₦airaland Forum

I made my statement as an unbiased onlooker, and you reduced it to a personal attack! Someone like you would probably do more harm if you were in the shoes of the military or JTF!! I merely highlighted what every rational mind knows! When Muslim fundamentalists urged on their brethren to all forms of evil in the north, no one talked of abuse and degradation of the human condition; yet, they inadvertently cast suspicion on innocents and it became hard to separate the goats from the sheep!

Tell me how you would find a Boko Haram infiltrator in the core Northeast where everyone views anything perceived as anti-islam as untenable, and regarded Boko Haram as a vanguard of Islam, ab initio?

It was only much later, when the attacks turned to the Muslim populace that people began to scream blue murder!

No one can justify brutality and war crimes (for indeed, these are war crimes!), but we must review issues in the context of reality and our own peculiar Nigerian environment! It is easy to accuse from behind laptops and phones, in the safety of our rooms! How would you have handled the situation without any collateral damage? Please enlighten me!!!

Jbenue:
Hopefully one day you will experience the "COLLATERAL DAMAGE" experience and come back and tell me how it feels. This is the purile and brainless acts of an under trained and ill disciplined rabble. How is beating someone till the point where they will tell you they had SE.X with the Queen of England a reliable way of ascertaining their guilt. These actions are rather helping to strengthen Boko Harams cause.

If you pray for rain, you must deal with the mud! While it's sad that lives have been lost, and property destroyed, this is the harsh reality of any war...verbal or physical: there must be collateral damage! May the souls of the innocent rest in peace, and may we never be collateral damage in Jesus name. Amen!

No one deserves to die the way this people died! Government must take some responsibility, so must the army, the joint task force, community leaders and all those who stood still while evil happened! My heart bleeds at the dehumanising treatment! I acknowledge that it is difficult to track Boko Haram in a climate that largely endorses anything Islam...but there should be other ways of eliciting truth!!!

@MayorofLagos, let me first commend your objectivity and clarity of thought; your example was very apt! I am a mixed Igbo (of Marghi and Oron heritage too) and I grew up in the north, consequently I am still learning the Igbo language, but I speak my Ohafia dialect fairly well.

Do you know why I mentioned my heritage? Do you know my greatest consternation?: When I see people who are Igbo through and through denying their heritage for a mess of porridge! I am not tribalistic (I am married to an Ijaw person), so I personally don't care where an individual is from (my family is too mixed to have the luxury of discrimination), but I personally detest petty and barefaced lies, crudely crafted to revise history.

My irritation may have shown in the statement you highlighted (when you see supposedly educated people taking positions that defy logic, its hard to keep a poker face), but what I actually meant is that from his literature, he tried to suggest that Ikas "worked" for the Binis, and had no relationship with Igbos other than trade!! The strongest store of history is the language! A yoruba man is defined by his language, and the different subsets of yorubas are delineated by dialectical differences that enshrine their individuality (in the midst of communal bonds), and reflect the environmental influences around them. Consequently, yorubas at the fringes (e.g. Ilorin, Kabba,some parts of Ondo) would speak yoruba that is differentiated from the mainstream! Yet their being yorubas is not in doubt!!!

Like you said, the Ika claim is at best dubious, and at worst, very annoying when you consider that one of the majors that took the Igbos into infamy was an Ika...and two others were Anioma!!!! How annoying and wretched can an argument be??

As per the issues of custom and discrimination, you'd be amazed to find that the issue is highlighted out of proportion! In my own neck of the woods, there is nothing like Osu! Its mainly a custom found in some parts of Igbo land! My own people are matrilineal while other Igbos 9and Ikas/Aniomas) are patrilineal!! There is no "Chi" of any type (whether chukwu, chineke, chukwuabiama etc) in my place- God is " Obasi"!! My cuisine is not of Igbo extraction (like Ikas have) but rather of Ibibio/Efik extraction! Yet, I am incontrovertibly Igbo...I can't use my differences to pretend an identity different from Igbos in order to escape the societal stigma!

Moreso, my good MayorofLagos, nobody can offer the other freedom; true freedom is found in the quality of your ideals and world view. You can be in a jail, yet be very free...No one can repress the soul that is thirsty for rebirth and growth. That is how I see the true Igbo spirit- a quest for recharting a great future!

MayorofLagos:
Internetpirate,
I find the Ika claim clearly dubious on the fact their custom is kindred more to the East than it is to the neighbouring cultures on their West and this is exhibited in social identities....
I don't know how Akanbi, an Ilorin indigene whose vernacular is distinctly a Yoruba dialect is going to deny being Yoruba because he is politically labelled a Northerner.

Nonetheless, I think you goofed with this statement:



Are you guys aware one of the underlying reason people are reluctant to own up on their Igbo identity is due to repressive discriminative practices inherent in Ibocustoms...example, osu? It's unbelievable you will prop your offer for freedom delicately on a controvertible custom Igbo is popularly known for.

Mr. Rexbuton, in my little experience, it is difficult to change someone's mind, especiaLly if it has been seared by propaganda. The danger with arguments is that anyone can take a position (however erroneous) and find substance to argue it to reality.

Having said the above, please note that ALL igbo towns at the fringes share similar dilemma with Ikas (please research on the Ohafia and Nsukka dialects as good examples). You spent time trying to highlight the similarities between Ika and Benin, and didn't bother to highlight the similarities between Ikas and Igbos? Lol!! How convenient! I'm sure you'd find that what joins us is more than what separates us!

Don't let inferiority conflict reduce you to being slaves!! You'd rather admit to being a Bini slave than an Igbo freeborn? Has it gone so bad?? I can challenge you to a " language similarity test", and you'd find that my dialect is more differentiated than yours from the mainstream Igbo, yet I know I am Igbo.

It may be considered smart to fool others, but it is the greatest foolishness of all when you fool yourself! Like Igbos say, "use your tongue to count your teeth". Nnawooo!!! Good morning!!!

OneNaira6:
Ha biko kwa nu. I was not blaming nor pointing fingers at anyone. I was just giving input and trying to explain to afam about what usually turns a "pro-igbo" anioma into a "I'm not Igbo" kind of person. Yes to SE being called fake-igbo is nothing to get all bent over about and it's nothing to worry yourselves over but to SS Igbo, that word holds a lot of negative meaning. There are some strong enough to take it while there are those that aren't. It kinda similar to how many of una get all bent out of shape when Anambra peeps speaks of their self-made superiority to the rest of Igbo clan and how they are the father of Igbo people. Some of una are able to take that insult while some are unable to do so thus lash out against Anambra people.

My brother, you are very wrong! The problem with so-called Delta Igbos is a deep rooted inferiority complex and a desire to distance themselves from the Igbo-pariah status in Nigeria. Let's call a spade a spade!! The irony is that most of the issues that led to the dislike of Igbos were foisted upon them by the Delta-Igbos!! Its the greatest treachery ever!! When I run into someone and I ask to know his/her tribe and I get the reply: "I am from Delta", I immediately know it is a Delta Igbo in 8 out of 10 cases!! An Urhobo man will say he/she is Urhobo, so will an Itsekiri or Isoko person!! Its a real shame!!!! How do you convince me, and Ohafia man, that Ika is less Igbo than me? Shame on you all!!!

saintjoel:
Email sent.

I had to go through your thread today...quite impressive. I won the YouWIN grant, and my business plan is on transportation. My initial plan was to buy 4 Toyota Sienna buses; however, I am currently re-considering, and need your advice on what the alternatives are. I gather that Siennas are expensive to maintain, and have a high fuel consumption.

Please give me the best price for a 2005 Toyota Sienna at Cotonou, and include suggestions for other products. Thanks for the anticipated response. I am adding you up...hope to continue the next set of discussions with you off the forum.

barcanista:
Democracy is not built on insincerity, nor isn't built on herd mentality. I was there for change which I thought it's the dream of every Nigerian, though I believed in their candidate, I don't believe in them. I usually cricise some of their decisions and actions but they interpreted it as being rebellious and some called it a mole. please, I wouldn't want to go deep.

The only thing I think @Barcanista is guilty of is idealism! There is an eternal conflict between idealism and reality...and reality often wins!! APC apologists see only one reality, ditto for PDP apologists! Personally? I am with you bro...I am neutral- I think both sides are reprehensible!! I wish we had a viable third option...a dark horse. However, I am sensible enough to mostly keep this to myself, knowing that people from the two polarised angles would drag me in the mud for my dissenting views, because sometimes silence speaks louder and is definitely golden!!!

Notice the tribal slant of both camps? Forget the sprinkling from other tribes!!! Both cloak deep-seated resentments under the dark shadow of "issues". The challenge with "issues" is that they become the slave of the manipulator!

An old Verdic scripture says: " Wise is the one that knows that the truth is one, and one only; but wiser is he that knows that the truth can be approached from myriads of ways and routes!

Barcanista, I feel your pain and disappointment...Idealism is pariah in Nigeria, and thats a harsh reality!

trillville:
Bros, I believe you are a very smart guy and I also believe u have nigeria's best interest at heart.

Things are really getting hot in that country and if ever nigeria was on the brink of collapse, it seems like we are in the middle of a perfect storm.

Both parties are the same, the have good people and bad people. What is good about this situation is that we have two parties seriously competing and we hope this will bring out the best in whoever gets elected.

Please u have a followership on NL so u have a responsibility to guide people who look up to you the right way. This is not the time to pettiness over little disagreements. Think of nigeria first and not ur ego.

Voting in APC will tell whoever becomes president that he cannot take Nigerians for granted and will truly usher us into a true democracy.

Abeg make peace with ur fellow progressives.

This is the highest form of hypocrisy!!! The guy airs a neutral perspective, and he is no longer a progressive?? Seun put up a neutral post, and he was vilified!!!! Is being "progressive" some form of cultism?? Why can't people be free to air opinions without certain "progressives" descending on them I am neutral in these elections, but the conduct of some APC apologists is beginning to stink to high-heaven!!! I'm embarrassed!!!

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scantee:
08070224677. Helen Ogbueche. call her and discuss with her, she will direct you you on the best way to go about it, she is the one in charge most of SPDC/BOGT contract registration. if she is not on leave now you can visit her at Shell central office, note you cant visit her office without invitation because security men will not allow you, so she needs to grant you a pass letter.

Can I call her too? Would love to get registered with SPDC. I'm on Nope though...

Questions for Goodluck and Muhammadu
Both the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress appear to have settled on obfuscation as the name of the game in this election season. Both parties, and the constellation of smaller parties, seem bent on discouraging any deep conversation around the state of Nigeria.

Even more sad, I think, is that too many Nigerians—including ostensibly educated ones—seem willing to let the parties have it on their terms. I won’t be surprised if there were one or two of the so-called smaller parties raising profound questions about the brokenness of Nigeria, and offering some considered thoughts about ways out of the quagmire. Yet, any such parties would be condemned to labor in obscurity, ignored by the media. The Nigerian media after all reflect the larger Nigerian society. And the consensus in that perplexing space called Nigeria is that our choice is limited to the PDP and APC.

Yet, neither of those two parties has differentiated itself in the quality of its ideas, in the vision of its most prominent figures, or—come to think of it—in the example of their members in public service. If we must adopt the binary position that we have only two viable parties, and that they represent different ideas and tempers, then there’s no better time for Nigerians to insist on serious, clarifying debates between the two parties. Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, the two parties’ respective presidential candidates, should be front and center in that debate.

Rather than embrace the challenge of such debates, the candidates as well as their cohorts are content to trade toxic innuendoes and insults, to hurl invectives across the partisan divide, and even to portray the other as the embodiment of diabolism. This strategy has created an atmosphere of heat but little or no light, a lot of noise but no sense. Both parties are basking in this noise-mediated, issue-avoiding strategy. And the rest of us are letting them get away with it, as if we were unaware that Nigeria is in an endangered position, a country raped to the point of death by vile men (and a few women) who have now pitched their tents in the two “major” parties.




In the absence of any vigorous contestation between the two candidates, the political space has been ceded, sadly, to the verbal gymnastics of the likes of Reverend Ejike Mbaka, a double-speaking cleric who, in one breath, assured Mrs. Patience Jonathan that her husband was an extraordinary leader, only to use another to traduce the same man. And what’s remarkable about this superstar priest is that he presumed on both occasions to speak under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit! What manner of spirit is it that gives conflicting messages several months apart? Or was this all, perhaps, one demagogue’s conflicted spirits betraying the man?

Mbaka’s jeremiad against Mr. Jonathan gave comfort to those who can’t wait to send the president back to Otuoke. But the reverend would have been more convincing if, only a few months ago, he had not canonized the president. His denunciation of Jonathan (the substance of which was unassailable) would have carried more weight had he not voiced opposite sentiments a mere few months ago, providing his critics with the ammunition to call his motives—if not his integrity—to question.

As long as Goodluck and Muhammadu remain reluctant to face the issues and to answer tough questions, men like former Presidents Ibrahim Babangida and Olusegun Obasanjo will continue to steal the political show. Though disasters during their own reigns, both former rulers now presume to be on pedestals, the better to lecture Nigerians on the man or party to elect or reject.

Babangida and Obasanjo’s nostrums serve to divert attention from what’s needed: a serious colloquy between the PDP and the APC as well as a series of debates between the two parties’ presidential candidates.

For a start, Jonathan and Buhari (as well as other presidential candidates) should commit to several televised, no-holds barred debates. At each session, each candidate should make an opening statement, addressing three broad issues. One, why he thinks Nigeria should remain one country. Two, each candidate should offer a description of the shape of the Nigeria of his dream. Three, he should specify how he plans to achieve that envisioned Nigeria.

Continuity has become President Jonathan’s mantra. But he ought to be asked, continuity with what? As a candidate in the 2011 presidential elections, he went on a promise-making jamboree. He would, he pledged, solve Nigeria’s perennial electric power woes, restore security, stem corruption, revamp the economy, create jobs for youths, reshape the educational sector, build a second Niger bridge, undertake massive road construction and rehabilitation, and unveil a blueprint to revolutionize agriculture. And this is merely a tip of the iceberg of the promissory notes issued by Candidate Jonathan.

Jonathan the president has spent four years in office—or six, depending on what calendar one wishes to use for him—without making a dent in the pile of promises he made. Nobody forced him to make those promises; he did it by volition. In fact, he went out of his way to assure Nigerians that he wasn’t given to frivolous speech, that he never uttered a promise he hadn’t first figured out how to redeem.

Yet, as president, he’s been no better than a flirter. He’s come across as an alienated and confused figure, a man for whom statecraft is first and foremost—perhaps, even, exclusively—a matter of jollification and self-aggrandizement. He’s proved that no degree of bad news would stand in his way of having a jolly, swell time. In mid-April 2014, Mr. Jonathan flew away to Kano to do a raunchy dance routine at a political rally. And the rally took place a few hours after suicide bombers had inflicted carnage on innocent people in the president’s relative neighborhood of Abuja—to be followed, a few hours later, by the abduction of more than three hundred schoolgirls. Ten months later, most of those girls are still missing, but Mr. Jonathan’s partying has shown no sign of slowing.

I’d like to see Mr. Jonathan face a fearless moderator who would ask him to describe the achievements of his administration. No generalities, president; itemize your achievements. Count them off, and provide proof of their existence. I’d like to see a moderator insist that the president describe the content of what he and his handlers have tagged “transformational leadership.” I’d treasure hearing the incumbent oga-at-the-top enumerate exactly the highlights of the legacy he’s persuading us to continue with.

Should Jonathan resort to his supporters’ excuse that he’s been a victim of those who swore to make the country ungovernable, he should be peppered with follow-up questions. Why, sir, did you not deploy your ample presidential power to identify and contain some anti-people, retrogressive elements? And if you couldn’t handle those foes in four or six years, where, pray, are you going to find the spine to deal with them should Nigerians trust you with steering their affairs for the next four years?

Unlike Jonathan, Buhari’s refrain is Change. But change, in any circumstance, is easier said than achieved. In Nigeria, with decades of entrenched impunity, change can be as slippery as the ogbanje, the same disease deceitfully dressed in new clothes.

Mr. Buhari’s burden is to define what manner of change, exactly. He should be challenged to offer a sustained critique of specific policies of the present president, and to articulate the nature of the changes he would introduce. If we elected him president, in what significant, salutary way would Nigeria be different the day after he moves into Aso Rock?

An honest Buhari would agree that he’s embedded, in the APC, with some politicians whose reputation for corruption is not only legendary, but indeed matches the same pathological greed that we encounter in the PDP. How does Mr. Buhari propose to tackle the monster of corruption? In the face of dwindling oil revenues, how would he diversify the economy, find the revenues to modernize Nigeria, and take on the challenge of creating jobs? How is he going to fix Nigeria’s shambolic infrastructure, its damaged educational system, and create a healthcare system worthy of the name?

Some of Buhari’s supporters take it for granted that he has the antidote for Boko Haram and its virulent activities. But why should the rest of us simply assume that the man has the answer? It behooves the APC’s presidential candidate to tell us, plainly, how he’s going to restore order in Nigeria, especially in the beleaguered northeast where Boko Haram has made itself close to invincible, a veritable stakeholder? And what are Mr. Buhari’s specific answers for the deep sectarian rift in Nigeria and the air of ethnic distrust that have torn the fabric of Nigeria?

Left to their own devices, the PDP and APC will keep the campaigns at the level of hollow platitudes. If it were up to them, Jonathan and Buhari will have a season devoid of any serious questions and any debates. But the stakes are too high for a country that’s prostrate, a people on whose head the sky has collapsed. Any party that proposes itself as the answer ought to be asked to lay out its plans—and to submit those plans to rigorous scrutiny.

Please follow me on twitter @ okeyndibe

http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/okey-ndibe/questions-for-goodluck-and-muhammadu.html

byvan:
If he asks for divorce give it to him now or do it years down the line, your choice. You have not wedded, yet you feel so trapped, nawaoooh!!!

You hit the nail on the head! I've been married for 8 years now, and I can hardly believe it!!! Mainly because the first 6 months were unbelievable!! Quarrels everywhere, and it seemed I married a monster!! Today? I'm glad I persevered!!! Marriage is like wine, it's gets better with age and curing! You aren't going through what others haven't experienced, but you need to throw away your ego (your post reeks of it!!) and focus in the reality of two different people from different backgrounds (who love themselves) living together. Yes, it hurts, but good things don't come easy! That guy is being very real with you! Show maturity and deal with it! God help you two!!

nkemjp@gmail.com
Laptop and smartphone

all4naija:
* facepalm* There is no innovation in what I have seen on that image. You are only begging the question. Please, stop making assumption as well. You i d i o t!

Abuse is the resort for the unintelligent! Counter my position with a better argument and I'd respect you; hurl abuse and expose your juvenile tendency and low IQ!! Pele, not sure you can wrap your mind around this, and I expect more insults to follow...Lol!

all4naija:
Who said you can keep a business running without money? Please, quote where I said that or remain silent like a zombie! You lack comprehension though. He needs to innovate to secure the business because it is not ALL about money. You really don't know a thing about what I am saying. It is not ALL about money and stop talking about profit if you don't know what it means. Learn to different money from profit for once. Profit at time is not even in monetary value, it could be in forms of bond, etc. One is generally a means to the other but through some processes. You are a daft person, dude!

How did you come up with the assumption that he is not innovating? Do you truly know what innovation is? Have you read his business plan? Do you know what his projections are? Have you conducted a true market analysis to find out if there is a misalignment in his strategy? Do you know his market penetration strategy? What are his short-term, mid-term and long term plans? Bros, if you cant answer these questions. eat humble pie and zip that mouth! The only thing allowed right now is praise for the guy...criticism should be based on information!! Correct me if I am right!! Lol

all4naija:
That is one of the reasons why some businesses don't last long. Another person with good innovative mind might take the stage and outdone him. The earlier he takes to innovative ideas for his toy business the better for him to secure it. It is not always about the money but about the future of the business.

I really don't get it when someone comments the way you just did. It was clearly highlighted that the fellow is a graduate of LBS, and that he transferred his knowledge into his business. Do you really understand what it means to acquire an MBA from LBS? How can you make comments about a business from the periphery? You are making a judgement based on little information and a picture, and trying to sound like an authority on business!! Please, try some modesty and learn when to give praise even when you suspect some misalignment- its the quality of a true gentleman, and a man who will succeed in his own personal endeavour!!!

NeoTesla:
As a maiden PRESSID scholar, this statement makes me very sad. I witnessed the merit based approach adopted for that PRESSID scheme despite the many oppositions it faced from retrogressive northern elements who unsuccessfully sought the inclusion of quota in the process. I remember the zeal for renewed academic excellence displayed by the NUC executive secretary during the award ceremony on Oct. 8, 2012, when he emphasized that scholars should devote themselves to imbibing the enabling cultures of the top 25 universities in the world when they get in there, and not fail to replicate such best practices and fully apply their learning when they return to the Nigerian academia and industry. I ended up not making use of the scholarship because of the other options available to me. Nonetheless my hope in Nigeria was rekindled by the emergence of such a program. It's really sad that you and your kind lack the capacity to see any good in those you dislike. Nigeria has a very long and difficult way to go. I rest my case.

I can also speak about the transparent YouWIN program, as a beneficiary and participant. I certainly didn't win for the first few attempts, but after I got my business plan right, it was a smooth sail! No godfathers (or mothers) or government contacts of any sort! Just effort and prayers! I don't like GEJ, but let's have the decency to say the truth and applaud good things despite our political leanings! Hypocrisy often hides as activism!!

Obinoscopy:
Your post in bold summarises everything I said. A good guy is every girl's dream husband while a good lady is every man's dream wife. Good husbands and good wives are scarce. However, the reason why getting a good husband is much more difficult than getting a wife is because most girls can't woo a guy even if they discovered he'll make a good husband.

Yes, I agree there are unrealistic expectations. I also agree that no one is perfect and that we can still marry someone despite his or her flaws. But my brother, there are some things that are "non-negotiably" needed before a guy or a lady can get married. Whether good guys/ladies are scarce or not, we must marry good guys/ladies. It's non-negotiable. Else, we will be wretched for the rest of our lifes.

What is good for the goose may not be good for the gander! The key words are compatibility and self-esteem. A good self-esteem aids in determining good character (not some jaundiced opinion bred by our insecurities!) and helps validation of compatibility.

HappyJoe, sade1(f), Babe2sure(f), Juliaann(f), amokeme(f), MAHEEEDA(f), Ilovenigeria(f), mutter(f), ireneony(f), misshoree(f), chimkaire(f), Freshtomato(f), VickyyB(f), mizjules(f), likeseriously(f), twerkjack(f), rittyben(f), profjustine458(f), voodoo85(f), kelechiMarie(f), Vivly(f), tit(f), mirexxx(f), LegendarySage(f), Mprex(f), Elkewwty(f), mirexx(f), Les(f), victorian(f), Onyinyechimara(f), nmagirl(f), jomile(f), Kachisbarbie(f), Vivalavida99(f), MISSYTOSIN(f), Syfy(f), SirJohn(m), uch12(f), Dolcilicious(f), cocoberry(f), cr8v(f), cococandy(f), Taiye4Christ(m), Arcasie(f), Sapphire86(f), msjanet(f), shayneharvey(f), ivyy(f), farano(f), kayalla(f), icebebe(f), perry2020(f), cynthia120, Jahniece(f), allofme(f), bright007(f), Free(f), dexterush(f), kittykat1(f), WesleyanA(f), babyosisi(f), mezebel(f), nabsprada(f), tinuolababy(f), adaobi123(f), lanicky(f), rokiatu(f), Rahmas(f), kayClt(f), sweettease(f), chemystery, queenet246(f), Vanellope(f), mitchyy(f), Iampresh(f), missbronze, IYANGBALI, freecocoa(f), otukpo(f), Enkaynwa(f), sholasholala(f), 3cycle, Debbyug(f), ephee(f), dollz(f), ifycares(f), Obiagelli(f), babeline(f), lulu1986(f), fruityjojo(f), slimzypink(f), marieolae(f), Tashamania(f), kayjasper(f), Ivanspring(f), khiaa(f), peppyluv02(f), texanomaly(f), dechandel(f), mamagee3(f), oliviatwist(f), Xsenga(f), Ligxy(f), Velounie(f), amitalian(f), PrettyHausaGirl(f), Rosemary32(f), XeniaOnatopp, neily(f), SELENAqueensy(f), Plesa1(f), Onyiclassic(f), Teespice(f), Blackashawo(f), moyarhtohbadt(f), Idiataqueen(f), Feyifahm, jtenna(f), trendiitee(f), joyceok, MzAeetee(f), Tweetie(f), lizu, arewaqueen, sagitarius(m), Yemlizzy(f), teteyaks(f), pricelesslove(f), ogeoflyf(f), Mermaidoflife(f), missstella(f), Tonia500(f), Itzurgalvivian(f)

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!! Wishing you the best the new year offers!!!

rittyben:
My shout out goes to
kristina1(f), BajuShop(m), NaijaOptimist, efiko1(m), internetpirate, Abraham2013(m), boluwatife66(m), brosdoncome(m), holicalpha(m), Emelcee, Damolux01(m), Urine, tosyne2much(m), Unibenstudent(m), Elantracey(f), 1one, MizMyColi(f), henryobinna(m), Tallesty1(m), Cwaya(m), Matthewbriggs(m), meetgaya(m), Victoriousvic(m), aywhy93(m), Kelvindwaplord(m), Stop4, vanguard1(m), Faith93, doubleDx(m), RedBenson(m), bheegsam(m), collinsobinna(m), ofala(m), and all my friends, fans and well wishers

You're the best babe!!! Merry Xmas and a happy new year!!!

omarlee:
I beg to disagree with you in point 9, let's assume mallam Aboki and Mr Okoro are from north and south respectively. Mall. Aboki is a farmer whom inherited his farm from his late father. At the age of 18yrs Aboki was giving a wife,his wife gave birth to four children and along the line a period of ten years Aboki added more three wives and they also gave birth to four children each. Thus, we have Aboki, his four wives and 16 children that's 1+4+16 ( ), the answer is yours to add op. Meanwhile Mr Okoro went to lagos from his village to hustle, at the age of 18yrs. After 10yrs he made it and marreid a wife whom bore him 4 children by a way of arithmetic we have Mr okoro,his wife and four children that is 1+1+4 wich will give you 6 and therefore when we are to calculate the population of this households we will have 16-6 which will give the difference of 10 people respectively. In numerical value the south can never be more populated than the north.

This was probably true 20 years ago!!! It's far from true today! More so, population is an equilibrium position between birth and death! The north (with the poor education etc) has arguably the highest mortality rates in the country! Another argument against this your position is the fact that about 40% of the so-called north are christian population, and the practice of polygamy is not so prevalent.

Also, promiscuity down South guarantees illegitimate births annually that are not predicated on marriage. Northern Islamic taboos hinder this phenomenon.

MayorofLagos:
There is nothing called Northerner, Southerner anymore....thats a thing of the past. What we have now is six zones. Each zone as they stand now is the closest to the traditional cultures and customs of the people before the coming of whiteman. There are still some refinements here and there....but the SE today is its own culture, language and rites. Similarly for SS, they do not have to worry about an overbearing culture making attempt to force a language or way of life in contradiction with their own customs.

Therefore, nothing in Southern Nigeria is common.....nothing has ever been! This beahvior you are discussing ahould be narrowed to the zone. I know that in SW Yorubas politics is at community level.....we dont need radio to learn and know what is happening, we get the uodates through the chain of command from the Oba down to the Baales, to the Mogajis, to the Olori Ebis. Our social structure and civilizatiin has a life of its own and it serves us well.

You're pretty dense! Living in a fool's paradise is the exact reason why we should all wake up and smell the coffee!!! The OP articulated his points (I am not saying all the assumptions are correct) and these points are explicit to the mentally unhindered. Whether we like it or not, the north-south divide is a real chasm. I'm saying this as someone who has heritage from both sides. The discrimination is real, and the so-called zones are still struggling to cut their teeth on this monstrosity of history. Even in the tribal sophistication of Yoruba land, you'd find that the generality of yorubas (arguably a very cerebral group) have their heads in the sands and are generally more concerned about daily existence. This phenomenon is applicable to the SE and SS!!! Invariably, it's a southern malady, either born out of supposed educational sophistication, mere lethargy or religio-tribal influences. We need to wake up, dust ourselves and stride into this future that posterity will judge us for, not for ourselves, but for the future generation!!!

superstar1:
It is easier for Bornu to become an Oil producing state, than for a red mud sand state to be.

Ondo oil production dwarfs the combo of Imo and Abia. Fact.

Is that why you folks are resisting the legitimate plan to make Anambra an oil producing state? To limit Igbo potential is a task that must be achieved, aye? LOL! How laughable!!! In case you get too tickled by the production in Ondo, note: it's from largely none yoruba areas! Wake up from your pipe dream!

9jacrip:
Your first time and you've added nothing other than a repitition of what your emotional kins have said?

You're a disgrace, you won't last long on NL.

Try again.

I won't dignify your crap!! I have been on Nairaland for two years or more, but maybe just been there for a year or so as a member. I have read many bitter arguments etc, but your own brand of stupidity takes the cake! Couldn't help jumping into the fray!! I don't mind curses, but be a man and curse all you want!!! Not hiding under some third-rate intellectual garb to spit rubbish!!

9jacrip:
God bless you.
These are the kinds of responses I expected. I was not being tribalist in my approach originally, I was just curious how Abia being how it is, is regarded as an oil producing state (plus its percentile output) given the fact that I know folks who have been to Anambra, Enugu, Imo and had good relatively things to say.

If you were truly just "curious", there are polite ways to have addressed your curiosity without offending the sensibilities of others. I'm not a tribalist and I actually have a double heritage (partly from the East and from the North), but I'm sick of half-baked individuals seeking to make a proud tribe their whipping dog because they lost a war of attrition, and also the attendant politics that come with it!! Igbos are part of the engine room of Nigeria and will keep contributing to national growth! When a giant is down on his luck, even ants throw stones at him!!! It is well!!

whitecat2:
You can't answer a simple question. And the oil will continue to be elusive to your people till the end of time. Thief, you don't have oil and your neighbors say no oil for you. Kobokobo want oil.

Are you a fish wife? Because you're beginning to sound like one. When logic is turned upside down to fit the jaundiced dream of vitriolic haters like you, than Santa has come to town for you! The point is that Igbo places are economically viable and can stand alone! Not what I'd say for several whatchamacallit places!!! Quid pro quo!!

whitecat2:
Haannn We have Taiye, Aina, Ayo and others in SS, are they Yoruba? Experts will solve the oil problem.

You know you're being ridiculous! Part of being intelligent is acknowledging when you have been licked in an argument! Your example doesn't hold water! I'm sure you know that if someone bears a yoruba name, speaks a variant of yoruba, and has similar yoruba customs, it's not out of place to call them yoruba!! The Egbema example I gave shows that about 90% of a particular Igbo group are in Imo State and the rest annexed into Rivers. Examples like this are rife!!! Should I tell you about the Ukwa area or Obigbo?

You are soo oooo on point!!! Couldn't have said it better!!

meccuno:
The strange thing about this debate is that most people who obviously cannot hide their tribal traits are trying as much as possible to make igbos look bad. But trying to make it look as if they are making a sane argument. Some even go to the extent to labelling the SE as landLocked. Ignorance is really a disease that if not checked, might make a whole "Nation" feel sophistication,but just a case of the blind mice with their different description of what an elephant they can't see is. As someone posted above. After the insults,you would expect us to join the "progressives" through our votes. A situation were everything igbo sells and makes up to 10 to 15 pages. While some "sophisticated" folks barely make the 1st page. Trying so hard to disprove the fact that igbos are rising again is like swimming against the tide. If the persecution can be this intense imagine what they would do when voted into power. The stone which the nigerian builders rejected would soon become the chief corner stone.

whitecat2:
The new goverment will strip them off the scam that has been for years.

The actual scam is that wells and acreages that were traditionally Igbo have been annexed into Rivers State! Egbema, a land of twenty-six villages...24 left in Imo state, and 2 (with the largest amount of crude for the ancient Kingdom) compelled into Rivers State!!! You need to go about the so-called South-South and you'd swoon at the hypocrisy!! Chukwuemeka Okonkwo is not an Igbo guy because some oil flows under his land, and because some Nigerian conquistadors adjusted boundaries to break the bank of the Igbos!!! It's sickening and a reflection of our mass illiteracy and dearth of morals!!!