ezugegere:
The only word I know that has the same meaning in Ebira and Igbo languages is 'ejima'. Ejima means twins in both languages.

Raxz: @matlab and who told u the north is divided against it self because of some southerners effort? get it, there has never bn a time in the history of Nigeria as a country tht the north is one indivisible region, all u heard is political propaganda by some selfish politicians form the core north just for there political gain bt we in the MB hs come to realise the game plans so we are setting our political turn with a uniqick identity so get it bro there ws never a collective north, never shall.

slap1: Toto Local Government Area. Funny name.

Joavid: Nupe's are in Niger state...we are not Nupe
actually the yorubas are the ones claiming that EGBIRA'S are part of them which is false. we have no yoruba roots.
The tribes we have things in common with are the jukuns and idoma in benue state(we all broke out from the old Kwararafa kingdom). although there is a tribe in kogi state that speaks a different kind of yoruba.
we are close to the yorubas due to the geoghraphical setting and we interact with them alot so over time we settled on thier lands and married them.

most egbira women are petite.am yet to see one who is too fat or too slim.respectfull with good home training,good cooks,they dnt cheat. very very caring. they stick with thier men even in bad times bad.fertile...like the yoruba's
bad parts-
if u take them for granted...they dump u wen u least expect it.
They can be so meek..it annoys me...
They dnt rily care if thier man is cheating...part of being meek or patient...

Mercy johnson,the Nigerian actress,she is ebira frm ihima

and did i say they very strong too... Very strong that they can pound yam all day...lol

karfe:

Like which ones?

I also forgot to include Kwara and Kogi in the list. Methinks the Yoruba portions belong more to the Odu'a region anyway

ekt_bear: Basically, despite being different groups with different languages and cultures, you middle belt peoples (and we Yoruba, for that matter) have a common enemy.

The Fulani and the Hausa.

All of us, our history to some extent has been defined by combating this Sokoto Caliphate. And 200+ years later, the battle is not yet won. The struggle continues.

That I think is enough to define common interest.

And until this Sokoto Caliphate and their descendants/allies are completely destroyed, we have to stick together.

bashr8: list the states in the middle belt and their ethnic make up, i believe kogi have the egbiras who can easily join yorubas and the southeastern igala who share similarieties,names and cultures with the igbo and a few others that are similar to the edos.

tamme: I missed this part


(b) 6 Multi-Nationality Regions:

i) One Federation comprising minority nationalities in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states (i.e.: Eket, Annang, Oron, Ibuno, Efik, Ijagham, Korop, Boki, Bakwara, Yakurr, Yala).



ii) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in Rivers and Bayelsa States (i.e. Ikwerre, Etchei, Ekpeye, Engeni, Ogba, Eleme, Ndoni, Ogoni, Andoni).



iii) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in Delta State (i.e.: Ika, Ndokwa, Warri, Isoko).



iv) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in West Middle Belt (i.e.: Zuru, Kambari, Bariba, Bussa, Karekare, Ngizim, Angamo, Bola, Funne, etc).



v) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in Central Middle Belt i.e.

(a) Ebira Group: Ebira, Uku, Ebira Ugu, Ebira Panda, Etuno Igarra, Ebira Mozun, Bassa Nge.

(b) Igala Group in Upper Benue Group: Alago, Eggon, Gwandata, Mada, Kakanda, Mighili, Bassa, Komu, Ninzoni, Arum, etc.

(c) Nok Group: Atyap, Ihum, Bajju, Ninzam, Ikullu, Kamanton, Gwandara, Kahugu, Kwasam, Ilori, Ninkyop, etc.



vi) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in East Middle Belt, i.e.:

(a) Plateau Group: Ngas, Berom, Afezere, Ankwei, Tarok, Geonmi, Mayo Jukun, Amu, Pem. Yovin, etc.

(b) Taraba Group: Chamba, Jukun, Kutch, Mambila, Kona, Kunni, Kaanab, Ndoro, Abakwa, Munnuye, Yububen, etc.

(c) Savanna Group: Burra, Tangale, Waja, Bachama, Manghi, Kilba, Yungur, Mwanna, Bwazza, Mbula, etc.

tamme: I missed this part


(b) 6 Multi-Nationality Regions:

i) One Federation comprising minority nationalities in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states (i.e.: Eket, Annang, Oron, Ibuno, Efik, Ijagham, Korop, Boki, Bakwara, Yakurr, Yala).



ii) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in Rivers and Bayelsa States (i.e. Ikwerre, Etchei, Ekpeye, Engeni, Ogba, Eleme, Ndoni, Ogoni, Andoni).



iii) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in Delta State (i.e.: Ika, Ndokwa, Warri, Isoko).



iv) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in West Middle Belt (i.e.: Zuru, Kambari, Bariba, Bussa, Karekare, Ngizim, Angamo, Bola, Funne, etc).



v) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in Central Middle Belt i.e.

(a) Ebira Group: Ebira, Uku, Ebira Ugu, Ebira Panda, Etuno Igarra, Ebira Mozun, Bassa Nge.

(b) Igala Group in Upper Benue Group: Alago, Eggon, Gwandata, Mada, Kakanda, Mighili, Bassa, Komu, Ninzoni, Arum, etc.

(c) Nok Group: Atyap, Ihum, Bajju, Ninzam, Ikullu, Kamanton, Gwandara, Kahugu, Kwasam, Ilori, Ninkyop, etc.



vi) One Federation comprising the minority nationalities in East Middle Belt, i.e.:

(a) Plateau Group: Ngas, Berom, Afezere, Ankwei, Tarok, Geonmi, Mayo Jukun, Amu, Pem. Yovin, etc.

(b) Taraba Group: Chamba, Jukun, Kutch, Mambila, Kona, Kunni, Kaanab, Ndoro, Abakwa, Munnuye, Yububen, etc.

(c) Savanna Group: Burra, Tangale, Waja, Bachama, Manghi, Kilba, Yungur, Mwanna, Bwazza, Mbula, etc.

Dudu_Negro: I agree _Chucks, in reality we no longer erect physical structures for line of defense or necessarily locate on natural terrains for that sole purpose but where they exist, their effectiveness in delaying and exploiting the enemy is indispensable.

The Niger/Benue basin, in modern time is still a viable geopolitical asset for tactical defense, however, my use of it in the post is an analogy to represent a virtual political shield against vulnerabilities in the North.

The Northerner appreciate the loyalty they enjoy from the middle belt, the ties of alliance is almost inextricable. In exchange for support to the North, the middle belt is rewarded with state creations, military and civil service appointments and the opportunity to share in the ruling class, an otherwise unachievable position without this sponsorship from the North.

Left to its own destiny, the middle belt will sink in the political storm. It is propped up on the wings of the Islamic North and so in the face of repeated violence and targeted attacks against its majority Christian citizens, it maintains its membership in the Arewa Forum.

Katsumoto:

Alimi was a Fulani scholar who was well traveled within Yorubaland before settling at Ilorin after invitation from Afonja. His son Abdulsalam became emir after Afonja was killed.



He was eliminated because of the covert Fulani plan to take over Ilorin without waging war. The Fulani needed an outpost in Yorubaland from which they could conquer Yorubaland like they did to Hausaland. Solagberu who was the leader of the Yoruba Muslims from Oke Suna was also killed even though he had aligned with Abdulsalam and had equally turned his back on Afonja. Although Solagberu was killed because Abdulsalam thought that the Onikoyi of Ikoyi had submitted to his rule while Solagberu, Timi of Ede, and Toyeje the Kakanfo had laid seige at Ikoyi. At the end of the day, it wasn't about religion; it was about the Fulani need for power.



Heading out shortly, will be back to answer this.

karfe: Find attached map as a guide. Places in grey are MB areas attached to the Core North. In red are the Yoruba areas of Kwara and Kogi

Matlab:
First, I apologise for my use of language...and for having 'effing' idiots trying to decide about my fate, mine.
You did not decide my fate when I was born and it has nothing to do with all your fancies. I am from Kogi State, of Ebira Origin and from a spot that Lord Lugard deemed suitable as the capital of northern Nigeria and later that of Nigeria. I share no similarities with my neighbouring tribes except that we share more in common with the greatr pops; Igala for Ibo & Hausa/idoma and Ebira with Yoruba & Hausa. All your bickerings on this sare absolutley futile, core north and middle belt are all your fancies in divisions that get you nowhere...and no model you propose os viable across slices of race/religion....so pls....back-off!

PS: to Muslim haters; pretend you know the bible better and explain the xteristics of those mentioned in the revelations as the lost at the end-days, if it fits a Muslim, holla back

edoyad: Nice Map! How in heavens carnation did places like Kogi and Benue end up as north?