Igbanke People Of Edo State In Search Of Linguistic And Cultural Identity by OMOROGIE
This is my candid and unbiased idea on how our proposed memoranda to the CONFAB should look like. This, in no way, is final copy of it. Please, lets have it subjected to a comprehensive analysis with the view to removing things considered irrelevant and injecting those viewed most appropriate. IGBANKE IN SEARCH OF LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL IDENTITY INTRODUCTION Language and culture are two of the most fundamental factors that unite and identify a people . A people and their race go into extinction once their language is dead. Once a group of people who share similar linguistic and cultural affinity are dismembered or have other language and culture super-imposed on them, the resultant effect is gradual, systematic and eventual disintegration of the people, their language and culture. A classical example of a people who have suffered aforementioned linguistic and cultural annihilation were the Sects. Sects, the original owner of the present-day England were, in the 4th century, attacked by the three Germanic tribes- Jutes, Saxons and Anglo-Saxons. The imposition of the dialects of the three Germanic tribes led to the total extinction of the Sectic language. Though, the descendants of the Sects are still in England, but their linguistic and cultural identity have gone into oblivion. To this extent, the people of Igbanke in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo state are face the Sects experience. Igbanke is one of the few Ika-speaking communities in Edo state. For this singular reason, they are subjected to all forms of discriminations and marginalization. STATEMENT OF FACTS ON THE SUBJECT MATTER The language and culture of the good people of Igbanke are losing their envious identity and relevance in culture-linguistic market-place in Edo state in particular and Nigeria at large. Several reasons are evidently present to support the fears and anxiety of the people of Igbanke that our identity as a people would go into sudden extinction if urgent measures are not quickly taken to address our emasculation by Bini language dominance. The following points support the facts of the subject matter: 1) Igbanke is one of the few communities in Edo state that speak Ika language 2) Igbanke is located in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo state. 3) Igbanke, by name is in Orhionmwon LGA, but geographically, we do not share common boundary with any community in the council 4) From the eastern flank, Igbanke shares common boundary with Mbiri, an Ika speaking community in Delta stae, from west, it’s bounded by Oghada, another Ika speaking community in Uhunmwode LGA in Edo state. In the northern sphere, Igbanke has boundary with Ekpon, Ika speaking community in Igueben LGA while from the south, it has Agbor and Oza- Nogogo, Ika communities in Delta state as neighbours. 5) Igbanke is in Edo south senatorial district 6) Igbanke people and community came under the Bini empire during the latter’s expantionist programme. 7) Most of other Ika speaking communities that were conquered by Bini empire same time with Igbanke have gotten their independence in Delta state while Igbanke, Oghada, Otobaye, Iru, Ekpon and Ogbeka etc are selfishly scattered in three local government areas with the attendant linguistic discrimination and political marginalization. coolIgbanke are gradually losing their linguistic and cultural identity as a result of our involuntary affiliation to the Bini language-speakers dominated Orhionmwon LGA. ISSUES FROM THE STATEMENT OF FACTS Consequent upon the facts drawn from the subject matter, some issues could be deduced to support Igbanke search for linguistic and cultural identity. These issues would go a long way in justifying our position. 1)Igbanke was deliberately, but selfishly carved into Edo state during the 1991 state creation irrespective of the linguistic difference between the people of Igbanke and the dominant Bini speaking population of the state. 2) Over 96% of Ika speaking communities in the defunct Bendel state were carved into Delta state while Igbanke and a handful other Ika speaking communities were severed into Edo state where they are presently subjected to acute linguistic and sundry discriminations 3) Because of linguistic factor, the people of Igbanke feel more at home with their kiths and kins (Ika speaking people) in Edo and Delta states. 4) Igbanke is made up of six (6) autonomous clans: Ake/Obiogba, Idumu- Odin, Igbontor, Oligie, Omolua and Ottah. These clans were governed by traditional rulers called ‘’Eze or Obi’’. These terms were of Ika origin, but have been forcefully changed to ‘’Enogie’’ a Bini term by the conquering Binis. 5) Our ancestral heritage like language, names and beliefs are being systematically destroyed by the domineering power of the Binis. ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF ISSUES RAISED 1)Most Igbanke indigenes who have Ika ancestral names like, “Emeka”, “Maduka”, “Chukwuka’’, “Chinyere”, “Amaka and “Ogorchukwu etc are often confronted with all forms of harrowing experiences when there are needs to visit our council headquarters, Abudu to process one official documents or the other. We are often denied the issuance of documents like, ‘’Certificate of Local Government of origin’’, Protest Letter’’, To Whom it May Concern’’ etc on the guise that we are Igbos not Binis. 2) Those who have the likes of the Ika aforementioned names, but can speak Bini language are rarely subjected to the above embarrassments and discriminations. This act goes a long way to vindicate our fear that there is a subtle, but carefully planned agenda to make us lose and abandon our ancestral linguistic and cultural heritage. 3) In order to escape from these unnecessary embarrassments, some have no other option left than to change their identity from Ika to Bini names. 4) Today, we, the good people of Igbanke are gradually losing our once envied linguistic and cultural identity. 5) Some of the eminent sons and daughters of Igbanke, whom out of their outstanding contributions to the development of the community, were recognized and given chieftaincy titles had had such titles changed from their original Ika origin to Bini equivalence. For example, few years ago, one of our sons who addressed himself as “Chief Orike-Eze” in Oba of Benin palace was shamefully harassed, insulted and forcefully forced, right in the palace to change the title to its Bini version. According to the palace, the title, “Orike-Eze” had its origin from Ika and Igbo nations. 5) Most times, when we have cause to attend meetings with the Binis in our local government area or senatorial district, deliberations are often conducted in Bini in language without considering the fact that the people of Igbanke in such meeting neither speak nor understand the language. Often than not, when we attend such meetings, we left the venue more confused than we were before we went. 6) In Edo state, Igbanke is only tolerated, not respected, seen, but not accepted. Today, in Edo state, plans are underway by the state Ministry of Education to introduce the teaching of Bini language in Primary and Secondary schools across Edo south senatorial district including Igbanke. Unfortunately, our indigenous language, Ika is not in any way considered qualified and appropriate to be taught in schools in Igbanke. To us, its another deliberate attempt to send our linguistic identity into extinction. 7) Our people have also suffered several inexplicable discriminations when it comes to political appointments. During the 2013 Edo state local government elections, one of our sons, Mr. Peter Ikem was refused to contest the chairmanship position in Orhionmwon local government area. Reason? His surname, “Ikem” was an Igbo, not Bini name. PRAYERS/ RELIEFS SOUGHT Sir, based on the foregoing, we therefore, solemnly ask for the folling: 1) A local government be created that would comprise all Ika speaking communities scattered in Orhionmwon, Uhunmwode and Igueben LGAs of Edo state. Some of the Ika speaking communities in Edo stateinclude: Orhionmwon LGA ----Igbanke, Iru, Ohezenaka, Otobaye, Ugbeka Uhunmwode LGA ----- Oghada Igueben LGA ------- Ekpon 2) Where, for any reason, creation of a local government area that would consist all Ika speaking communities is not in the immediate possible or feasible, we therefore ask that Igbanke be severed from Edo state and merged with our kiths and kins in Ika south local government area in Delta state. 3) The people of Igbanke should be seen, recognized and accepted as Ika people residing in Edo. 4) That Igbanke people, based on our forceful membership of Edo state, reserved the natural and inalienable right to decide, at any time, either to continue our membership with the Binis in Edo state or join our Ika kiths and kins in Delta state. CONCLUSION Igbanke is an Ika speaking community in Orhionmwon local government, Edo state We, the people Igbanke are gradually losing our linguistic and cultural identity as a result of our forceful membership with the Binis through conquest. If urgent measures are not taken, our linguistic and cultural identity would sooner than later go into sudden extinction. In order to avoid the impending extermination of our race, we therefore, ask that a local government area be created that would consist of Igbanke and other Ika speaking communities in Edo state. Alternatively, if local government creation is not feasible or possible, Igbanke, should therefore, be severed from Edo state and merged with Ika south local government area in Delta state.

wrong info rubbish post, the 2 days summit is ongoing in Switzerland and not USA. plx next time confirm ur info bfor dishing it out to the masses.

who ease got it?
Dear Candidate,

You have been shortlisted for a written and first level interview for the
position of Commissioned Sales Executive.

Date: Wednesday, 1st of February, 2017

Time: 8am

Venue: The Workplace Centre Limited. 42 Balarabe Musa Crescent, 1004 Estate
(Entrance Gate) Bus Stop Lekki Express Way Victoria Island Lagos

Come along with your CV, 1 passport photograph and original credentials
(NYSC CERTIFICATE OR EXEMPTION LETTER, HND/BSC RESULT, BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND
NECO/WAEC RESULT) for sighting and print out this email as an entry into the
assessment hall.

Kindly confirm attendance by replying this email.

N.B PLEASE BE CORPORATELY DRESSED AND COME BY 8AM SHARP TO AVOID BEING
DISQUALIFIED.
 
Recruitment Team,
The Workplace Centre Limited.

please compare this two pic, does it mean that our president always wear one dress each time he visit UK, the first pic was recently posted by the presidency, while the second pic was his previous visit when atiku visited him last year at the UK hospital when the rumour of his death was looming,
my advice to the presidency is for them to be aware that no secret is hidden forever, case study late musa ya' radua...

#BBnaija
Efe has already won my vote keep it up bro remember say warri no dey carry last oohh

I also received the text today, please do you reside in Lagos and do you know how the firm operates

please who know much about this firm and how they operate its an insurance firm.

You are invited for an interview@ARM Life,95b Opebi Road, Besides cake's &cream, Ikeja Lagos.9am 25/1/17. Ref:

base on recommendation, N.G.S.R, invite you for a job screening at our office, 93b along ibusa road. opp samsung office asaba delta from 8th to 13th

pls if u have any idea about this organisation pls share with me, because I called the firm and they said they are into logistics and management.

it's by NPA close to NDDC

No much requirement its jst a print out of ur congratulatory acknowledgment to show as an evidence that you are among the first batch selected. then u will be asked to fill ur name, degree, address, phone number. that's all. best of luck guys..I will always keep u guyz posted

Am at warri south local govt sec now and the process is on going, plz if u still at home and u fall under this local govt plz rush down.
ur time starts nowwwwwww.

Am at warri south local govt sec now and the process is on going for n tech. plz if u under did local govt and u for ntech plz just rush down

plz has anyone gotten an email from npower stating the period of screening because state like Edo has started receiving there's. if yes comment below.

plz do u have idea abt wat they are into and the remuneration

plz who else got this invite..I need a response plz

I got this text today, nd I don't knw hw geniu it is..plz I need ur responds.

You are invited for a job interview CUSTODIAN HOUSE 16A, Commercial Avenue, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos. As a Marketing Executive 9:00Am, Tuesday (2/8/2016)

I am in warri south LGA