₦airaland Forum

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From the trans-Atlantic slavery to the colonial times and the missionary sojourn. Ana-igbo has faced many an existential threats. These threats however,are mostly incurred by us,from the Igbos engaging in the art of slavery and letting go of their fellow kinsmen to aliens from far away continents. To the adoption of an unknown religion later to be known as Christianity. I will likely be naming two set of igbo migrants affected through the slavery,colonial and post-civil war times herein. First,the igbo sold out in slavery,some 400 years ago and their descendants dwelling in locations as the U.S,Caribbean islands and the south of the Americas. Are all keenly awakened of their roots mostly through DNA and this alone including other factors involved as mentioned in the book of Isaiah of the ancient Hebrew-torah(bible) had resulted and informed the decision of several African-Americans such as Danny glover,forest Whitaker and T.D jakes to have each visited ana-igbo but in these an occasions were given chieftaincy titles rather than having them join an Igbo-obi. Based on available facts,we know that the host communities here in ana-igbo weren't well informed about omenana culture,so therefore could be prone to these frivolities. Yet among the older igbo diaspora the renaissance seems to be flourishing more quickly like wildfire than another set of igbo migrants being those whom left shortly after the civil war. These latter groups of the igbo diaspora population were lacking of ana-igbo culture stemming from their desire to never had wanted anything else to do with the brethren back in the homeland. These groups of migrants discarded many an igbo age-longed customs and traditions for the ones of their respective host nations. Names were changed,inter-marriages were held,the religion of the host nations were adopted and practised.


In these scenario gave rise to people such as Eddie kwansa,whom in many an igbo circle was believed to have come to Ghana from owerri ana-igbo. The missionary sojourn in igbo land was part of the factors which influenced these sudden denial of one's culture and traditions to those of an alien value system. We can only get back to our one true self by calling out the wrongs,wherever it deems necessary and appropriate

Omenana is the only true Igbo religion,anything in contrast to these assertions could well amount to grievous sins. Omenana culture is our pride. Only its truest form practiced will draw Igbos more closer to chi-ukwu than any alien cultural and ethno-religious views and values.

This is a topic that most Igbos gladly ignore. It is unbecoming and unnecessary for Igbos to keep ignoring this issue. In true practice of our omenana culture and custom one selling off ana-obi(family compound) is tantamount to one selling his birthright. In ana-igbo. The obi(compound) goes to the first son of the man. Anything outside this arrangement is flawed else it could be bring issues that can spiral out of control.

Ala-igbo has been under many a heavy compromise,stemming mostly from its exposure to different cultures and religions. In this present era,one's practice of selling Ana-obi has been a rampant occurrence. Men of different beliefs and mindset now finds it commendable to sell off their piece of ancestral lands.I've witnessed such situations in many an occasion.


At my previous residential area in owerri,a man whom never was in harmony with the father until the former's demise,saw it worthwhile and as a means of living to sell off his father's Ana-obi. In fact the whole lands were auctioned off except the older building left behind by the late father. It's plainly abominable for one to sell off his ana-obi. Naboth a fellow Hebrew of old refused to sell the ana-obi to Ahab.

In my local community,my umunna had made it a frequent occurrence,to let go their ancestral lands(ana-igbo). Thing is the proceeds realized from its auctions are never utilized in tangible concerns,except consumption of alcohol,partying and engaging in other irresponsible activities. Once the money is over,they will find another to sell and the same thing continues over again. It is fast becoming a new normal in most parts of igbo land,especially the town of Aba. This menace has got to stop, It is foolish and unreasonable. All over the world, different peoples and race are finding real time solutions to their problems collectively and as individuals. To crown it all,we can get back to the old paradise ala-igbo once was before the advent of slavery, colonialism,missionary sojourns and introduction of alien cultural value. We can reclaim our heavenly ordained heritage by returning to the one true igbo culture and religion OMENANA which had knitted our lands for close to a thousand years before its contact with the Europeans. Only then can we see things through the eyes of God(Chi-ukwu) and not through those of the clergy and political elites.

Much has been said of the present state of affairs in our beloved homeland. But nothing else could be more delightful than seeing and having our brethren whom otherwise could have been easily swayed off by the teachings and trappings of the Christian faith return to omenala. These people returning to omenala tradition may have figured that without a concrete and workable approach to the development of igbo land,there would be no how this great land will work. Don't get me wrong entirely,we've had billionaires and multi-millionaires amongst us but that alone doesn't hold up a nation.


Most of enterprises built up by the older generations had gone into extinction. We've heard about EKELE DILI CHUKWU,ADAM & EVE MOTORS, etc. These had all gone away in just few years of the death of its founders. And with thousands of its employees layed off. But something, we aren't addressing as a people,is what really made these enterprises to actually fail. It wasn't the lack of foresight,insights nor ideas thereof. But "OMENALA TRADITION" mainly ignored and a practice of "WE ALONE" could do it,took center stage.



This amid other multi-million industrial and entrepreneurial concerns turned comatose. Just two weeks ago,I had to pass through an industrial zone of my hometown. I became amazed by the sheer number of industries in the area. My cab driver made it clear to me,that these factories in their peaks had employees numbering over 2 thousand and more. I began to inquire further,just to find out that those factories went aback due to unfavorable economic conditions. I smiled in my heart,but far from that,it wasn't alone the economy. YES our economic outlook isn't quite encouraging,but that alone cannot bring down factories already making giant strides in their areas of manufacturing base. It was the absence of "OMENALA" tradition being imbibed,adhered and practiced by the founders of those enterprises that made it to have gone to the winds in just less than 25 years of its founding.



It is a major concern and menace bedeviling the economic outlooks of the igbo. Many an igbo thinks along these lines of thoughts,that having an Igbo minister of transportation,finance, or even commerce and agriculture would change the igbo situation. That wouldn't even make a dent to the problems and challenges facing us a people. Without omenala the igbo worldview is bleak and uninspired. Without omenala the igbo is like a toothless bulldog fighting for a place in an ever changing dynamic world. I believe we can reach a consensus amongst our people from the academia,business,athletes to the common man(of course no one is common in the igbo omenala tradition) that our past has to be revisited and those things which knitted our people together could be worked upon and improved for the sake of future generations. Let us all bear in mind,that our progenitors had walked upon these paths before us. And may we seek the source of strength that had held those generations together in courage and goodwill find a thousand lights guide and shine us home as we make our lives a blessing to our people,Africa and the world.



The writer is an Activist,speaker,strategist and entrepreneur. He has written many articles published in dailies and magazines within and outside Nigeria.

Much has been said of the present state of affairs in our beloved homeland. But nothing else could be more delightful than seeing and having our brethren whom otherwise could have been easily swayed off by the teachings and trappings of the Christian faith return to omenala. These people returning to omenala tradition may have figured that without a concrete and workable approach to the development of igbo land,there would be no how this great land will work. Don't get me wrong entirely,we've had billionaires and multi-millionaires amongst us but that alone doesn't hold up a nation.


Most of enterprises built up by the older generations had gone into extinction. We've heard about EKELE DILI CHUKWU,ADAM & EVE MOTORS, etc. These had all gone away in just few years of the death of its founders. And with thousands of its employees layed off. But something, we aren't addressing as a people,is what really made these enterprises to actually fail. It wasn't the lack of foresight,insights nor ideas thereof. But "OMENALA TRADITION" mainly ignored and a practice of "WE ALONE" could do it,took center stage.



This amid other multi-million industrial and entrepreneurial concerns turned comatose. Just two weeks ago,I had to pass through an industrial zone of my hometown. I became amazed by the sheer number of industries in the area. My cab driver made it clear to me,that these factories in their peaks had employees numbering over 2 thousand and more. I began to inquire further,just to find out that those factories went aback due to unfavorable economic conditions. I smiled in my heart,but far from that,it wasn't alone the economy. YES our economic outlook isn't quite encouraging,but that alone cannot bring down factories already making giant strides in their areas of manufacturing base. It was the absence of "OMENALA" tradition being imbibed,adhered and practiced by the founders of those enterprises that made it to have gone to the winds in just less than 25 years of its founding.



It is a major concern and menace bedeviling the economic outlooks of the igbo. Many an igbo thinks along these lines of thoughts,that having an Igbo minister of transportation,finance, or even commerce and agriculture would change the igbo situation. That wouldn't even make a dent to the problems and challenges facing us a people. Without omenala the igbo worldview is bleak and uninspired. Without omenala the igbo is like a toothless bulldog fighting for a place in an ever changing dynamic world. I believe we can reach a consensus amongst our people from the academia,business,athletes to the common man(of course no one is common in the igbo omenala tradition) that our past has to be revisited and those things which knitted our people together could be worked upon and improved for the sake of future generations. Let us all bear in mind,that our progenitors had walked upon these paths before us. And may we seek the source of strength that had held those generations together in courage and goodwill find a thousand lights guide and shine us home as we make our lives a blessing to our people,Africa and the world.



The writer is an Activist,speaker,strategist and entrepreneur. He has written many articles published in dailies and magazines within and outside Nigeria.

You have no right to call me an idiot. I was here for an answer to problems. Be thoughtful in your comments.

It was posted with their consent.

That was my girl photo and the guys she was having an affair behind my back after all I did for her.

Sometime in early last year. I met a pretty damsel named grace nwahunnaya now a medical student at Abia state university uturu. And after a few weeks we began dating each other. I showered her with so much love and good times shared in between our daily schedules. We had 6 months of steady friendship. I made sure she was protected from harms way when ever she's out there alone. She also cared and watched out too for me. We encouraged each other alot. But suddenly around November last year she began distancing herself from me. Neither does she always pick my calls nor does she ever call back on her own free will.she never text nor cared about me. I thought maybe she was needing some space. But to no avail,things never improved. I maintained my cool amid all the shenanigans happening. It was later that I found out she was having an affair with her long time church member Emmanuel Santos. She had earlier claimed of always being busy. But it all boils down to one side of the whole thing. It was this said guy and another friend of hers named Bright Addison whom she calls her cousin that was having her behind my back. Especially whenever I'm out of town. The point is she admitted to cheating on me and equally was trying to justify it. Even with everything I did for her and the good times we shared. Dear naira Landers should I let go of it and forgive her quickly or should this relationship be dissolved immediately.
*The photos were uploaded with their consent.