₦airaland Forum

AgentOfAllah:
Ilekeh, by engaging these social misfits on the basis of their tribal background (noise), you begin to sound more and more like them. I happen to know a lot of Igbos who are humble, hardworking and respectful people. These tribal warriors on Nairaland do not represent the majority of Igbos, however much they wish to project themselves as the chief-spokespersons of Ndiigbo. I am sure like me, you know a lot of good Igbo people too. Let us engage each other as individual humans, not as primitive tribal warriors. Show these guys their woeful folly without having to stoop to their pathetic level.

Bro, your perception about the lots of Igbos you have come across is exactly the nature of Igbo people.

I work in an office where there are yorubas. Bro, honestly my maturity and wisdom in handling issues with them 'endeared' me to their hearts. These were people that literally wished me to be kicked out of the office just because I took my work serious and learned faster but when they saw my true nature, they knew I was different.

The truth is that some Nigerians just don't like the name Igbo. They feel threatened just by that presence, I say this based on the confession of one of them! If we can learn to appreciate every tribe for who they are, maybe the term, Nigeria will last longer,

BUT I STILL INSIST, LET EVERY EASTERNER, LET EVERY IGBO INVEST MORE IN THE EAST!

Destined2win:
Bro, your perception about the lots of Igbos you have come across is exactly the nature of Igbo people.

I work in an office where there are yorubas. Bro, honestly my maturity and wisdom in handling issues with them 'endeared' me to their hearts. These were people that literally wished me to be kicked out of the office just because I took my work serious and learned faster but when they saw my true nature, they knew I was different.

The truth is that some Nigerians just don't like the name Igbo. They feel threatened just by that presence, I say this based on the confession of one of them! If we can learn to appreciate every tribe for who they are, maybe the term, Nigeria will last longer,

BUT I STILL INSIST, LET EVERY EASTERNER, LET EVERY IGBO INVEST MORE IN THE EAST!

everything you said is the absolute truth. Yoruba tribalism comes from intimidation and a feeling of inadequacy. I also agree we need ALL investments in the east.

Destined2win:
Bro, your perception about the lots of Igbos you have come across is exactly the nature of Igbo people.

I agree. It is also the nature of many people I have met, irrespective of tribe

I work in an office where there are yorubas. Bro, honestly my maturity and wisdom in handling issues with them 'endeared' me to their hearts. These were people that literally wished me to be kicked out of the office just because I took my work serious and learned faster but when they saw my true nature, they knew I was different.

I'm very happy this worked out well for you in the end. Yes, tribal warriors (Igbos, Yorubas, Hausas, Ibibio etc) always have the fear of people from other tribes, but there are certain steps we can take to allay those fears and I'm sure you were more conciliatory than provocative, which is why it worked out. Now, from their own point of view, you have also managed to detribalise them, however infinitesimal the effect.

The truth is that some Nigerians just don't like the name Igbo. They feel threatened just by that presence, I say this based on the confession of one of them! If we can learn to appreciate every tribe for who they are, maybe the term, Nigeria will last longer,

Perhaps you're right about SOME Nigerians, the operative word being 'SOME'. Notice that some white Americans don't like blacks either, and some Blacks don't like Chinese... heck, some Blacks don't even like other blacks (like the xenophobic attacks in SA at the moment). But life must go on, and we should try to remain conciliatory, and even win over the hearts and minds of those that are not of our tribe, but can be reasoned with.

BUT I STILL INSIST, LET EVERY EASTERNER, LET EVERY IGBO INVEST MORE IN THE EAST!

I have no principled objection to your call. Charity begins at home after all; but note that HOME is first, a familiar and familial location before it is a geographical location. Many Igbos consider Lagos their home. They've never even been to the east, so why should they choose to invest in the east any more than they should invest in Lagos. Many Igbos feel so at home in Lagos that they can now conveniently win elective positions in the state. Now, if you tell me these Igbos should invest in the east before they invest in their home state (Lagos) I would vehemently disagree with you.

AgentOfAllah:
I agree. It is also the nature of many people I have met, irrespective of tribe


I'm very happy this worked out well for you in the end. Yes, tribal warriors (Igbos, Yorubas, Hausas, Ibibio etc) always have the fear of people from other tribes, but there are certain steps we can take to allay those fears and I'm sure you were more conciliatory than provocative, which is why it worked out. Now, from their own point of view, you have also managed to detribalise them, however infinitesimal the effect.


Perhaps you're right about SOME Nigerians, the operative word being 'SOME'. Notice that some white Americans don't like blacks either, and some Blacks don't like Chinese... heck, some Blacks don't even like other blacks (like the xenophobic attacks in SA at the moment). But life must go on, and we should try to remain conciliatory, and even win over the hearts and minds of those that are not of our tribe, but can be reasoned with.



I have no principled objection to your call. Charity begins at home after all; but note that HOME is first, a familiar and familial location before it is a geographical location. Many Igbos consider Lagos their home. They've never even been to the east, so why should they choose to invest in the east any more than they should invest in Lagos. Many Igbos feel so at home in Lagos that they can now conveniently win elective positions in the state. Now, if you tell me these Igbos should invest in the east before they invest in their home state (Lagos) I would vehemently disagree with you.

You see, we are beginning to drive at one point. I can see you are reasonable.

It is in the nature of the Igbos to feel at home anywhere in the world, that is why the bring their best to live there. Go to the north, you will see beautiful houses built by Igbos because they believe it is home and we are 'one'. But come to the east, there are hausas and Yorubas there, but they prefer living in zinc houses other than building or living in comfort irrespective of how cheap good houses in the east are, and how industrious and peaceable those places are. This may be because they do not have that mindset of oneness and the lack of self-freedom to create their own world.
Igbos won elections because they DARED to. What is stopping the others from daring?

LET US GO AND INVEST IN THE EAST, THERE IS A BETTER HOME OVER THERE, INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES ABOUNDS

Ikengawo:
Igbos Dominate Economically in Lagos because Yorubas are Lazy



http://www.elombah.com/index.php/articles-mainmenu/18144-igbos-dominate-economically-in-lagos-because-yorubas-are-lazy





[size=15pt]IF YORUBA WEREN'T LAZY THEY WOULD READ THIS ARTICLE AND REALIZE IT WAS WRITTEN BY A MAN FROM NIGER STATE. [/size]
But due to LAZINESS they the comments below me are crediting it to 'Igbos' and 'Massob'

There can only be two things involve 1...You obviously did not read this article, of cause because of your laziness 2...You read it but fail to comprehend.

Twistaray:
Sheath your swords Hahahahaha, what a joke . Why don't you bring out your arsenals and make war if you're so certain of winning. With a few exceptions, the majority of ibos leaders keep making political miscalculations both in federal and state levels that hinder their progress as a people, and then blame everybody else but themselves when the consequences of their choices come into play. Yorubas might be friendly but they aren't stüpid; they might be patient but they are deadly - as deadly as a venomous belcher’s sea snake. Mess with this tribe at your own peril. So it is now they know that they have economic interests and assets in Lagos worth protecting, yet always eager to disrupt the fragile political and social status quo in place that begets a peaceful and prosperous coexistence. Is this not self-sabotage? Do you think for a moment the Yorubas are blind to the subtle and tactical aim for a gradual takeover of Lagos State the Ibos are planning and acting out? No, the Yorubas have x-ray vision in this case and can see your plans to the bones. It's just right now the sensible Yoruba leaders are still busy with clearing out the "omoale" leaders (as they call it) from their zones and building a solid political foundation for a brighter future for the Yoruba region and its people. Once they are through (and they are almost through), then the ibos case will be opened and addressed thoroughly. What is happening right now that the Yorubas seem to "overlook" certain anomalistic behavior of the ibos is best described by their idiom that says "Iya yin owa ninu cooler" - hope I got it right. That is, your punishment is still inside the cooler; and you will eat it hot in due time, unless there's a change.

Lagos State is a very complex society, it is like the New York of America; and every tribe in Nigeria have significant populations in Lagos. Whether it is Binis, Hausas, Ijaws, Idomas, Itshekiris, calabars...or whether peoples from Warri, makurdi, maiduguri, Kabba and other places etc! Lagos State as a society is a perfect microcosm of the totality of the Nigerian society at large. However, it has become commonplace for only the ibos (who subconsciously due to the unfortunate civil war continue to see the Yorubas as their social, economic and political enemies) to want to rigorously compete against the Yorubas as if a battle for conquest and Lagos State is one of the spoils of war. That's why you can already witness the ibos designating Lagos as a "no-mans land" on one hand; but yet on other hand methodically trying to take over the so-called no-man's land. This is totally wrong and unacceptable. Lagos state can never be converted to Ibo land, not now and not in a trillion years from now. Every Nigerian tribe I believe have a part of the land no matter how small that is theirs or rather they are the custodians of due to ancestry, conquest or what have you. But the era of conquests is over and no individual tribe has the moral or legal right, or political might to encroach or seize another tribe's accustomed lands. Only the federal government can further share lands to/from tribes as they see fit, and even with all the federal might this can't be done with impunity anymore because fortunately for everyone the era of military rule is over. No federal government will ever share Lagos to any tribe other than Yorubas. It is their inheritance in Nigeria. The ibo inhabitants in Lagos need to understand this: Lagos was, is and always will be a Yoruba State. So the earlier you drop your scheming of "conquering" Lagos, the better for you.


Now, regarding taxation and the DEVELOPMENT of Lagos State, many ibos keep making erroneous claims. They say stuff like: without ibos Lagos State would not have developed the way it has; ibos pay the most taxes; ibos built Lagos; Lagos can't survive without ibos...blah blah blah! Seeing how far this fallacy is spreading, it's best the matter is addressed for the sake of clarity and peace. First off, taxation of businesses and individuals in Lagos State isn't peculiar or exclusive to ibos alone. Everyone pays tax, irrespective of tribe - heck, even Yorubas pay tax and are not exempted. The Lagos State government doesn't have a discriminating taxation policy. Its tax policy is blind to tribe. Ibos don't pay more than everybody else and Yorubas don't pay less that everybody else. The tax percentages are at fixed rates. If we're talking about "amount" of taxes being generated on a tribal basis, unless you're the accountant general of Lagos State, it remains arguable which tribe brings in the highest percentage of taxes. Quantity doesn't necessarily translate to bigger amounts. For example, one company's tax returns in VI can be greater than the tax returns of 100,000 businesses tax returns in Oshodi and Agege combined. So tax revenues can't be estimated based on "quantity" of businesses. Therefore, because there is a proliferation of businesses by ibos across Lagos doesn't necessarily mean or translate that ibos are the largest contributors of taxes. Also, taxes aren't collected along tribal lines; so it will be really difficult for any tribe to indisputably PROVE that they are the largest tax contributors. All the noise ibos keep making claiming to be the ones are unfounded assumptions originating from the most unrealistic parts of their figments of imagination. They have no documented facts with figures from the Lagos state government to legitimize such false claims. It just might be the Hausas, Binis, Ijaws or some other tribe - who knows!

As for development, whether economic and social, Lagos state even before it became a federal capital has always been thriving and prosperous. This is one of the major reasons Lagos later was selected to be a federal capital in the first place. It was an exceptionally promising state booming with exponential economic and social development potential vital for Nigeria's nation building. Lagos wasn't selected out of the blues or by raffle draw to become the federal capital. It was political genius to have done so. I can't dwell so much on this and anyone in doubt can look through the established history books and educate themselves. Development is progressive; it never stops or isn't meant to stop. After Lagos became a Federal capital, the development continued. After it lost that status, the development still continued and federal capital or no federal capital, one thing you could never strip from Lagos State is its super-economic potential. It was a state destined for greatness and nothing could stop it. Economically speaking, Lagos State was like the hand of Midas and everything that touches it turns to gold. To make money, isn't that the foremost reason all tribes have migrated to Lagos? Can't money be made elsewhere? Yes, but certainly not at the speed and success rate Lagosians seem to do it in Lagos. The economic potential was what brought the ibos to Lagos - it's all about coming to make money! Yes, just like everybody else that came, the ibos came to make money and make a life. Now that they have done so, the rest of the tribes can't rest again because the ibos feel they have arrived and arrogantly act as if they now own the state forgetting they met people here when they came. Ibos weren't the first tribe to prosper in Lagos, and ibos won't be the last; ibos aren't the first billionaires in Lagos, and ibos won't be the last. So why all the braggadocious display of economic arrogance towards other tribes, especially your hosts? Dangote (a billionaire in $$$$$) lives in Lagos and a considerable chunk of his business empire is in Lagos but he's not making noise and disturbing the peace in the land, so why must the ibos be harassing others and causing commotion just because they have attained some measure of wealth and every other tribe in Lagos should bow to you. It will never happen. This arrogant character has to stop. No one is intimidated by the ibos wealth because as far as Lagos is concerned, there are wealthy people from all tribes living there. Now, some more history, ibos didn't bring money to Lagos; rather they came to make money from Lagos. And ibos did, some legally and some illegally. Regarding taxes, whatever monies paid to the Lagos government wasn't made in Onitsha, Aba, Owerri, or Umuahia etc. It was made in Lagos and through Lagos. So it's only reasonable and proper that the taxes due be remitted to Lagos. If ibos are paying tens of billions naira in taxes to Lagos, then it's because they have already made hundreds of billions naira. And this is the same for all other tribes, so why are the ibos making a big deal out of this as if they're doing what nobody else is doing in Lagos. Businesses only pay taxes based on what you earn in the state and through the state. You don't pay what you didn't earn. So why are ibos talking as if the taxes they pay to Lagos was earned in Onitsha and they were compelled by the government to bring the money to Lagos; wasn't it earned in Lagos?

Regarding the social development of Lagos, did ibos develop Lagos? No! The ibos developed themselves. The ibos didn't build Lagos roads, bridges, schools, rail, or other public infrastructure. Who built all these? The federal and state governments using national and state resources respectively. So am I saying the ibos built nothing in Lagos? No, i'm not. Then what exactly did the ibos build in Lagos? Well, the ibos built THEIR homes, built THEIR houses, built THEIR businesses...etc! So essentially, the ibos built themselves in Lagos - no more, no less. You didn't build for Lagos, you built for yourselves in Lagos, same thing with other tribes, but the ibos keep talking blindly as if they are charity and what they built was handed over to society. Now you might want to say, What of the taxes they paid, didn't the government use taxpayers money to develop Lagos? Well, ibos are not the only ones who paid taxes. Hausas, ijaws, igallas, idomas, binis, urobos...also did too! Every tribe paid taxes in Lagos, heck even foreigners too. But yet, it's only the ibos making silly noise that they developed Lagos. This childish stupidity is annoying, and you should grow up mentally. If ibos built houses, you built it so that you can enjoy; if you built businesses, you built it so that you can enjoy...and so on! You built yourselves in Lagos, you didn't build Lagos. You developed yourselves in Lagos, you didn't develop Lagos. Lagos State is a natural economic magnet attracting investments from investors locally and globally. Those who bring in money are bringing in money to make more money or other benefits - and not for charity. There's always something to gain from Lagos. If all ibos and ibos assets were to be relocated from Lagos to the SE, would it destroy the Lagos economy? No, not in any way in reality. That "vacuum" (whether properties or investments) created will be filled almost instantly. As it is, there are thousands upon thousands of people rushing to get here daily, and millions more (both locals and foreigners) would come settle here if such a vacuum existed. Lagos is already in shortage of lands and many settlement projects are being built on the seas, like the Eko Atlantic city. I could go on but even this is enough to prove the versatility of the economic prosperity of the land flowing with milk and honey called Lagos state. For several years, the OBJ administration deprived Lagos of federal funds, yet Lagos didn't even feel it one bit. Lagos is a hub of prosperity on its own, take it or leave it. So the ibos shouldn't get it twisted, Lagos will continue to prosper with or without you. Nigeria needs the ibos and the ibos need Nigeria. But Lagos doesn't need the ibos; it's the ibos that need Lagos. Now stop creating any more conflict drama in Lagos than you already have and appreciate your hosts and other tribes. If the ibos are disgusted about paying taxes to Lagos and coexisting peacefully with mutual respect for the Yorubas hosts and other tribes inhabiting Lagos, then well the South East needs further development, the South East governments need taxes too to perform their obligations, so you're free to go to your home states and do the needful.


Igbos Dominate Economically in Lagos because Yorubas are Lazy



http://www.elombah.com/index.php/articles-mainmenu/18144-igbos-dominate-economically-in-lagos-because-yorubas-are-lazy






And i quote:

What a very brilliant analyses

Strongfaze:
Good one. The Igbos suffer the most brain- drain in Nigeria. They should have a re-think for their own good instead of saying that Lagos is no man's land.

If federal government should give Igboland Lagos or Abuja as it have given Yoruba land and Hausa land, Ndiigbo would have stayed in their Lagos or Abuja which could have hastened the disintegration of the jungle called Nigeria. I am strictly for disintegration of Nigeria so that every Joe could control his destiny.

Destined2win:
You see, we are beginning to drive at one point. I can see you are reasonable.

I'm glad we're converging.

It is in the nature of the Igbos to feel at home anywhere in the world, that is why the bring their best to live there. Go to the north, you will see beautiful houses built by Igbos because they believe it is home and we are 'one'. But come to the east, there are hausas and Yorubas there, but they prefer living in zinc houses other than building or living in comfort irrespective of how cheap good houses in the east are, and how industrious and peaceable those places are. This may be because they do not have that mindset of oneness and the lack of self-freedom to create their own world.
Igbos won elections because they DARED to. What is stopping the others from daring?

Now now, I thought we were already beyond ethnic jingoism? We were already on a convergent trajectory, if you spoil it with more ethnicism, our discussion would have been rendered pointless.

LET US GO AND INVEST IN THE EAST, THERE IS A BETTER HOME OVER THERE, INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES ABOUNDS

Here I can't disagree with you. If you call on people to invest in the east due to the plethora of opportunities that exist, even I would consider that, but not because I'm Igbo. Let's keep this spirit up.

Duru1:
If federal government should give Igboland Lagos or Abuja as it have given Yoruba land and Hausa land, Ndiigbo would have stayed in their Lagos or Abuja which could have hastened the disintegration of the jungle called Nigeria. I am strictly for disintegration of Nigeria so that every Joe could control his destiny.

I want to know, how is the current setup preventing 'Joe' from controlling his destiny?

Igbo Traders as a Missionary Tool in South Western Nigeria
http://www.bravoprojecthelp.com/theology/igbo-traders-missionary-tool-south-western-nigeria/

Igbo Traders as a Missionary Tool in South Western Nigeria
http://www.bravoprojecthelp.com/theology/igbo-traders-missionary-tool-south-western-nigeria/

the curer is simple............

government should allow us to

BUILD OUR ROADS

PROVIDE OUR POWER SUPPLY

RUN OUR ECONOMY

REQUEST NO REVENUE FROM US

IN FACT THEY SHOULD LET US BE!

if that can be done, you will witness the coming together of the greatest minds on earth in one love and brotherhood!
you will see where the indivual works for his people {country} without pretense
you will see that all this political stuff is just formalities!

we know what to do

but it wont be in nigeria or as nigerians!

AgentOfAllah:
OP, Dangote and the other rich people of Africa, including the Igbos on that list, you know what they have in common? It's got nothing to do with their tribe. Go and listen to their interviews, they never mention their tribes. They talk about their innate self-determination and drive for success. These traits are more likely individual characteristics than tribal ones. It's not about being Igbo or Kanuri or Itshekiri or Ibibio. It's about what you as a person has to offer.

Of course, you can choose to isolate the successful Igbos and exude a misplaced sense of entitlement and monopoly over domineering and conquering spirit, but you will merely be celebrating the success of other people, not yours, however entitled you feel or however much you feel that success belongs to you due to tribal affiliations. YOUR TRIBE IS AN ACCIDENT OF BIRTH. Everybody's is, because no one chose their tribe! But your success and what you make of your life is your personal achievement. Success has no tribe, recognises no creed, respects no opinion. So feel free to keep defending the circumstantiality of tribal allegiance.

If you're truly a conqueror as you claim, then please conquer your pointless boastful arrogance, then we might believe you. It's not by Making noise.

May God bless you with more wisdom.

Strongfaze:
Good one. The Igbos suffer the most brain- drain in Nigeria. They should have a re-think for their own good instead of saying that Lagos is no man's land.

The Op just re-iterated what I've been harping on for donkey years. What is the essence of biulding industries in Lagos & Ogun when we have Aba, Onitsha & Enugu? Who says we cant have mega warehouses or showrooms elsewhere while having the head offices or production facilities in the East? The Nigerian state is oppressing us yet we are also oppressing ourselves!