soon as i finish my Nysc. So please, i want you guys to help me with answers to these questions: what are the methods i can use in applying for admission? I heard i could use my Bsc degree to get myself a direct entry,how true is it? Which Nigerian Universities' medical school is the best? Please i really need the answers, thanks

I am rather curious about this your 'dream' of being a Medical Doctor.

What exactly is it about 'being a Medical Doctor' that attracts you that you will want to spend another 6-8 years (making allowances for any strikes, carry overs etc) AFTER qualifying as a Medical parasitologist? Not to sound as if I am discouraging you (far from it; I am a believer in the potency of 'dreams' and one who advocates that people should pursue their dreams), but isn't that time (6-8 years), one that could be better spent getting a PhD in your field, landing a job that would probably earn you enough to sustain a respectable lifestyle, while still answering the title 'Dr'? Believe me, a 'basic medical qualification'-what you get at the end of 6-8 years-is not all that!

But to answer your questions though, I think that you may be better off asking some of the NYSC Doctors in your batch. They should be able to guide you with more up to date information.

Bottom line: don't go chasing shadows, while letting slip the substance!

Good luck!

texazzpete:
@benelli
And i apologize if my reply was offensive to you.

Thanks!

^^^

OK

^^^

The authors opinion may or may not be impartial: it's your dismissal of his study as untrustworthy purely on the basis of his name, as you affirmed in your post, that I commented on.'The tone of his voice' etc is irrelevant to the issue I raised. I suggest that you don't resort to name calling ('don't be silly'; 'plain mischievious' etc) as a 'defence' mechanism. It's not proper, especially when it distracts from the issue raised.

kencivic:
am male 34.I look 50.have wrinkles on the face.what do i do

Basic lifestyle issues, if any, need to be sorted out first:

Are you getting enough rest from work, including adequate sleep at night?
Do you have any ongoing life issues that are causing you overwhelming stress?
What's your eating habit like?; do you eat healthily, including a lot of fruits, vegetables and do you drink a lot of water?
Do you have any 'harmfull habits' like excessive use of alcohol, caffeine, tobacco or other llicit drugs. Do you have too much sex?

If your lifestyle is healthy and you don't have any major life stresses at the moment or debilitating illness that is causing you to loose weight, then you may consider getting expert opinion. But if your lifestyle needs readjusting, then that should be the place to start in dealing with the wrinkles.

Of course if you have loads of money, you could try botox injections! That way, like most of the celebrities, and those who want to 'eat their cakes and have it', you can continue with your sinful ways-if you are so inclined-and still look 'pure and at peace with the world'!That's a joke, incase you didn't get it!!

texazzpete:
I hate commenting on these kind of issues. But it's difficult to trust this study when it's done by someone named 'Emma Okocha'.

I couldn't resist 'commenting' on the above.

I am aware that some people, especially in multiracial societies, adopt a similar position when the person they're dealing with has a different coloured skin; speaks with an alien-sounding accent etc etc. They say; 'I don't trust you, so I won't employ you because I don't like what your name sounds like'! Or 'you can't know what you're talking about, because you don't sound like you do!'. They are prejudiced by such irrelevancies, which clouds out what might have been the substance of the subject. Ofcourse sometimes these prejudices, founded on stereotypes, are spot on, and the 'subject' or the individual is totally useless or incompetent. But that is by the point.

While I am not suggesting that you're prejudiced; I am, however, curious to know what the name of the person conducting such a study should sound like for it to be considered trustworthy?

^^^

I have responded.