₦airaland Forum

[quote author=Chima_Adeoye][size=15pt]Please anyone with access to the Minister should tell her to beef up her security.There is more than meets the eye to the determination of some people to force the Minister to resign.
From a security point of view, if we as ordinary citizens see all these blackmail against the Honorable Minister to resign, you can imagine the tons of threats she has been receiving from these people.

Like Prof. Dora Akunyili that nearly lost her life to an assassin's bullet for not taking the threats and blackmail to resign seriously, Princess Stella Oduah truly needs a bullet proof car if she likes her life. I hope she is not cowed by these blackmailers to leave her security with loop holes.

These people will surely attempt to take her life after their media blackmail fails, if she is not proactive with her security.
Perhaps that is why they are already so angry now,that she has beat them to it. Who knows?[/size][/quote]It's only those that happen to know Stella as a minister would entertain fears. Those of us born at Onitsha knows that she is the incarnate of her late father, His Majesty, Igwe Oduah of Akili. A hefty light skinned seven-footer. He was a man of strong character, feared by his enemies and highly respected in his days. Stella knows how to handle her enemies, i can bet you.

Boicc: I hope none of you would miss the almighty ENUGU CULTURAL FIESTA from 9 to 23 December. Make una no miss aam o!!!!

Wonderful. Another Ethiopian flight is about to land.

Silence is the key here.

cjrane: Yes, with the wickedness exhibited by our brethren elsewhere in southern Nigeria, they will make sure they frustrate the project for 100 years if they can. However, I think they have picked a fight they could never win. Even the APC victory they are banking on to use to oppress Igbos will be a pipe dream after 2015. PDP will still win as the only truly national party in Nigeria.This ticking bomb of Nigeria will come to a head if the APC carry out their anti Igbo agenda threat

Nonetheless I don't know the propaganda value those anti development goons may employ easily showing them pictures here of ptogress in the aviation ministry .Let them go get it themselves

Nothing lasts forever. What is happening at Enugu airport and by extension, the former Eastern region, is a change whose time has come. Though I never expected it to be easy giving the length of time some groups profited from the deliberate closure of the eastern air and maritime corridor. Right now, River, Sea and Deep Sea ports are springing up in Eastern Nigeria, including the one that is rapidly being built at the president's backyard in Bayelsa, aimed at complimenting that of Onitsha, according to Governor Dickson.

In addition to your sentiments, some people are afraid of the consequent mass reverse migration. Yes, because when you sow the wind you reap the whirl wind. And of course, the president has his plans to make the seaports viable before 2019, aware of the post-war red tape that has kept the bulk of merchant ships and international flights out of the whole eastern region.

For Ndigbo, I will want them not to entertain any fear about the on going unjust crucifixion of Adaeze, bearing in mind that her boss was not even spared despite the evidence that he is centuries ahead of his predecessors. In the same note, please, endeavor not to hide any progress being made by this administration to fight social and economic injustice. Your desire is a just one and over due. Those are what they don't want to see or read about the "clueless" president.


Again, I thank God that Akanu Ibiam Airport; the international address of Ndigbo, against all odds, has come to stay. The late Dr. Akanu Ibiam was afterall not a murderer, but a decent elder statesman, quiet, just and a humble missionary. Spiritually, I never for once thought his name will fail us. The original 4 weekly flight schedule is firming up, and hopefully there will soon be daily flights in addition to other foreign airlines that would key in.

ladywise: Still available

My little word of advice is that you should not make yourself an object of unnecessary suspicion. Earning the trust of business prospects online requires a great deal of hard work to prove yourself, and humility. Nairaland's Spyder880 is an example of the huge success one can be as an online tycoon in Enugu and environ if you are open, sincere, humble and talented in your trade. I have not yet personally dealt with Spyder, but from what is going on now in his sphere, i can confidently deal with him as soon as i'm ready even from afar.

Most of us in the diaspora have been taught a hard lesson that we don't want to repeat the mistakes again. I believe i've said enough.

[quote author=Warri _Pikin]Apart from the Far East route frequented by business men, how does he not know that many Nigerians have been flying from, London,Amsterdam,Rome, Sao Paulo & Rio Brazil, and Dulles international airpot in Washington DC, USA to Enugu via Addis Ababa. My neighbour here in Warri visited her children living in America and returned through Enugu and she said the journey was so smooth and cheaper than when she used British airway to fly to Philadelphia two years ago.[/quote]Well, I thought it's a matter of interest. Some people are more aware of the events around them than others, It's just like that.The most important thing here is to continue spreading the news about the AIIA in any way we can. Someone, the other day, brought to our attention that many international traders at Onitsha have not even heard about the international flight operations at the Coal city.

I'm very glad to hear about the Warri based passenger. That's very good.

I just wanna add that people should be encouraged to ask questions. That's the essence of it all.

ketoprofen: What does that route mean sef?

That the journey ends in Addis ababa

I believe your question was borne out of a genuine quest for information and not mischief, so i will answer it:

The journey does not end in Addis!

Passengers from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu catch their onward flights from Addis Ababa to their end destinations in the Far East, Europe, North and South America without having to re-check in their luggages at Addis Ababa to these destinations. Luggages are tagged to these end destinations right there at Enugu. Help spread the meassage to your family members and friends.

[quote author=Chima_Adeoye]Well, the info i got from a family member who traveled with the Ethiopian airline last week from Mumbai India was that when they landed in Addis Ababa and waiting for their flight, there were low passengers both for the Lagos, Abuja and Enugu route. So they were given option to fly in 2 days to Enugu or join the Enugu and Lagos passengers into one flight to Lagos to fill it up. All the Enugu passengers were then put on the Lagos flight rather than spend 2 days at the airport.[/quote]In as much as the Enugu bound passengers will not disembark at Lagos before touching down at Enugu, the option of merging the passengers when the turnout is low, is welcomed. It does not diminish AIIA status. Such is equally the standard with the Ethiopian airline destination to Europe; Paris and Brussels bound passengers from Addis Ababa were always merged in one flight and dropped at their respective destinations.

From today's tracking, Enugu flight has departed albeit 3hours late.

My brothers and sisters, since the inaugural international flight at Enugu, my mind has been fixated at the Akanu Ibiam Aiport. No day passes me by without tracking the ETH931 flight. I became obsessed with the habit for the simple reason that a VIABLE International airport at Enugu was the major panacea to resolving some of the socio-economic issues confronting Ndigbo. While the people of the SE origin constitute the largest international business travellers in Nigeria, their region was yet to become an international destination. Nothing buoys the economy of a region so much as a viable seaport OR an international airport. Either of these two facilities compliments every other economic activities. That is chiefly why we migrated to cities with these facilities.

Now that we have an International airport, why can't we make it work? The Ethiopian airlines began with four weekly flights to Enugu promising to make it a daily operation. Then, one month after, something that smells like a once-a-week flight schedule is emerging.

No, God forbid! Ndibanyi, please, save Enugu International operations because if it dies, would finally cripple any hope of economic and industrial renaissance of the whole of the south east. Including the reversal of the chronic rural-urban migration of our people. And in that case, Ndigbo will remain a PERMANENT object of resentment of the indigenes of other cities where they reside in Nigeria.

Ndigbo, bikonu, let us agree to fly Ethiopian airlines, and most importantly, let us agree to fly to Enugu first and transit there-from regardless of our destination in Ngeria. It is not too much a sacrifice when we consider other sort of sacrifices people around the world make in pursuit of causes dear to them. Let us remember the how many decades we fought for this one.

spyder880: But it had to move at some point, and all the wood got to site, decking wood work starts tomorrow morning. We have to push hard till the doors open for us No retreat, no surrender.

May God bless your efforts. More better days ahead for you,my man.

asha 80: ok i guess regular arrivals and departure are back.

I should think so.

asha 80: i wonder why there were delays and cancellations of flights in enugu a week ago.

Borrowing from the Vanguard news report of the 9th Sept, the reason must have been the absence of conveyor belts and security scanners. The airline's management at Enugu said they were hampering their operations. But, they are now in place.

henrychubayo: You re a true son of the soil. Your family must have been very proud of u. I love those words of urs. Express Train and no going back whether they like it or not. As we speak, Ethiopia is En-route to Enugu. Our people have not failed us. The same airline came yesterday and left back to collect those who are for today. Am sure that soonest, will see who or which region flies out of this country more.

Thanks Henry. Many of us are as concerned as you are because the success of AIIA will ignite the long awaited reverse migration of Ndigbo. And with time, will make Igboland the destination of other Nigerians as well. One major reason some of us are taking auxiliary residences outside Alaigbo has been addressed. A large number of our people i talked to here in Belgium are now considering selling off some of their immovable assets to relocate them to the east as they will now be flying direct to the capital of Igboland.

In this wise, I can assure you that telephone calls to Nairaland's property expert Spyder880 will increase as time goes on. :lol:

Then, to finish it off, we will keep pressing the presidency to expedite the opening of the eastern maritime corridor so that Onitsha port and the complimenting deep seaports at Ibaka Akwaibom, the new one at Agge Bayelsa, PH, Calabar and Warri will be highly operational. Each one of these seaports cut the distance from Onitsha to Lagos by more than half. And to see that the politics that makes foreign ships not to berth in eastern ports is nipped in the bud.

Activity77: www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ncaa-enugu-safe-for-international-flights/159525/

"It is entirely false and preposterous to insinuate that gazzetting constitutes a factor in NCAA technical analysis and certification"

My friends, this statement and the others in that report are ambiguous. They are not equivocal on whether the Enugu airport is now gazzetted as international or not. It's like they are telling us Enugu airport is not yet gazzetted as international but has the permit for international flight operations because of the new facilities. I doubt the insinuations for i could remember that GEJ gazzetted Akanu Ibiam Airport as an inter. in one of his Exco meetings this year. Someone out there is playing with the emotions of Ndigbo. However, i just wanna add that Enugu airport is an express train that has departed. No going back.

[quote author=ubomez2@yahoo.c]I have just read in todays PUNCH newspaper that a 32year old undergraduate of UNIZIK has been arrested at AIIA by the NDLEA for drug trafficking. He had 25 wraps of cocaine in his stomach and flew in on 'world class' Ethiopian Airlines. I am very angry that while some of us on this thread have been suggesting ideas in order to promote AIIA, this fool has in less than 3 weeks of opening sought to damage its reputation. Well done to the NDLEA for doing a good job.[/quote]What happened at Enugu airport is bad. But one thing I believe we would not want to do, is to dwell in a frame of mind that nothing like this will ever happen at AIIA.

For anyone to put him/herself in such a state of mind is an invitation to unnecessary panic attacks.

Enugu airport like MMA Lagos is owned by the federal government of Nigeria but sited in Igboland. Once it is an international airport, expect cases such as that of Anselem Nwabuwa. And again, that an airport commenced international operations a second ago was irrelevant to a criminally minded person. For the criminals, it is even the most auspicious time; when everything is not yet in place, the officials still in a festive mood and settling down in their new assignments.

While the majority of Ndigbo are well mannered, responsible and law-abiding, the Igbo world is a population of about fifty million people. Drawing from that, I have read so many negative comments about this very issue from non-Igbos. And can only say that they are just being stupid by expecting Ndigbo to behave differently in a cult-like manner. If it is possible, as they want us to believe, to tame EVERY member of Igbo population, why do we still have crime in Nigeria or even around the globe? The bottom-line is that there will always be the Anselem Nwabuwas in every midst...in every group, that is the way it is.

A couple of days ago, we were apprehensive that the Ethiopian airlines was cutting down their schedule to Enugu. There after, there was a Vanguard news report on the 9th in which the management of the airline at Enugu complained that the inability of the FAAN to install security equipment like scanning machines, conveyor belts and others was hampering their operations. Then, bang! Anselem was arrested on Thursday, probably after a quick installation of the body scanners by the FAAN. So, it is very likely that it was a problem of putting the right things in place, and not really of passenger traffic, the latter which has kept me worried.

[quote author=ubomez2@yahoo.c]Thankyou for your proactive move. I would suggest to my fellow AIIAnites that you google ' Ethiopian airlines customer review'. They do not have a good reputation and are third rate in my opinion. It is not merely about opening ticketing offices in the major cities in the south east. As I have pointed out earlier AIIA needs airlines that will inspire confidence in our businessmen and women and is cost effective to fly out from Enugu. For example you have top airlines such as Qatar, Emirates, Turkish, Singapore, Cathay Pacific Airways and Qantas Airways. All these airlines ply the routes that are familiar to our businessmen -Dubai, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and others. The govt should go back to the drawing board and do some proper market research before rushing to introduce international flights just for narrow political reasons. The world today is a small village and economics is the driving force.[/quote]No, from my experience, if Ethiopian airlines lacked reputation, it is not with the business men of Igbo origin. I flew the airline for the first time on the 16th of April this year from Brussels Belgium to Lagos via Addis Ababa. Spent a couple of hours at the Bole Airport before boarding the Lagos bound flight. I must say It was the first time in my long years of flying in and out of Lagos that I saw the largest concentration of native Igbo speakers in an international flight, a conservative estimate of about 90% of the total passengers on board a wide bodied aircraft.

Therefore, the point here is that in respect of Enugu airport's patronage, we must consider the geographical spread of Igbo business men in Nigeria. The current dearth of passengers is squarely the domino effect of long years of Igbos migrating out of Igboland to set up businesses somewhere else. A considerable number of our upwardly mobile business men also live in the South West, Lagos in particular. The Ethiopian management might be asking themselves where the Igbos on their daily flights to Nigeria have gone in respect of the Enugu route. Yes, the answer is that a good number also live somewhere outside Igboland.

For our memory upgrade, there are three basic groups of Igbo flyers. The first are the business men who live in Nigeria (65% of whom live outside Igboland, precisely in Lagos) and do business in Europe and Asia, this group are the frequent travellers. They chose to live outside Igboland so they could take advantage of the Intl. airport and sea port facilities which the Igbo never had. The second are those who live in Europe, US, Canada and Asia and who have partners managing their businesses in Nigeria, mostly in Lagos. This group may travel to Nigeria between two to four times a year and will always stop first in Lagos to attend to their businesses before travelling eastward. The third are those who live and work in Europe, Canada and the US and who travel seasonally during the summer and Christmas periods but mostly once a year and in huge numbers. The destination of this last group would always be direct to Igboland. So, it is easy to see why a single airline is having problem getting enough passengers at the Coal City.


Contrary to your opinion, I believe that aggressive awareness campaign and opening of offices in the SE cities would go a long way to maintain a profitable passenger traffic at AIIA for Ethiopian airlines. Making the fares a little cheaper would additionally dissuade those that might be tempted to make the long distance journey to Lagos to board one of the Ivy-league airlines. But, from my experience with Ethiopian airlines on April this year, I can assure you there was no striking difference in comfort and service b/w them and the ones you mentioned. The present embarassment at Enugu airport is neither the fault of GEJ nor Stella but we Ndigbo. For now, it is a helpless situation for It makes no sense for those in the first group above to stop at Enugu before their business stations and residences outside Igboland. Or the second group. So, the solution to the problem lies in the hands of Ndigbo. If we really want a thriving international airport, we must take the lead from the front and not from the back. Sacrifice...Igbo nationalism...gradual divestments etc., then Enugu airport can stand.

henrychubayo: Plz do find out my brother. Seems the last flight to Enugu is still in Enugu and have not departed yet. I also think its a technical problem and may not be associated with traffic. We don't want our ppl to be disappointed in flying to Enugu direct.

No, from what i have read so far, and from Ubomez precisely, the last flight to Enugu landed on Friday, stayed the night and took off on Saturday.
I hope we'll get to know what the problem is. Not a pleasant moment at all.

feelamong: please do inform us as you get the exact details....

hope no one is trying to play tricks on us sha?

If there is any problem, it should be what i have been thinking since the past 48 hrs - low passenger traffic. And if that is the case, you will expect them to cut down on the flight schedule in the interim. I just hope this will not discourage those planning to include Enugu in their immediate plans.

[quote author=ubomez2@yahoo.c]Kostadinis no need to be nervous!!! On Friday the 30th August the flight arrived from Addis Ababa and did not depart Enugu until the next day being Saturday the 31st August. The next scheduled flight was then the 2nd of September on Monday, followed by Wednesday(4th) and Friday(6th) which slept in Enugu to depart in the next 20 minutes to Addis Ababa. So as you can see it has gone full circle. Do not panic all is well.Abuja has five times weekly, while Lagos is daily. So Enugu is the baby of the family!!!!! enjoy[/quote]Incisive. I can now relax with the hope that all is going smoothly. Dalu nna

kingoflag: You do realize that Egypt was under a dictatorship all these years, right? Yall in Nigeria are just confused as all hell, period! The Army has no business investing in hotels.

Even if I choose to narrow my response to you based on the Egyptian army, their dictators were far much better than yours.

a)Egypt's military remains the best fighting force in Africa.
b)The welfare of their officers and rank and file was better taken care of than ours.
c)Their dictators understood the importance of maintaining their military wares and facilities as opposed to yours.
d)They equally understood better the need for an expanded objective of the military in peace time as it relates to revenue generation and acquisition of modern military wares. Just think a bit.

[quote author=ubomez2@yahoo.c]Todays flight departs at 1340.It arrived yesterday from Addis Ababa at about 1230 and stayed overnight.You must note that the flights are on a four day rotational basis. The first flight on the 24th of August was on a Saturday, so the flight pattern is Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.[/quote]I think they were short of passengers, if not, what about those that were supposed to be Addis Ababa-bound from Enugu yesterday friday? Last saturday, they flew into Enugu and departed with passengers which i believe was a normal schedule.

A bit nervous...

okpaniokpani: In other climes where organizations have priorities, military and security outfits don't invest in business not related to their field. Of what use is the hotel to the stated objectives of the Nigerian Army? The Nigerian Army has a defunct pharmaceutical company, why not revive it, if his aim is to diversify revenue?
Besides, the Nigerian army is suffering from acute shortage of accommodation fro officers and personnels. Why not expand the infrastructures in the barracks?
This an excuse to squander resources. Every barrack has a mess which provides temporal accommodation for officers and personnels on transit.
Why build a hotel?

Gen. Ihejirika's idea is without precedents and successful ones for that matter. In an ever decreasing world of conflicts, the military around the globe are trying to expand their scope of objectives which includes but not limited to running corporate organizations.

Egypt's Ministry of Military Production manages at least 14 companies - producing merchandise varying from tank shells and ammunition to fertilisers, sports equipment, cement, pasta and even owning child care centers in the face of receiving over 3 Billion Us dollars hand out from the US government every year. So, what is the fuss about the Nigerian army trying to tinker with investments to help her solve her needs in the ever shrinking Nigeria's defence allocation? Gen. Ihejirika has refurbished and/or built new barracks than any of his predecessors. Under his watch, the NA has begun to sell light military wares beyond the borders of Nigeria. It takes a sharp and innovative mind (not the usual drunken "gwodogwodo" Nigerian General) to put in place a corporate strategic investment plan such as this and the ones before this one. Think for a moment please. Don't just type words for the sake of making comments!

spyder880: Thank you Kostadinis, in fact I had expected this question since the day I put up those options. An intending member had also called me on phone to ask this same question about the N25m duplex. My reason for increasing the likely budget from my earlier planned N20m to this N25m is because the more you add into a building for sale, the more the likelihood of attracting better buyers. I don't want us to be saddled with a house where people will be giving excuses like, "I would have loved to buy this house if the rooms were bigger", "This kitchen is so much smaller than the one we have in the village, my wife will not like this" or "Why couldn't you landscape the compound?"

It is not that N20m cannot build us a decent duplex in Enugu, but in our first outing we should not be seen to be too tight or economical in either the building stage or the finish, especially the finish. You will also note that in those projects I am building both in Ebonyi and Enugu, the compound is not part of the costing that resulted in N12+ million. I intend us to treat the compound of the duplex with interlocking tiles and generally lift the profile of the house with most modern looks and additions in building. My experience in building sales is much, I had built and sold bungalows in Enugu in 2005-2006 and I know where buyers always look at, the finish.

Now lets look at the lands, with N20m, I am sure we can get a good land to buy where this house could be built with 4.25m, then raise the fence with around N1m, treat the documents with another N500k and build a moderate house with 13m while the balance of N750k will most likely go into administrative charges like hiring the lawyer you guys have been voting for up there, the surveyor, the engineer and even a security man to ensure the safety of materials and fittings in the house. We could easily sell this for N25m and walk away with N5m profit.

But how about looking into areas where lands are costlier, because you will see buyers that will not like to get into the deeper areas where lands of N4m are located. (N4m can only afford us areas like the Nike area of Enugu, Abakpa, One day area of Awkunanaw etc) So in the second scenario we have N25m in our hands, raise the bar and buy a land with N7m (in areas like Trans Ekulu, Independence layout suburbs, New Haven extension and other areas), fence it with N1m, raise a proper documentation plus community development levies with N500k, then use N15m to build a better finished duplex than the former one, N750k for interlocking and other works in the compound and still leave N750k for the professionals we hired just like in the example above. We can walk away with N5m-N6m profit in this example because the house will be located in a better area where buyers will always love the neighborhood and may pay higher.

My thinking on the bungalow is still going to be tight, but bungalows are easier to build as they last a shorter period which may reduce administrative costs. We buy a land with N4m, raise a fence with N1m, do the documentation + community development levies with N500k, build a house with N4.5m and that's even with aluminium step tiles, as we cannot afford a stone coated roofing or parapet in this option. It is tight, but doable.

Anyway I am just thinking this alone, by the time we form a committee as I can see in the votes that many of us are are asking for, they will help me organize these thoughts better as two good heads are always better than one. Let me also ask that if there are other options you guys remember which we ought to put up now, it is not too late for us to put up the option for voting. (like asking members to choose between the N20m or the N25m duplex, I will use house pictures to illustrate these)

Your explanations are okay in as much as individuals wanting to "finish" a Duplex building could still get the job done with a +12 million naira budget. This is important so that your followers, including the silent, would not get lost in the unfolding situation.

I agree with you. Of course, the quality and level of facilities inside a property determines the market price and as such there should not be any hard-and-fast rule in preparing the budget for a property meant for the market. Emene was left out in the low income areas you mentioned, is there anything different from that area and Nike or Abakpa?
Thanks, jisike

ckenneths: In making this decision, we are assuming that 5 bedroom duplex will be built with N25m

2. Do you support we first build a duplex?

Please remember to click the "like" button if you are in support of this option.

I guess the major reason the votes are flowing in the direction of a Bungalow could be as a result of what seemed like a departure from your usual costing of a Duplex. In hindsight, exclusive of the cost of land and fencing, the budget you posted for the Duplex at Abakaliki (though according to you was a tight one) was in the range of +/- 12.8 million. Those of Owerri and Enugu, if I could remember, were equally in the same range. Ok, assuming that 4 or 5 million out of the 25 million would be spent on land, fencing and documentation, it would still be a whopping 7 to 8 million naira more than the similar projects that preceded this new idea. My question here is, did you execute these projects with this margin of budget short-falls, I'm just wondering?

From the very good and reliable information we gathered from you, Enugu lands have become so expensive that a 3 million Naira parcel of land would be hard to find. If it were so, what is the guarantee that building a 25 or 10 million naira house for that matter outside a highbrow area (as 3 million would appear to afford) would attract a quick sale and with the expected 25 to 30 percent net profit. What area(s) in Enugu do you have in mind? Thank you.

spyder880: My brother Warri far o
The condition of Enugu-Onitsha express way will make it difficult for me to shuttle between Enugu-Anambra-Delta-Ebonyi and produce good results. I would really want to do more in the near future.

We have so much new projects planned to start this year around Enugu state. We are very committed to step up our game towards satisfying you my friends. We plan to grow bigger and get better, we plan to explore all the options and give you guys the varieties that will make your house a colorful experience.

Although I caught your attention with serious cost cutting techniques during my first online outing to build my own house, I have come to realize that not all clients like my 'cheap' way of doing things. I am always communicating with many potential clients and from the feedback I get, people will love to see me depart from building 'cheap' to moving my priority to building 'comfort' . I had a visitor in my house today, in the duplex you all know here online. The prospective client loved the house but hated the finish. He instructed me to finish his own with better roofing, doors, windows and tiles. Well, I just wanted to complete some good space for my kids, nothing too luxurious.

We are still ready to serve, we are still anxious to take on more jobs if its in our reach and the price is right. We cannot agree to start a job this 2013 if the job will make us 'manage' resources to the extent of looking 'cheap'.

PERFECTION IS OUR GOAL, EXCELLENCE WILL BE TOLORATED.

I believe that many were attracted to you among other things due to your modesty.

And I thought also that your success so far was based on this principle. Suffice it to say that many of your readers have had no reasons to complain about the quality of your jobs so far. "Comfort", "cheap" or "luxury" is relative. Especially in a big population whose wealth was abysmally distributed. I just wanna let you know that the dexterity you've shown in accomplishing HIGH QUALITY jobs on HUMANE BUDGETS was a calling from God almighty. Your admirers who are re-tooling their wallets and anticipating to establish contact are so pleased with you. Having said that, those who have deep pockets, and who would want the frills of TAJ MAHAL in their houses, should not be ignored. Just make sure their deep pockets do not alter your known policy of engaging the struggling majority.

My brother, hold on to those ideals that have stood you out.

spyder880: My brother, Ninth mile is a transit town and very rural. Only very few rich people live there, except you move into Ngwo town proper where you could stay among the natives in comparable security. The thing pumping some few growth in Ninth mile is only coca cola and Nigerian breweries, 7up also. The streets here are very rural and bushy in some instances as development is slow. Most rich guys prefer Enugu town and call in tankers to bring in clean water from Ninth mile when needed.

Nevertheless, I hope to meet with you to explore this and other options on my next trip
Your number and email have been jotted down
It's great to know you
Thanks a lot

@Spyder

Apart from the 9th-Mile-Corner, are there other new/old Enugu suburbs wherein fresh clean under ground water could be struck for certain? I am wondering if the situation is the same at Emene and other far flung suburbs. Honestly, your write-ups have rekindled my interest in Enugu. But having said that, I can't buy a piece of land knowing fully well that I may never struck clean water beneath it. So, for that reason, I have been persistently considering only the 9th-Mile-Corner and looking forward to meeting you on the matter.

Please, what's the security situation there, and what are the streets like? A new residential layout?

Thanks.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

There is nothing like a SEAPORT in the actual sense. Almost all what we call SEAPORTS all over the world are actually not on the sea proper but located on bodies of water that leads to the sea. The Lagos ports for example, were not built on the atlantic ocean, but are located on the lagoon that leads to the sea kilometers away. Port Harcourt port is on Bonny river 55 km to the ocean, Warri port is on a river 60km to the Ocean, Calabar is 55 km to the ocean and Onitsha is 135 km to the ocean.

One of the most popular and prestigious ports in the world with the longest wharf is Port Of new orleans in the US, it is located 177 km to the gulf of Mexico (ocean). It's built on Missisipi river. By definition, that of Onitsha is a seaport because it is built on a body of water that leads direct to the sea like any other seaport in the world.

The most important thing is for it to commence operation. When activities picks up, wharf facilities could be extended upwards to adjoining places like Anam or downwards to adjoining places like odekpe, okpoko and Atani. It could be expanded to be as large as any seaport in the world. It is only the activities that will tell.

Delta Igbo And The East: Typical Twists In Oral Tradition (part 1)

Friday, 22 May 2009 01:45
Written by Ossie Ezeaku
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African peoples have long relied on oral accounts to learn about their past. But the down side of this tradition remains its vulnerability to embellishment. The absence of written records, passage of time and the hunger for greatness have made the method the most unreliable. Egypt is one good example. In the face of mounting evidences, the archaeological findings in Egypt have continued to generate intense racial politics. In the same vein, the quest for political and social mobility in Igboland has progressively turned her history into a subject of differing interpretations.

Addressing the historical factors that shaped the modern Igbo was vital for the knowledge of not only the present and future generation of Ndigbo, but for none Igbos alike. Thus, modern day discussions on this particular subject, for posterity's sake, should be devoid of politics.

In that context, to divorce either the Igala or the Benin influence from the modern Igbo cultural evolution would be a travesty of history. The evidence of the cross cultural mix appears to be genuine. Thus, the debate should instead focus on the extent of each one of these rich cultures on the other, especially the issue of settler and aborigine in the western Igbo region, and as well as in the East. This particular aspect has not only heightened the interest of eastern Igbos, It has equally generated a quiet acrimony amongst the western Igbos. I mean those of them who had remained steadfast with their Igbo roots, and the others who would defend their claim of Benin ancestry vigorously. The future implication of this situation in the context of Nigeria's contemporary politics is what I'll comment on later in this thread.

According to several sources, Igbo people evolved over a long period of 4000 BC to 500 AD in Igboland through waves of migrations. Oral accounts stated that her northern neighbours migrated into her heartland in search of fertile land and rich marine life. The majority of which were Igalas. The Igalas settled amongst the locals east of the Niger, altering the historiography of many towns in today's Anambra state. Affected also, were parts of the present Oshimmili local government in Delta state.

Anambra state is of course 96 percent indigenous Igbo, however, there are traces of Igala history in some communities of the following local government councils of the state--Ayamelum, Ihiala, Oyi, Awka North, Aniocha, Dunukofia, Onitsha North, Ogbaru, Anambra East, Njikoka, Anambra west, Onitsha South, and Awka South. The migration did not only affect the area known today as Anambra state, a sizeable portion of Enugu state's communities have Igala ancestry as well. Thus, it would be right to call it a reverse migration, occurring about eight hundred years after which Eri was reported to have founded the modern Igbo nation with its set of unique religious doctrine. It was also a period one of his sons, Onoja, was said to have departed northwards and founded the Igala land.

Eri's children were listed as Nri-Ifikuanim Menri, Agulu, Onoja (founder of Igala), Ogbodudu, Onogu and his only daughter, Iguedo. Together and respectively, his off-springs were instrumental to founding the towns of Aguleri, Igbariam, Ogbunike, Nando, Nri, Enugu-Ukwu, Nteje, Enugu-Agidi, Oraeri and so many other settlements in the East and West of the Niger. It is indeed difficult to draw a line between Igbo and Igala history.

Having said that, P.E. OKWOLI, a native Igalan, and renowned historian stated that in the ancient times, new rulers from the Igbo communities of Igala ancestry must go to Igala to be taught kingship rituals and ceremonials. Although he mentioned that Igala and UMUERI towns are related, but added that UMUERI needed not to go to Igala for any sort of tutelage. An exemption that might explain Nri-Ifikuanim and Agulu's seniority to their younger brother Onoja, the founder of Igala.

P.E. Okwoli further stated that "In Nsukka and the rest of Igboland, there is a popular masquerade, which is called Agabaidu, and this is a significant cultural point. In Nsukka, the word Agabidu is used to refer to an eminent man, while it is used to refer to a King in Igala. Also Asadu is the word for kingmaker among the Igbo, while it takes the form of Achadu among the Igala. There are some other words which are signs of close cultural ties shared by both Igala and the Igbo. These include Atama, which means Chief Priest in both languages. Among the Igala, Atta means father, among the Igbo it refers to the eldest person. Ajogwu means warrior among the Igala and the Igbo"

The town of Asaba shares similar history with those others in Anambra and Enugu states. Before its "modern founder", Nnebuisi migrated from Nteje in the Anambra region to join his Igalla father who was a resident, Asaba was aboriginally inhabited by Ugboma and his lineage. Ugboma was a farmer from AWKA in the present Anambra state. (H. Vaux, 1934), (Asabausa.com). The aboriginal group assimilated those of Nnebisi and vice versa, and the refugees from different parts of Benin Empire. Nnebisi eventually renamed the town AHABAM, also meaning "I've chosen" In the Igbo language. Thus, Asaba's historical trajectory, geographical location, culture and language constitute the bulk of its overarching Igbo credentials.

On the other hand, during the course of Benin Empire's military expansion, some of the descendants of prince Odigbo of Nri who founded Ogwashi Uku, migrated back East, Anambra region precisely, and co-founded the settlement known today as Nsugbe. Their village, Umu-Ogwari, installed the first Obi of Nsugbe in about 1550 AD. Obi Ofili, the last king, was dethroned by the British in 1875.

Quite often, it is the Benin theory of Onitsha history that is widely circulated in the media, especially in the internet. Other accounts of Onitsha history would suggest that Onitsha is a federation of differing lineages, arriving at different times in history. Again, Igala is one of them. And what could be the most revealing part of Onicha history is the IGUEDO factor. The Iguedo factor is one of the ancient folklores in the communities of Anambra region of Anambra state. This is a rural and agrarian region that would gain nothing from claiming Onicha affinity. But, again, there is an Igbo proverb that says " the direction in which a crying baby points his fingers, would either indicate the location of his mother or father"

Their versions of the tale were though inconsistent like all others, but collectively, what was clear and consistent in their various versions were that the beginning of Onicha was not outside Igboland, and that the lady, IGUEDO, was central in the evolution of Onicha. The folklore states that Onicha descended from Iguedo, the daughter of Eri. The historical lady is still highly revered in some parts of the town. The Iguedo clan is made up of the neighbouring towns of Ogbunike, Nando, Umuleri and Awkuzu. Onitsha is geographically contiguous to Nsugbe, an UMUERI town, and shares dialectical similarities with these communities.

The people of Ogbunike reported that as recent as the1940s, Onitsha indigenes traditionally joined the Umu-Iguedo clan to celebrate "Olili-nne-Iguedo"; an annual festival that brings the descendants of Iguedo together in the town of Nando. The elders of Ogbunike community made this public in an explanatory letter to the Resident Officer, Onitsha province, dated 12th October, 1932. The signatories insisted that Onicha was an off-spring of Iguedo. However, the District Officer, on 29th November 1932, after consultations, replied thus:

"The Umu-Iguedo (sic) Towns certainly have an Onitsha relationship---but with only one quarter thereof---that is, OGBOLI. It would not be practicable to divorce OGBOLI from the rest of Onitsha and I do not think that Mr. Bridges has recommended this, "

This account, however, might be disputed in some quarters in Onicha today, even in Ogboli. But an account of this nature, that comes from neighbouring communities that have long existed before Benin's influence on Onicha, cannot be totally dismissed. Of note, is the import of the current Nri Kingdom, which cited the town of Onitsha as one spot

of her ancient diaspora settlements.

While not dismissing the totality of Benin's influence on Onicha, research of Onitsha families reveals the presence of unrelated bloodlines that today appear as members of the same family. There are two types of such bloodlines. The first type consists of families that have established their own autonomy after having constructed mythical genealogies, including inventing nonexistent offspring for the founder, to pass themselves off as part of the direct line of descent. The second type consists of families that did not separate from the family into which they had merged. They share the same names and history. It is only during ritual matters, when they are excluded from performing certain rites, that it becomes obvious they are not part of the genealogical line. Investigation often reveals that the latter branches may have been the line of a domestic servant, slave, or an immigrant who lived with the family. (Nkiru Nzegwu, Elizabeth Isichei 1978, 104-107)

Curiously, the only four Ogboli settlements in Igboland have continued to embrace Nri/Eri ancestry. These are the OGBOLI villages of Nkwerre in Imo state, Atuma, Issele-Uku and Igbuzo in Delta state respectively. Infact, the IGUEDO factor is a huge one in that another Onitsha village, UMUIKEM, undisputedly traces their origin to the town of Umuikem in Nando, a member of Umuiguedo clan as well. On the other hand, Olosi and Obi-Ikporo villagers are mostly the descendants of Onitsha daughters married to non-indigenes. Time was, when the matrilocal custom of Onicha mandated non-indigene bridegrooms to settle down in Onitsha with their Onicha brides. An assimilation system known as "Idigbe" or "Mgba" (Nkiru Nzegwu).

On the other hand, the etymological question raised by the existence of Onicha Ezza--Ebonyi state, Onicha Uboma--Imo state, Onicha Nwenkwo--Imo state, Onicha Mbaise--Imo state, Onicha Nweorie---Imo state, Onicha Ngwa--Abia state, Onicha nweafor--Imo state, Onicha Amairi--Imo state, Onicha AmiyiUhu--Abia state etc., would continue to offset the notion that the origin of the word Onicha was outside Igbo-speaking land. What would have made these Onichas in the east to be pronounced and spelt the same way with the other Onichas who claims Benin ancestry, is what many stake holders would be interested to know.

Questions are being asked from both sides of the divide. The present generation are locked in the thinking of what logically can be the truth and what can not in these oral stuffs.

If languages are similar, what it means is that the people, knowingly or otherwise have met somewhere in the past, or that they shared common ancestry.

That of Yoruba, Igbo and Idoma is not an exception. Take a look:

Church----In idoma is known as UKA, in Igbo UKA as well. Dress---In idoma is UWE, in Igbo Is UWE. Garden Egg--in Idoma is Anyila, while in igbo is Anyala. Jaw chin in Idoma is Agba, In Igbo is Agba. Box in Idoma is Akpati or Igbe, In Igbo is Agbati or Igbe.

Bottle in Idoma is Ikpem, while in Igbo is Ekpem or kalama. Saftety Pin in Idoma is aga, in Igbo is aga. Mouth in Idoma is Okonu, while in Igbo is Onu. House is Uno in Idoma and Uno in Igbo. Orange is Alemu in Idoma while it is Oloma. Cup is IKO in Igbo while IKOGWU in Idoma etc. Think about it my people.

Though Goodluck Jonathan is Ijaw , but the one and only native African name - EBELECHUKWU - given to him by his parents belongs to the Igbo peole. This is what he had to say about that in Abakaliki three years ago.    







 Nigeria can’t do without Ndigbo, and I am one –Jonathan
                       by Kalu Okwara    March 03, 2007
         

                               Dr. Goodluck Ebele Johathan

        Presidential running mate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Goodluck Johathan, has declared that the Igbo nation is strategic to the progress of Nigeria, noting that he is part of the race.
        Speaking at a campaign rally in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Dr. Jonathan said that his middle name," Ebele, "is an Igbo word meaning mercy.
        Dressed in full Ndigbo regalia, Dr. Jonathan who is Bayelsa State Governor, said their administration would turn Abakaliki into the Taiwan of Africa, if elected in April 2007 general election.
        He noted that Ebonyi State is endowed with rich potentials as its rice production would be pushed into the international market.
        Earlier, Presidential candidate of PDP, Governor Umar Musa Yar’ Adua, of Katsina State promised to declare the energy sector a national disaster to solve electricity problem in the country.
        Also speaking, at the PDP’s presidential rally in Abakaliki, Yar’Adua described President Olusegun Obasanjo as a leadership role model, who had provided them with the roadmap to achieve their agenda.
        According to the presidential candidate, other priority areas of their government, if elected would be agricultural production, education, health, security and infrastructural development among others.
        He assured that their government would be transparent and accountable to the people, stressing that their administration would be honest, hardworking and receptive and would be committed to making the citizens feel proud of the nation.
        Also speaking during the rally, National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, while urging people to vote for PDP candidates, noted that Ebonyi State had numerous untapped mineral resources.
        "The PDP government has embarked on the exploitation of the abundant minerals in the country. To achieve this, we have invited some foreign investors to come for a thorough scientific survey of these minerals. And I want to assure you that Ebonyi State will benefit immensely from it," he said.
        According to him, the government would remain committed to the attainment of 100 per cent child literacy, stressing that they would provide one meal to pupils in all public schools.
        On health, the national chairman said pregnant women would deliver free of charge in public hospitals.
         

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