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Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga - Politics (17) - Nairaland

Nairaland ForumNairaland GeneralPoliticsChimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga (59023 Views)

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Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by ideykwum: 5:20pm On Apr 11, 2015
My dear, no side is totally right, but there is a boundary for decency; surely??

chinco19:
Was almost lauding ur comment till I saw wat followed. Everything, socially constructed is always based on bias. I am sure you knw some igbos are obnoxious,particularly the illiterates and this is evident in all ethnic groups. Wat she wrote was not of much surprise for me. Wat should she have written if not an article to defend her people, she is an artist, a literary writer and not a scientist for crying out loud. If she had said otherwise, I am sure this same u will lambast her for being withdrawn from her tribe because of the money she has made. The igbo gal in her won't let her be objective. And talking about Nigerian history, she actually has the achebe version which can be faulted by others. The igbos keeps crying they were killed during the biafran war. We're westerners not killed? Were northerners not killed in the east? Agreed, you guys had the most casualty but it was a war, it was meant to end with a winner and a vanquished. Ojukwu was not ready for the war even those that were close to him attested to that fact. Those that warned him insistently were killed on charges of attempted treason, so what is the cry about? Ojukwu had his faults while Gowon did had his, to even think of it Gowon is a northern Christian. Before the secession, minority groups in the south were asking for help from the federal government claiming they were not igbo. If I may even ask, why did Ojukwu surrender via effiong? If he was fighting a just cause, he should have fought it to the death and become a martyr. Sentimental comments are allowed but that wouldn't stop an igbo gal being my very close friends, she has her tribal faults and I do have mine. When I tell her unreceptive treatments I receive from igbos, she defends them and when it comes to Yoruba folks, I am not left out but that is not to say I am blind to crass attitude from both sides.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by BiafranPrince:
bismark007:
u are thinking with ur heart not ur head.thats a weakness.3 million lives could have been saved.
If only u were men and fought the men alone and not take wickedness to another level by starving women and children.

Their death shall not be in vain.
Either Biafra comes or all souls in this zoo perish.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Nobody: 5:25pm On Apr 11, 2015
maajin007:
ibos should know they are not the only tribe in Lagos.The ibo should do check up on their society .Why did other ethnic group distaste them .Y are they alone?
we re not going to do any check up when we knw the cause. We left the govt for you pple and rely on our businesses yet you guys re not satisfied because of" greed" yes that is exactly the problem. otherwise, tell me the crime only igbo man commits that other tribes re innocent of.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by BiafranPrince: 5:26pm On Apr 11, 2015
oluamid:
Lol.

I'm quoting this post for 2 reasons:

1, to say bring it on!
2, to quote you 1 year from now (hopefully I remember) and to ask where all your braggadossio went.
If only you will be alive to quote this again.

Biafra or no soul will be left living.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Nobody: 5:35pm On Apr 11, 2015
bismark007:
that's the difference between us.we won't start a war we can't win.if ur leaders had reflected 38 yrs ago,they would have called for more negotiations rather than start a war.yorubas are good students of history.3 million lives were lost and the commander later fled.yet u call the Yoruba cowards
yes now, so u guys shud shutup and stop making chest beating noise all over d Internet...
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by bismark007: 5:39pm On Apr 11, 2015
BiafranPrince:
If only u were men and fought the men alone and not take wickedness to another level by starving women and children.

Their death shall not be in vain.
Either Biafra comes or all soul in this zoo perishes.
that's why I am advising u to stop beating the drums of war.u never knw what your adversary has in stock for you.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by oluwamide(m): 5:48pm On Apr 11, 2015
I have refrained from making partisan comments,despite many strong temptations from friends and family , because I enjoy being neutral and watching things from a distance for the first time in my life. I can however not ignore commenting on the controversy over the words of the Oba of Lagos,because Lagos occupies a special place in my ancestral history. The direct or veiled(depending on who's accessing the risk) threat of the Oba though regrettable,every student of history knows that people say offensive stuff during politics.The Oba will not be the first to get carried away by emotions to say what seems unfair to the ordinary mind. My plea to my Ibo brothers and friends is to ignore the Oba's indiscretion and focus rather on exercising their civic rights today according to their conscience.

I believe it is foolhardy to declare a war against the Oba of Lagos in the media and pro-Ibo micro communities. The average Yoruba man is too informed to dictate to other ethic groups how to vote,but I am sure he will take exception to his Oba and traditional institution being denigrated on the basis of transient political statements. Lagos is not doing Ibo traders a favor by providing them a conducive environment ,rather it is exemplifying the fact that Lagosian's are civil,informed and fair.

It is however insulting for any non-Lagosian to use the cosmopolitan outlook of Lagos or its old status as capital, as excuse to suggest that Lagos is a no man's land. All non-Lagosians including myself need to exercise mature discretion when we mouth our claim to Lagos and all the privileges it has got to offer. I grew up in a Lagos where the civil service was dominated by non-indigenes,but things changed when people got carried away and replaced humility with unbridled arrogance. Yoruba's who are non-Lagosians are even more guilty of poking Lagos indigenes in the eye.

I still recall my Father's account that some Yoruba's in Lagos Island out of deep respect named their Son's after Zik and voted massively for him above Awolowo in the early days of the NCNC. What Zik sought from Lagosian's in those days was unfettered acceptance as against BRASH EQUALITY.

I am however sure that my dear Lagos will regain its inclusive and warm aura after this highly divisive political season.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by geoworldedu: 5:56pm On Apr 11, 2015
lygn19:
look at how an average yoruba man thinks, and ppl say dz ppl are Ok...
Guy you have not answered the question. I repeat, where did the king declare he will cast your tribe inside lagoon? Did he come to your shops to declare that or you went to his palace to look for his trouble?
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Nobody: 5:57pm On Apr 11, 2015
ehie:
@ chidima's article.its nothing new.its still the same victim mentality packaged differently. Let's go back into the history Igbo love some much
1.Nzeogwu murdered the prime minister and president. The Igbo leaders were spared.
2.agunyi irons an Igbo was installed nzegwu was given paddy paddy justice.
3.igbos taunted hausas in kano wearing t shirts and even made songs at the coup.
All these led to anti Igbo feelings and then the declaration by ojukwu.
The murder of balewa was the catalyst for what could have been avoided.in all my years j have never had Igbo take responsibility for the first coup and own up that if neo wu hadn't killed the leaders all these wouldn't have happened. I belive prior to the barbaric act Igbo lived peacefully in northern Nigeria for decades and since that incident it hasn't been the same. No one cannot give the Igbo peace if they continually lie to themselves. Like they say the truth shall set you free.you guys choose to Iive in your warped reality of life.its your choice really.we cannot help you until you help u r self. .
u won't shutup and learn not to say wat u don't know, u won't tell d world dat d only reason y d coup in d East was not as bloody as d other regions was because of d presence of d pope back then in d East, u won't tell d world that Ironsi and Ojukwu were among the people who foiled d coup and put a stop to it, u won't tell d world dat d only reason y Ironsi took over was because he was d most senior officer as at dat time, he wasn't part of d coup, he didn't mastermind it, he just took over being d most senior officer, u won't tell d world dat there was a counter coup, in dz counter coup Ironsi was killed, d ppl from d counter coup went to prison, killed d 1st coup plotters dat was in detention as at that time,killed all of them, when they were done, they went up and started killing innocent people that was neither in d army, neither did they take part in d coup and d rest, ppl were being killed left right and centre and ojukwu was watching did u expect him to start doing fasting and prayers for d killings to stop? ..
After the then administration failed to stop d killings dat was ongoing and with the fear that after igbos living outside der region had been finished they wud come for them in d East, Ojukwu went to Aburi in Ghana and they signed and accord, after it was signed Gowon came back and he didn't implement it, d killings continued, wat did u want Ojukwu to do then?... I am kit in support of d civil war but stop spreading lies trying to rewrite history...
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Nobody: 5:59pm On Apr 11, 2015
geoworldedu:
Guy you have not answered the question. I repeat, where did the king declare he will cast your tribe inside lagoon? Did he come to your shops to declare that or you went to his palace to look for his trouble?
we and some other stup1d yorubas went to his palace to look for trouble...
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by geoworldedu: 6:10pm On Apr 11, 2015
lygn19:
we and some other stup1d yorubas went to his palace to look for trouble...
I'm now satisfied grin but guy why did you leave your shop to visit him nah? U nor get work ni?

BTW I am not a Yoruba. I am not tribalistic like the igbos either.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by PenSniper: 6:29pm On Apr 11, 2015
Delusional article meant to console the gullible.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by wolebanks(m): 6:33pm On Apr 11, 2015
Anybody can tell you anything or do anything to you. How you react is your choice and the reaction is more important than the action. Those that have reacted negatively to what the Oba said so far have put themselves in a position that nobody has put them or has intention of putting them.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Tshaphilo: 6:56pm On Apr 11, 2015
Ymodulus:
I think I will start by trying to be Anthropomorphic, as it will bet express my heading.
Its really sad when insanity realizes that he has a mental disorder then he is as good as cured. The moment a people come to terms with their complex problem which often place them at loggerheads with their host communities the better for them.

I seem not to fathom how a tribe claim to have suffered humiliations and deprivation from other ethnic nationalities. This allegation should be consider very weighty even though it was not substantiated. Nonetheless, this aggrieved ethnic nationality needs to ask herself what is about it that could be responsible for the purported hostile acts of other ethnic nationalities toward it.

One problem I have with Chimanda is all her articles tends to quote Chinua Achebe, even when its evident chinua actions are wrong. The sane mistake she made, about his book "there was a country". Now she is trying to say that the Igbo's were murdered in early 1960's for political reasons? Who started the war? Was it the Nigerian Arny or The late Ojukwu ? I see Chimabda is biased. And she is just a staunt re-echoer of Chinua Achebe's belief.


I liked the fact that she related the massacre of the Ibos in different parts of the country before the civil war. However what I do like to ask her is this,

1. chimanda was there nothing that led to the massacre?

You can't deny that the tendency to dominate in another man's land which is being exhibited now by taking the Oba to court is what led to such. Tell me when you come back from court if the people of Lagos will still have a good relationship with the Ibos.


Chimanda while trying to play a neutral ground at the surface, is been biased deep down. I am sorry to say but if Chimanda spent her time writing this, she wasted that time. As this just further lowered NY respect for her as an internationally recognised writer. Novel is her thing not politics.

Just imagine how shez is spreading lies about 1960s massacre. Posterity Judge you.
The reason for d coup by Nzeogwu was to cleanse the politicians that jailed Chief Awolowo n release him to be the President of Nigeria becoz he believed he was the right person with the right vision. As per the time of the coup there was relative peace in the Eastern Region n Midwestern Regoon bt unrest in south west. There was operation "wetie" houses of oppositions were being touched .
( l dont know wot concerned him he should have left the situation like dat n let the regions dat were burning burn
I tink d story wuld ve been different by now) mind you Major Nzeogwu was a midwestner nt an SouthEasterner. Let it b if at my age im regarded as an immigrant that cant speak igbo as fluently as Yoruba. Let it be.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by bismark007: 7:20pm On Apr 11, 2015
ControlX:
Cc Seun Lalastica
ikenna351 afam4eva
Pls do the needful.



***modified***
Hahaha... at last i made fp just 6days to my birthday. [jumps and punches the air with my right hand]
Oooh.. Thank you, Jesus.

I dedicate this fp and ftc to my sweetest mum for all her efforts towards my personal success. Cheers mum.
Meanwhile special thanks to lalastica, seun, ikenna351 and afam4eva and all nairalanders...
Better things are coming.

Now to the topic....
I think what binds many tribes in Nigeria is a common hatred for the Igbos. This hatred i believe is hinged on the purported dominance of Igbos. What is it about Igbo dominance? Here is what a fellow nairalander has to say...

Great point. Fear of Igbo domination as my father
would say is a sign of weakness on the part of
the fearer and lack of confidence in their ability. In
other words, for someone to dominate you in a
non physical way whether economically, socially, educationally, in any way, shape and form as long
as they are not holding you hostage physically
from succeeding but solely by intelligence in a
level playing field, then the conclusion is that
person or group of people are smarter than
you...this has been scientifically proven. So any tribe that fears Igbo domination are less smarter
than the Igbos otherwise compete with them. The
reason why Igbos do better in everything that
they do, which is often mistaken as domination is
because they are smarter than the rest of other
ethnic groups in Nigeria. When I mean "smarter" I
don't mean individually as a Hausa man can be
smarter than a yoruba, yoruba smarter than an
ijaw man an ijaw may be smarter than an Igbo,
e.t.c., however as a whole in terms of an ethnic
group, the Igbos lead the pack in Nigeria and
some tribes see it as a domination but actually it
isn't...they are just more smarter and have more
drive than others. Dr. Thomas Sowell detailed this
in his book and actually mentions Igbos as the
most successful ethnic group in Nigeria despite
the civil war set back.

If Nigeria wants to be truly great, we should not trifle with any tribe, especially the Igbos.
I see most of them as noisemakers.none of your cities in the first 5 cities in nigeria.u are nowhere on the forbes list yet u no allow us hear word.shioor
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Nobody: 7:23pm On Apr 11, 2015
lygn19:
u won't shutup and learn not to say wat u don't know, u won't tell d world dat d only reason y d coup in d East was not as bloody as d other regions was because of d presence of d pope back then in d East, u won't tell d world that Ironsi and Ojukwu were among the people who foiled d coup and put a stop to it, u won't tell d world dat d only reason y Ironsi took over was because he was d most senior officer as at dat time, he wasn't part of d coup, he didn't mastermind it, he just took over being d most senior officer, u won't tell d world dat there was a counter coup, in dz counter coup Ironsi was killed, d ppl from d counter coup went to prison, killed d 1st coup plotters dat was in detention as at that time,killed all of them, when they were done, they went up and started killing innocent people that was neither in d army, neither did they take part in d coup and d rest, ppl were being killed left right and centre and ojukwu was watching did u expect him to start doing fasting and prayers for d killings to stop? ..
After the then administration failed to stop d killings dat was ongoing and with the fear that after igbos living outside der region had been finished they wud come for them in d East, Ojukwu went to Aburi in Ghana and they signed and accord, after it was signed Gowon came back and he didn't implement it, d killings continued, wat did u want Ojukwu to do then?... I am kit in support of d civil war but stop spreading lies trying to rewrite history...
sorry what I deduced from your incoherent lies was the fact your knowledge of the past is twisted with half lies and half illusion. .won't stoop to your tantrums..i really don't care at you that much..
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Nobody: 7:23pm On Apr 11, 2015
lygn19:
u won't shutup and learn not to say wat u don't know, u won't tell d world dat d only reason y d coup in d East was not as bloody as d other regions was because of d presence of d pope back then in d East, u won't tell d world that Ironsi and Ojukwu were among the people who foiled d coup and put a stop to it, u won't tell d world dat d only reason y Ironsi took over was because he was d most senior officer as at dat time, he wasn't part of d coup, he didn't mastermind it, he just took over being d most senior officer, u won't tell d world dat there was a counter coup, in dz counter coup Ironsi was killed, d ppl from d counter coup went to prison, killed d 1st coup plotters dat was in detention as at that time,killed all of them, when they were done, they went up and started killing innocent people that was neither in d army, neither did they take part in d coup and d rest, ppl were being killed left right and centre and ojukwu was watching did u expect him to start doing fasting and prayers for d killings to stop? ..
After the then administration failed to stop d killings dat was ongoing and with the fear that after igbos living outside der region had been finished they wud come for them in d East, Ojukwu went to Aburi in Ghana and they signed and accord, after it was signed Gowon came back and he didn't implement it, d killings continued, wat did u want Ojukwu to do then?... I am kit in support of d civil war but stop spreading lies trying to rewrite history...
sorry what I deduced from your incoherent rant was the fact your knowledge of the past is twisted with half lies and half illusion. .won't stoop to your tantrums..i really don't care of you that much. For your own sanity re read history and face reality.because you twist a lie and shout and scream doesn't make it true. And like they say it's a thin line between sanity and insanity. Nb.ambode congrats oh
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Nobody: 7:26pm On Apr 11, 2015
ehie:
sorry what I deduced from your incoherent lies was the fact your knowledge of the past is twisted with half lies and half illusion. .won't stoop to your tantrums..i really don't care of you that much..
I know my name rings a bell in ur ear, don't worry I don't attack ladies, but am gonna keep slaping d stup1dity out of ur Yoruba brothers.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by BiafranPrince: 7:30pm On Apr 11, 2015
bismark007:
that's why I am advising u to stop beating the drums of war.u never knw what your adversary has in stock for you.
Tell the adversary, they have only 2 options when we march for Biafra, either they surrender to Biafra or zoological republic of Nigeria and the monkeys and baboons in this entity will be wiped off the face of the earth.

I swear, instead of Biafra not to come, everyone here will perish.
Take my words to the bank.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by bismark007: 7:49pm On Apr 11, 2015
BiafranPrince:
Tell the adversary, they have only 2 options when we march for Biafra, either they surrender to Biafra or zoological republic of Nigeria and the monkeys and baboons in this entity will be wiped off the face of the earth.

I swear, instead of Biafra not to come, everyone here will perish.
Take my words to the bank.
very proud and arrogant remarks.u haven't learnt anything from history.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Napoleondegreat: 8:24pm On Apr 11, 2015
Perfect response!
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Nobody: 11:03pm On Apr 11, 2015
BuddahMonk:
Nigeria is not a country, here is just a battleground for ethnic and tribal supremacy.

North voted Buhari they are reasonable voters.
East voted Jonathan they are tribalist.
The vultures are always in the middle
hahahaha...
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Nobody: 11:08pm On Apr 11, 2015
MugabeRobert:
Are you minding the ungrateful parasites? We gave peace and they paid us back with constant abuse of our traditional values. Can they try half of what they are doing in southwest in the north? Heck, can they insult Emir of Kano the way they did to Kabiyesi?
Yea peace dat omo oniles giv to us wen we want to get a land abi?
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Mcleo007(m): 12:13am On Apr 12, 2015
BiafranPrince:
I rather fight for what I believe in than fear for the worst.
It doesn't make sense fighting for something you know you can't win. It's a stupid thing to do. The Biafran war died a natural death, even before it started, but it went forth on blind assurance by its inordinate promoters. How can you wage a war when you know you're land-locked and have limited resources?
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Ymodulus: 12:18am On Apr 12, 2015
Mcleo007:
It doesn't make sense fighting for something you know you can't win. It's a stupid thing to do. The Biafran war died a natural death, even before it started, but it went forth on blind assurance by its inordinate promoters. How can you wage a war when you know you're land-locked and have limited resources?
You dei mind the guy. Bro face important things and don't dignify the guy with a reply
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by ibrokola(m): 1:07am On Apr 12, 2015
michelz:
The words of Oba Akiolu will be remembered even in 20 yrs to come whether Nigeria exists or not. It will be passed down from fathers to Children,and it will shape the way Yorubas see Igbos,and vice versa...Except...
Don't worry, Nigeria will continue to exist. Prophet of doom!
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by olushowunm(m): 1:59am On Apr 12, 2015
ControlX:
A few days ago, the Oba of Lagos threatened Igbo leaders. If they did not vote for his governorship candidate in Lagos, he said, they would be thrown into the lagoon. His entire speech was a flagrant performance of disregard. His words said, in effect: I think so little of you that I don’t have to cajole you but will just threaten you and, by the way, your safety in Lagos is not assured, it is negotiable.
There have been condemnations of the Oba’s words. Sadly, many of the condemnations from non-Igbo people have come with the ugly impatience of expressions like ‘move on,’ and ‘don’t be over-emotional’ and ‘calm down.’ These take away the power, even the sincerity, of the condemnations. It is highhanded and offensive to tell an aggrieved person how to feel, or how quickly to forgive, just as an apology becomes a non-apology when it comes with ‘now get over it.’
Other condemnations of the Oba’s words have been couched in dismissive or diminishing language such as ‘The Oba can’t really do anything, he isn’t actually going to kill anyone. He was joking. He was just being a loudmouth.’

Or – the basest yet – ‘we are all prejudiced.’ It is dishonest to respond to a specific act of prejudice by ignoring that act and instead stressing the generic and the general. It is similar to responding to a specific crime by saying ‘we are all capable of crime.’ Indeed we are. But responses such as these are diversionary tactics. They dismiss the specific act, diminish its importance, and ultimately aim at silencing the legitimate fears of people.

We are indeed all prejudiced, but that is not an appropriate response to an issue this serious. The Oba is not an ordinary citizen. He is a traditional ruler in a part of a country where traditional rulers command considerable influence – the reluctance on the part of many to directly chastise the Oba speaks to his power. The Oba’s words matter. He is not a singular voice; he represents traditional authority. The Oba’s words matter because they are enough to incite violence in a political setting already fraught with uncertainty. The Oba’s words matter even more in the event that Ambode loses the governorship election, because it would then be easy to scapegoat Igbo people and hold them punishable.

Nigerians who consider themselves enlightened might dismiss the Oba’s words as illogical. But the scapegoating of groups – which has a long history all over the world – has never been about logic. The Oba’s words matter because they bring worrying echoes of the early 1960s in Nigeria, when Igbo people were scapegoated for political reasons. Chinua Achebe, when he finally accepted that Lagos, the city he called home, was unsafe for him because he was Igbo, saw crowds at the motor park taunting Igbo people as they boarded buses: ‘Go, Igbo, go so that garri will be cheaper in Lagos!’
Of course Igbo people were not responsible for the cost of garri. But they were perceived as people who were responsible for a coup and who were ‘taking over’ and who, consequently, could be held responsible for everything bad.

Any group of people would understandably be troubled by a threat such as the Oba’s, but the Igbo, because of their history in Nigeria, have been particularly troubled. And it is a recent history. There are people alive today who were publicly attacked in cosmopolitan Lagos in the 1960s because they were Igbo. Even people who were merely light-skinned were at risk of violence in Lagos markets, because to be light-skinned was to be mistaken for Igbo.

Almost every Nigerian ethnic group has a grouse of some sort with the Nigerian state. The Nigerian state has, by turns, been violent, unfair, neglectful, of different parts of the country. Almost every ethnic group has derogatory stereotypes attached to it by other ethnic groups.

But it is disingenuous to suggest that the experience of every ethnic group has been the same. Anti-Igbo violence began under the British colonial government, with complex roots and manifestations. But the end result is a certain psychic difference in the relationship of Igbo people to the Nigerian state. To be Igbo in Nigeria is constantly to be suspect; your national patriotism is never taken as the norm, you are continually expected to prove it.

All groups are conditioned by their specific histories. Perhaps another ethnic group would have reacted with less concern to the Oba’s threat, because that ethnic group would not be conditioned by a history of being targets of violence, as the Igbo have been.

Many responses to the Oba’s threat have mentioned the ‘welcoming’ nature of Lagos, and have made comparisons between Lagos and southeastern towns like Onitsha. It is valid to debate the ethnic diversity of different parts of Nigeria, to compare, for example, Ibadan and Enugu, Ado-Ekiti and Aba, and to debate who moves where, and who feels comfortable living where and why that is. But it is odd to pretend that Lagos is like any other city in Nigeria. It is not. The political history of Lagos and its development as the first national capital set it apart. Lagos is Nigeria’s metropolis. There are ethnic Igbo people whose entire lives have been spent in Lagos, who have little or no ties to the southeast, who speak Yoruba better than Igbo. Should they, too, be reminded to be ‘grateful’ each time an election draws near?

No law-abiding Nigerian should be expected to show gratitude for living peacefully in any part of Nigeria. Landlords in Lagos should not, as still happens too often, be able to refuse to rent their property to Igbo people.

The Oba’s words were disturbing, but its context is even more disturbing:

The anti-Igbo rhetoric that has been part of the political discourse since the presidential election results. Accusatory and derogatory language – using words like ‘brainwashed,’ ‘tribalistic voting’ – has been used to describe President Jonathan’s overwhelming win in the southeast. All democracies have regions that vote in large numbers for one side, and even though parts of Northern Nigeria showed voting patterns similar to the Southeast, the opprobrium has been reserved for the Southeast.

But the rhetoric is about more than mere voting. It is really about citizenship. To be so entitled as to question the legitimacy of a people’s choice in a democratic election is not only a sign of disrespect but is also a questioning of the full citizenship of those people.

What does it mean to be a Nigerian citizen?
When Igbo people are urged to be ‘grateful’ for being in Lagos, do they somehow have less of a right as citizens to live where they live? Every Nigerian should be able to live in any part of Nigeria. The only expectation for a Nigerian citizen living in any part of Nigeria is to be law-abiding. Not to be ‘grateful.’ Not to be expected to pay back some sort of unspoken favour by toeing a particular political line. Nigerian citizens can vote for whomever they choose, and should never be expected to justify or apologize for their choice.
Only by feeling a collective sense of ownership of Nigeria can we start to forge a nation. A nation is an idea. Nigeria is still in progress. To make this a nation, we must collectively agree on what citizenship means: all Nigerians must matter equally.

Source:
www.olisa.tv/2015/04/10/chimamanda-adichieoba-lagos/
Nothing is cogent in this write up... And I can say she is just parabolating the same points and no clear direction. The girl is just over-rated.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by ElekeNtioba: 5:01am On Apr 12, 2015
Ymodulus:
For what reason? Did the army just started killing the Igbo's just like that?

Also sir I think we need to revisit the histories of 1960's. Why don't you get a copy of the book "Why we struck"
You are just a mis-informed little kid running his mouth whenever u see a topic abt Igbos.

Biafra declared independence and Nigeria launched attack to reclaim the territory. Even the Biafran attack to capture Lagos was the personal project of a yoruba officer Victor Banjo. If you bothered to read wide you wouldnt be coming up with baseless arguments.

Find sumtin better to do than mastụrbating over Igbo affairs.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Kenistry(m): 6:16am On Apr 12, 2015
realjoker:
well said
please let all stop this religious and tribal hatred we are all one, i know there is still a long way to go.
let call a spade a spade it is not proper to call Lagos a know mans land and No law-abiding Nigerian should be expected to show
gratitude for living peacefully in any part of Nigeria.
we r not one, neva bn & will neva b. As an Igbo man in Nigeria, who hav lived wit d major tribes in Nigeria (currently living amongst wit d Tivs) d envy & hatred I see daily, knows no bound esp if u r very brilliant. Frm my xperience d least tribe dat hated d Igbos is Hausas, dier problm is religion. D sooner dis nation realise wit r not one, d sooner d search for a solution begins. Nigeria....a forced & failed state, neva a nation.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by Igwezeugo(m): 7:23am On Apr 12, 2015
realjoker:
well said
please let all stop this religious and tribal hatred we are all one, i know there is still a long way to go.
let call a spade a spade it is not proper to call Lagos a know mans land and No law-abiding Nigerian should be expected to show
gratitude for living peacefully in any part of Nigeria.
pls we ar nt One,we ar different tribes,culture.Ghana as a country wat is their population?
If it is North dt has dis Oil
So ar u telling me dt dis country will still one
Watch me today go and mark it
Buhari has nothing to offer
Who ar dose dt brought him power,they ar criminal,can he fight dem
Can he jail dem?
He can't so wat corruption
Just recall Jonathan administration was fustrated wit insecurity, Buhari Administration can also fustrate wit Militanty
Watch out and see!
Is only one solution we have in dis country
Resource control!
Dat is all
Everybody should go bk to his state and delovep his state and then pay tax to d Fedral Govt
U will see all dis do and die election and political post will stop witout dt nothing we ar not going anyone
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by BiafranPrince: 7:34am On Apr 12, 2015
Mcleo007:
It doesn't make sense fighting for something you know you can't win. It's a stupid thing to do. The Biafran war died a natural death, even before it started, but it went forth on blind assurance by its inordinate promoters. How can you wage a war when you know you're land-locked and have limited resources?
Nigeria waged war against Biafra, not the other way round, limited resources then yes, landlocked? No.



We are coming for Nigeria.
War, not peaceful negotiations. They like war, they will get
No western country is coming to their aid.

Either Biafra comes when we march or no soul will be left alive.
Re: Chimamanda Adichie's Article On The Oba Of Lagos Saga by wisdomguy4u(m): 7:40am On Apr 12, 2015
MugabeRobert:
Are you minding the ungrateful parasites? We gave peace and they paid us back with constant abuse of our traditional values. Can they try half of what they are doing in southwest in the north? Heck, can they insult Emir of Kano the way they did to Kabiyesi?
Am from south east, To be sincere if a south east king says what oba of lagos said to easterner in lagos to yorubas in the south east , such king will be forced to resign from his throne. In igboland , we respect our king but we don't fear him. He must earn the respect of the pple . I can't imagine Obi of onitsha making such statement , he won't try that if he like his throne
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