₦airaland Forum

Actually, one thing that works for Lagos and by extension Ogun state is geographical advantage, that is proximity to the a sea and air ports. Even some Igbos and others prefer to site the industries in Ogun because of Lagos. Folks like Dangote recently made in-roads into Ogun due to the non-availability of lands in Lagos.

If Anambra and Abia had those advantages, they'll probably over blow by now.

Damn! Why are Igbo states refusing to post directories of their industries on their sites. At least I'm sure of Nnewi. Those folks there are just crazy with technology

Economy
As a fast developing city and a
major industrial and commercial
hub in Africa, Nnewi experiences
voluminous financial activities,
therefore hosts major banks, and
other financial institutions.
Industries are dotted around the
city and adjoining towns. Palm
oil, cosmetics, motor, and
motorcycle spare parts, books,
and stationeries, textiles, electric
cables, and so on are produced
in commercial quantity in the
area. As a result, Nnewi is
commonly refers to as the
“Japan of Africa". Its main
trading centers include, Nkwo
Nnewi market (the largest spare
parts market in west Africa) and
Nwafor market, Eke Amaobi
market, Eke Ochie, Eke Ichi
Market, Orie otube Market, etc.
Agriculture and Forestry
The main occupation of Nnewi
people is trading and farming,
therefore they depend mainly on
agriculture and commerce for
their daily livelihood. Most
Nnewian have mbubo (home
gardens) and ubi (out-station
gardens) were they usually
cultivate their farm products.
These crops when they are
harvested are usually taken to
the market for sale. Most of the
prime cash crops include oil
palm, raffia palm, groundnut,
melon, cotton, cocoa, rubber,
maize, et cetera. Food crops
such as yam, cassava, cocoyam,
breadfruit, and three-leaf yam
are also produced in large
quantities. The location of Nnewi
within the tropical rainforest
gives it the ecological basis for
production of a wide range of
tropical agriculture crops with
widespread potential for
industrial convention.
Industries
Nnewi is home to many major
manufacturing industries
including[b] Ibeto Group of
Companies, Cutix and ADswitch,
Uru Industries Ltd, Omata
Holdings Ltd, Cento Group of
Companies, Coscharis of
Companies Group, Innoson
Group of Companies, Ebunso
Nig. Ltd, John White Industries,
Ejiamatu Group of Companies,
Horizontal Ent. Ltd, M. O. I.
Ltd.DE R.C ORIZ INV Ltd.,
Chicason Group.[/b] The great
majority of industrialists in the
cluster of spare parts factories in
Nnewi are also traders, and most
of these traders are producing
one or more of the products
they specialize in marketing as
traders (usually motor vehicle
parts), and most began by
distributing their products
through their preexisting
distribution networks. Nnewi is
part of eastern Nigeria's
industrial axis. The town has
through culturally grounded
institutions that act as
sophisticated networks expanded
to include an international
dimension through trading
relations with exporters from
Asia. Over the last decade, the
town of Nnewi has experienced
relatively rapid industrialization.
In excess of 20 medium to large
scale industries have been
established across a variety of
sectors. Since 1970, Nnewi
residents have controlled
approximately 80 to 90 percent
of the motor-parts trade in
Nigeria. Nkwo Nnewi Market is
the major import and wholesale
point for motor spare parts in
Nigeria. The industrialists of
Nnewi are adapting foreign
technology to local needs,
providing employment to
thousands, and making available
goods and services which are
relevant actual needs of the
Nigerian citizens.
Autoparts
Nnewi is renowned for
producing great statesmen and
leaders of commerce. The town
is also one of the major trading
and manufacturing centers of
Nigeria. By 1940, Nnewi residents
were at the center of an
international trading network
that dominated the supply of
motor spare parts in Nigeria. The
town subsequently became a
center for commerce and
industry, and has one of the
largest automotive parts markets
in Africa. Nnewi Township is an
authentic "manufacturing
miracle." Small and medium
sized industries have set up in
the town and are producing not
only for the Nigeria markets but
- albeit still to a limited extent -
for markets abroad.
Industrialization of the town
began around 1970 when Nnewi
motor parts traders began
marketing their own brand name
products instead of the
reproductions of "original" parts.
For example, new auto plant,
which is being built in Nnewi by a
private investor, Chief Innocent
Chukwuma, OON, in partnership
with Chinese auto makers is
geared towards productions of
class of automobiles,[b] Cletus
Ibeto , Ogbuawa, Jonatec Auto
Supply International [/b]owned by
Chief Nwabueze Emenike and
host of other traders deals on
Motor cycle spare parts and tires.- From Wikipedia(not a reliable source, but a guide)

babapupa:
lol.  

Be honest with yourself. What's there to prove? Do you not display your inferiority complex and insecurities with threads like this all over NL 24/7?


Delusional  people,

It wasn't started by an Igbo. mofo.

Akhenaten:
People need to keep in mind that this thread was started by a Non-Igbo. No need to be upset. Just commend the Igbo on being able to bounce right back after losing a war. That is all.

I initially thought it was started by an Igbo. I wanted to lambast him if he was an Igbo son.

Let's keep doing our thing quietly as we've doing in the last 40 years.

The war only killed infants. They are more easier to replace than adults. It takes 9 months to make a baby and 20 years to make an adult.

It also showed you that the Nigerian side didn't find it all that easy, giving rise to why they opted for bombing farmlands and using starvation as a war strategy.

But no need to shout. People are already falsely accusing us as arrogant to score cheap points, even though they cant prove their claims.

Igbos have their faults too though. They have the potentials of being far far ahead, but they usually miss their chances.

Ileke-IdI:
Hmmm nah. I prefer to deal with igboland and widowership first. Ogun state will deal with the their problem lmao.

You want to deal with what you have no idea of? I pity you.

I still believe that one of the possible means of splitting Nigeria would be through the international courts or else a tendency to split further will always exist.

Sometimes, I've really come to understand why the international community never allowed Biafra to be. Biafra's struggle was quite understandable. But the issues were beyond morality. The need to keep a 'political' structure was more important than life for some, hence Biafra couldn't realize enough support that should consummate the 'morals' behind her struggle.

If Nigeria must divide, it must be done through very rigid means so as to make it difficult for unnecessary future disintegration.

Ileke-IdI:
I'll soon create a "Investigating Widower-ship in Igboland" thread, so that excanny can wallow in his region's sorrow.

Ogun state is in confusion at the moment because of conducting 2 seperate PDP governorship primaries and producing 2 flagbearers, each claiming to be the authentic flagbearer. Why not deal with that first before going elsewhere?

Abagworo:
You sound like a comedian or seriously a xenophobic.[b]The reason less Yorubas fall victim is because they are multi-religious.[/b]Every Igbo is a Christian while Yorubas are almost divided equally between Islam and Christianity.

That's not true. Yorubas usually dont asked questions when their folks are murdered. They prefer to let it slide. On the other hand, Igbos are more vociferous, and most cases where they are attacked it's always in the news.

Anyway, it's only an insane person that will be in a glee over an innocent life that is lost.

^^ It seems you've toned your tribalism down. What happened to you?

oludashmi:
Ok
Re-open it for others to learn from the quotes of base1 and oyinda as against your ignorance

What ignorance? Leave the way jor.

oludashmi:
Thread closed!!

This Ijebu woman sef.

Thread re-opened!!

Be a good guy. Dont live off your community by getting your asz to work for yourself.

^^^
I meant TewMuch. You better leave him with his 'Yoruba' alone.

If Igbo parents form the habit of not speaking english to their children, it would reduce the large number of 'efulefu' Igbo kids in the diaspora. They can always learn english in school.

asha 80:
actually i was trying to rile up someone.

Ok. That's personal and no going there.

But there's actually a number of cute 'osu' girls for 'osu' dudes. Only that some 'dialas', freeborns, are too stubborn to let them be. But when they get burnt, they come crying.

asha 80:
No it should not be abolished

Why?

@ChinenyeN

You've been around long enough to know when to ignore a person with ulterior motives.

Hopejoy:
@ excanny

I should actually be the one telling you to coin your words properly. Initially when this post came up in 2008, i took time to ask my mum what this actually means. She then gave me a long list of places where this culture is still being practiced. She also told me the story of how the term 'osu' came to be. However, from her story and what i learnt from my in-law, a noble writer , i could not still see what should warrant the kind of treatment metted to these people. Just look at your comparism of sickell cell anaemia to the osu caste. Does it show civil or uncivilly.

What message are you passing across to non igbos by your comparism about these people on nairaland, painting a very bad picture of what you were only told by only God knows how many generations just like myself (unless ofcourse you witnessed it) . Now tell me; what better language describes a person or group of people acting  (secretly or openly) in an uncivil manner even though they preach civilization; Mr Teacher!. No wonder, a non igbo poster in 2008 asked if these people feed on human flesh.

Hopejoy:
@ excanny

I should actually be the one telling you to coin your words properly.

How? Are you implying that my refering to the 'osu' as a form of discrimination is incorrect?

i took time to
ask my mum what this actually
means. She then gave me a long
list of places where the culture is
still being practiced. She also
told me the story of how the
term 'osu' came to be

Can you share what she told you?

i
could not still see what should
warrant the kind of treatment
metted to these people.

What kind of treatment are you talking about here?

Just look
at your comparism of sickell cell
anaemia to the osu caste. Does it
show civil or uncivilly.

You did mention that denying 'dialas' the opportunity to marry 'osus' is barbaric. And I gave the example of people who suffer from sickle cell anemia being
denied of an opportunity of marriage after they were tested positive(I know many relationships that ended this way). Then I asked you if it is also barbaric to end such relationships?

Now tell me; what better
language describes a person or
group of people acting  (secretly
or openly) in an uncivil manner
even though they preach
civilization

Do you know the meaning of civilization or you just use the word indiscriminately? Do you know of the strict rules that 'osus' have to adhere to? You are calling someone like my grand uncle an uncivilised man? Shouldn't you take a look at a dictionary before throwing words around freely?

No
wonder, a non igbo poster in
2008 asked if these people feed
on human flesh.

That's part of the reasons why I am here. I've been a victim of misinformation many times, and I've become a fighter against it.

[size=22pt]The Osu Caste System[/size]
[size=14pt]By Leo Igwe[/size]


In 1956,
the government of the then
Eastern Nigeria passed a law
abolishing the Osu caste system.
The law freed and discharged
anybody called Osu including the
children born to such a person.
It declared the practice unlawful
– and a crime punishable by law.
But unfortunately, 50 years after
the enactment of this legislation,
nobody has been prosecuted or
convicted for breaking the law.
At best what the legislation has
achieved is to drive the practice
underground. Also many
religious leaders and traditional
rulers have spoken out against
the practice. Recently Eze
Enyeribe Onuoha, the traditional
ruler of Umuchieze autonomous
community in Imo State urged
his community members to
abandon the practice. He said:
“ discrimination against Osus is
irrational, illegal, unjust and
archaic and opposed to human
rights. It is one Umuchieze(Igbo)
tradition that should immediately
be abolished. ”
But statements and declarations
like this are not uncommon. But
they have always fallen on deaf
ears among the Igbo people
most of whom think that cultural
norms are sacrosanct and should
not be tampered with. So the
belief in and practice of Osu
caste system continue to wax
strong in Igboland. In 1997, a
person alleged to be an Osu was
made a chief in a community in
Imo State. But six months later,
the community was engulfed in a
crisis. And when the case was
brought to the court, the
presiding judge noted that
though the abolition of Osu
caste system was in the statute, it
was an unenforceable law. The
chief was dethroned so that
peace would reign in the
community.
And not too long ago I met a
lady in a friend ’s house in Lagos.
I was told that she was engaged
to a young man from Imo State.
And months later I learnt that
the marriage plan had been
abandoned because the lady was
said to be an Osu. There have
been several instances like that
where young men and women
of Igbo extraction have suffered
heartbreaks and emotional
traumas as a result of this
cultural disease. And now the
question is, why is it that this
cultural practice has refused to
go away even among educated
Igbos. The reason is not far
fetched. The practice of Osu
caste system is hinged on
religion, supernaturalism and
theism. And Igbos are deeply
religious and theistic people. Osu
are regarded as unclean or
untouchable because they are
(alleged to be) dedicated to the
gods. So it is the dedication to
the gods that makes the Osu
status a condition of permanent
and irreversible disability and
stigma.
So this cruel custom will not be
eradicated until Igbos begin to
realize that gods are imaginary
beings, not objective entities.
Igbos need to understand that
deities and spirits are mental
constructs used to control and
organize the society at the
infancy of the human race. And
today that humanity has come of
age. Because if one does not
believe that the gods and spirits
are real, then the idea of
treating someone as unclean or
untouchable because the person
is dedicated to any deity does
not make sense at all. Even for
the god-believing Igbos, the
practice is out rightly baseless.
Because most Igbos are
Christians and do not profess
any belief in the traditional gods
to which the Osu were (alleged
to be) dedicated. So, it is both
sensible and appropriate that all
Igbos - believers and non-
believers alike renounce and
abandon this abhorrent,
inhuman and despicable
practice. Politically, state
authorities must get Igbo
communities and associations to
remove provisions in their
constitution that bar Osu from
contesting elections or receiving
traditional titles. Legally, the
courts must begin to enforce the
law abolishing the Osu caste
system. And the Nigerian state
must rise up to its duty of
protecting and defending the
humanity, dignity and equal
rights of all citizens irrespective
of their sex, ethnic origin,
religion, belief or birth status.
Most importantly Igbos must
begin to envision a new society
where people can live and
interact, marry and be married,
elect and be elected, without
division, distinction, discrimination
on the basis of Osu or Nwadiala.
Hence I want to use this
opportunity to appeal to my
people- ndi Igbo: Please let’s
strive to remove this mark of
leprosy and shame from the
face of our culture and
society.

www.codewit.com/igwe_osu_caste.php

Hopejoy:
@excanny

I clearly defined the context under which i used it 'without civilizing influences, crude' or better still 'uncivilized'. So coin it whatever you may, but be rest assured i well know every word that i put down on nairaland. Thats just the correction and better take it for future use.
Thats all .  . ooops, are you throwing your questions to me or to the house?

As it stands, your definition is clearly wrong as long as you cannot establish how the 'osu' system is uncivilized.

Do you realize the number of non-Igbos reading through this thread, and the effect that your wrong terms might be impressing on them?

It's a public forum, remember? Anyone is free to answer any questions and also make contribution.

I even learnt from my mum about a grand uncle of mine who is an osu of Ahia Njoku. He's also married a fellow 'osu' female who are usually called 'nmaji'. Today, their son lives in Ohio and is married with kids to a freeborn for almost 15 years. All these people are still alive as I speak.

Hopejoy:
@excanny

I believe i have made my point and its well understood. No offence anyway, just wanted you to know that i understood what the word i used meant, thats all.

Barbarism cannot describe the 'osu' system.

Is refusing to marry somebody who suffers from sickle-cell anemia barbaric?

Barbarism often involve anarchy, assault, lack of culture, etc. Do osus assault anyone physically or are they lawless?

Hopejoy:
@excanny

I believe i have made my point and its well understood. No offence anyway, just wanted you to know that i understood what the word i used meant, thats all.

Are you Igbo?

Hopejoy:
@ excanny

I know and understand the context under which i used the word 'Barbaric'. What i meant was the barbaric practices of some Igbo people on this issue (without civilizing influences). I rather advice you think before you post. It is obviously the 2nd warning you are getting just on this post and you better watch it.

I believe you can communicate well without insults otherwise keep sealed lips .

Can you show me where I insulted you? I was only cautioning you not to use a harsh language. These people do these things sincerely according to their beliefs, though rooted in ignorance. That is why I said I'll rather call it a discrimination. It's not different from racism and other forms of prejudices.

Uduaghan's victory in the elections, in my opinion, was decided in Delta North. That's where the population lies, and he has already won their hearts.

There would be governorship elections in April 2011 and party primaries in other parties. But it's more likely that Uduaghan will come up as the PDP's flagbearer unopposed.

Andre Uweh:
I would so much love to see this tradition abolished in Igboland. In my own particular community, none exists. But two communities south of mine has it in some families. The Eze of the community is prepared to assist with the eradication of this stigma. However some natural forces beyond his control has hindered this task. For example, heavy downpour has disrupted activities on two occasions on days set aside for this task.
Death and dying has also threatened those spearheading the abolition movement.
Perhaps, there is a lot to it which we may not know.

How did they intend to eradicate it?

Ileke-IdI:
How does someone seem very "Ekiti"? Describe the characteristics of an Ekiti person.

Your location says it all.