I am an executive member of the Igbo Youths UK, an association of over 700 registered members. Recently some Ijo and Kalabari youths have been showing interest in joining the organisation. The Ikwerres, Etches, Ogbas, Ndonis who are in the same Rivers state with them are members of the association. Should we open the doors for them to come in?.

Am half Kalabari. Kalabari are Ijaw people! Kalabari is a clan of the Ijaw ethnic group which speaks a dialect of the ijaw language

If Ijo and Igbo are in one association, then it no longer become an Igbo association, but I don't see a problem with the Ijo youth having an association in affiliation with the Igbo youth association (and vice versa).

Just my thoughts.

I can't believe this. We are fighting racism and behold nigerians are discriminating each other even in europe. What if it was a white organasation that ask a question like this. I know it would be hell on earth.

chillbabe:

I can't believe this. We are fighting racism and behold nigerians are discriminating each other even in europe. What if it was a white organasation that ask a question like this. I know it would be hell on earth.

Well, I can't see a Finish organisation, for example, allowing non-Finns into their organisation, but none the less, I think the Ijaw applicants should be allowed to join because Ijaw and Igbo are closely related anyway, and besides there are dialects and sub-groups of Igbo that are so different from the so-called "core" Igbo groups, that the differences in Ijaw culture to Igbo culture wouldn't seem that big of a deal.

Batubo:

Am half Kalabari. Kalabari are Ijaw people! Kalabari is a clan of the Ijaw ethnic group which speaks a dialect of the ijaw language

Please your opinion on the raised question. Your opinion may count in the decision which the Igbo Youths UK will be taken soon.

maybe the Kalabari youths should be asked if they their mums are Igbo or have Igbo relatives. Their Igbo should be tested as well.

I find it hard to believe this story though

The kalabari should join the greater ijaw association while the ikwerres should join the greater igbo association.if they group together then the name should be southern nigeria association.

OW11
I am an executive member of the Igbo youths UK. This is a sociocultural organisation of Young Igbos in the UK. It comprises of Igbo from the South south and South east. Currently, the president is from Anioma, while a Rebisi girl is an executive member as well. We have a Kalabari who is a member because her mum is Igbo.
But the issue at hand is about the full-fledged Kalabaris and Ijaws who have declared their intentions to be part of our laudable organisation. We might have been an Igbo youth organisation but our programmes appeals to non-Igbo youths as well. For example, our July meet centered on the novel-Things Fall Apart. A dvd of TFA was shown. The aspect that was shown was a traditional marriage of the Umuofian society. It featured Justice Esiri as Obierika and Okonkwo's best friend. Her daughter was the bride in that movie. Afterwards, free copies of the novel were distributed to members. The Ijaws and Kalabaris were there as observers and now they intend to join. This happens every second sunday of each month and the venue is in Blackfriars Road SE1 London.
 IT IS REAL.

Abagworo.
The Ikwerre youths are playing prominent roles in the Igbo Youths UK. In fact, one of our executive members is an Ikwerre girl from Rebisi.
The isssue here is about the Kalabari and Ijaw youths who have been attracted by our programmes and organisational capabilities.

@Andre

Fine. Then if they join, you would have to change your name besides your association seems to have something very attractive and you may very well take up Abagworo's advice and expand ur membership base by inviting all.

OW11
  Your contributions are noted. However, we will be letting the founding fathers down if we change the name. This association is 11 years old now. In  actuality, the founding fathers called it 'Igbo Cultural Support Network (icsn.co.uk) AKA Igbo Youths. At the 10th anniversary celebration of the association,members reiterated the need to preserve the name in its original version.
  Even the Arewa forum of Northern Nigeria has not changed the name Arewa which is Hausa regardless they have non-Hausa members.
But the issue is, do we admit the Kalabari and Ijo, whom have been craving to join the Igbo Youths?.

Hehh. . I'm familiar with your organization. Anyway, to really answer your question [do we admit the Kalabari and Ijo, whom have been craving to join the Igbo Youths?], you'd have to first know what your organization is all about. What is it's focus group? What kind of activities/events does it run? [etc. etc.] Then you have to consider, what exactly will be the rules of those Ijo members of your group? What functions will they play as Ijo? [etc. etc.]

Can you [your organization] answer those questions?

ChinenyeN
The goal of the Igbo Youths UK is to promote Igbo culture in the UK and to foster togetherness amongst youths of Igbo origin etc. As a result, we have Igbo teachings, for example this month's topic was on how to interprete the clock in Igbo language. The seconds, minutes, the hours etc. During the cultural presentation, we looked into marriage in traditional Igbo societies as potrayed in Things Fall Apart. Members as well went home with free copies of that Achebe's wondrous work. August will also be fully loaded.
Last month, we had a sports day which featured all sorts of games and music in sports. This was held at Finsbury Park, North London. On that day, as at 5pm, the association recorded 312 people in attendance. Some were not Igbo. Our programmes is being fancied by NdiIgbo and others.

They can just be honorary members or associate members. . .not full members, like they can not for example hold an office since they are not Igbos.

OW11
Once again thanks for your opinion. I think what you have just suggested should be taken to the body when we meet over this issue.

Why make them effectively second class? If anybody wants to join, you should let them, no matter who they are or where they come from, as long as they show a genuine interest. making them honourary is excluding them.

Kenezi
Thanks for your wonderful suggestion. I am glad with the ideas am getting in this thread. Am sure they will be helpful.

The Igbo Youths in the U.K proudly presents to Ndigbo in the U.K the opportunity to witness Igbo culture in high definition. The 2010 Iri Ji festival has programmes such as:
Display of Igbo traditional attire.
Blessing of kola nut and and distibution.
Blessing of yam and yam cutting.
Introduction of distinguished Igbos in the U.K
Traditional dances.
All sorts of yam dishes to be served.
Igbo Drama.
Igbo rap music.
ETC.
For more information visit: www.icsn.co.uk.

Andre Uweh:

The Igbo Youths in the U.K proudly presents to Ndigbo in the U.K the opportunity to witness Igbo culture in high definition. The 2010 Iri Ji festival has programmes such as:
Display of Igbo traditional attire.
Blessing of kola nut and and distibution.
Blessing of yam and yam cutting.
Introduction of distinguished Igbos in the U.K
Traditional dances.
All sorts of yam dishes to be served.
Igbo Drama.
Igbo rap music.
ETC.
For more information visit: www.icsn.co.uk.

Do you have an example of the Igbo traditional attire[s]? And were the Kalabari people allowed to join?

ezeagu:

Do you have an example of the Igbo traditional attire[s]? And were the Kalabari people allowed to join?

I do have some examples of Igbo trad. attire. If you live around London and need some, you can contact executive members of Icsn via their website but should not be within this festive period.
Only 3 have joined since then.

They should be allowed to join but not as full members with rights to run for Office but they can be appointed into positions by elected officials of the group. We have a 100% Yoruba member in our group and my friend who is Bini/African-American but has an Igbo step mom from Anioma has interest to join Igbo Development Group.

Nothing wrong with them joining and being accomodated as long as they know what they are doing and want to do in the group.

@ topic

i dont see why not.

tpiah:

@ topic

i dont see why not.

Three have since joined the group. Can you imagine that one of them from Andoni, speaks Igbo fluently despite the fact she has never lived in Igboland nor had had Igbo parents.
In the past, we use to record scores of non Igbos who come as observers until last year when some Kalabaris declared their intentions of joining the group.

I wish to use this medium to thank all those who made it at the Iri Ji festival of ICSN yesterday. It was a memorable night.
Thanks to the Nigerian Acting High commissioner.
Thanks to Igbo mayors and councillors in London who made it to the festival.
Thanks to representative of Eze Nri for that wonderful yam cutting.
Thanks to UmuIgbo Katolic community for their cultural displays.
Thanks to Abatete Union UK for their Adaeze masquerade.
Thanks to representatives of Izu Anioma for their support.
Thanks to president of Ika Town Union for his support.
Thanks to ICSN executives and members
Thanks to Etche Union for their support.
To Ebonyi state Union president, thanks a lot.
To the entire Ndigbo and non Igbo people, thanks a lot as we look forward to 2011 edition.
God bless you all.

Andre Uweh:

I wish to use this medium to thank all those who made it at the Iri Ji festival of ICSN yesterday. It was a memorable night.
Thanks to the Nigerian Acting High commissioner.
Thanks to Igbo mayors and councillors in London who made it to the festival.
Thanks to representative of Eze Nri for that wonderful yam cutting.
Thanks to UmuIgbo Katolic community for their cultural displays.
Thanks to Abatete Union UK for their Adaeze masquerade.
Thanks to representatives of Izu Anioma for their support.
Thanks to president of Ika Town Union for his support.
Thanks to ICSN executives and members
Thanks to Etche Union for their support.
To Ebonyi state Union president, thanks a lot.
To the entire Ndigbo and non Igbo people, thanks a lot as we look forward to 2011 edition.
God bless you all.

Pictures?

ezeagu:

Pictures?

They have to consent to that, you know.

Andre Uweh:

They have to consent to that, you know.

So there's no website or anything, they're just going to keep the pictures to themselves?

The pictures will be published in our website soon (www.icsn.co.uk).
Watch out.

@Ezeagu: A copy of the Iri JI 2010 video will be available soon. It is £5.00 per copy. Contact the executives via our website (www.icsn.co.uk).

Actions from Iri Ji 2010.

For those who attended Iri Ji 2010 in Edmonton, London last week, the crack your rib star who entertained that night is Chydon. You can watch one of shows on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wMQiKZmHN4