Hmm, awaiting anxiously about how this will turn out in the long run. I hope it will turn out to be a blessing, not a curse.

Almost all of francophone presidents are married to White or biracial women.  Nothing wrong with that, just doesn't set the pace for African leadership much.

^^^^I remember watching a documentary on Somalia and how "clans" and their respective warlords have been the major cause of the state of the country today. While they are are physically homogeneous and identify as Somali, they have a unique form of tribalism that has obviously gotten out of hand.

Much of Sub-Saharan Africa's problems are rooted in ethnocentrism and Xenophobia, IMO.

Thanks for the thoughtful message - I would also hope that you read my thoughts on how things are a two-way street with respect to politics here and have taken up an equal amount of understanding on your part, but whatever decision you take is up to you. Heh.

PhysicsQED:

Do Benin and Sapele people have a history of clashes or conflict with Northerners? No.

It's obvious why any Igbo + North thread is going to result in a lot of political discussion on this forum.

Yes I know this. I was trying to imply that Igbos posters here should not be told to "forgive" and "forget" anymore than the rest of the Nigerian posters should be told to stop applying bias (from the past) in their political assessment of Igbos. It goes both ways.

^^^Just want to say that Igbos are not arrogant  , or at least, not more arrogant than any other groups in Nigeria. What you see from the loud posters here may be a result of wanting to overcompensate politically for many of the perceived injustices they (i.e. the vocal Igbo posters on NL) ascribe to the experience of being Igbo, especially in light of Igbo history in post-independent Nigeria.

But do not generalize this towards the Igbo population, because as far as we know in real life, Igbos are not any more boisterous, arrogant, tribalist, or hateful than any other ethnicity.

You know this is true.

In fact, I will go further and say that there is latent resentment towards Igbos and whatever political opinion or situation they find themselves in. It may be me being hypocritical and drawing conclusions based on this one website (especially given the tribal bashing that may have caused many defensive and angry posts - a human thing to do, I guess). But I find it nonetheless interesting.

One example is this thread. I find it interesting that there isn't as much political implication in the threads discussing the earlier attacks on the Northerners in Benin and Sapele as there is in this one. Why is that?

Another example is that one thread discussing the ultimatum by a Biafran group (don't remember the name) giving Northerners a week to leave the South-East after the 3-day deadline given by Boko Haram to Southerners to vacate the North. I don't wish to recount the amount of vitriol and bile in that one thread by several non-igbo posters as a result of the news. You can do a search for the thread and read it yourself. I found that thread VERY off-putting seeing as there were similar ultimatums given in the South-South, and South-Western Region, as well as actual physical attacks on Northerners in other regions.

It is almost as if there is an interest in establishing a victor-vanquished role between the SE and Nigeria as far as this website/politics in general is concerned. So much so that the SE region is harshly judged for the same transgressions that are committed by other regions. Yeah it could just be people on the defensive from Igbo tribalists. However - I think many of the comments reveal the extent to which Igbo men and women are perceived by some people. I've come away thinking that that there is a slight stigma to being Igbo - whether this is true or not.

At the very least, have it at the back of your mind that it goes both ways.

As you implied, Nigeria is a very repressive country. All of the nastiness that we're seeing here is as a result of the Nigerian nature of sweeping things under the carpet until the dirt stinks to high heavens.

That being said, I'm kind of disappointed that most of the newly created ethnic threads in the political section are started by Igbos even after what it seems like an agreement for everyone to cool off. It may have something to do with what I explained  in the first paragraph but I wish those guys would cool it down  . It's not like discussions such as those will do anything positive so why start? Also the smilies and lighthearted references to killing people (per this thread) is disturbing. This is something I have noticed among many posters in the political section and it is sick.

Tribal, ethnic and religious affiliation are just superficial differences that result from circumstance. It's not so much of our doing that we are Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Muslim, or Christian than it is the will of fate and it is sad that many people don't realize that when they go about making negative generalizations about the character, beliefs or physical looks about people who are just as African, Black and suffering as they are.

I also strongly believe that Nigerian potential would be fully realized if the populace were homogeneous. I think that our number one undoing is this whole ethnic and religious hullabaloo that keeps us barking like wild dogs, feeling nothing close to love for Nigeria, and letting the real enemies continue to take us unaware while we do so.

It will actually be nice if a level of homogeneity is reached now but that won't happen in centuries - if Nigeria were to exist then, which is not likely, it seems.

I still love Nigeria and being Nigerian - despite it's many shortcomings. And there are many.

PROUD-IGBO:

^^^Hehehe . Bruh, sure you want to stick with that word 'propaganda'? Though some might argue that in trying to sell Nigeria, 'propaganda' is the only way to go .

Hitlers' Goebbels knows what i'm on about .

Our beliefs are disseminated through propaganda. Truth is not as cemented as we think it is.

How many Bollywood based, Middle-eastern based and Korean based celebrities will be recognized in Hollywood Boulevard?

People hate on this girl for whatever reason - So Nollywood celebrities shouldn't have fans?

There are so many downright untalented Hollywood stars that have fans and no one is complaining.

Sagamite:

Most likely due to drugs.

If it is due to drugs, as usual, I couldn't give a flying fck. Good riddance!

I'm sorry but this is not called for. 

Drug addiction is hard one to kick from all indications. We can't imagine what goes on behind the scenes and why she did what she did, so please don't judge.

It is interesting that many celebrities die from drug-related deaths - even the ones that seem sane and put together have issues. What is it about the Hollywood environment that enables drug dependency? Parties? Loneliness?

What? OMG, RIP

cheikh:

@Nnenna1
Why are you hung up on the 'distance' or 'geography' instead of the essence of my post?. Are there no small towns/villages close to Onitsha in Anambra state less than ten minutes drive away instead of crossing a perilous bridge into some other Igbo town? I guess you do not know much about Nigeria let alone about such subtleties/difference in attitudes.

You're yet to answer the inquiry and question I posed. Here they are again for your convenience:

^^^Are you trying to imply that other Igbo Cities have chaos and are comprised of a societal framework that is inherently bad?

I would like for you to explain what you mean by the nuances between the "so-called" Igbos across the Niger and the "real" Igbos, now that you're at it.

^^^Are you trying to imply that other Igbo Cities have chaos and are comprised of a societal framework that is inherently bad? 

I would like for you to explain what you mean by the nuances between the "so-called" Igbos across the Niger and the "real" Igbos, now that you're at it.

Btw, Asaba is just a small bridge away from Onitsha, unlike Aba and Owerri, which will take days on end to reach on foot.

I think Peacocks Guitar Band International has very nice beats. My favorite is Iwe Ewelam.

I do think that the golden age of highlife is gone. 60's and 70's music is exemplified by music bands/artists with "live" music and beats such as funk, highlife, and rock reflected this.

Today's music is very packaged (i.e. studio) with pop/hip-hop undertones, and "highlife" artists like Flavor Nabania fit more into the scheme. Pure Highlife songs being mega hits will look out of sync with the trends, to be honest.

Who knows though, 20-30 years from now pure "band" music could make a strong comeback.

^^^ While I appreciate the strides that Nollywood has made in terms of propelling many careers and putting Nigeria on the map (Entertainment wise), I think that holding them to standard rather than cutting them some slack because they embody Africans or haven't had the head-start that the likes of Bollywood and Hollywood have is essential.

Have you actually watched the average Nollywood movie? Sorry to say even with limited budget and time they can do SO MUCH better. I'm actually a fan and I watch these movies more than people I know but I'm calling it as I see it. Please note my criticism has nothing to do with the actors who bring these movies to light. I think they are actually on the same level as those in other countries (even better, on occasion) when it comes the average acting skills.

I'm talking about the incompetent movie crew and marketers. Even old-time movies such as Glamour Girls, True Confession, Rattle Snake, Out of Bounds, etc will show how the quality of direction and story has declined over the years, despite the upsurge in digital video technology and increase in numbers of actors and celebrities.

Please we Africans should learn to entrust more confidence to our entertainers and instill a sense of responsibility to quality. We should not exempt ourselves from such because we "are trying" with limited resources. Why should we always stick out as exemptions on a lower-end basis? Come on now.

Seeing as the movie industry is standalone, can't some individuals raise funds to buy real movie equipment and film editing studios that well-meaning producers can rent? How about scholarships for aspiring producers/directors to film schools in India or Asia or gigs in Bollywood, South African, or Asian movie sets to see how they do it? I will personally donate money if someone will run this initiative. May not be much, but I'm sure there are several who will feel passionate enough to render a little help too.

We have so many stories to tell but no one is telling them. Why create movies about semi-p0rn and meaningless campus blackberry escapades when we have books like The Concubine, No Longer at Ease, Half of a Yellow Sun, most of the Pacesetter novels from back in day? Historical landmarks, and even the seemingly mundane details of Nigerian life will make for more meaningful films than the trash we are seeing nowadays.

OMG 1000+ comments in this topic in the span of 4 days

Blood of Jesus! Una get time o,

BlackPikiN:

Boko Haram: Igbos are the most affected –Don
From BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Osogbo
Wednesday February 08, 2012
Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section

A university don, Professor Siyan Oyeweso has declared that the Igbo ethnic nationality suffered more than other nationalities in the country in the hands of the Boko Haram sect. Oyeweso, a professor of History who is also a former Provost of the College of Humanities and Culture, Osun State University disclosed that, about 80 percent of Igbos had been victims of the Bako Haram attacks, since the sect launched its attack in the North.

He urged the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the insecurity problem. He said Ojukwu represented a new era in Nigerian political history.?
Oyeweso who spoke at a colloquium on “Emeka Ojukwu: The end of an Era, said: “A critical and objective look at the causes, consequences and lessons of the Nigeria civil war showed that Ojukwu might not necessarily fit into all the negative appellations ascribed to him. The declaration of the sovereignty of the Republic of Biafra was a sectional resolve of the majority of the people of the Eastern region, rather than a personal action of Odumegwu Ojukwu.”

He insisted that the power struggles within the top military elite in Nigeria were responsible for the outbreak of the civil war and not the ambitions of Ojukwu.
“There is no time better than now, when Nigeria needs to reflect on the lesson of the civil war. The Political situation in the country now is not fundamentally different from what obtained in 1967 on the eve of the civil war. The big question is: Do we ever learn from history in Nigeria,” he submitted.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2012/feb/08/national-08-02-2012-0029.html

The colored does not make sense. I think he means that 80% of victims affected were Igbos - not that 80% of Igbos were affected. Or, I hope so. It would be more logical, though arguable.

exotik:

the cultural myth is that yoruba is not close to igbo.

stone/rock
yoruba - okuta
igbo - okute

masquerade
yoruba - ekpo
igbo - ekpo

money
yoruba - ogho
igbo - ego

amen
yoruba - ase
igbo - ise

orisha is a diety in both yoruba and igbo, and they both had bronze/brass casting.

and dat was just from the top of my head and im not an expert. so imagine if  experts in language and customs are to probe further, the results would be astonishing and you will find out these two noise makers in south of nigeria are actually one and same people formerly known as yorugbo

This is what I don't get - most southern groups in Nigeria have languages in the same language family. Whether you all here admit it or not we are more similar than we are different.

We all share some sort of "Nigerian" culture that almost inaccessible to outsiders. This is applicable to all Nigerians whether North or South.  

So of what use is this in-fighting? And why are elements in this website allowing all of this to go unhinged?

Madamot
Posts: 15

Offline

« #43 on: Yesterday at 11:03:53 AM »
I couldnt agree more with Onenewman, Nigerians!!!!!!!!!!!! When will all these tribal insults stop Nairaland used to be seen as a very important research tool and a veritable treasure for authentic research on Nigeria especially in far away lands. People would always go to Nairaland to get a 'feel' of Nigeria, it was a wonderful ambassador. I along with so many other people hardly come to this site anymore. Its now just a tribal bashing site, not particularly taken seriously by anyone. This I predict will be the beginning of the end of Nairaland as it just upsets and hurts too many people. I guess the owner of the site allows such tribal insults in order to attract traffic but believe me, when it gets to the point it has got to now, it is all over, mark my words, respectable and serious minded people have started visiting other rival sites which I wont name. What a shame on Nairaland, what a shame on the people who use the annonymity of the site to say thiings they would ordinarily shy away from, is that how your parents taught you?? So very sad. By the way, I am a Yoruba woman with friends and family all over Nigeria, they mean a lot to me and I refuse to be a part of this, not in my name!!!!!! Shame on Seun for not moderating his site with a sense of profound responsibility to himself, Nigeria and posterity!

My sister thank you.

[size=30pt]Seun - where are you and why have you chosen to be silent to the full blown madness exhibited in Nairaland? Does it not bother you that this site has sunk to new lows? Your silence is very telling!!!!!!![/size]

Haha i know this girl! She's prettier than the pics suggest.

Odunnu:

Nnoo

Dalu Nwa Nnem.

^^^Her facial features favor more of a central/south African look as opposed to west african. There's some Caucasian I agree but I think her facial southern African features are more dominant. Imagine a slightly broader neck and robust body, along with coarser hair and it's more obvious.

Her body and hair screams "white girl" .

Compare her with Bianca and Regina Askia, who look (to me) more "african" due to their body types:



[img]http://nigeriamovies.net/pictures/askia2.bmp[/img]

^^^^ even sef - in spite Regina having "light eyes," her facial "frame" and shoulders, etc differ from those of her daughter who is actually mixed race. This is despite their facial resemblance.

I don't think you'll find that many Igbos that look like Thandie.

It's more to do with her thin Caucasian body frame/ hair than her complexion and features (her facial features are not that Caucasian).

Real Africans tend to be robust and shaped differently (especially the women), even the skinny ones.

afam4eva:

Nigerians are really pathetic with the way they revere beautiful actors like Regina Askia and Van vicker who have little acting prowess just because they are fine. What is the obsession with actors who act American or have good command of english. This is Nigeria and nollywood is a mirror through which Nigeria is seen and you can't tell me that typical Nigerians speak impeccable english. We have millions of the so called mgbekes in the Nigerian society so why is it a problem if someone speaks english in an mgbeke or motor park accent? Do you see bollywood actors trying to act american? Why must we alwa
ys be the ones to copy everything.

I have no problem with the producers of these movies picking whoever they like for their movie because afterall it's a holywood(british) movie and not a Nigerian movie. But don't tell me that these american actors are better than the ones we have here in Nigeria. we have great actors that if given the same opportunity that people like thandie newton are given will do a better job.

It's also annoying that some people said that don cheadle did well in hotel rwanda despite the fact that he is not rwandan. In as much as i beleive that he tried his best but go and ask a true rwandan and they'll tell you that his his accent was not really rwandan. It's only if you're rwandan that you'll see the relatively terrible job that he did. The same way the "yoruba language" that was spoken in Monique's "phat girls" sounded very strange to me. But since it's an these are american movis, the audience won't know the differenece between a Nigerian and a Ghanian accent. I remember a hollywood movie where a supposed Yoruba buy was speaking Igbo as his language. Hollywood sef no dey try sometimes.

You have expressed my thoughts succinctly. Actually your bolded points speak more to Thiefofheart's comment about Nigerians being ashamed of themselves than how we view this movie's current cast. Thanks.

One thing that I have to emphasize again however is that the producers of the movie ultimately call the shots. I know we all have ideals about how this movie should go but Hollywood, like most things American/European, could care less about the little details concerning Africa. The things that we're worrying about will make no difference to the movie's bottom line, and profit is what the producers are after. Sad, but true.

We should be focusing on how to make Nollywood a powerhouse without changing the things that make it distinctly Nigerian.


@Tpia - Bianca is not mixed. Also I know several unmixed Igbos with that look.

Not sure about the other ladies in the pictures though.

If Sophie Okonedo is in this then I don't think Thandie will play olanna.

She always plays the somewhat "off" personality so they'll chuck her in as Kainene while Okonedo will play Olanna.

LMAO I think this movie will be horrible. Like "Beloved" with Oprah or something.

Na wa o, poor Nkiru. Abeg free the girl she is an ok actress sometimes.  

Good Girl:

Wow! I love this thread. Now, first things first.

Chimamanda in her book describes Olanna as a woman with some curves, the kind Richard's ex-girlfriend (the English lady) would refer to as her possessing "the African figure". In my mind, she probably had a shape like Gabrielle Union; kinda curvy, not really fat, but not pencil-thin either. She was also described as brown in colour unlike her sister Kainene and her mother (nicknamed "Art" who were both clearly described as ebony-skinned. I would say she was probably something like Chioma Chukwuka's shade or D'banj's or even Chimamanda Ngozi's skin tone. Something between cocoa-brown and mahogany. But for them to pick Thandie to play Olanna is the 2012 joke of the year. On the other hand, she could perfectly play the role of the Asaba lady who Olanna suspected slept with Odenigbo, as she was described as extremely light-skinned (almost pale) and very slender. But for her to portray Olanna? No!

Someone mentioned that Genevieve would play Kainene and I beg to differ. Yes, Genevieve would perfectly interpret Kainene's aloof character but I remember her being described as a tall, br[i]e[/i]astless, dark-skinned girl who wasn't exactly as pretty as Olanna. That's why Olanna was portrayed as "the beautiful sister". Genevieve on the other hand is GORGEOUS. She cannot play the role of the less pretty sister. She is also not tall.

Am assuming that Chiwetel Ejiofor will be playing the role of Odenigbo, Olanna's lover/later husband. Odenigbo was described as a very dark man with lots of hair on his body and not at all attractive, but confident and intelligent. Chiwetel is not dark in the African sense (the way Chimamanda descibed it in her book). Odenigbo was also portrayed as very unattractive, while Chiwetel is manageable (for lack of a better word). Other than that, Olanna always seemed taller than him when on heels. I get the impression that he wasn't such a tall man. Chiwetel is 5'10" tall. Odenigbo may have been 5'5" tall.

Patience Ozokwor would perfectly play the role of Odenigbo's mother. I could just see her while reading the book.  

I think Chimamanda herself should be consulted because only she is able to accurately point out what she wanted portrayed in her book, but whichever way we look at it, Thandie is the worst choice ever!

I can think of no one else that can play Kainene better than Genevieve. With the right make-up/outlook Genevieve can be dressed down to the point of being thought of as "attractive" (like Kainene) but not gorgeous. Genevieve is known for having a pretty face but a thin body as well. She can lose more weight if it calls for it.

I can see Chiwetel playing Odenigbo if he gains 20-30 pounds and is given a darker skin coloring.

But as I said this is a British Flick for a British/Western audience which will deviate in many ways than one from the book. We all have our ideas but I'm not sure that it will make a difference in the grande scheme of things.

People are mentioning films like "City of God" and "Slum Dog Millionaire" without realizing that the ideas and execution of those films were favored by the movie producers themselves. Movie producer no like = forget about it.

Anyway, African "hollywood" films haven't exactly been authentic. Western audiences don't know much about Africa and thus cannot tell if the African accents or portrayal suck so producers couldn't care less as long as they use familiar "black" hollywood faces and call it a day. Latin and Indian people have a more visible culture and I cannot see movies getting away with this as much. They can, but not really.

Nollywood should step up, IMO, so that people would stop looking to Oyibo produced movies for validation.

all4naija:

This disgusting petty tribal sense will never leave some Nigerians!

What is tribalistic about this discussion?

stillwater:

^^^I'm sorry but actresses like Nkiru Sylvanus should stick to playing house-girls. 'Too mgbekerish.' Goshhh!!!!

She is good when given the right direction. In my opinion. I enjoyed her in evil forest and terrible sin.

tpia@:

^^you dont sound hausa or fulani though.

you seem rather like negro nts himself.

LMAO funniest comment in here.

Nigerians have to shed this whole "local" "mgbeke" "Alata" thing they associate with authentic Nigerian movies which are just as effective and entertaining than their Hollywood (if not more so), given better technical leverage.

At the same time Nollywood producers should help us help ourselves.

coogar:

i know leonardo di caprio would play that role if you can have him covered up in black wax.
he's really good at what he does. he delivers better as a foreigner than an american that he is.

Naaaah I beg to differ. Outstanding actor though. I don't even think Forrest Whittaker can take on an authentic Nigerian role with his acclaimed work in the Last King of Scotland.