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PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 5:55pm On Jan 10, 2012
edoyad:
Interesting.
Not proven! I hope to find any archaeological or historical evidence in the future to support my theory. Maybe some study has been done already but I am not aware of it
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 5:37pm On Jan 10, 2012
edoyad:
Seems you're well schooled on this subject. Can you explain to me the legacy of the Nok people ? Can the descendants of the Nok people be only found in southern kaduna or are there others elsewhere in the region?
My personal opinion from observation is that the region from southern Kaduna all the way to some parts of Adamawa and Taraba is one huge cultural region descended from the same source, probably some kind of proto-Nok culture
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 4:23pm On Jan 10, 2012
PLATEAU STATE:

This state has 17 LGA's This is one of the states with a very strong perception of the middle belt identity, probably due to their experiences with the core north over the years

The most prominent groups in the state are the Berom (Jos), Tarok (Langtang), Goemai (Shendam), Angas (Pankshin), and Mwaghavul (Mangu)

There are Hausa-Fulani presence in Wase and Kanam and these places have Emirs

Jos is the most cosmopolitan city in the middle belt, and one of the most cosmopolitan in the country. This is due to the tin-mining of the old days. This has seen Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Edo, Ibibio, Ijaw, West African, and European families come to make this lovely city a permanent home. Infact, apart from Abuja, which can actually be referred to as a NATIONAL territory rather than just a middle belt city, there is no other settlement which can be referred to as a city of note in the Middle Belt area
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 4:10pm On Jan 10, 2012
In the light of recent events in the polity, it is imperative that I continue to explain the make-up of the MB area. I see a situation where some boundaries will have to be agreed between the various regions and peoples of Nigeria

NASARAWA STATE:

This state is just north of the Benue river and north east of the Niger-Benue confluence. It is erroneously thought by a lot of Nigerians to be a core north state.

To give a brief summary, there are settlements of Hausa-Fulani (KEFFI) and Kanuri (LAFIA) which have come to dominate the political landscape of the area since the jihad. However, a lot of small ethnic groups can be found in this 13-LGA state which do not belong to the above groups

Most prominent of these are the Gbagyi (again), Bassa, Ebira (again), Alago, Mada and Eggon. Alago is closely related to Idoma, mainly found in Benue State

My take is that these groups would be of a greater population than the core north groups which can be found in the state
PoliticsRe: We’re Not Northerners- Middle-belt Youths by karfe(m): 5:57pm On Dec 18, 2011
PoliticsRe: Why Are Nigerian States Mostly One-city States? by karfe(m): 3:16pm On Dec 18, 2011
scholes0:
STRONG/TIER1 NIGERIAN CITIES.

LAGOS
IBADAN
PORT HARCOURT
KADUNA
KANO
ENUGU
ILORIN
BENIN
WARRI
ABEOKUTA
CALABAR
+ABUJA, JOS, ONITSHA, ABA

category 2/Tier 2 Nigerian cities {Could become more important in Future}

OWERRI
UYO
MAKURDI
JOS
AKURE
ADO-EKITI
MINNA
OTTA
SHAGAMU
OSHOGBO
ABA
ONITCHA
MAIDUGURI

Category/Tier 3 {Manage to squeeze into City status}
ZARIA
KATSINA
ASABA
IKORODU
OGBOMOSHO
SOKOTO


In total Number of Mid sized towns to cities However, the South West has By far, the highest amount of towns over 100.000 In Nigeria
Edit, Fix, make better, but yeah, that is the general Idea.
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 11:55pm On Dec 11, 2011
Read below a brilliant article about the 'other peoples' of the Middle Belt:

http://yadamag.com/re-introducing-northern-nigeria-not-as-you-know-it/
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 1:49am On Dec 07, 2011
@ Musiwa

I agree with you about the Fulani. The only places Fulfulde is actually spoken are Adamawa, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, and all the Bororo cattle rearers moving all over the nation. But the effect of this group during the jihad is still felt in Ilorin, right?
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 1:45am On Dec 07, 2011
@ Musiwa

If you read my post above, you will see I said that Ogori Magongo is quite similar in culture with Akoko Edo as they speak Yoruba and bear Yoruba names.

But just like the Akoko Edo they have their own identity and cannot be said to be Yoruba

Infact many Ebira bear Yoruba names and speak Yoruba

Most ethnic groups in the North bear Hausa names and many speak Hausa. Does that make them Hausa?

Most of the former Soviet states speak Russian, does that make them Russian?

Lokoja is not a predominantly Yoruba LGA. A number of its indigenes speak Oworo which is related to (or may be a dialect of) Yoruba, but the LGA is very cosmopolitan. It has indigenes from all over West Africa, probably due to its colonial status
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 1:30am On Dec 07, 2011
@ Obiagu1

If you go into the nitty-gritty of it, Igbo will appear as an ethnic group in Benue, and maybe even Kogi, but that is not my intention. I want to bring out the most prominent groups in each MB state and how they influence local and regional politics, vis-a-vis the MB issue
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 1:26am On Dec 07, 2011
@ Musiwa

You have 19 LGA's on total, while I have 21. Which other 2 LGA's are Yoruba speaking, which I did not mention?
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 1:22am On Dec 07, 2011
From the previous 4 states discussed, 9 ethnic groups can be identified as prominent:

Yoruba
Ebira
Igala
Idoma
Tiv
Nupe
Gbagyi

Hausa
Fulani

3 of these are what can be referred to as national languages. In a strict sense, are these MIDDLE BELT languages? It is open for discussion,

However, it can be seen that the Hausa are already located fully in Niger State and isolated from the rest of Hausa land, even though these Hausa (and Fulani) can trace their origins to specific places in the Core North

The Yoruba can be easily relocated (not all Yoruba want this) but will face opposition from the core North and the ruling indigenes of Ilorin, not so?

In the future, we will look at 4 other states of the middle belt, the FCT, and 5 areas in core North states that can be regarded (or not) as MIDDLE BELT depending on an individual's view
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 1:08am On Dec 07, 2011
@ Obiagu1:

I agree with you. However, there are also Idoma and Oring communities in Ebonyi State, Igala (Ebu) Communities in Delta State, etc which are isolated from the main body of their own ethnic groups. Remember, I said these are just simplified
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 1:02am On Dec 07, 2011
NIGER STATE:

In a simple way, this state can be said to be made up of Nupe, Gbagyi, Hausa and a lot of small ethnic groups (Kamberi and Kamuku are the more recognizable ones)

The Hausa can mainly be found centred around Suleja (near Abuja) and Kontagora

This state is heavily influenced by Islam, and is the only one in the current NC zone currently operating Sharia officially. For this reason, some proponents of the Middle Belt seek its exclusion. 2 former military heads of state are from this state, and it can be argued that they are more of ONE NORTH proponents

It can however also be argued that the state is infact MIDDLE BELT territory, if historical factors are carefully considered. This area was mainly a 'pagan' territory of small ethnic groups as can be found in some other middle belt areas which will be mentioned later

Also I personal do not believe that the MB issue is a Christian agenda as some proponents feel, or as some core North and MB muslims believe. That's my personal opinion
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 12:46am On Dec 07, 2011
BENUE STATE:

Simply put, the state made up of 14 Tiv LGA's and 9 Idoma LGA's.

However, 2 LGA's speak Igede, a variant form of Idoma who regularly proclaim their uniqueness.

Idoma is generally known to contain a lot of dialects. In fact the Alago in Nasarawa State and the Yala and Yace in Cross River State (Ogoja area) are regarded as Idoma speakers in some quarters

The Tiv can also be found in Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and FCT in large numbers. The Bacheve at Obudu cattle ranch are one of several variant forms of Tiv who speak mainstream Tiv but proclaim their own uniqueness as well

Does anybody else see a similarity between Benue State and the northern part of Cross River State?!
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 12:37am On Dec 07, 2011
@ Edoyad:

Good to see you. You were once quite vocal about the middle belt. Do not give up. Other areas of Nigeria stand to gain as well if the middle belt identity is properly recognized
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 12:35am On Dec 07, 2011
@ JamesDoe:

I am not Nupe but I know that Nupe belongs to a branch of Niger-Congo languages in which Yoruba, Igbo, Edo and Idoma are the main nodes. These languages, though not mutually intelligible, usually have words that are used by the different groups and may mean different things to the different groups
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 12:11am On Dec 07, 2011
Below is a list of some MIDDLE BELT states and their ethnic make-up, simplified as much as possible:

KWARA STATE:

12 out of the state's 16 LGA's are predominantly Yoruba, 2 are Nupe while the remaining 2 are made up mainly of Bariba and Busa speakers. However, even though the LGA's in Ilorin area are Yoruba speaking, the Fulani aristocrats seem to make them lean more towards a ONE NORTH philosophy

KOGI STATE:

There are 21 LGA's in this state

There are 5 LGA's in the western part that are predominantly Yoruba speaking (Okun dialects, which can be further differentiated).

There are 4 LGA's that in the central part that are predominantly Ebira speakers

There are 8 LGA's that in the eastern part that are predominantly Igala speakers

Lokoja LGA is an admixture of peoples from near and far including Oworo (related to Yoruba), as well as the Nupe dialects (Kakanda, Bassa Nge and Kupa)

Kogi LGA is made up of mainly Ebira Koto speakers (another form of Ebira)

Ogori Magongo LGA is made up of a group that has a lot of cultural features with Akoko Edo LGA of Edo State. The majority of the indegenes speak Yoruba

Bassa LGA is made up of Bassa and Bassa Nge (Nupe dialect) as well as Igala speakers
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 3:34pm On Dec 05, 2011
@ emmke

I am from Kogi State. I believe you are either from Plateau State or you dwell there.

I agree with Musiwa about the Yoruba in Kwara and Kogi. My feeling is that most of them would like to be in a region with the rest of the Yoruba. This was supposed to have been dealt with through a referendum after the Willink Commission hearings in 1958. This was never done, and now states, rather than regions are our federating units. However, I disagree with him that the rivers should be the natural boundaries for federated regions. This would only introduce problems more complex than the ones we are dealing with

I am usually interested in thrashing out issues concerning the middle belt status, not just because I belong to this group, but because the vast majority of Nlanders seem to be from the southern states, and so discussions always veer in the direction of southern issues. I believe the middle belt status is of importance to the whole of Nigeria if we truly seek a way forward that will be beneficial to all Nigerian peoples. This will require a bit more understanding of the socio-cultural make-up of MB peoples

It is quite unfortunate that some Igbo are usually bitter that the middle belters played an active part in stopping the breakaway of Biafra. However, a closer look at circumstances from colonial times up till date will absolve those who believe in the middle belt cause of any blame.

The poll I set up is expired. I will have to create another one to gauge the feelings of Nairalanders. I wish there was a way of indicating an individual's geo-political zone in order to the gauge the feeling from each zone. I will be back
PoliticsRe: Towards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 9:54pm On Dec 04, 2011
No votes yethuh
PoliticsRe: Nigeria As One Open Toilet by karfe(m): 1:08pm On Jul 07, 2011
Its difficult to tell if the main problem is the lack of infrastructure or the lack of toilet manners. I guess it would be easier to deal with the former
PoliticsRe: Nigeria,an Aircraft Being Flown By An Unwilling And UnSkilled Pilot . by karfe(m): 6:42pm On Jun 27, 2011
We yet to be a nation. We need a collective philosophy that will make us prepare ourselves for a far better life than we are currently living. We are not ready yet. We are just being held together by one thing, and the rush for crude oil money is the only thing Nigerians seem to live for
PoliticsTowards True Federalism: Middle Belt Ideology by karfe(op): 5:59pm On May 24, 2011
Kindly comment on the following article.

Leonard Karshima Shilgba, PhD

The Middle Belt Federation in British Nigeria

Eleven days after Nigeria got her political independence on October 1, 1960, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello said, as was carried by the Parrot newspaper on October 12, 1960:

"The new nation called Nigeria should be an estate of our great grandfather Othman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the minorities in the north as willing tools and the south as a conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us and never allow them to have control over their future." – Parrot Newspaper October 12, 1960.

Now, there are important revelations about the vision of Sir Ahmadu Bello, as captured in the above, and which vision his people have executed with great effectiveness for the past 5 decades:

1. Nigeria is an estate of their great grandfather Othman Dan Fodio, and so anyone who does not descend from their forebear is a tenant. The vision is to maintain a tenancy status for all non-Dan Fodians dwelling within the geographical boundaries of Nigeria.

2. To prevent ruthlessly any change of order that wrestles power from the Dan Fodians.

3. To use and manipulate all "minorities" of the "north" as the slaves of the Dan Fodians.

4. To control the resources of tenants (non-Dan Fodians) in their estate (Nigeria).

5. To resist any form of rule over the Dan Fodians.

6. To never allow non-Dan Fodians to have control over their future.
The pursuit of the above vision and the brutal enforcement of this vision have contributed in the many crises Nigeria has faced for more than fifty years. The connivance of western powers such as Britain and the USA at different stages of our history for the sake of protecting their interest has been a recurring scenario that has just refused to go away. Now is the time to end this subjugation that has been as insidious as it has been hidden from the majority of peoples of the world, including some Nigerians.

We the peoples of the Middle Belt in particular and non Dan Fodians, in general, must rise up and resist this egregiously inhuman vision with every sense of pride and purpose. You can never be wrong in seeking to be free. Some have derisively asked the clear description of the Middle Belt peoples. Socially speaking, all non-Dan Fodians in the geographical north and central north are Middle Belt people, the oppressed people, deceptively huddled up under the “One North” of Sir Ahmadu Bello. However, geographically, it is generally acceptable to many scholars from the region that the Middle Belt federation consists of people in the present BENUE, NASSARAWA, TARABA, ADAMAWA, PLATEAU, SOUTHERN KEBBI, KOGI, KWARA, NIGER, SOUTHERN KADUNA, FCT, SOUTHERN GOMBE, and the two minority local government areas of TAFAWA BALEWA and BOGORO in southern Bauchi State.
We the Middle Belt federation must take charge of our future. A starting point is to press for the rejection and crashing of the 1999 "constitution", which is a fraud instigated by the Dan Fodians in order to achieve the vision itemized above (1-6). It is for our children that we must fight. I have approached some lawyers to file a symbolic case on behalf of the Middle Belt people to declare our outright rejection of the 1999 "constitution" as a fraud. But it appears they are chicken-hearted. Are there any lawyers, or do you Middle Belters and our friends know any lawyers that will agree to do this? So long as nothing is done to change the vision-fortune of the Dan Fodians, so long will the Middle Belt people remain the appendage of the Dan Fodians.

ACTION POINT: Spread this information and help us project this fact of our plight before the law courts and the international community. Our focus is to compel the convocation of a sovereign national conference, where we shall all discuss whether and on what terms the various ethnic nationalities shall co-exist as one people. We reject the present subjugation with all our strength, with our entire mind, and with all our soul.

INFORMATION: There is a muted plan by the Jonathan government to make the term of elected officials in Nigeria to be a single term of 7 years BEGINNING WITH those voted into office this year, who under the extant relevant laws got only a four-year mandate of the Nigerian people. We, therefore, reject this contemplation and call on President Jonathan and his colleagues to re-direct attention to the social re-construction of Nigeria under a constitutional conference with representations from each nation within Nigeria. If we don't pile pressure for what we truly need, we shall get what we truly don't deserve—perpetual subjugation, while a few among the oppressed are bought over and manipulated just for a pot of porridge. A people that values its safety above its rights cannot for too long guarantee that safety, which is just safety at the pleasure of the jackals. Now is the time. Is there not a cause?

Leonard Karshima Shilgba is an Associate Professor of Mathematics with the American University of Nigeria and President of the Nigeria Rally Movement (www.nigeriarally.org ). Leonard Shilgba is also the Coordinator of the Middle Belt Federation under the Middle Belt Coalition agenda.
PoliticsRe: What The Heck Is South South? It Should Be East, West, North And South! by karfe(m): 12:20am On Apr 29, 2011
Nigeria can easily be divided into north, south, east, west and central
PoliticsRe: What Do You Want In A Nigeria Of True Federation? by karfe(m): 9:54am On Apr 13, 2011
, And Nigerian unity should be negotiable to give the different peoples the opportunity to decide for themselves whether to stay or not
PoliticsRe: What Do You Want In A Nigeria Of True Federation? by karfe(m): 8:10am On Apr 13, 2011
5 (not 6) truly federal regions. Each with their own constitution. Decentralize provision of critical infrastructure and 50% derivation on all revenue
PoliticsRe: Definition Of Middle Belt by karfe(m): 9:14pm On Nov 25, 2010
Extract from Wiki which I can largely agree with:

"Areas of Nigeria which are generally referred to as belonging to the Middle Belt are: Kwara State, Kogi State, Benue State,Plateau State, Nasarawa State, Niger State, Adamawa State and Taraba State. Also included are the southern parts of Kaduna State, Zuru area of Kebbi State, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro areas of Bauchi State, Tangale and Waja areas of Gombe State and the southern parts of Borno State (Biu area).

However, the definition of the Middle Belt areas are subject to great debate due to the presence of significant number of ethnic Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri groups. In addition, the Yoruba of Kwara and Kogi have a strong affinity with the larger Yoruba body and frequently prefer not to be associated with the Middle Belt identity."
PoliticsRe: Senator Ken Nnamani For President 2015 by karfe(m): 2:32pm On Sep 29, 2010
its really unfortunate about all that has happened since my last post!! *sighs*
PoliticsRe: Reps Okay 10 New States by karfe(m): 7:21pm On May 01, 2010
@karfe
i agree with your submission but it is not convincing enough that it will solve tribal disputes that happen.
Speaking of yoruba,the history of the tribe is traceable and the states which the yoruba occupy are conspicuous and undisputable save for kwara that was drawn to the north central.nigeria would be better if the present six regions is given constitutional.they would operate on their own as feedrating unit while recognising the central govt as the head of the units.
this process was better before state creation.it would give avenue for competition in infastructural development and human development.it will also reduce centralisation of power on the president.
those canvassing for state creation are doing so purely out of greed,nigeria doesnt need to be broken into pieces for development to spring up.


Bluetooth, no structure or human arrangement can ever bring absolute relief. The best you can do is try and evolve structures that will go a long way in taking care of MAJORITY of the people who have found themselves in Nigeria. For this to happen, we must allow EVERYONE to state their cases, even if unpalatable, and say WHO they are and WHERE they want to be. Then we must allow REFERENDUMS (or is it REFERENDA?!) to be carried out within particular shady areas (Should have been done for Bakassi). With time these arrangements can be fine tuned with the agreement of everyone involved.

UcheUwadi, Udezue, Abagworo, ChinenyeN, please sheath your swords and let us try to come up with a workable structure, first within NIGERIA. We have not really tried, so it may not really be true to say we have failed. After all is said and done, we must drive on the same roads, drink the same water, eat the same food. Each man must have a feeling of IDENTITY and SECURITY within Nigeria.

It will not be perfect, but marriage is something of compromise of all parties. After we are sure that other Nigerians have our interests at heart, then we can begin to sort out our sociopolitical and economic issues
PoliticsRe: Reps Okay 10 New States by karfe(m): 2:57pm On May 01, 2010
point of correction.yoruba in kogi state and in places like auchi and akoko edo in edo ONLY speak yoruba but do not have any link whatsoever with the tribe.i asked a friend of mine who happened to be an ijaw man the origin of ijaw but he couldnt tell me instead,he claimed ondo state is an ijawland and not yorubas'.
If equality is to be adopted,then,all ethnic group ought to have a state of their own.state creation is product of ethnic distrust


Friend, the people of the old Kabba Division of present Kogi State SEE themselves as Yoruba. They speak several dialects quite different from the Central (Oyo) dialect like Yagba, Bunu, Owe, etc, but still see themselves as Yoruba. This is most important. The Akoko-Edo, Owan and Etsako (Northern Edo) DO NOT see themselves as Yoruba

Having said that, Nigeria has to have proper and clear guidelines for what identity can be regarded as a state.

For instance, yours sincerely believes that there are 5 SUPERIDENTITIES within Nigeria. These are the FAR NORTH (Hausa-Fulani-Kanuri), the MIDDLE BELT, the YORUBA, the IGBO and the DEEP SOUTH (Edo, Ijo, Ibibio, etc). All Nigerians fall within these 5 identities which can be termed REGIONS. STATES should fall one step lower than these regions and should be spaces where the primary identities of peoples can be promoted e.g. the NGWA, or the ANIOMA. For groups which are quite small and desire to promote this identity, but are not 'reasonably' large enough to be states, a LOCAL AREA within a State should suffice. IDENTITY is very, very important for TRUE FEDERALISM to thrive and be useful.

To control proliferation of these states, REGIONS should be the Federal Units and not STATES, because these REGIONS cannot be more than 5 (I may be wrong, as the SOUTH REGION peoples may have different ideas). STATES should thus be created by each REGION, but with PROPER GUIDELINES in place.

Just speaking from the heart,
PoliticsRe: Reps Okay 10 New States by karfe(m): 11:34am On May 01, 2010
IMO, the best reason to create any new states in Nigeria would be to adjust boundaries to keep 'compatible' peoples together.

Examples:

The Yorubas in Kwara and Kogi should be combined while the rest of Kwara should be tranferred to Niger State.

The Igbos(some may disagree with this identity?) of Delta and Rivers should be grouped into Anioma and Port Harcourt States respectively.

The Hausa-Fulani of Kaduna State should be separated and renamed Zaria State while the rest of the state is renamed Gurara State.

This should reduce dividing lines within the different regions.

The different regions (or geo-political zones) should then be given a reasonable level of autonomy to control their resources and handle issues dealing with Power, Roads, Water Supply, Education and Health issues specifically.

This suggestion may be modified or completely rejected depending on each Nairalander's view
PoliticsRe: How Nationalistic Were Our So Called Nationalist ? by karfe(m): 9:15am On Apr 29, 2010
Azikiwe was a true nationalist you dunce.

Why do you think many Igbos do not care much for Azikiwe. He believed in One Naija even at the expense of his own people.

EzeUche,

Frankly, I do not know why some1 has to receive an insult for a simple question or for expressing an opinion. Is this how we are supposed to change the country? Is it out of frustration with the wrongs things we have suffered? Is it supposed to let the other person know how strongly you feel about an issue. Please, let us all try to behave with some decency so that we may show that we are different from those who brought us to the low level we are. Let us stop this naija cyber culture of having to insult one another over nothing,

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