₦airaland Forum

PhysicsQED: Bino is an old Nupe term for the Kanuri, Germania (Germany) is a term from the Romans, although the real meaning/origin is not known, Katunga from the Hausa, Selemo/Iselema is an Ijaw name for the Itsekiri.

And of course other groups probably had their own outside names for these groups/places as well.

It appears to me that these names were the creation from outsiders. Wouldnt you agree?

Whats the meaning of Bini, as in Bini Kingdom?

If its true, this should be on front page and as a lesson to the public this man ought to be rewarded with a nomination into the governing council of the LG. A good apple in a basketful of rotten ones.

PhysicsQED: Well, there is some similarity in the writing style and the general content of your posts, and he does seem to be in a phase where he's expanding the number of his usernames, so it seemed reasonable enough to ask if you were him. I thought you were him, but he already knows that I'm Bini so I guess you're different people..

Perharps i should change my name or create additional one with negro in it and add to the confusion. lol

Lets see, Negro_of_Lagos; Negro_of_Bini. loll.

PhysicsQED: It's merely a popular nickname used by outsiders, like "Tapa" (Nupe), "Bino" (Kanuri), "Germany" (Deutschland), "Katunga" (Old Oyo), "Phoenicia" (Chanani, i.e, Canaanites), "Selemo/Iselema" (Itsekiri), etc.

Why that particular name was chosen as the nickname isn't entirely clear (although there are some popular Edo myths surrounding its origin, one of which you already posted earlier in this thread), but, like "Germany" (for Deutschland), the name is far too popular for its use to ever die out.

I believe peoole should know what these aliases stand for or their meaning if it has sustained these many years and became concrete to the culture. Some of the names you threw out here i never heard before. I know katunga for old Oyo and it stands for a walled city or citadel and ive heard Tapa but dont really know its meaning. I thought the alias for itsekiri was Ginuwa?

I apologize physics, i omittted couple of responses above. i scrolled up and i see your explanation. Let me read and learn., response coming

PhysicsQED: This part in bold comes from the "Bini" (Edo) - Egharevba was trying to figure out the origin of the exonym, and someone in Benin told him this story and he accepted it and published the story. Hence the endless repetition of that story in a variety of later sources.

Are you Negro_Ntns?

I ask, only because, like him, you seem to place an exaggerated importance on that exonym.

Is there some likeness in my manners and negros? Who was it, someone asked same question earlier this week, actually yesterday. Id love to know.

I saw your response to shymexx on Bini/Ijebu. Coincidentally he also mentioned chief negro and i think dudunegro. Are you Bini?

So whats the correct etymology of the word, independent of naptu's and egharevbas?

naptu2: The country became independent in 1960. The name at the time of independence was The Republic of Dahomey (named after the ancient kingdom of Dahomey). Dahomey suffered political instability after independence. At a point in time they had a joint presidency. Then Kerekou staged his coup. Political instability continued after Kerekou's coup (the internal affairs minister was executed, allegedly because the President caught him in bed with the First Lady).

Kerekou decided to do everything he could to unite the country. One of such measures was to change the name of the country (Dahomey was the name of the largest pre-colonial kingdom, but it was not the only pre-colonial kingdom in the country). On November 30th, 1975 he changed the name of the country to Republic of Benin (named after the Bight of Benin, which was named after the Kingdom of Bini in present day Nigeria).

Some Nigerians and Togolese still call Republic of Benin by its old name, Dahomey.

He had some nerve! whaatt

Anyway, I heard people call you an encyclopaedia; I believe it.

Thanks for sharing that knowledge.

Naptu, i see that they renamed in 1990/91 from Dahomey to Benin.

They new name was attribute of Bight of Benin which came from Kingdom of Benin which was so given by Oranmiyan.

Now, Binis always have their own palace version of history so lets wait and hear how Binis will respond to explain the meaning of Bini.

naptu2: When was the name "Dahomey" dropped and when was the name "Republic of Benin" adopted and why?

After independence and when they became a republic. Right?

naptu2: I forgot to include this in the list of controversies that I earlier posted.

Oranmiyan couldn't stand the constant upheavals and controversies in Igodomigodo and he renamed the place Ile-Ibinu (land of vexation/anger), which was subsequently shortened to Bini. It is believed that the word Benin is a portuguese corruption of Bini.

C'mon, naptu, be serious!
If thats the case who is angry at Republic of Benin/Bini? Why do they bear this name as well?

omonnakoda: That is a rather lame defence and distraction to the issue .You said that "Lagos colony represents the SW of today" your exact words .That is not true. The Colony of Lagos which is te correct term and not Lagos colony was not the SW of Nigeria . I corrected that so your new contribution is a DISTRACTION. that first statement was wrong.

Regarding the terminology of Protectorate of Lagos or Protectorate of the Western Province. Those terms have appeared at different places and different times but I have also seen them in historical records . It is rather churlish of you to say there was "NOTHING LIKE PROTECTORATE OF WESTERN PROVINCE" when even the original document that we are discussing here on this thread carries the term "Western Province" in SEVERAL places" rather than admit that you were wrong you seek to save face by creating confusion
Was it me that wrote that document which the OP introduced on the FIRST page

The fact is that Lagos was settled as a colony in the 1860s and the rest of SW Nigeria pacified incrementally over time and different Historical documents have shown Colony and Protectorate of Lagos or Colony and Protectorate of Western Province While many have even suggested that SW was part of the Southern Protectorate( an error in my opinion). What is certain is the term Protectorate of Western Province was widely used in document from that period.

There is an argument, a baseless one from the S East, suggesting that SW was an after thought in its membership of the nation. Their argument is that Southern Protectorate was the only viable and self sufficient region and West was never part of that prosperity to begin with. They go further to argue that North and West were extra burdens and if it were possible to reverse the unification of Nigeria the divisions should follow that old demarcation boundaries before 1914 and 1906. If that is achieved a net geographical land comprising SS, SE will be all that is left as a contigous nation and can bear the old name Southern Nigeria.

This scheme, a deluded idea concocted by disturbed spirits, is another route of achieving what Biafra failed to accomplish and is sponsored by BILIE - Biafran Indigenes Living In Exile.

We have records that proves Iboland was a commercial posession of a merchant company, Royal Niger Company. If we go back to pre 1906 arrangement, West and Lagos should go back into their regional bloc; since we no longer have RNC, Iboland should be put back on the auction block for Israel to bid on.

shymexx: I think the name came from the Bight of Benin. It has absolutely nothing to do with the exploits of Benin empire.

What does this Benin mean?

ShymmexLion: PhysicsQED

You still haven't provided any substantial proof of the conquest of Ijebuland by Benin. At least, if Benin sujugated the Ijebu's at one time or the other, in the past, there should be elements of Benin culture (Even if not Benin crown in the case of Eko and other Benin colonies) in Ijebuland, like the Benin's have in all its conquered territories - and same with the elements of Yoruba culture Oyo have in all its conquered territories. You need to cite which elements of Ijebu culture have their origins in Benin.

Yes, Ijebu's did use a few Benin mercenaries - just as it used Ibadan and other Yoruba subgroup's mercenaries. However, by your conclusions, one would assume that Ibadan and all these other Yoruba subgroups also subjugated the Ijebu's. However that wasn't the case.

Also, as Terracotta pointed out on the other thread, the claim of Ijebu subjugation by the Benin's only came from one source, in the Benin palace. Same with the Ijebu subjugation by Oyo. However, none has been able to provide substantial proofs for this. And the Ijebu's have vehemently denied that it happened.

Ijebu's can also claim that it subjugated the Benin's in the past by laying claims to the worship of Olokun by the Benin's. The only two riverine/coastal groups close to the Benin's who worship Olokun are the Ijebu's and Itsekiri's. And with the Itsekiri's, the Ijebu group which formed part of today's Itsekiri group took the Olokun worship to Warri. The other groups that are part of the Itsekiri's (Ilaje's, Ijesa's and Igala) have never at any point in their history worshipped Olokun. So evidently, we can say the Olokun worship got into Benin via the Ijebu's.

Finally, anyone could claim dominion over other groups (just as Olu_kenzo did with the Egba's earlier on this thread) and most do it based on fallacies to boost the pseudo-greatness of their group (not taking anything away from the might and imperialistic nature of ancient Benin). However, when there's no substantial proof to back it up and the other group has come out to vehemently deny that it ever happened - then you have to discount the claims. I've seen people claim that Benin empire got to present day Togo and Ghana, and that the name for Benin (country) came from Benin empire. However, every student of history knows that these are bogus assertions which have no place in the history books.

PS: Terracotta isn't Ijebu, he's most likely from the Oyo/Ibadan axis. And he also vehemently disagreed with the Oyo claims that it subjugated the Ijebu's in the past. He's the most objective on this subject-matter. Yes, he admires the Ijebu's, just as a lot of people including, Chief Negro_ntns/Dudu_negro, does. However that doesn't negate his objectivity since he also argued against the claims made by his own Yoruba group. Ijebu's have a great history and culture - and it's only right that tons of people admire the exploits of the Ijebu's and what they contributed to African history.

Shalom!

Has anyone ever bother to enquire in here how is it that we have a Bini country to one side of Yoruba kingdoms and a Bini state to the other side?

Is it Benin or Bini?

What is the meaning of Bini in Yoruba?
What does it mean in Edo?
What does it mean in Ewe?

pazienza: There was nothing like colony and protectorate of western province. What existed was colony and protectorate of lagos,which covered the whole of SW of today,except owo axis,which was part of protectorate of southern Nigeria,which represents today's SE and SS,with headquarters at Calabar.

The almagation of colony of lagos(today's Sw) with the protectorate southern nigeria in 1906 by sir walter egerton gave rise to the colony and protectorate of southern nigeria, with the people of former protecterate of southern Nigeria losing out, as calabar was replaced with lagos as the administrative headquaters of the newly amalgamated entity.

This is history as 'we' know it.

SE was under Royal Niger Company Charter and was later traded to the Colonial government as a settlement for British control hinterland.

ichidodo: Do your worse, coward.

Lol.

World Igbo Congress has written UN asking for protection for Igbo people.

Ohanaeze has written UN and ICJ protesting the human rights of Igbos is violated.

MASSOB has penned a letter begging UN to protect Biafran interests.

BILIE has protested to ICJ and also written UN to protect Igbo from annihilation.

Now, ichido or whatever you call yourself, why are these cowards begging for protection, whats wrong with self-protection?

What concerns me most is President Obama's temperament in the course of conflict. He does not have the carry-through, the "stay" to see to the end if the war is protracted beyond its projection. When images of casualties start to come in, bloodied babies with half their scalp gone or pregnant women with bowels and unborn baby ripped by shrapnels, or even US soldiers returning home in caskets, Mr Obama's gentle constitution is bound to be affected and like now where he is making an about face that he cant retreat from, he will be forced to make a choice between withdrawing and going in deep and heavy with deployments of drone. If he withdraws, he is doomed politically; if he intensifies the battle his action will no longer be short term and risks throwing insurgents of Iraq back into the fray, al Qaeda will identify a new cause for martydorm and instability will spread through ME. What has taken decades of hard word to install will crumble in matters of months and the legacy of Obama as a Nobel Peace Laureate will suffer an irreparable damage.

During Iraq war, Syria and Iran, two of Iraq neighbors did not join the coalition but they did not support Iraq either. Its a different dimension in this case. Syria has military support beyond its borders.

US said this will be limited action and on a controlled scale. This was said about Vietnam, it was said about Afghanistan, it was said about Iraq. Each of those theaters proved their forecast short on its promises. US can predict what it will do but must not and cannot determine how the opposition will react and the response that the reaction could trigger within their own strategy.

Republicans are determined to vindicate GW Bush. This is their opportunity to do it and who is better to do it than the successor whose victory into White House was predicated on anti-Bush war and was rewarded with Nobel prize? Republicans didn't know how to wrestle power from Democrats in 2016 but they have discovered it with this mission.

This is going to be President Obama's war. Let's wish him luck as we prepare to witness another bloody tragedy on a global scale.

@Akins,

Gumi is expressing the political view of Saudi Government, forget all that rant about what Quran said. Saudi has chosen to step out of the fold, by all means, if it keeps democracy away from its soil.

ngozievergreen: can u stop these legacy tnz.
U could av asked abt d legacies of d gov prior to Orji uzor then.
Abeg......
All Aba needs are reconstucted roads, full stop!
The citizens can provide d rest. If d city is industrial and commercial without roads, the sky is their limit with good roads.

No. Tinubu has been out of government house a long time, has that calmed you from blaming toll gates and taxation on him?

I hear Orji is deriving IGR by taxing truck pushers and dolly operators. Arent you glad Biafra failed? ngozi, shout One Nigeria, followed by Halleluyah for the loving God of Gowon and Awolowo who rescued you from the imminent doom orchestrated by Ojukwu.

chukwudi44: Why don't you cowards start burning up the country now so we will take you people serious

The burning has not started and you are already writing letter to UN asking for protection. If the burning starts now many of you will camp out as refugees at UN doorstep.

Be careful what you ask for.

May his soul rest in peace.

I don't mean to take away from the fun and ngozi's entertainment, but I came across the genesis of this policy on Yoruba as language of instruction and want to share.

BY AKINTAYO ABODUNRIN
December 19, 2009 08:55PMT   

No one anticipated Bisi Ogunsina's move. The professor of Linguistics at the University of Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, who delivered the 3rd Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa memorial lecture on Monday, December 7, gave no inkling he would eventually adopt Yoruba until well into the lecture. Speaking on the topic, ‘Yoruba Philosophy in the Novels of D. O. Fagunwa: Implication for Indigenous Language Teaching in Nigeria' at the Afe Babalola hall of the University of Lagos, Ogunsina chose not to toe the path of his predecessors. Ayo Bamgbose and Olaoye Abioye (translator of Fagunwa's five novels into French) who delivered the first and second memorial lectures in 2007 and 2008 did so in English. Ogunsina however underscored the resolve of the D.O. Fagunwa Foundation's commitment to promote speaking in the mother tongue with his decision. A rousing applause followed his move.


Immortal works

Fagunwa, according to Ogunsina, was a compassionate and altruistic man who has placed the Yoruba on the world map. After a detailed explanation of philosophy and its components, the guest lecturer held that elements that constitute philosophy-metaphysics, ethics and epistemology, are present in Fagunwa's novels. Ogunsina added that all of the late author's works confirm that he is a gifted, exceptional writer. "He is one of those that have written immortal works in Yoruba, he is a pride to the Yoruba." The lecturer also noted that quest, mystery and other elements that human beings encounter in their journey through life are evident in works like ‘Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole', ‘Ireke Onibudo', ‘Adiitu Olodumare' and the other works."There are immortal lessons in his works," Ogunsina said. "Fagunwa was a master. The South West states should give him a merit award for his invaluable contributions," he added.

Ogunsina further likened the late headmaster of Saint Andrews Primary School, Oyo to Imodoye, the wise character in his ‘Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole.' "Fagunwa gan ni Imodoye, ohun loye ka fi je oye Imodoye of Yoruba land (Fagunwa is really Imodoye, he should be awarded the title of Imodoye of Yoruba land), the linguist noted in Yoruba, adding that, "Language becomes a vivid, descriptive tool in his hand."He further affirmed, "Fagunwa's works are a challenge to every Yoruba. He used Yoruba when English was in vogue and showed that no language is superior. Fagunwa is to Yoruba what John Spencer is to English novels.

It is time to write in indigenous languages so that our language doesn't become extinct. Knowledge abounds in Africa, if we use it well, we will have enough and develop from generation to generation," Ogunsina concluded to a standing ovation.


The mother tongue.

Other speakers had reinforced the importance of promoting indigenous languages before the lecture. Ibukunade Sijuwola, Fagunwa's oldest child and chair of the Fagunwa Foundation disclosed that, "The foundation was, and is still keen on organising a stakeholder's conference on the use of the mother tongue as a medium of teaching in all our nursery schools. The National Policy on Education has already stipulated that the mother tongue be used in the nursery schools but no school is implementing this directive."English is still used in all schools in the South West Nigeria. Our thinking is that no matter how much we yearn or wish that our children should speak, understand and appreciate our language, there will be no progress unless the state government makes it compulsory for the usage of the mother tongue in nursery schools."She thanked Chams Plc, sponsor of a theatre series involving the adaptation of Fagunwa's novels for the stage and the University of Lagos for creating space in the institution's main library to accommodate materials on the author.

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, represented by Adetunji Adebiyi, renewed the call for the use of indigenous languages as a medium of speech and instruction. The governor referenced Ngugi's decision to write in his native Gikuyu and former Minister of Education, Aliyu Babatunde Fafunwa's experiment at Ife in the 70s when students were taught in Yoruba to underscore the advantage of using the mother tongue.He said of Fagunwa: "He was first to write in Yoruba language and blazed the trail for others to follow. This is genius." He added, "Maybe if he had lived longer, we would have been celebrating another Nobel Laureate. His works preaches love and courage. Issues that are timeless and universal."Retired Army general, Alani Akinrinade also urged the gathering to learn from Fagunwa by promoting "our language and culture."Former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was represented by Dele Alake noted, "We mustn't forget our roots." He prayed that Fagunwa's name will not disappear in Nigeria, Africa and the world. "Tinubu said to urge you in Fagunwa's name that we should go back to the roots, to speak Yoruba to our children so they won't get lost," Alake who gave a cheque of N500, 000 on behalf of his principal to support the foundation, added.

Playwright Akinwumi Isola, Duro Oni, Ropo Sekoni, poet Odia Ofeimun, cahir of the Fagunwa Foundation, Olu Falomo, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Tolu Odugbemi and other eminent Nigerians were at the lecture.

ngozievergreen: not just one street, one part of d cemetary road, taken from diff views.

T. A orji was disgraced at aba over his non chalance and incompetence.
In turn, d gov swore he wont do anything for dem till he finishes.
the man is a disgrace

Okay so lets say T. Orji hates them, does Uzor Kalu hate them also? So where are images of what legacy Kalu left for Aba, where are his developments?

Each regime builds upon the success of the office it occupies. What success did Orji Uzor Kalu left for Theodore Orji to build on? Apparently none!

You can't tell me these communities and roads in these pictures were far better than these and were drivable and the grass and bushes were manicured and the houses had fresh paints and drainage was efficient during the regime of Kalu.

In response to those suggesting Bini in Lagos is a different ethnicity to Yoruba in Lagos, read the following and reflect on why we dont have Ogiso in Lagos.

Main article: Oba of Benin.

The mythic origins of Benin state that the city was originally under the rule of Ogisos, meaning "Kings of the Sky". When the last Ogiso died, the nobles and chiefs disagreed over who would be the next Ogiso, so the Benin sent a message to Ife to the Ooni (Oghene) of Ile-Ife, Oba Oduduwa, the king of Ife.

Benin's nobles asked him to send them a king; eventually Oduduwa sent to them his grandson, prince Oranmiyan. When Oranmiyan came to Benin, he struggled with the culture and customs of the Benin people. Because of his own difficulties acclimating to his new kingdom, Oba Oranmiyan changed the name of the city to Ile-Ibinu (1180-1897) which in the Yoruba language means the "Land of Vexation," and decided to leave the city. However, before leaving Benin, Oranmiyan had a son, Eweka, by princess Erimwinde. When Oranmiyan heard of this, he sent to him seven marbles for the child to play with. One day, as the prince was playing, one of the marbles broke. He immediately said "owomika!" or "eweka!", meaning "I succeeded!"

He immediately became the first Oba of Benin, Oba Eweka I. Oba Eweka was the first to reject the title of the native Benin "Ogiso" and took the title "Oba," meaning 'king' in the Yoruba language. Allegedly Oba Eweka later changed the name of the city of Ile-Ibinu, the capital of the Benin kingdom, to "Ubinu." Around 1470, Ewuare changed the name of the state to Edo.[2] This was about the time the people of Okpekpe migrated from Benin City.

For years, without pictures and without first hand images to say otherwise, we were fed lies and deception about what Abia State and Aba is made of. While cities in West and North were showcased in pictures, videos and images and all were readily critiqued, most intensely by SEasterners, cities in the East were veiled from view and scrutiny. These pictures say plenty.

We continue to hear about greatness in Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi. I wonder what the truth will reveal when their images are brought out to our view.

On a more general note, if Nigeria were to split today, many Ndigbos, for several reasons will seek asylum in West and North and refuse to go back home to the joy of a new nation and self-rule. Many in North will convert to Islam and those in West will adopt Oduduwa citizenship.

The fear of existing as an osu in a nation ruled by freeborns is what is keeping plenty Igbos from returming home today, it will continue to be a factor after Nigeria.

[quote author=IGBO-SON]All you've done here is to expose the results of the grand scheme to render Ndigbo economically marginalised by your kind! You should expect those figures you have up there when there's been no international gateway in the South East; no dredging of River Niger all these decades to facilitate the emergence of a thriving river port at Onitsha (and Oguta).....which would have been a money-spinner by now if it had been in operation these past 4 decades; when the oyel bearing communities in the South East are sliced, diced and placed in other zones just to deny Igbo states the 13% revenue they would have gained from these wells; when there's been no plans or intention to build a deep sea port at Ibaka (until the coming of GEJ) which would benefit the whole Eastern Region and would have spurred on economic growth in the area; when commercial and industrial cities like Onitsha, Aba and Nnewi are neglected by the centre as it concentrates all efforts in Lagos (with Ogun benefitting by its proximity); propping it up with the only int'l gateway for decades (by sea and air), hence attracting businesses, industries, int'l investors and visitors to one region while others are left to struggle and get by on 'localised effort' alone; when oyel discoveries in the South East are not allowed to be exploited (until the coming of GEJ) under the guise of them being national reserves (or some silly thing of that nature), while billions are spent trying to find oyel in the north!

Dude i could go on and on! This is just the wickedness out in the open.....the one we know of! You can bet your last naira that a lot more subterfuge and wuruwuru would have been going on behind the scenes to emasculate Ndigbo by hateful bastards such as yourself!


PS- have a lovely sunday! [/quote]Hold on, Ogun state does not have a port and neither does Oyo state. They are both self sustaining so far. If oil revenue and sharing stops they will not go bankrupt. Please, stop hiding under absence of port to excuse lack of vision by SE leaders. Industrious is not in cries, we need to see result of industrious Igbos on the ground.

Naptu,

It is amazing to see these changes in your picture. This is one reason im against building more bridges in Lagos, they are menace to the landscape. I love the open, navigable McGregor of the 50s to what it has become in the later years. My mom told me she and her friends used to go to the beach at Unilag and along the banks at Onike to trap crabs and catch shrimps and lobsters. 3rd mainland bridge changed the landscape of the waterfront at Onike. We ended up with Makoko, a slum.

V.I may no longer have surface water sorrounding but I believe the name should be retained for historical value and not changed.

McGregor canal is an inlet of Lagos Lagoon beginning at Obalende and dumps back into the Lagoon at Onikan end of Marina.

Driving from Yaba on 3rd Mainland, exit at Obalende. At the foot of the exit;

1. If you go straight you will be going to Moloney.

2.If you turn right you will be going into Lafiaji and Sandgrouse.

3. If you turn left you will go underpass the 3rd mainland heading to Obalende and Dodan Barracks. There is a canal running underneath you when you make this left turn. This is the inlet of the McGregor.

Also, coming from Falomo, go past polo grounds, go past Keffi and you will go over a bridge before you connect to Onikan. This canal runs under this bridge and flows outward to the marina.

[quote author=Murder_X]The defence chief informed that he is ready to release his missiles once the executive order to strike is given. All is set now what they need now is congress support. The british parliament seems to have changed the game, I think if they hadn't voted a NO by now it would have been a different story.

We should learn to discuss global politics, it also affects us directly.[/quote]Yes, global politics affect us directly and i am not novice in global affairs or its analysis, however, isnt it time that America change its game plan and approach to the porting of democratic principles and corporate capitalism around the globe?

Its almost predictable that they willl oust Assad and in the end install a regime which in few months from now they will decry as human rights violators. Time after time, go in the history, every regime ever installed by America has turned out to be a failure and against the people their crusade is advocaying to save.

How is Syria going to be different from the falsehood of Iraq?