₦airaland Forum

Over the weekend, I read the biography of Ferdinand Oyono. He is a famous writer of Cameroonian ancestry who came from a polygamous home. His mother was a devout catholic, and upon learning that her husband (Oyono's father, a polygamist) was marrying a 2nd wife, promptly divorced him. I don't know when this incident took place, but might have been in the 30's or 40's. And during that time, you can imagine that divorce was met with condemnation, so for a lady to have resolutely rejected polygamy in an African culture, where multiple marriages is sanctioned, her decision to end her marriage could be considered a rarity.

Over to another tragic love story about Camara Laye when his wife, Marie, upon being released from jail divorced him because he had married a second wife. Her decision was justified because she was Roman Catholic. Her husband's excuse of being prompted to bring in a second wife, on account of his ill health (and even the woman admitted so in an interview that her husband was in poor health), the welfare of their children, the last born being 5 months old when the mother embarked on that ill-fated trip to Conarky from Dakar to visit her father) fell on deaf ears. Seun argued with me that the woman had options, that was why she left the marriage. Granted this was in the 70's but women's status in the society was stifled by our culture, sexism and a reluctance to compete with men, for fear of being branded a "stubborn woman"

In today's age, women have acquired visibility in the society. Some of them have traversed into men's domain and have been successful in that regard. Some major corporations in the country are run by female CEO's. This advancement is not just limited to the western world, but has spread to Africa. Sirleaf Johnson broke grounds when she became the first woman president in Liberia, the first of its kind in Africa, when even the USA, reknowned for its women's rights have not produced a female president (Is Hillary running in 2008)? So, this brings me to this question, why is it in today's age, there are quite a number of woman, including those who regard themselves as Christians would subject themselves to this arrangement? Ok, pardon me for a second, I lived in Nigeria, and I know of some people who practised polygamy, while attending Christian services. At that time, it never dawned on me that it was wrong, because my culture had completely taken over my psyche. As I have grown older, and gotten involved in Christianity and have been exposed to stories of women divorcing their polygamous husband, because of their religion, I would think that others in the same boat would adamantly reject it.

So, I was surprised to read this interviews of women, on NigeriaWorld, who, when asked if they would accept a rival as a second wife, confessed rather reluctantly, that they would accept the situation. The topic was about chiildlessness in the marriage, and while one of them told the reporter that she would pray over it, her answer was no different from the rest of her contemporaries who admitted a reluctance in accepting the situation. One even told the reporter (one might consider her proposal a brazen act, since childlessness in our society is usually regarded as a woman's fault) that she would make sure that it wasnt her fault, but in the end, it boild down to an acceptance.

Earlier on when I posted my short story titled "Double Tragedy" which gave one an insight into the plight of widows in Nigeria, one of the respondents, wondered why any woman would willingly accept to be a slave in their marriage. I thought times have changed back home, apparently, there are some women back home who are still stuck in the past.

You can access the interview on this link.

http://odili.net/news/source/2006/dec/2/315.html

@omofineboy, yeah, I remember when hostel accomodation was 90 Naira per semester. It wasnt that bad. It is a different scenario today with the skyrocketing prices of hostel fees. Probably as expensive as renting a bunk off campus. I just don't know how people survive in Nigeria nowadays. School fees is just way out of reach for a lot of people back home, including federal universities, that in my set, was quite affordable.

You know what? IBB even tried in ameliorating the situation in a way, by introducing DFRII to instal pipe borne waters and electricity in the village. It may have been a failure, but there were some villages that benefitted from it. I used to read Newswatch magazine that did a feature on the merits of DFRII (Directorate for food, road and rural infrastructures). Then, when my cousin was at a federal school in the East, he told me that the Federal Government (under IBB) was building new science laboratories for the benefits of science students. Who remembers all those contests, like "Jet" science contests, put in place to motivate creative minds into action? What exactly has OBJ done? I used to receive Bursary from federal and Local Government. That is not in existence any longer. I just can't think of any redeeming or innovative ideas implemented by the current regime of OBJ. He probably is the worst president of Nigeria, not that I am exonerating IBB either.

Shame!!!

California has a reputation for its soaring real estate prices, but at the same time, those prices are different based on the locale. The east bay, like the oakland hills, nice and picturesque city is quite reasonable. You can snag a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo for under 400k. You just have to scout around for the best deal in a nice neighbourhood. And it pays also to haggle to bring down the price. Dont get me wrong, babyosis, I am not justifying the ridiculous prices of real estate in the bay area, but some people have choosen to live here rather than move out to other places. Atlanta, Detroit, and Dallas may be cheap but from news reports, the soaring rate of foreclosure in those three cities is probably above the national average. I was surprised when I read it, because one can get a decent house in Dallas for under 150k. It is a fact, since my cousin lives there. So, if the foreclosure rate is high, then that tells you their economy is not doing well.

While in MD last week, my aunt drove me around the city, showing me the prices of some houses in the Montogomery county area. She told me that a townhouse at her previous neighbourhood was going for 600k. No kidding. I was flabbergasted, because you can get a townhouse in the San Jose area for about that price, except the size would be relatively small. So, I'd rather choose to buy a 600k house in San Jose, with a relative spacious size and deal with the abundance of sunshine than be stuck inside my big mansion in the south, under gloomy weather.

Quite unbelievable that Luanda was a picturesque city.

When you visit California and experience the idyllic weather, the carefree nature of its inhabitants, the gorgeous scenery and the fact that earthquakes occur randomly, perhaps, that may convince you to quickly call(1-800-Go-Uhaul) to ship your belongings to California and live in a 'tiny old house'

True Christianity lies in the knowledge that Jesus Christ, the Creator of the World, the Son of the Almighty God, died for our sins on the cross, and rose again on the third day. He resurrected into Heaven and would come back to the world the 2nd time. Our belief lies in the fact that our sins can only be cleansed by the Blood of Jesus Christ, and that He alone is the Way to God.

@dolliepie, even way back in Naija, my aunt used to tell us that some residents of MD died of heat strokes. Could not believe it, neither did I know much about the ailment until I moved out here and found out that some residents, particularly the elderly are most vulnerable to heat strokes in the East Coast and the Chicago area. Baltimore is a nice city, but I understand, it is a crime infested city. Visited Columbia, a wealthy enclave of MD. I was in Silver Spring during my mini vacation, and I tell you, Nigerians, plenty for that area. Not too long ago, I read an article about the number of Nigerians living in MD. The population alone for Silver Spring was about 15,000 (hope my memory serves me well).

But what is the main attraction that lures Nigerians to Maryland? The place just did not really entice me, apart from my family members. Crime is too much, and real estate, though not as ridiculous as California, still is expensive.

Tanicarr, what is the name of this organization that you are in? Trust your instincts, most importantly, pray to God Almighty for guidance. If you suspect that your movements are curtailed by members of your organization, and you are restricted from receiving or visiting family members, then you are in a cult. Please, take note of that. Isolation is one of the ways that these organizations play on their members, and as some of us know, it is a stepping stone to abuse.

Dont delay.

Purgatory is not Biblical.

A pathetic continent, unfortunately.

dunno any for guys that has tickled my fancy.

The oil industries in Houston, along with its humidity may have been a magnet in attracting Nigerians to live there. But the heat in America can at times be unbearable, even worse than Naija. My cousins who were visiting from Naija were complaining of the humidity in Maryland over the summer. They told me that the weather in MD was hotter than Naija!

Quite unbelievable

I watched NTA news (channel 677) when I was in Silver Spring, Maryland for Thanksgiving. My aunt wasnt even aware that NTA is broadcasted live on Television, especially for those in the MD area, who are subscribers of Comcast. Nice work. It sort of brought floods of nice memories back home. Infact, I temporarily boycotted American programme for Naija programs, much to the slight reproach of my cousin. Not bad, not bad at all.



About Nigerians living in MD, nna, I wonder why them plenty for that area. I was at a party in DC over the weekend and it was hosted by Solitude. See Nigerians everywhere. Like a mini Nigerian community. Bay area, for wia? Still, I think Houston get plenty Naija pass MD, considering their mammoth size.

Cheers.

I watched NTA news in Maryland, during thanksgiving. Apparently, if you are a Nigerian, and reside in the Maryland area of the USA and are a subscriber of Comcast, chances are you could request for and have NTA news/program on TV. I was just watching Naija News in Yankee, part of my time in Maryland, to the consternation of my cousin. I even watched the Nigerian version of "Who wants to be a millionaire" on the Nigerian channel.

Emegwali could silence his critics, if he would go live on an interview with BBC or any other news organization, familiar with this controvery trailing him. Yeah, I did read an ad in Essence magazine a while ago about the internet being founded by him.

Not a girl's thing. What happens when you are a bachelor, living outside the confines of your parents abode? Lets say you move abroad, how you go chop? I realized the importance of cooking when I lived off campus in Nigeria.

@somebody, no need for name calling. The link alone has substantiated your earlier discourse on salary earnings in investment bankings.

Nobody knows when Jesus Christ will come back again, but one thing is certain, He will come back again.

Irrespective of who is telling the truth or not, my observation is that we should never use the conversion rate as a yardstick for comparing the cost of living between two nations. It does not come close at all. There is nobody in here who can convince me that a 25 thousand pounds a year salary in London is comparable to a year's earning of 5 million Naira in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, I would choose to earn 5 million Naira in Nigeria over 25 thousand pounds in Britain. I am not conversant with the tax system in Britain, but from my understanding, it is astronomically high.

I know someone who rents a bedroom apartment for 750 pounds a month, then add grocery bills, utilities, and other expenses, and by the end of the month, you might have little to account for. Whereas in Naija, that 5 million Naira would take you a long way back home. You would be taking home at least 200k a month, and if you reside in your family house, where you don't have to pay rent, ol'boy, you are seriously smiling to the bank.

As hard as this question may be, IIBB, in my opinion, holds the ignominous title as being Nigeria's worst president. It was during his regime that SAP was introduced, thereby introducing servere economic hardship in the society and destroying the middle class. "419" became an institution in his era, wasteful economic resources, chanelled into maintaining order in Liberia through ECOMOG, amidst economic hardship in the country and the loss of our best brains in the society to the western nation. IBB is a fraud.

Interesting thread indeed. I remember the scandalous episode in the 80's, I think, but the information was quite hazy then. Thanks to all for refreshing my memory about those mysterious suitcases. Yeah, indeed, this was a blemish on the regime of the Buhari/Idiagbon, because those duo had publicly distanced themselves from 2nd republic officials, jailing some of them on grounds of corruption. So, indeed, it was quite puzzling that Buhari and Idiagbon may have been somewhat connected to the mysterious suitcases.

@my2cents. It was actually Gowon, and not his finance minister who made the infamous quote, "Our problem is not with money, but on how to spend it".

Here is the link.

http://magazine.biafranigeriaworld.com/chinua-achebe/2005oct16-chinua-achebe-foundation-yakubu-gowon-interview-part-1.html

Honestly, I just flew in from Maryland into San Jose via the Minnesota airport this morning. And the bomb probably was planted/discovered, from what I read this morning. I wasnt even aware of the bomb threat, until I read your post. I then looked up the story online and found the link. Thank God for His protection. It would have been a tragedy.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/16103564.htm

@tyrex, lol this is funny .

but i've also noticed sumthin, how[b] comes[/b] even singers/musicians sometimes sing wrongly, grammatically.
especially Sean Paul. maybe it's only me, but i don't think so, somebody read the lyrics for temperature chorus. then ya'll tell me. 

Ndipe:

Why don't you take the time to edit your posts before laughing at people's grammatical blunders?

Not bragging or anything, but in Uk, is 37 thousand pounds, really a lot of money? From what I have gathered from people who have lived or visited London, that place is just too expensive. The salary that Shell is offering in London (29 thousand pounds) is rather low, in my opinion, and I would rather prefer to be an employee of Shell in Nigeria and be remunerated in Naira (some girl wrote that she was offered close to 6 million Naira a year), than to earn 28 thousand pounds and live in London.

The percentage of Nigerians moving back home from abroad (at least in the USA) is minimal, compared to the statistics of Nigerians back home, relocating to America. So, that should easily explain that life, at least economically is better in the USA for the average man, than it is in Nigeria.

Na English I go chop?

Bay area, California. You live in Malibu? That's S. California. A lot of Nigerians live in Los Angeles.

You cant expect a govt. owned news agency to turn against its owner by reporting on the negativity of their governement, without any serious repercussion. That is Africa for you, but even in developed countries like the USA, it is also the 'publisher that dictates the tune of the media'. Or do you think that if you were working for magazine, owned by a mogul with a penchant for scandal, you will be given the liberty to plaster their shortcomings on the front pages of the paper? I doubt it.