₦airaland Forum

These figures illustarte the growth of these ethnicities during the period between August 2011 and May 2012:

Yoruba - 174% increase

Igbo - 147% increase

Ijaw - 260% increase

Bini - 100% increase

Hausa - 225% increase

Ibibio/Efik/Annang - 163% increase

Isoko - 100% increase

Urhobo - 357% increase

Fulani - 600% increase

Kanuri - 400% increase

Tiv - 1400% increase

Igala/Idoma - 725% increase

Itsekiri - 466% increase

Based on the results of this poll, the Igbo and Yoruba are nearly equal in numbers and constitute 65 percent of Nairaland while, as of now, the Yoruba are slightly the larger of the two.

Most populous ethnicites on Nairaland (based on results of the poll):

Yoruba
Igbo
Bini
Ibibio/Efik/Annang
Itsekiri
Hausa
Ijaw
Urhobo
Nupe
Esan

@ Everyone

Before I start the analyzation of the poll, I'd like to thank everyone that voted for their cooperation and effort. These figures are not exact or approximate, but they paint a rough picture of the size of the listed groups.

Analyzation
This year's poll was a success and we polled 879 votes which is a 51 percent increase from last year's 444.

Hausa - 27 (3%)

Nupe - 18 (2%)

Igbo - 282 (32%)

Yoruba - 289 (33%)

Fulani - 12 (1%)

Ibibio/Efik/Annang - 31 (4%)

Igala - 7 (1%)

Idoma - 20 (2%)

Bini - 40 (5%)

Itsekiri - 29 (3%)

Urhobo - 21 (2%)

Isoko - 16 (2%)

Ijaw - 26 (3%)

Kanuri - 8 (1%)

Tiv - 14 (2%)

Esan - 16 (2%)

Jukun - 5 (1%)

Ebira - 10 (1%)

Gwari - 8 (1%)


Note: The figures were rounded to the nearest tenth.

PhysicsQED: And you seem to be assuming that there isn't. Why?

If I came in and my group wasn't listed I wouldn't bother to identify myself or post in hopes of starting some spontaneous running tally in this thread of members of my ethnic group. I would just leave. The assumption I'm making is that this is standard, normal human behavior and is what most people would do.

The groups represented make up upwards of 85 percent of Nigeria's population. No election is perfedt, even in the physical world. Everyone capable of voting never votes in physical elections so the same factor must be accounted for on e-elections. Wwe cna infer that the majority of those who were capable of voting did vote. For example, it is more likely for an Urhobo to be on Nairaland than it is for a Northern minority simply because of the population ratio. If two groups are of equal population and one is from the south while the other from the north, we can say that the Southern group is more likely to be present on Niaraland since most Nairalanders are Southerners...

As for those groups who were not included...
It is virtually impossible to include every thnicity. We ourselves don;t know exactly how many peoples Nigeria has. Some say over while others say over 500. The main idea is that no matter what is done, there will always be a group that will be excluded. However, as time progresses, more groups will be included in the poll. If you noticed, this year's poll had more groups than last year's.

ChinenyeN: "My brother, we are no longer in the year 1880, this is 2012"; Why do people insist on making these kinds of arguments as if it really means anything?

Someone being aware of his/her environment does not mean that they must force themselves to accept the status of "clan" or "sub-group". I mean really, what is that, "sub-group"? So now, I will play "sub-group" with people that I otherwise have no grouping with, and for what? As it stands now, we are yet to witness any truly beneficial result, emerging from this whiteman-sponsored amalgam. How much longer do you intend for us "sub-groups" to continue waiting, and what are we even waiting for? Do elaborate. This confederation of "sub-groups" has apparently not gotten far since its conception, yet you cannot understand why "sub-groups" (as people so love to call them now) would want to disassociate? This stringy "Igbo" union we've got going on now is not one of kinship, my friend, but of convenience and politics. If you want for it to be maintained, then search for solutions which will make it politically convenient for us "sub-groups" (ugh) to continue to associate.

By the way, your large/small family analogy does not make sense in the "Igbo" context.

What is "being in your own environment"? This type of attitude is the reason it seems as if we (Oha Ndi Igbo) aren't progressing. What do you have against others that makes you detest the idea of being categorized with them? Is it not enough that we all speak variations of the same language, practice similar traditions, and share similar religious beliefs?
If you can't fathom being in a political union with men from Aboh, Mbaise, or Nkanu (who are the closest to kin that you will find in Nigeria), who then will you be willing to unite (politically) with? Is it the Annang or the Ibibio?

Chinenye, I know you are an Ngwa but bear in mind that Ngwa people are not all the same. There are various micro-groups and sub-dialects within the Ngwa people. So what then would happen if these sub-people decided they wanted to be on their own and form their own "mini-ethnic groups"? What if the Obioma people formed Obioma ethnicity and the Isiala people formed Isiala ethnicity? And then certain towns in Isiala decide to form their own ethnicity and certain families within those towns form their own ethnicities. What then? It's the exact same principle that you're applying.

Another example would be Japanese people. The Japanese are like the Igbo (in terms of subgroups). The Japanese language has various sub-groups and languages that vary in levels of intelligibility. A Northern Japanese man will not understand most of the dialect of a southern Japanese man (if he hasn't had previous exposure to it) but yet, they both identify as Japanese and are still working together for their common good.

The Ibibio people are also the same. In actuality, the Ibibio, Ikpanja, Efik, Oron, Eket, and Annang could eaisly unite (politically of course) to form one people. This would thus give them more leverage in Nigerian politics.

My point in all this is that similar peoples must unite politically in order to ensure their common good. However on the cultural level, let everyone do as he pleases.

Onlytruth: My brother Odumchi, please ka anyi kpa maka ihe a na email.

Personally, I think that the ONLY relevant effort NOW in Igboland, is to give SE THREE (if possible) international airports, and a fully functional port at Onitsha, to try and escalate developing in the SE.
We should do this resolutely, and move SE into first world status ASAP. We have all the necessary resources (human and natural), to do this! I know that it would not be easy, but it is a fight I'm sure we will win.

When we get SE to dwarf other parts of Nigeria in terms of development and make it THE PLACE to be in Nigeria, believe me, all those denying themselves will SHUT UP and be BEGGING to be called Igbo.
I don't know why our politicians can't see this simple fact.
Take for example.
If the Sam Mbakwe International airport comes to operate and DOMINATE international traffic in southern Igboland, Igweocha -Port Harcourt will play second fiddle to Owerri (believe me this is very possible).
If we have Onitsha port fully fuctional, we won't need Igweocha (PH )for anything. Let the ikwerre make up their minds there. I'm sorry if I sound like I'm ready to play hard ball with our brothers in southern tip of Igboland, but I'm stating the obvious.
We don't need to pressure anyone into accepting himself/herself; that is left for the person.

Let's get Enugu, Onitsha and Owerri international airports fully functional, and see whether we will care who is Igbo and who isn't.

Nsogbu adighi.

You're right but remember, Port Harcourt isn't even forty percent Ikwerre. An overwhelming percentage of the people there are non-indegenes. So even if Ikwerre say they "aren't Igbo", Port Harcourt will still be populated by the Igbo.

As for the airports, let's wait and see what will happen.

ChinenyeN: "Breaking up", "sub-groups", "clans"; All of these are ideas which did not exist until 20th century. Honestly, I really think some are just overemphasizing whatever level of "unity" that supposedly exists/existed in this amalgam.

Since when have we ever been "united" that some would worry so much about a phantom "break up"?

It seems as if you're perpetually trapped in the nostlagic pre-colonial days. My brother, we are no longer in the year 1880, this is 2012. The Igbo peoples were forced to form a somewhat-loose amalgammation of peoples that later became known as "Ndi-Igbo". Gone are the days when only a man's community and his neighbors were relevant in his life. Nowadays, we must be aware of our surroundings and must unite in order to help ourselves progress.

In a country like Nigeria with an excess of 150m people, an ethnic nationality with a population of 1 or 2 million, will be ignored, marginalized, and under estimated by those larger and much more influential. However, a confederation of similar peoples (like the Igbo) will be able to stand for itself.

It's things like these that our neighbors (such as the Ijaw) are just now realizing. The Ijaw peoples have realized that their disunity has allowed bigger and more powerful groups to destroy their way of life, steal their resources, and pollute their land. However, the idea of an "Ijaw nation" will certainly do good for them in the long run.

Another way to think of it would be like a family. Which family do you think will be easier to destory: the large-closely knit family, or the small family in which every member seeks to be away from the other?

There's absolutely nothing wrong with taking pride in your clan or subgroup, but you must also be aware of your environment.

ChinenyeN: Umunoha, once again. This rememberance of Umunoha (for whatever reason) sprung up post-Biafra, for those who don't know.

@Odumchi: Don't bother yourself with Ogbako Ikwere, let alone Iwhnernohna, as a whole. The current, unchecked misconceptions do not change the fact that there are many who are still aware of the pre-1970 oral traditions. Notwithstanding, it is true that much is being done to downplay those traditions, but does it really matter? Why do you (or any "Igbo", for that matter) care about maintining this amalgamation of related and unrelated peoples that have come to be called the "Greater Igbo"? Someone earlier wrote (very nonsensically, if I may say so) that "blood is thicker than water". Is this the assumption behind this effort to maintain the amalgam? Just leave Ikwere alone, with their ethnic nationality. In short, I don't see why "ethnic nationalities" should be troubling some "Igbo" people so much. I particularly prefer that term to "clan" and "sub-group".

Like I said, I won;t stress over anything. I'm glad that many people have written (and are still writing) books on the events that are unfolding in our times.

I agree with everything else that you wrote except for the part about ethnic nationalities. If we (the Igbo) were in our own nation, I would say that it would be alright for us to identify ourselves based on our "sub groups" and "clans" but seeing how things are in this monstrous Nigeria, it won't be a good idea (in my opinion). Breaking up into tiny groups will open us up for exploitation and political destruction from our opponents (who can surface from everywhere).

I think it's proper to repeat the sayings, "United we stand, divided we fall" and, "One tree cannot make a forest...especially in Nigeria".

Mr. Globe:
Is it by force to unite? Any bother that whats out should be shown the way out. That is why Nigeria is in the mess it is today. I just want that when Biafra Conceptualizes we will move to serious issues of development and Economic progress like in other cuivilized climes, not fighting about who is igbo or not. It ridicules the igbo tribe to be seen as desperate over a set of animalistic 'charactered' people.

My brother, what I wrote was more of an advisory statement than anything. Their destiny is in their hands.

~Bluetooth:
Director general of Nairaland ibo campaign organization. I hope your signature sef no be another campaign strategy.

Funny. I don't direct anything ibo.

As for my signature, it's not in ibo either.

So I don't see how ibo people would understand it.

Onion - ayim
Mushroom - ero

Let's not let ethnocentrism distract us. The poll is still going well...

I'll close it in approximately 24 hours from now! So if you haven't voted, vote!

*You're identity will not be revealed if you vote*

Abagworo: A lot of people do not know what is involved in this Ikwerre issue. Its a two way affair. the Ikwerres were wronged by the greater Igbo the same way the Ngwas are being done today in Abia. The war was an opportunity to reclaim what was there's. Go through this thread https://www.nairaland.com/943557/confession-ngwa-banker-real-reasons that was the scenario before 1967 and a lot of Ikwerres saw that as a liberation from bondage. Coming back to be Igbo to most is like mortgaging their identity. But what I always disagree is the denial of not being the Ozuzu Amadioha people that went to Isiokpo and spread from there.The name Amadi occurs more in Ikwerre than any other part of Igboland. Amadioha in itself is the god of thunder in the entire Igbo race and is situated at Ozuzu till today which is Etche. You can even trace the migratory pattern from Etche people because their stop overs at different Etche villages are not hidden. While Etche in itself alongside Ngwa and some other groups remember Umunoha which is also an Igbo Igwekala god base in Isoma as the starting point of their migration. Those distorted history might be lost if the recent Benin origin claims started after 1970 is not checked.

I understand what you mean. However, it's understandable if they decide to exist with a level of political independence but such can never be achieved culturally. It's the same thing as, say for example, if the Owerre were to declare themselves as politically independent from the rest of the Igbo but then to suddenly anull their age old cultural and historical ties with other Igbo groups and claim that they originated from the Bini, then to top it off, parade themselves as the "Owerre nation or Owerre ethnicity".

Imagine how bad that would twist history. A few centuries down the line, people would find it difficult to distinguish truth from fallicy. Regarding the wrongs committed upon the Ikwerre, I believe that dialogue can resolve these wrongs. Besides, it's not as if every sub group was responsible.

More votes people!

Represent your peoples, states, LGAs, and senatorial districts. If you don't vote you can't complain when your area is not allocated enough funds!

Everything is going fine so far.

PointB: Nice one Odumchi,

I've voted. Now waiting for the official result.

I mari ama. You already know.

Abagworo: The truth is that we are all Igbos but prior to colonization we were not moving as one nation but were independent of one another. We had the Isoma(most of Imo State and East Anambra) which is the largest branch of Igbo, Elugu( Nri-Awka-Anam-Nsukka-Awgu-Nkanu-Asaba), Ika, Ikwerre( Ozuzu or Amadioha people),Etche,Oratta, Ngwa, Ndoki, Ohuhu, Ebonyi(Izzi,Ezza,Ikwo), Oru(Oguta, Egbema, Aboh, Ndoni), Aro and their neighbors generally called Bende now(Umuchukwu or Ubini Ukpabi people). The Mbohia/Akpohia/Ikpofia/Ekpeye were isolated and their origin unknown but Igbos knew that there was a forest territory occupied by Akpohia people who spoke a strange language slightly understood by many Igbos. The name Mbohia in itself means "forest nation" while Mbamiri means "riverine nation".

In today's politics we have to be careful because a lot of things have happened and people have been used either willingly or unwillingly to bring almost irreconcilable divisions. As someone caught in the middle of this quagmire by birth, I prefer the SE and Rivers Igbos thread different paths. I grew up amongst them, speak their dialect even more than my immediate dialect and yet get reminded of being Isoma even when I try to differentiate Oru. The Delta Igbos have no problem.

The most shameful one is the lie about origin. My Grandfather told me all but I sometimes find myself arguing with cousins who now claim he's biased.

Case closed. A new ethnic group has sprung out of the greater Igbo and the name is Ikwerre. Let us respect that.

Thank you Abagworo.

You see, fifty years ago, there was no such thing as "Ikwerre ethnicity". However, after a war, a famine, a pogrom, and millions of deaths, "Ikwerre ethnic nationality" suddenly surfaced out of nowhere.

What bothers me the most out of all this is that people deny their origins and their past. I was reading something the other day and I read about how the names of towns were changed from 'Umuoji' to 'Rumuoji' and from 'Obigbo' to 'Oyigbo' inorder to sound "less Igbo" and it saddened me.

I'm not going to stress over this thing but I know that if this isn't solved soon, there will be definate problems for them many years in the future. Why? Becuase people don't know what it means to be "Igbo".

Being "Ikwerre" or not is only relevant in Rivers state, outside of your particular locality or state, you are identified with the groups you are related to.

One_Naira: Odumchi though I admire what you wrote but I'm still in believe you should let people believe whatever they wish.

There are those that consider themselves Igbo and the remaining others that do not, rather than wasting valuable time on the denials, focus una attention on the non-deniers.

I understand trying to fight the misconception but I feel like the more una highlight the deniers, the more una push the non-deniers to the back.

Like I notorious for, if a non-Igbo comes with his or her bulsh1t, just list the non-deniers such as this girl


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrHJB3mCWiI

I'm glad that you see my method of approach. It's not a matter of forcing anything down anyone's throat, though. I just dislike it when people parade themselves as what they're not.

As for the girl in the video, she was clueless. She said that Rivers state was mostly populated by "Calabar people" .

afam4eva: I like the way you wrote the letter because it does not seem that you're forcing Igbo down their throat rather you just let them know that just like Ngwa, Oratta, Nkanu, Ikwerrre is one of the many clans that make up Igboland.

Pls, if they reply, post it here.

I felt I had to do something. I couldn't just sit and watch. Well, I will definately post their reply.

Thanks for the votes. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to add more than 5 options to a poll hence the multiple polls.
The reason for this poll is to gain an idea of the demographic shift (if any) from last year to this year and also possibly draw a relationship bewteen the number of ethnicities present on this site, and the topic of posts.

For example, in Nairalands early days (2005-2007), posts were generally on topics regarding Lagos and the Yoruba. However, as the site diversified, and people from all over Nigeria joined, there became an expansion in the variety of topics. This will help us see if Nigeria's largest forum is an actual representation of Nigeria. You see, it's things like these that will help us progress forward.

More votes please!

The results will be visible in a few days.

krystabella28: Ijaw Proud! best believe I Voted!

That's the spirit!

More votes

ekt_bear: I don't see the problem with this. You don't want farmers to be ruined due to yearly variations.

By soaking up some of this excess production, you have less bankrupt farmers.

Though to be honest, not sure how far $600k will go.

This is true.

An agriculture subsidy is all that it is.

egift: @odumchi and Uncooked Kanda:
When I first saw this thread, I knew it was useless. But when Afam commented, I decided to cut both of you some slack. But obviously, it is dead on arrival.

@All:
Sadly just like anything Beaf and his gang are doing; its good on paper but painful to even watch. Here are the facts before you go nuclear:
1. Odum claim its official (its not)
2. Nigeria have over 300 ethnic, but the poll they are putting up there is taking 5 at a time (they already have 5 polls = 25 ethnic groups). And its not there at the same time. So the are going to have 300/5 = 60 opinion polls - Also Note that each poll is 100%. Meaning the percentage of the poll is by 6,000%
3. Its only those that visit Politics section can participate. Even if you push this rubbish to the Homepage still a little proportion will see it. Yet they want to brag about their tribalism and segregation (It seems this is Jonathan's theme for the month)

I think its obvious that the results of the different polls will be averaged together. Besides, it's not practical to list every ethnicity. Only those with populations upwards of 1 million were listed.

Solution:
All they have to do is make a Feature Request to Oga Seun, it will be considered on its merit like every other. If approved, on the profile and registration page, a field will be added to and every member can be encouraged to update their profile. All will be ok.

Conclusion:
Since Kpomo is always fast at hauling insults especially to our Northern brothers, by virtue of No. 2 above and his support for this garbage I recommend that Beaf should enroll into the nearest Almajiri school and take some time off the consumption of the adulterated Fresh Air gushing out from Jona.

Nice suggestion but this isn't necessary. This is only for research purposes, like I stated earlier. Requiring people to identify their ethnicity in their profiles is not necessary. Threads like this allow us to see demographic patterns and to analyze whether sites like this reflect truly Nigeria (demographically).

I don't see anything "tribalistic" or bad about things like this. Its too bad that we cannot engage in ethnic studies or matters without pulling out the "tribalist card". Attitudes like that are what set us back.

I believe that people need to embrace our diversity rather than ignore it. We are what we are for a reason.

So far, I have yet to see anyone do or say anything "tribalistic" on this thread; you are the only one bringing that up. However, of course, it can only be "tribalistic" if you want it to be.

More votes!

*Ileke-IdI:
How many times are we going to have this census?

1. Mostly only ppl in politics will vote

2. Only people presently on NL that period will vote.

3. We hav ppl with multiple IDs

Not relly substantial when determining NL's ethnic populace.

This is meant to give us a rough estimate of the various ethnicites on Nairaland not an exact number so multiple IDs will definately not be a hindrance. The poll is set to run for 2 weeks and if this thread gets on the front page, it would be open to all Nairalanders not only politics section frequenters.

Last year's census was pretty succesful amid all of these factors so I don't see why this years can't be too.

CyberG: Tribalism and divisionism instead of Nigerians to see themselves as that, they spend all their time on worthless pursuits like this one.

It's unfortunate that learning of one's numbers and the variety present on this site is percieved as "tribalism".

Beaf: It is a tribe of people like egift, na_joke, Ileke Idi, alj haram, bluetooth, Eko Ile, Gbawe, demdem, oyb... You know the drill!

Lol, I see...

I'd like to hear you guys' reactions and thoughts to the topics I raised within this letter and what you think their reaction will be. Thanks in advance.

I decided to send this letter because I was highly dissapointed with the lack of effort from Ogbakor Ikwerre in reversing the misconceptions that revolve around the great Ikwerre people. However, I was impressed with their efforts in maintaining their traditions and I believe that this energy could yield success only if applied to the proper issues...

Dear Ogbakor Ikwerre USA,

I am very impressed with the efforts that you guys have put in maintaining the culture of the Ikwerre. A glance at this website has led me to believe that there are still people who take great pride in their culture, history, and traditions.

Such is what we desire in today's modern world. We, being Africans, desire the reassurance that our traditions and practices will not vanish from the face of this earth, but rather, will grow ever-strong within the hearts and souls of our children. I believe, that what our continent needs is a revival of pride in the things that make us who we are, and I have seen obvious signs of this in the actions and attitude of Ogbakor Ikwerre.

However, despite this, I find myself filled with feelings of ambivalence towards the attitude of your organization to certain issues. These issues are deep rooted issues, which threaten to wreak devastating damage on the integrity of the Ikwerre nation, and that is at the heart of why I am writing to you in the first place.

As a fellow Igbo, I find the deplorable state of inter-cultural awareness within the Ogbakor Ikwerre organization saddening. What I mean by this is that your organization, from my perspective, has failed to reaffirm its position and relationship among the league of greater Igbo groups.

You have failed to properly castigate the controversy regarding the Ikwerre people and their position as Igbo and have thus jeopardized the integrity, history, and future of your own people.

This has led me to remind you that the Ikwerre are a people just as the Ngwa, Oratta, and Aro are also peoples. These groups are all interconnected culture groups under the enveloping and dynamic term of "Igbo". This term includes, you and I, and all other people in this world who bear names such as; Chika, Amaechi, or Nwosu.

There is no escaping this fact, for it is what God made us. We, as mere humans, only have the option to either ambrace or hide our origins, but we can never destroy it.

In order to end my letter to you on a high-note, I would like to once again congratulate you for your efforts in the preservation of the Ikwerre sub-culture. May war, famine, or disease never make us forget where we came from, or who we are. I hope that my letter has persuaded you to readress this pressing issue and to correct all misconceptions regarding the integrity of the Ikwerre people, and the Igbo nation in general.

Ka Chineke no na elu igwe gozie unu.

Sincerely, Emeka.

dubem3: i don't really know about isam being an Igbo word we do not have a river in my place. Maybe i should leave it for the chief from my place to comment on. Odenigbo over to you.

Lol, I was told the Igbo word for it is 'mfi'.

More votes!

yemmy_ma: Well, you are psyching yourself to something difficult from the start. I hope people working in these areas have good advise to give you.

I hope so too.