₦airaland Forum

Has he recovered from coronavirus?

tbtosine:
moja mosa la mo akinkanju okunrin. A man who know how to fight should also know how to retreat. Flee does not make them coward but to energies and strenghten thier power.

No no no that's cowardice.

If the brave man is defeated in internal crises, then when external crises comes what will happen. The brave will be humiliated.

Fleeing to where?
Are they cowards?

Dole-kaina: The Border Town Where Three Countries Meet

The border between Nigeria and Niger Republic runs through Dole Kaina, putting one half of the town in Kebbi State of Nigeria, while the other falls into Dosso State of Niger.

With half the town administered in English and the other in French, the River Niger running through it brings a strong Béninoise flavor, giving rise to a unique community in two countries with three nationalities, as our correspondent reports.

“I can speak Hausa, English, French and Zarma (a leading indigenous language in Niger Republic),” eight-year-old Muhammadu Wali said with a boyish grin on his face. The multilingual child had the opportunity to learn the languages having been born into a polyglot household in Dole-Kaina, a border town in Kebbi State, Nigeria, neighboring Niger and Benin Republics.

Apart from sitting on the border Dole Kaina banks the River Niger which stretches through Benin via Mallanville and Niger Republic. This convergence of borders and a river, gives the town a unique place in the economic activities of the region.

In this area, Dole sprawls like a blanket over the political borders drawn by European colonisers, which left half of Dole in Dandi Local Government of Kebbi State, Nigeria and the other half in Doutchi District, Dossso State of Niger Republic.

Both halves bear the same name, together they give one the experience of two countries within a twinkle of an eye. One only has to cross a narrow drainage to jump from one country to the other. Muhammadu Wali’s father, Mousa Ousmane, is one of those who has seized the opportunity offered by the border town to build a multiligual family.

A chance meeting with Ousmane at the Bakin Iyaka area of Dole, where Nigeria and Niger are separated by a drainage, reveals how he did it. Ousmane, a counsellor, representing Dole in Niger Republic tells us about the harmonious living among the twin communities, culminating in each of his three wives coming from a different country—Nigeria, Niger and Benin. His nine children speak Hausa, Zarma, English and French fluently and they are exposed to not only cuisines from the three countries but varying cultures as well.

“In Dole, you have people of the three countries doing a lot of things together socially, economically and in other respects,” he said. The district head of Dole-Kaina, Marafa Muhammadu Bello, who took over the throne in 2008, after the demise of his father, underscores the peace and harmony in Dole. “A portion of the town is being occupied by a community from Niger Republic and we are living peacefully with them. We are using the same Nigerian currency in our transactions, share one market, it is a common border, so free to the extent that you won’t know when you are in Niger Republic.

There is no such demarcation only some pillars which extends to Maiduguri, Borno State from Dole Kaina,” he said. On the relationship between the three countries he said, “We have pretty good understanding and cooperation among us. We hold security meetings with our neighboring countries. We are closely monitoring the movement of people going out and coming into our communities,” he said.

Dole Kaina is largely agrarian with three farming circles in a year bringing huge returns on rice, millet and sorghums, as well as vegetables. Muhammadu Bello says the presence of a significant water body has helped a lot in this regard. But the water has also resulted in occasional floods, such as the one experienced in 2018, which destroyed many homes and rendered many people homeless.

“The state governor showed concern over the plight of the people as he was visiting the victims every two days including on Sallah Day when he came to Dole Kaina directly from Eid praying ground to sympathize with us. “The governor is always there for us, he provided our farmers with fertilizer on loan and provided us with 80 hand pumps to ease our water problem,” he said.

He however noted that they lack a town road network which he said the state government had promised to provide soon. At the Palace of Sarkin Yamman Dole, on the Niger Republic side of town, the village head, Abdullahi Yamma, revealed that he had been on the throne for four decades. “For ages, there has been peaceful coexistence between the two Dole communities of the two countries.

There are inter-marriages between the two communities, which has enhanced cordial relations,” he said. “We are living in harmony with our Nigerian counterparts only the usual friction involving our youths. The youth of both sides tend to engage in brawls over girls, but we usually settle the cases amicably.” The Sarkin Yamma expressed satisfaction that during the 40 years of his tenure, the community witnessed developments in various sectors among them, the establishment of a police outpost to enhance security in the area, an ECOWAS modern market and modern telecommunication systems.

The Nigerien district head however lamented the frequent occurrence of flood in the area, which he said posed serious threats to them. He recalled the flood of 2018 which destroyed over 500 houses and farm lands. From the main road of Kamba-Dole-Kaina, the town looks like a sleepy community but on getting to the water front, it is a beehive of activities with canoe operators, businessmen and women, commercial motorcyclists, and consumers in the hustle and bustle of the harbour. For ages, Dole Kaina’s water front has been serving as a commercial hub for the people of Nigeria, Niger and Benin Republic.

The Dole Kaina waterfront at the outskirt of the town, a commercial nerve center where business transaction goes on daily especially on market days, which happens to be Wednesdays. The boatmen of Dole At the water front, transportation by canoe and other motorized boats is being conducted by people. The canoes range from the ones carrying passengers, to those ferrying goods, and others still convey livestock to various destination. Ibrahim Umar’s boat lay at anchor at the quayside. He arrived only some minute earlier. The boat man said they transport passengers from Dole Kaina to Yauri, Benin and some villages across Niger Republic daily.

“On our market days, it is usually busy for us. We have lots of passengers, livestock and goods to ferry across. The highest fee is N4, 000 and the lowest is N200,” he said. “We transport goods, foodstuffs, Livestock as well as passengers regularly. I got married, feed well and also take care of my family from this business,” he said. Ibrahim, who has clocked 17 years in what he termed a ‘lucrative’ transport business, said he only encountered a canoe accident once and survived it. The safety record, according to the Vice Chairman, Waterside Transport Association, Dole Kaina, Alhaji Sani Bulama, 46, may not be unconnected to stringent regulations. “We have over 50 canoes at the waterside with most of them coming from Benin and Niger Republic and youth are their paddlers,” he said.

The association moderates loading of passengers, goods and livestock into canoes and boats and are very strict about it. “We do not allow night travels and overloading, which greatly promotes sanity in the transportation business,” he said. He said that due to their control measures, there are few cases of canoe mishaps on the large water body.

The vice Chairman however requested for more life jackets and motorized canoes and boats from government to increase survival chances in case of any mishap. Close to the waterfront is a yard where engineers build canoes and repair dilapidated ones. Daily Trust met them working painstakingly on a large dilapidated goods canoe, which, according to them, can take 1,000 sacks of grains. Umaru Mamuda, 55, who specializes in canoe construction and renovations, said canoes are very costly to construct hence the reason transporters pay by installments before they own one.

“This big one you see is owned by one transporter, it costs over N2 million to put together,” he said pointing at an expansive boat on the water. Mamuda attributed this to the high cost of materials used in making canoes. “Some special planks of timber used in making the canoes cost N200, 000–N300, 000. Good canoes like this one can consume up to N2.4 million to build while passenger canoe cost N500,000 – N700,000 to make. So after collecting their canoe, customers pay back in instalments. We give our customers five months’ grace to complete the payment.”

He however decried late or delayedpayment by customers after collecting their work. The canoe expert said they also train youths to engage in canoe construction. “We have over 17 of them currently working under the engineer.” Nigerians and Nigeriens from Dole spoke highly of their enterprising nature. “We have viable economic and business activities,” Sarkin Yamma said. “Our people are highly engaged in businesses of various types, including textile, crops and livestock, making them self–reliant,” he said.

Hadiza Garba, 50, from Niger Republic who is into fish business, is happy to declare that she is living comfortably from her trade. Popularly known as ‘Kasuwa’ [market] because of her entrepreneurship, Hadiza buys fish from fishermen, smoke it and takes it to several markets across the area. She said she meets women from Nigeria, Benin and Niger republics at Lolo market. For Shuaibu Bagara, 57, a textile merchant who also transacts business regularly with people from the three countries, there are many reasons people love Dole Kaina. “Dole is a community which promotes self-sufficiency,” he said.

“This makes the Dole Kaina waterfront a beehive of business activities and a preferred

Source: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/dole-kaina-the-border-town-where-three-countries-meet.html

Cyberterror:
The op is a sentimental prick. Kaduna should be higher than Ibadan and even Kano. Many don't know that Kaduna is the deputy capital of Nigeria. Enugu is not supposed to be there. It is a civil service town with migrant student population and full of retirees. Owerri should be on that list representing the south east.

Owerri ?

Maybe everything now is a joke on nairaland where everyone even in midst of serious analysis comes in to type nonsense.

Owerri can't even be listed even in the first 15.

Igbosmoker:
I think you don't understand what I was trying to say.

You can't compare enugu and ibadan to Benin city when you are talking about economic activities because Benin city dwarfed them.

Ohkay, now I got your point. This your point is heavy but I hope you can back it up though I agree somehow of huge economic prowess going on in Benin.

You maybe right anyway but can't say for now.

Kpokrikpo:
No bro, they are part of the Nsukka cluster although they are in Enugu east senatorial zone for political reasons. Actually the proposed Adada state from Enugu is the Nsukka cluster, and Isi-uzo is part of it, someone even told me the bill was introduced by an Isi-uzo man

Which proposed state?

Enugu has 17 local governments and they are looking for new state. what about those that have 21 local governments.

Igbosmoker:
you can't compare enugu and ibadan when you are talking about economy and development activities.

If it was about state economy I'll agree anambra and ogun are better than Edo but enugu isn't better than Benin if we are fair

I agree with you on that at bolded because the comparison was flawed at the point...

Now the issue of Enugu and Benin. Can you add something little to draw the difference a bit. Maybe I can see beyond that.

Nice gesture.

mimimile93:
OK sir. If you talking Economy, Where is Anambra?

Just asked him same question?

Igbosmoker:
I'll put Benin and warri over them

Which warri and Benin?

Warri is a ghost town and nothing is there. It doesn't beat beat any of this town. Benin is even worst sef.

funnyboss:
As a Nigerian that has travelled and Shuttling between regions etc. This is my "unbiased and candid Arrangements:
1. Lagos
2. Kano
3. Port-Harcourt
4. Ibadan
5. Enugu
6. Kaduna
7. Abuja

My basis for the arrangement:
- Economic activity, which is Number 1 and the reason I can call a city developed in the first place
- Infrastructures which is number 2.

* Would have rated kaduna before Ibadan but like I said, my number 1 basis is Economic Activity.

* Quite difficult to determine which should come first, kaduna or Enugu but in this case, I used cleanliness lol. Or maybe I'm just biased. I love state of Enugu. Very good weather too hence Enugu came first. This is subject to criticism which I can agree.

* Would have rated Abuja over kaduna, Enugu, Port-Harcourt and even Ibadan BUT my number 1 priority is Economic activity. 2. Abuja is a transit town. Go to Abuja during festive seasons and you'll hate yourself. Everybody's gone back home. Abuja is not a serious town. It's economic activity is not stable and secured. Remove the seat of power from Abuja and you won't even see Abuja on the map again. It won't even stand close to nasarawa sef in terms of economic activity. Abuja is really fake and it's a civil service town. Not a town for serious business. Wise companies place their headquarters in Abuja but have what they call "corporate headquarters" in Lagos just in case lol. They are wise. Businesses in Abuja are just there to be closer to Government officials and nothing more. After they get what they want, THEY LEAVE.

Please "NEATNESS" wasn't a basis used as what's the use of neatness where there's no money.
Your constructive criticisms are welcomed. First picture Enugu

Economic activities as your criteria for this analysis. Then what is Abuja even Enugu doing here. Where is Anambra state?

Lagos, Kano and port Harcourt quite agreed.

seanwilliam:
I agree with you with this your response.. just that I think that if the sole aim of this is for profit, I'm sure lagos fits in perfectly

Profits can be maximised if all needed facilities are there and they can access it at standard rate.

If someone considers travelling abroad for a surgery but the facilities and doctors needed for same surgery are here, what do you think his option will be?

It will lessen his expenses and more family care been at home.

Gradually the facility will attend the needed status. No place is better.

Adefatima:
I heard they are in Anambra too face that one

Yawns.

MikeBetty:
It Is Waste Of Money Because It Is Not Built At Ikoyi Or Banana Island? Mek Una Leave The Man Who Sat Down, Planned, Drew And Executed The Project. He Knows What He Will Use It For. In Your Mind, A Man Who Built A Gigantic Structure Like This Will Not Construct Road To Access It? You Talk Of Airport, Hmmm, This Is Taking Panadol For Another Persons Headache. Anambra State Is Building Her Own Airport, Imo Airport Is There, Asaba Airport Is There, Enugu Airport Is There, Ebonyi Airport Is Under Construction. MYOB.

Even one is saying he should have build it in lagos. For what reason.

As if people in Ghana come to lagos for treatment...Lol.

seanwilliam:
as per naija standard, lagos is above all southeast combined, relating to subject of discourse

There is nothing like naija standard and lagos is not above any SE but previleges by FG given to ports and airports.

Let FG allow calabar, Akwaibom, rivers, warri seaport and onitsha river port function and see lagos closed down in few months.

What is in the lagos, same treatment someone in Bayelsa receives is the same treatment someone in lagos takes or there above sized hospital with proper equipment?

Let. FG allow all regions full foreign flight from their. Zones and see lagos decongest. Stop talking to much if facts are behind you.

The same centre and building will serve the whole nation if fully equipped with needed facilities. Hospitals in lagos are same with any other hospitals in Nigeria. No difference.

seanwilliam:
so people will come all the way from lagos, Abuja and Ports Harcourt to that place?? Sincerely the building is too good for the location.. lagos is the perfect place for it

Politicians that leave lagos and goes to abroad for medical check up, did you see them entering any sized building like this?

They only goes for the one with what they want, so Mr if the facilities is well equipped people from all works of life will visit there for their research.

Lagos is not any better place but glorified. If it is better the rich would have been treating themselves in lagos, making researches in lagos without moving outside the country.

So your reason can't hold an Inch.

2) THE YORUBA SOCIO-CULTURE
(around 40 million people).
This is the 2nd largest socio-cultural space in Nigeria, primarily located in the South-west and parts of the North-central geopolitical zones.
This socio-culture encapsulates the states of Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun and the majority of Kwara and Kogi West.
Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria being dominated by this socio-culture has seen to the cultural absorption of other peoples who are non-native to this region.
The people of this socio-culture are almost evenly divided religiously between muslims and christians, yet it is very peaceful and religion has not been able to divide this socio-culture unlike is seen in the North where religion is the major determinant of socio-cultural space.
The people of this socio-culture are the pioneers of western education and Pentecostal Christianity in Nigeria and this can readily be seen by the greatest concentration of not just universities but the best universities in Nigeria and the headquarters of most Pentecostal churches in Nigeria, thereby making it the center of religious tourism.
The people of this socio-culture are very very social, down to earth and very lively, little wonder they throw the best, most colorful and biggest parties in Nigeria and produce the best and most numerous music entertainers.
This socio-culture emphasizes the most on respect for elders and traditional authorities in Nigeria and the people of this socio-culture hold on to tradition the most among all others. This can be seen by the fact that native and tribal names are most held unto by these people unlike other parts of Nigeria where religious names and ridiculous western names have taken over.
You almost can never find anybody in this socio-culture answering a full official name like IBRAHIM MUSTAPHA AHMED or CHRISTIANA JOHN CHRISTOPHER as is sadly very rampant among all the other socio-cultures of Nigeria that one begins to wonder if the other peoples of Nigeria are an African people or they are probably an Arabic people or descendants of the Holy Roman empire.
The setbacks and negative stereotypes of this socio-culture by other Nigerians are strong fetish practices and beliefs which have seen to an upsurge of ritual killings.
Strong tribalism and tribal ignorance, for example, people of this socio-culture appear to be the only ones who do not acknowledge the existence of minority groups in Nigeria, hence it appears to them that every Southern minority from after Ore down to Calabar is seen as an Omo-Igbo while every Northern minority from after Lokoja/Ilorin is seen as a Hausa, which is very wrong and myopic.

Cowardice, treachery/backstabbing & extravagancy (in lavish partying) are also included.
Thuggery culture which manifests in various forms like Agbero (motor park touts), Owomida, Omo-onile are also included.

Abia1stSon:
Don't go there please. Abia state has no rival as far Nigeria is concerned.

Umuahia is a glorified village

Aba is a disgusting sewage pit toilet littered with bad roads and filth.

Ozugo.

Nwayo .

kikake:
Orlu and Okigwe in Imo state are on the same rot list with Aba.

Abia and Imo states established an unknown doctrine that states were created for state governors to first develop the state capital with funds of the State.

Rochas Okorocha in 8 years told whoever cared to listen: "I am building our dear State capital city to international standard."

Orlu and Okigwe decayed.

Owerri is like a century ahead of Orlu and Okigwe.

Is this your grouse for new state?

Orlu to Anambra is not far at all. let's focus on Adada state Biko Nwanne mmadu.

kikake:
Did they tell you that land mass is what is considered before creating a state in an area? If land mass is considered, present Imo State with capital at Owerri would never have been created. Because land mass of some northern states is more than land mass of the whole 5 southeast states put together.

History is considered for state creation.

Njaba State was about to be created in 2007.
But senator Arthur Nzeribe from Oguta local govt area who was on political rift against then gov Udenwa from Orlu started a problem.

Nzeribe requested that Orashi be called the 6th state in the SE, with capital in Oguta, but excluded Orlu.

But before then, Nzeribe had been pushing for Njaba state with capital at Orlu right from the 1970s.

The long rift then made Nsukka people heighten their demand for Adada state.
But who can divide Enugu area for the third time to get Adada as sixth state in the SE, whereas Njaba area remains untouched for the first time?

As you talk blind like you are from Imo East (Owerri) senatorial zone, be informed that people of old Anambra State knew that carving out oil- bearing Imo State from the old East Central State means leaving Ndi Anamba without oil producing status, yet Ndi Anambra did not object to carving Imo state with Owerri as capital from the old East Central State.

But Anambra today again now has oil. I don't see any reason or anything wrong if Enugu is splitted further because the landmas is quite okay.

Let me ask talking of Njaba state with your own geography how many local government will be moved from Anambra to the same Njaba state. I mean the neighboring towns.


How large will the state be?

Try and consider these on such scale not merely on political rift or undertone.

This is Intimidation on Dangote.

Multiplier7:
Now I know you are mentally deranged. Sorry for quoting you earlier

And as for you young man. Take your time and go through the thread from the beginning and observe that your people are the cause of this trash.

I have said it that Ebonyi should learn how to avoid any anambra thread if they can't bear to start unnecessary comparison. Let them avoid anything anambra thread and this impasse will end. It is not compulsory they will comment..

It has happened many times. They should learn to control themselves or avoid threads concerning Anambra state. For Christ sake both doesn't share any boundary or strong cultural ties for all these, Not at all.

somalianprince:
All that I stated are stark reality some people refused to say openly. The only difference is that i dared to say it openly.

You did well my saying it openly and that's good. I have also advised Ebonyians to avoid anything anambra or Anambra thread and this matters won't arise.

The reason is simple, they must write one rubbish or compare one flyover umahi is building is going to build.


I don't understand actually the basis of these comparisons sometimes

neoclassical:
What is wrong with some of you with your useless generalization? Though I am not from Abakaliki, but I am proudly from Ebonyi State, Afikpo precisely. Now, can we compare ourselves in terms of educational background, economic status or any other criterion or variable you may like to use. Enough of this disdain and insults on Ebonyians. I am in my early thirties, and I will round up my PhD program in Energy Economics a few months away. 80 percent of my siblings are Msc holders, same with many of my town people . Only a fool in his stupid thinking pattern and archaic innuendo will think poverty and educational backwardness are exclusive reserves for Ebonyians. If you think you are academically sound enough, I challenge you to a 30 minutes debate in this forum on any national topical issue of your choice. Nonsense

Nobody is comparing anything but I think you should caution your people and their inferiority complex to avoid any thread concerning Anambra state.

That should simply solve the issue. Any thread about anambra state they swoop into it like hungry lions looking for whom to devour.


Nobody is measuring anything but they should mind their business in a constructive way. Anambra and Ebonyi doesn't share border or road or cultural ties to warrant all these unnecessary comparison.

As for your PhD and masters, many have been doing thst. do is not new.

Obdk:
Ignorant villager

Serious one.

AuntLaVIV na Ajofia I want to see.

The music dey sweet me Biko.

Seasons of visiting.

RIP

That's good.
Boko Haram should be allowed to have peace.