₦airaland Forum

[quote author=fstranger6 [/b]link=topic=580002.msg7482998#msg7482998 date=1294424318]
^^^POC: He is not an expert on Nigeria

And he will never be.

Stop acting like white people own us[/quote]@[b]Fstranger6 Most foreign diplomats(American&European) actually know more about your country and as such can be called 'EXPERT' on Nigeria. Ambassador Campbell was not sent to Nigeria on 'holiday' or like a typical ignorant Nigerian diplomat abroad-'cronyism'. Serious people/countries have Expectations and they Work [/b]for their home country 24/7.  They are usually very diligent and live up to 'National' Expectation/Interest- hence he's an [b]'Expert' or a Consultant on most things Naija. You cannot say that much of your own present/past diplomats(Nigerian) Diplomats should be aware/conversant with 'local'/internal politics of which ever place they are sent to on a mission- Campbell actually has local knowledge.

There's nothing 'acting like white people own us' about it. Knowledge is POWER They know about themselves and yourself even more so because that's his work. They are not unusually Lazy when sent abroad to represent/work for country as an Ambassador

[quote author=Jenifa[/b]_ link=topic=12021.msg7478249#msg7478249 date=1294363234]
i'm currently reading about colonialism (around the world and including Nigeria) and it baffles me to come on this thread and see these comments.
[b]what it tells me is that there isn't a good history curriculum in Nigerian schools. and we know nothing about our past. [/quote]@Jenifa- Welcome to the 'good education' most Nigerians receive. Is it any wonder our 'quasi-knowledge' of history is from Fela's songs/music .
No need to be baffled, it's a true reflection of the 'state of the Nation'-Nigeria/Confusion
Everything in Nigeria must have 'Immediate' monetary value or else it's of no value to the Nigerian, including 'History' as a subject. To the average Nigerian it's not 'tangible' let alone 'Serious'/ 'Important' Education/Knowledge is in 'decline' and Ignorance is celebrated .

@Op -   I am not going to analyse the merits/demerits of colonialism. I'll leave it to the 'happy contented' Nigerian pseudo-intellectual.

50 years is relatively long enough for any sane responsible people to get their 'Act' together. Nigerians/Africans have perfected the art of 'EXCUSES', spurious Reasons for shocking IRRESPONSIBILITY, INACTION and LAZINESS. When are the so called NIGERIANS going to take 'Responsibility'?. Nigerians always blame the 'other'- devil, witch, 'youthful' age of the country, religion(Islam/Christianity) colonialist, 'tribe(s)' but self/leadership. It's just too easy and comforting to blame the unseen 'other'. Whenever one listens to a Nigerian the words God this, God that or God willing is never ending in their speech/conversation. It is very rare to hear purposeful, resolute statements for 'Action' or 'mission statements'. 'Fatalism' is so normal. Do Nigerians not have 'GOALS', VISION or attainable Aspiration for SELF as a 'nation'/people? Are the Nigerian 'elite' conscious/aware of the world around them? Do Nigerians have any sense of SHAME, OUTRAGE or have they become so inured to 'Bad' everything/Ugliness around them?

Ogbuefi 1:
@ZIM DRILL .Nigeria have always been densely populated even before colonial rule.If you read from your history books , you will notice that most of the slaves sold during the trans-atlantic trade were of Nigerian descent.
Our land have always been highly populated because it has always been in out thought to live closely together.This explains why there are up to 250 nationalities just within this modest geographical space called Nigeria.
This is also the reason why a country like Ethiopia with 85 million people is also densely populated.

@Ogbuefi 1-- That the geographical place called Nigeria have over 250 ethnic nationalities, may also explain how attractive/conducive the place is for human habitation and development hence the population growth.
There is no 'proof' that 'most' of the slaves 'sold' during the trans-Atlantic trade are of Nigerian descent. The whole of Africa to the Southern African region was affected. You have to study the diaries, routes/Log books of the slave traders/nations(Arabs/Europeans). They had well established forts, stations, routes and preferences hence places like- Goree(Senegal), Cape-Verde islands, Mauritania, Morocco old forts in the Gambia, Guinea -Bissau, Cote d'Ivoire, the infamous Elmina Castle/Cape coast(Ghana), Dahomey(Benin) Cameroons, Gabon, Congo, Angola, Namibia and South-Africa and much of East-Africa where the Portuguese definitely had a foothold before the arrival of the aggressive Dutch/British. The Nigerian coast was not exactly welcoming but relatively hostile hence no purpose built/ grand established slave holding places and forts/castles. The Badagry Slave market etc is nothing compared to other places I mentioned above. The Nigerian ethnic Nationalities were well organised and relatively have an entrenched sense of self/group hence some of the coastal kings were banished/exiled for obstruction to trade/other reasons. The propaganda about much of the slaves are from Nigeria are simply rubbish and does not stand up to close scrutiny. There are obvious similarities in the cultures of some places along the West Coast of Africa but that does not necessarily imply that the slaves could've come from the territory we now call Nigeria- e.g. some of the cultural practices of some ethnic groups in present day Ghana, Togo and Benin-RP share similarities to the 'Yoruba' nationality or ethnic group of present day Nigeria. Can we then deduce that such slaves from Ghana/Togo/Benin are from 'Nigeria' because they happen to have socio-cultural traits similar to the Nigerian 'Yoruba' nation/people? Same gross analogy goes for the rest of Nigeria notably the Efik, Ijaw and Ibo people of Nigeria may indeed share some cultural traits similar to each other and to other Africans in Central -Africa- South Africa but that is not sufficient enough reasons to believe that such slaves/descendants in the Americas are from Nigeria alone. It isn't!

[b]Kabukabu50[/b]1

There are no moderates in Islam,if there were they would have already stood up against the radicals among thier fold,but they don't because for the most part they agree with such tactics, even though they themselves are scared or hesitant to use them.

2)I will repeat it since you probably don't understand, more Muslims die at the hands of other Muslims, than are killed by "Infidels".
Does not mean infidel on infidel violence, means muslim on muslim violence kills more of them than "foreigners" do.
Egypt,Pakistan,Iraq,afghanistan,Syria,Saudi arabia,Lebanon muslims walk into their mosques and blow their fellow muslims up, every day of the week.

3)Muslim men are more likely to abuse women and children through honor killings, which you won't find happening anywhere else
They marry underaged girls who are subjected to daily ravages by these often older men, denying these girls of their pride and innocence.
These young girls are subjected to harsh conditions, and have no rights whatsoever, which is supported by Islamic laws.

Old habits dont die hard, they are changed with Modern law not Sharia law, you don't have intimacy with underaged girls,wifes have as muchights as husbanrds in a marriage,and Religion has no place in government.

@Kabukbu50 1) Do you really believe that?

2) Do you think that much of the killings by so called muslims 'dressed-up' as 'Islamic' inspired, are actually typical of 'Islam'/muslims? Are the countries you mentioned 'Islamic' societies? They are societies in search of an 'identity' or societies in flux. Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Iraq are certainly  places where 'Islam' is used as an easy galvanising ideology for purposes that are anything but 'spiritual' or 'religious'. Besides Saudi Arabia, 'Islam' as a religion, arrived those other places just like in Nigeria. It's still Foreign and not home grown whatever religious zealots may think! They all learn 'Arabic'(Saudi version) with its nuances and ambiguities. Is it any wonder there is confusion? Many things are lost or added in translation hence the essence of 'Islam' is lost on everyone .

3) I pointed out already that it is not because they are 'muslim' men but because they come from societies with 'older' socio-cultural systems /values that predate the arrival of the new 'civilising' value system(Islam) - hence I wrote- 'Old habits die Hard'. You cannot runaway from your culture or history Unfortunately 'Islam' bears the 'brunt'/ blamed for cultural practices which predates Islam itself. You are aware of fetish beliefs(witch craft)etc by so called Christians in many places but are they seen as fundamentally bad Christians or human beings?

Pls try to read the 'Koran' with an open mind perhaps you'll be enlightened about 'Sharia' and maybe discover also that the 'law' / 'rights' as it relates to Women, in my humble opinion is very enlightening and food for thought. keep in mind that there are no 'perfection' in any so called 'Law' and 'Government'.

@[b]Kabukabu50 Facts to consider.
[/b]

1)There is no such thing as "moderacy" in Islam.

2)More Muslims are killed by fellow Muslims than by any other "infidels".

3Muslims women and children are more likely to suffer abuse by their Men and Fathers, underage marriages,torture,honor killings and injustice.

4)Yes there are Christian radicals but they have not maimed,killed,or exploded to death up to a speck of what has been accomplished by the radical Islamists.

Have a nice day

@kabukabu50-1) Is there such thing as "Moderacy" in 'Christianity' Pls explain.

2)How did you arrive at such conclusion? What do you think of the killings/ wars in Europe East/West, Colombia,Peru, Mexico, South-Africa during Apartheid, Iraq still under occupation, Lebanon and Palestine under Israeli invasion/occupation-  I guess they are 'Islamic' inspired killings in your opinion or they do not count?

3)Abuse of women and children is not peculiar to 'Muslim' men/fathers- Is it? Under age marriages, torture, so called honour killings and injustice -how are they peculiar/ related to 'Islam'? keep in mind that So called 'muslim' men in societies whose social structure and values predate the arrival of Islam obviously interpret their age old sexist/patriarchal misdemeanour as 'Islam' as the date palm- Really? Pls a cursory awareness/knowledge of local history will go a long way in understanding some of the misconceptions about people from predominantly muslim populated societies/countries-  Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran,Iraq, Bangladesh, The 'Arabian' peninsular and Muslims in India, muslims in Nigeria and the rest of Africa. Old habits die hard

4)Really? think about it

@Op- Pls bear in mind that before the conquest/forced conversion of the indigenous majority Hausa and other ethnic groups in the Northern states of Nigeria by the so called 'peaceful' religion, what was the faith/ culture of the people? Did their conversion to 'Islam' come about 'peacefully'? Many ethnic groups including some ethnic Hausa resisted valiantly to forceful conversion to a foreign 'religion' or as some muslims will say 'ideology' or 'total way of life'. It's all very good that the 'Koranic' texts are beautifully scripted and contain very beautiful 'holistic' practical guides for life quite unlike the Christian 'Bible'. The fact still remains that both so called monotheistic religions 'Islam and 'Christianity' did not arrive Africa in good faith let alone 'peacefully' in Nigeria. Is it any wonder that history is repeating itself? There are a lot of 'unfinished' business in Africa. 'Most' Africans have refused to acknowledge the Islamic(Arab) and Judae-Christian conquest/damage of Africa and the attendant dislocation/disruption of the African 'Psyche'. What religion or in the name of 'religious fervour', turns a placid Black man or African to commit atrocious crimes if not self abnegation or alienation of the worst kind(loss of self identity). Most of the so called muslims in the north of Nigeria are actually confused and in search of Identity hence it's almost too easy for the ruling elite(Fulani) to continue imposing their will on the majority Hausa using pseudo-religious blandishments to mesmerise the inherently peaceful Hausa. Almost all Hausa towns and villages are ruled/led by the conquering Fulani minority/elite- Ever since using 'Islam' as the rallying ideology/tool of propaganda to impress some of the people because there are sizeable numbers of non-muslims amongst the Hausa/ the rest of the Northern states of Nigeria. No where in the holy books of 'Islam' or 'Bible' is paedophilia stipulated/encouraged. Some misdeeds by individuals in so called 'Islamic' societies are wrongly/misguidedly justified as 'Islamic'. Most are basing their warped laws/ideas on social/cultural values that predate 'Islam' in those societies e.g the Arabian Peninsula, Persia(Iran), Sudan etc. How do you explain the fact that in Iran the female age of majority or marriage is nine years old which makes Senator Yerima's 'apple of his eyes'/ wife , look very old indeed. Pls bear in mind that Persia(Iran) is not an Arab country,nor culturally 'Islamic'. As a matter fact 'true' Iranian nationalists find it very offensive that 'Islam'/Arabic faith has been imposed as a national faith of Persia(Iran) by misguided power hungry minority using the ready made, beautifully scripted and seductive 'Islamic'  ideology instead of home grown ideology for national development/hegemony. Why can't the so called 'muslims' in Nigeria be like the Senegalese, Malian, Nigerien, Burkinabe and Chadians from whence the Islamic incursion into Nigeria gathered pace? Do they not have other faiths in those countries? Why no pseudo- religious inspired murders as in Nigeria in those places? Why is it the fashion nowadays that the 'Hijab' has become de-rigeur in some of the Northern(Sharia) states which was not the norm/style not quite long ago? The dour/colourless Middle-Eastern/Arabian inspired mode of dressing is surreptitiously imposed on innocent young women in schools/society which was not the case just a few years ago. Does the New 'Islam' with the attendant Middle- Eastern/Iranian inspired dress code, definitely not in the 'Koran' or Are we just mimicking the Iranians and Arabs foolishly? Perhaps the relatively new converts to Islam in Nigeria have more 'zeal' and  monopoly of Allah's attention than the rest of us or perhaps it's because Impunity and Bad behaviour is Tolerated/Acceptable to the Nigerian psyche, hence the very regular brazen attacks/killings with little Outrage let alone serious retribution/consequence .

@ Katsumoto;   'Values' and 'Change' in society does not happen just like that!, It takes some Insightful/Inspirational leadership to encourage/nuture/at times if necessary coerce such good transformational 'values' out of so called/ otherwise 'bad'/ignorant culture/society-  There are many countries we are aware of, that have literally institutionalised certain socially 'desirable' behaviour standards/laws some Nigerians may find a little high minded/strange - such as spiting on pavements and disposing of chewing gum in public places etc -not ok in Singapore etc. I agree with you that to transform Nigeria,  'values' of the people have to change. The so called  leadership/followers must have the vision/inspiration, aspiration and creativity/desire. We have seen/ heard of Lagos state/Fashola and how the people are eager to pay their taxes because of the work/inspirational/creative leadership qualities of the current Governor of Lagos. Can we say the same of the centre -'Abuja'?

@Mai Suya- Nigerians excelling in their careers, behaving properly abroad because those countries have 'Laws that work'- perhaps.  Is it not the case of 'when in Rome do as the Romans do'. Nigerians are aware that they are 'foreign' or in Nigerian parlance 'stranger' or 'guest'. They have no choice but to be 'good' people/'worker' or else suffer the consequences in various forms of course or alternatively go back 'home' You do not behave badly, when outside of your own domain unless the person is a 'professional' criminal or an   . Unfortunately Nigeria have a lot of such social 'misfits' abroad/ within her borders.

@Op- No! Is Nigeria a nation/state yet? Do the so called 'Nigerians' see themselves as one beyond their 'green passport' and football pitch? Have the 'leadership'/Nigerians had the necessary national 'conversation' about beliefs in institutions such as- 'Laws of the Land' and Sanctions etc? So called Leaders/followers pick/choose which laws to obey/acknowledge. A people who have a mutually agreed/shared world view on what is right or wrong rarely default instinctively with impunity. Nationalism/patriotism does not happen per chance. It's cultivated and nurtured like anything else about good society/people/government. Nigerians/leadership, are intellectually lazy and ok with it, because it's easier not to make the necessary changes for nation building/transformation. Nigerianas are inherently chaotic, lazy and cowardly.

@Op- I am sorry if it came across like a personal attack. My apology Never meant to 'bash' you personally. You'll agree with me that the 'Nigerian' 'male' specie abroad, have done the image of Nigeria more harm just like the crooked politicians/'leaders' at home. You'll agree with me that your choice of language 'riffraff' for a female you were once interested in, is condescending. Nevertheless, Jamaica like the rest of the Caribbean Islands are full of very 'ignorant'/unaware people just like Africans in the continent too. Believe me, the level of ignorance amongst Jamaicans in Jamaica is shocking and no different from the ignorance pervasive amongst black people in the Americas- North/South.

@texazzpete- Thank you! The Angolans have been trained/ used some of the more modern tanks and transport planes which Nigeria does not have etc.

War is also about hearts and minds and not just about hardware alone It's best to win without fighting

Egypt, South-Africa, libya and Algeria may have the best war materials but where is the 'heart' for a long protracted war fare?  modern wars are no longer about Tanks and air force alone. The face of war have changed longtime ago. The Israeli have realised that @ Palestine/Lebanon. The South-Africans(whites) do not have the same kind of 'Apartheid' era motivation and the Black soldiers are nothing to write home about. Libya is practically irrelevant with so much hard ware but not enough personnel. Egypt under Mubarak have so much hardware but I doubt it that they have the motivation/capacity for external warfare like the Iranians probably have. I think Algeria have the motivation/capacity to repel or engage in a protracted  warfare. It's in their psyche.  The Ethiopians despite their relative poverty have the discipline,motivation and heart to fight.They are naturally nationalistic. Nigeria despite the so called good training etc, do not have the nationalistic motivation nor heart to sustain any kind of war. Fighting in Sierra-leone/Liberia under the aegis of Ecowas/UN is different from fighting for 'Nation'/fighting against civilians. It is not the Niger Delta . The test or question is ' can Nigeria defend her borders or pacify her recalcitrant Neighbours effectively? Angola actually have an effective fighting force far more experienced and capable than Nigeria despite the Nigerian 'size'. They have good experience, have learnt a lot from the Cubans during  their civil war/war with the South Africans and during their invasion of DR Congo to effect the overthrow of Mobutu. The Angolans like the Zimbabweans are highly motivated and disciplined. They hardly abuse and kill civilians like the Nigerian troops are known to do even in Sierra Leone. War is not just about equipment and size alone otherwise China would defeat war hardened Vietnam during their short border war.

@Op -- Pls where are War hardened Angolans and perhaps the Zimbabweans?

@tpia- Alek Wek's tribe tend to be tall, dark and willowy. I see some of them occasionally and they're not as ugly as people like to paint them. The ones in the refugee camps arent the best ambassadors for their tribe, thats all. White people like them a lot, for some reason- probably for their laidback attitude.Their physiques are very unique and quite different from most other Africans. Especially west Africans. Other Sudanese tend to look like Nigerians both facially and structurally.

Its generally accepted that there was a wave of Sudanese immigrants into Nigeria at some point in time.

Alek Wek is Dinka/southSudan; They are on average amongst if not the tallest people in the world. They are very beautiful/ attractive whatever that means. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think that Nigerians have been afflicted by the euro-centric sensibility of 'beauty' perhaps because of the impact of slavery/colonialism. Is being ebony black no longer beautiful? What are the so called features of the black people of Sudan that some Nigerians find unattractive? The current Nigerian sensibility/desire for everything 'white/light/fair skin is truly sad and embarrassing. The people of Bornu state(BeriBeri)/Chad, Plateau and Adamawa states of Nigeria appear to have a lot in common with the various ethnic nationalities of the Sudan. Numerically, there are about three-five million people of Nigerian descent in the Sudan. The 'Yoruba' of Nigeria claim/trace their origin to the Lower Nile area which can be deduced to be Egypt(Nubia)/ Sudan area of Africa. Nigerians should have a more open mind and have some social contact with other Africans properly, besides 'monetary' relationships. There are so much beautiful people in the Sudan but for the on going wars. I personally know some of Alek's family members. They are all very tall, beautiful and graceful indeed.

[quote author=THE-AMAKA link=topic=226540.msg5014812#msg5014812 date=1259473589]but to narrow this all down we all came from the same people.
it just matters where and when you settled and what language your people developed.

other arethan that we all from the same pusssy that settled in what is now present day Ethiopia(the first man, according to scientist, to walk the earth)
so what gives? what is the obsession with igbos and jews anyway?[/quote] Your Language is truly colourful

@eku_bear/DapoBear Congratulations,

m@Aproko,@babyosisi&@Kojeiwa- Like you have pointed out/identified correctly, perhaps some of the 'Yoruba' who seem to fall foul of ethnic 'parochialism/chauvinism' are not 'exposed' within the Nigerian context. Also, I'll strongly suggest, perhaps, other Nigerians should show some understanding/sympathy towards the 'ignorant' Yoruba. The "Yoruba' like the rest Nigerians,were the victims of the Nigerian colonial experience which made it possible for everything administrative, economic,political, educational and health/hospitals, Airport etc, to be cited in Lagos/Western part of the country hence the compulsion on the rest of Nigerians to gravitate towards Lagos/West invariably. The indigene/Yoruba of the South West of Nigeria did not have any compelling reason/need/desire whatsoever to reach out/ travel besides going abroad, let alone into the Nigerian hinterland; For what? Everything related to work or life support system/government was cited in Lagos/ South-West of the country, until most recently when the 'administrative' capital was moved to Abuja- Nothing much have changed since the colonial incursion/settlement in Lagos/Nigeria . It's a little foolhardy to expect a person/ 'victim' who's never had the good fortune/misfortune of travelling beyond their immediate 'homeland' not to make some 'mistakes' or be a little narrow minded/ ignorant of other Nigerians until they actually encounter them- considering the fact that the Nigerian educational system/content(s) is not exactly wholesome-Is it ? I think a little generosity of spirit is required of all of us towards each other. Nobody has monopoly of ignorance/knowledge. Nollywood may appear to be Igbo dominated but who are the majority 'Stars' and perhaps some of the best movie makers in the Nollywood Industry? Are they actually Igbo? Their names and ethnic origins are certainly not Igbo I think. Nevertheless, why can't Nigerians celebrate the good/ only authentic product & export to come out of Africa(Nigeria)-Pls see the latest copy of 'The Economist' 18-31 Dec. 2010. 'The Yoruba' like other Nigerians, are mere 'victims' of the general ignorance pervasive amongst Nigerians . After all the British because they colonised/ruled two-third of the world also make crass assumptions/ thinking everybody speaks English.The Imperialist is a 'victim' of the "empire Syndrome", perhaps from a different perspective- Power! Some 'Yoruba' presumptuously think everyone in Lagos or Nigeria understands/speaks Yoruba language because of what you correctly pointed out- 'lack of exposure'/ ignorant of other Nigerians beyond the South-West.Pls bear in mind that the Yoruba never had the need to go beyond the South West because of the 'Colonial' arrangement of the Nigerian economy. As you can see colonialism affected everyone obliquely/overtly

@Op- Women generally don't like immature and silly men most especially if they're very perceptive enough to tell the difference between boys and real men. She gave you the opportunity to communicate with her for some time before she 'switched' off. Perhaps you failed to meet her usual 'high' standards and I guess from your post, you're not far away from the usual stereotypical bumbling 'Nigerian' buffoon. You need to clean up your act/grow up too . She is a woman, human being/Jamaican, so she deserves every respect you'll probably accord 'other' persons without whining.

@ MrsEve and Creamish you've made your point that Nigerians are not all that, / exceptional and you've thrown in a few 'handy stereotypical' info to back up your line of thoughts, ok you're right! Are you the only 'foreign' or 'Non'-Nigerian females on this forum? Do you not have any sense of humour at all? Ignorance is truly bliss and a little bit of misinformation/miseducation is dangerous indeed. Please 'trave'l or get some proper 'education' no I don't mean 'certificates', before you join a public forum of conversation. The @Op have injected some humour by making comments about 'gifts' etc, yet you continue to take yourselves too seriously/pedantic. No wonder there's a communication 'gap' between AA women and 'Black' / African men in the USA. It's truly sad indeed

@Ezeagu- There's nothing special about the Jews who were serfs , labourers, refugees and guests of the ancient Egyptians before the final conquest of Egypt by the marauding Arabs and Turks. I doubt it very much that Ibos have any connection with the so called Jews. Ethiopia/Abyssinia has more concrete historical links to whoever the so called Jews of the distant ancient world -(the Falasha/Jews ) of Ethiopian origin in contemporary modern state of Israel. Bear in mind that Ethiopia is the oldest nation on earth too. It would be better for good historical understanding of the Ibos, to expunge the Bible or Jews from whenever serious historical research/ discourse about Ibos is on the table. Ibos after all are not the first converts to christianity in Nigeria let alone -whole of Africa. The Biafrans used the Jewish analogy/struggle for war time propaganda/sympathy which did not amount to much anyway. It's a shame that some people now believe the hype/propaganda.

@JustGood- The British and the French are very much similar in their 'foreign' language incompetence/ ignorance. It derives from their 'empire' syndrome especially the British. You can only sympathise/ empathise/ feel sorry for them.

@redsun- Not 'all' Africans talk loudly like some Nigerians do.

@Op- No it's not rude to speak your language in 'public' but it can be if you do so to the exclusion of person(s)/ 'other' within your group who do not understand the language. If the woman in the coach/bus who took exception to you speaking/talking in a language she does not understand,is not a friend/member of your group, you are definitely not wrong. I can only presume that you and your friend were 'unusually' talking very loudly thereby incurring her wrath/ill manner. A little bit of social awareness and sensitivity would've saved you from such ire from a stranger Nigerians are notorious for talking loudly or lacking social etiquette

The word 'Bantu' means 'People' in the languages of the central-southern African region. It has been adopted and abused by European pseudo-historians who know little or nothing about Africa. Unfortunately such pseudo-history of Africa/ definition of her (African) people by bad historians have stuck/ gained currency, because much of the so called African 'history' most Africans are exposed to were written by 'others'/Europeans. An 'enemy' cannot and is inherently incapable of writing/ telling your own story. You'll have to think laterally or out of the box/ creatively. Do your own research if it means going back to your village or people etc. The rubbish about Ibos and Jews connection etc is childish and foolish. People all over the world may have some shared values, similarities etc but does that make everyone the same historically or socially etc? I sincerely think that the Ibos did not emigrate from anywhere else but are indigenous and mixed-up with their neighbours in present day Nigeria. There's nothing exceptional or unique about that. It may also seem/appear that there are some physical similarities to their immediate neighbours and not too distant neighbours in central Africa but does that anthropologically/historically give us the liberty to presume that the Ibos must have come from somewhere else? The 'Yoruba' of Nigeria claim to come from the Nile valley area, which can be deduced to be around the present day(Egypt and Sudan)Nubia- bear in mind that 'Sudan' means Black in Arabic after the original/indigenous people of the place now known as Sudan by the Arab invaders. Is it any wonder there is on going long protracted wars in the 'Sudan' or 'land of the Blacks'. Perhaps, maybe that's the origin of the 'emigration' of the 'Yoruba' to the place now known as Nigeria. Pls bear in mind that the word 'Yoruba' did not exist or have not been 'defined' as we know it nowadays. The Arab incursion and conquest of some parts of Africa is on going and pushing Africans southwards like in the Sudan where there'll be a new nation perhaps in the near future. The 'Yoruba' were wise to leave that area in good time for peaceful and fertile Nigeria if history is to be believed . You don't have to be 'mad' but proactive to tell your own story yourself

@op - You were never dumped, because you did not go out with her in the first place! let alone being dumped because you're 'Nigerian'. You wish

It appears that Nigerians, especially those of them from the southern part of the country are afflicted with the 'tribalism' virus. It seems also that the 'Yoruba' are unfairly accused of being 'tribalistic' by other Nigerians/ neighbours, without actually understanding the source or reasons for such 'behaviour'. The 'Yoruba' geographically are 'victims' of the 'colonial' incursion/ settlement in Nigeria via 'Yorubaland' e.g. Much of the so-called economic 'development' and administration of Nigeria(civil-service)etc., schools/colleges were cited in Lagos/western region. The 'Yoruba' did not have the need/desire to travel to the hinterland/ beyond their region, besides travelling out of the country. Such a people inadvertently will beome 'victims' of circumstance having 'narrow' or 'skewed' view of the world around them. It's almost like expecting the 'English' to speak/learn a foreign language. After all it's the majority/dominant language of the ruling power that governed two-third of the world(British empire). The 'advantage' of the skewed colonial economic development of Nigeria have conspired in some perverse way, to make the indigene/ Yoruba - 'victims' because they did not have to reach out/ travel to other parts of Nigeria in search of- work, education or other reasons most 'Nigerians/ non-Yoruba, flock to Lagos in search of the proverbial 'golden fleece'. It's rare to encounter a 'Yoruba' who speaks other Nigerian languages and whenever you do, it's almost 'exotic' and interesting. I am not trying to make excuses for the 'Yoruba', or for 'small mindedness' or 'tribalistic' tendencies as perceived by 'non Yoruba'. If 'Yoruba' language is the majority/dominant language in Lagos/ environs , it's also natural, perhaps wrongly, to assume that everybody residing in Lagos speaks/understands the 'Yoruba' language as most people/ 'Yoruba' in Lagos are wont to assume. Is it not unfair to blame/accuse somebody who has never had the good fortune/misfortune to leave their 'home' for being parochial or 'tribal'? A little bit of understanding and empathy will go a long way in assuaging much of the pent up misunderstandings/misconceptions/ignorance of fellow Nigerians. Other Nigerians had reasons to migrate/gravitate towards Lagos since the colonial encounter and nothing much have changed except the moving of the administrative capital to Abuja.

@poweredCom- the best education is "Travel" not google/research :-. Unfortunately many Nigerians don't travel enough within their own country, hence a majority of them have never heard of the IGALA. You should wonder/worry about what else a lot of Nigerians do not know of their fellow compatriots. The state of Education in Nigeria / the psyche of Nigerians in relation to so called minority ethnic groups is worrying indeed. Deliberate ignorance is so common and acceptable amongst Nigerians that it's almost shocking/frightening Majority of Nigerians have misguided 'knowledge'/education of everything 'local' if not 'abroad'/foreign but lack knowledge/awareness of their compatriot. Such ignorance is so pervasive amongst the so called larger ethnic groups as you'll discover. It's fashionable to be ignorant/insensitive- Fulani,Hausa, Igbo, Ijaw and Yoruba alphabetically of course

It appears that Nigerians are alienated/unpatriotic indeed, because it's not a 'nation state' yet, where the citizens have a shared sense of belonging let alone enthusiasm for her historical artefacts. From the posts on this forum and others like it about Nigeria, it saddens me to conclude that Nigerians do not have faith in their 'country' . Perhaps, it would've been great if the British had recognised the ancient kingdom of Benin as the independent nation state it was before the colonial amalgamation into what is now modern Nigeria. Most people on this forum like the Nigerian government, somehow, do not view the Bini Artefact as national treasure hence most people are treating it with levity; see it as just a Bini issue as if it is not an important part of modern Nigeria/history. Shame!

@Jarus Pls note that I deliberately did not bother to explain the so called large population- using cultural/religious and other pseudo-explanations that are not peculiar to Nigeria relative to other African countries. Much of Senegal is arid/ desert like Namibia. Besides Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Conakry, Liberia and Sierra-Leone water for agriculture is a big issue. Nigeria is truly blessed hence her population will increase in the future just the USA. It's very attractive and naturally blessed with abundant water resources for sustainable agriculture all year round.

@Jarus - Nigeria is well placed to have a large population in Africa. Apart from the DR Congo with similar/greater abundance of resources, Nigeria rarely suffer from many natural disasters like - drought- Zimbabwe &the southern African region, droughts and locusts invasion in the Sahel countries from Mauritania to Ethiopia in the East/ horn of Africa, massive floods like in Mozambique via Malawi. There is abundance of fertile arable land in Nigeria that it can actually feed herself and others but for contemporary bad politics/ government policies. Majority of Nigerians do not depend on/ consume imported foreign food but live on locally produced/sourced food. Nigeria is relatively peaceful, never mind whatever Nigerians may think of each other etc. The Congo basin has been at war for a very long time, Southern-Africa have not really had it so good until recently- Apartheid was not peaceful co-existence nor 'tea party' either. Kenya and Tanzania are relatively dry places lacking the kind of abundant rivers and rainfall typical of the Nigerian tropical/equatorial zone. Besides Uganda, the rest do not have good agricultural land comparable to Nigeria. There has been so much turmoil all over the rest of Africa besides the fact that most like Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, the whole Southern Africa including Zimbabwe contain very large tracks of Land dedicated to so called ' game reserves' by settlers/invaders. The 'game' reserves are as large of most European countries. Nigeria luckily did not suffer such indignity which could have removed very large tracks of land /disrupt traditional farming on pretty good land. Is it any wonder there are wars over land still on going in Zimbabwe, South- Africa, Namibia- semi- desert and Angola only just came out of a protracted bloody war. Much of other places are inhabited by Nomads, semi-nomads because their lands are not exactly fertile/ hospitable like the Nigerian/Cameroon-Congo axis all year round. Sudan is arid/desert in the north and Sahel in the south of the country and I guess we are aware of the on going oldest wars in Africa are in that region. You don't procreate willy nilly in harsh unstable conditions. Nigeria in reality is not highly populated but perhaps relative to other African countries it appears large erroneously.

@Pro01- Were the so-called British 'delegation' to the Bini kingdom invited? If they were, the Oba/Bini reserve the right to renege or postpone meetings because of other pressing State matters. So called modern governments postpone state visits/meetings without notice in contemporary times too. Why did such request to the British disobeyed? Intransigence and contempt by the British can only be the explanation for the wars against the illustrious valiant Bini/Africans. Did the Portuguese, who encountered the Bini before the marauding British, not show enormous decorum and respect for the laws of the land and people they encountered in their journeys of 'discovery' ? A little knowledge of our local history will do us all some good perhaps it'll help our choice of words in this discourse/conversation. Nigerians should discuss local history without tribal prejudice/affiliation as to who's right/wrong or whether it's a National treasure or relegated to just another, 'the problem of the Oba/Bini' alone. It's truly sad indeed.