₦airaland Forum

NaijirianKing:
So your stance is that Igbo can lose all their investments from the last 63 years, but will be okay because the resources that are in Igboland will make up the difference since those won't be shared between 36 states and will be concentrated in Igboland?

If so, I can see that point, however wouldn't it make sense to develop the area first and then use it as leverage? Eyimba Economic City would be the first step that would need to have to happen.

Lastly, are you referring to the gas deposits in Igboland? And would you include any parts of Anioma or Rivers Igbos, or would it be better to go it alone as a nation with the core Igbo states and maybe Cross River or Akwa Ibom, if they agree?

many movies that come out are pushing the agenda of inter-tribal marriage between Igbo women and non-Igbo men.

This is a disturbing trend as to an extent it reduces our numbers as the offspring will be of the ethnic group of their father, therein Igbo population is limited in growth and our culture is slowly being eroded away.

pazienza:
[s]BENUE INDIGENOUS IGBO
These are found primarily in two LGAs of Benue State in the southern senatorial district (namely Ado and Oju LGAs). In Ado, they are found in five out of the 10 wards namely Ulayi, Ekile, Ijigban, Igumale 2, and Akoge/Ogbilolo. And in Oju LGA, they dominate one ward, Idelle out of 11 wards in the area. The Igbo of Benue belong to the Ezza, Izzi, Ezzamgbo, and Effium tribes.


POPULATION AND LAND AREA
In Ado LGA there are 140 political polling units (PUs) with the Igbo speaking population occupying over 50 of such Pus. In general, the Igbo PUs, tend to have greater voter’s registration compared to their Idoma counterparts. Using this fact as guide, we can estimate the population of the Igbo people of Ado LGA. It is no less than 90,000 out of the 184,000 people enumerated in Ado LGA in 2006 (or about half the population).
For Oju LGA, Igbos dominate only Idelle ward with little presence elsewhere.

We can estimate that about one-tenth of the LGA’s population is Igbo (ca. 15,000). When we add these figures up, we get a population of 105,000 Igbos occupying their homeland in Benue State and that is about 2.5 percent of the population of Benue State or 1 person out of 40 residents in that state according to the 2006 census. This should have grown to over 140,000 people by the end of 2019. The land area occupied by the Igbo is about 500 km2 (Ado ca. 400 km2; and Oju ca. 100 km2). It is important to note that Ado has five districts namely Utonkon, Apa-Agila, Igumale, Ijigban-Ekile, and Ulayi. Apart from Utonkon and Apa-Agila, Igbos dominate Ulayi and Ijigban-Ekile and make up a substantial chunk of Igumale.


ECONOMY
The economy is dominated by agriculture and the area lies in the heart of the rich agricultural Benue-Ebonyi-Cross River belt. Among the produce found in abundance are yams, cassava, soybean, palm oil, fruits, vegetables, maize and many others.

Interestingly, the raising of goats, sheep and cattle of the Muturu tape are major occupation making this area an importance source of food. And because of the fertility of the soils, and the industry of the people, the largest markets in the locality had developed. The Ichari-Inikiri market is the largest market in the whole of Ado LGA and is an important source of IGR through market fees and levies. Other markets of considerable size in the area include Iddah and Iduokpe markets.
Though, there is little or no exploration of minerals in the area, the geological location of this area in the mineral rich Lower Benue-Trough indicates that the area might be mineral rich.


HISTORY
The Benue-Igbo are primarily of Ezza, Izzi, Ezzamgbo, and Effium stock who began to arrive the area in the early 1800s. This rapid expansion and remarkable mobility of the Izzi and especially the Ezza people, meant that the country was settled very rapidly mainly for farming and hunting activities. This expansion of the Northeastern Igbo, had been a topic that has been discussed by several historians such as Prof Elizabeth Isichei, Prof Adiele Afigbo and others. Thus the idea that the Benue Igbo are tenants is far from being the truth.

They are settled on their lands – their homeland. They had been settled on these lands prior to colonial rule and there is no evidence they paid royalties to the Idoma or Igede. In that period, there were lots of displacement and population movements. The Igede pushed south to parts of Cross River states, and the Idoma who originally occupied much of what is now Tivland, pushed to different directions some moving to Cross River State and Ette(in Enugu) and nobody calls them tenants in those areas. Remnants of the idoma people are the Etulo now in the heart of Tivland and communities belonging to Igede which had been lumped to Konshisha and Gwer East LGAs (part of Tivalnd).


If there is any group which is almost certain to be the aborigines of the area, that should be scattered communities of Ukelle people and this explains why there are Ukelle speaking enclaves in parts of the present Ebonyi State such as the Mtezi and Okpoto. The Utonkon were also believed to had left their homeland somewhere in the present Ebonyi and moved north due to pressure by the so called Abakaliki Igbos(Ezza, Izzi, Mgbo and Ikwo). The Utonkon today are grouped as “Idoma” but the fact is that they don’t speak Idoma at all. Their language (Ufia) is a dialect of Ukelle. The Effium probably were originally Ukelle people who did not move out and were assimilated into the Igbo population before colonial rule. This yet again proves that the Benue-Igbo people are occupying their lands.

Interestingly, many Utonkon people connect themselves with the Effium, Okpoto and Mtezi enclaves (and by extension the Igbo) rather than the Idoma which administrative convenience had imposed on them.
Among the clans (the Ezza being dominant) are Umuezeokoha, Umuezeoka, Oriuzor, Umuoghara, Ameka, Amezekwe, etc. These major clans have dispersed settlements numbering over 300 many developing as farming camps.
MARGINALIZATION
Many often wonder how come these “Abakaliki” Igbos of Benue are marginalized considering their substantial numbers (over 105,000 according to the 2006 census or 2.5 percent of Benue State). The reason is simple.

Ado was originally grouped as one unit along with Okpokwu and Ogbadibo LGAs. If we combine the population of these three LGAs, we have about 490,000 people according to the 2006 census and with only 90,000 people or just 18 percent of the population, one gets a clearer picture of how the sad state of development of these Benue-Igbo communities began. They did not carry much political weight. They were just seen as a far flung people with power base of what will be defined as Ado LGA centered on the towns of Utonkon, Agila and Igumale.

Thus the political elites destined to run Ado LGA, was not nurtured in Benue-Igbo area, the missionaries also did not penetrate early enough unlike Utonkon, Igumale and Agila. In the old Okpokwu LGA(now new Okpokwu, Ogbadibo, and Ado), the Igbo were not given their “districts” rather they were distributed and lumped to districts politically dominated by the Idoma and since they were cut off often by infrastructure and the people being largely uneducated then, one understands why it still dominates how Ado is organized till now.
The result is that schools, and hospitals are largely absence in Benue Igbo areas. Roads, water supply and electricity do not exist. The Ado LGA authorities only seem to remember them when it comes to collection of levies and taxes in their markets.

The same scenario is observed in Oju LGA. In the past, Oju and Obi LGAs were grouped together as Igede homeland and the smaller Igbo population here (mainly at Idelle) then, was even less significant. But strangely, despite their less significant population in Oju (among the Igede), there is evidence to prove that they are better treated than their Ado counterparts with political representation and sense of belonging[/s].

©Osita Mordi

NaijirianKing:
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/mixed-reactions-trail-buharis-nomination-of-emefieles-kinsman-as-deputy-governor.html

Controversy trails an appointment of a man from the South South or Niger Delta to represent the South East geopolitical zone.

Analyst ask if someone from the South East would be allowed to represent the Niger Delta.

The appointee has never publicly identified as an Igbo Man, but rather as a "Delta Man" or a "Niger Deltan".

pazienza:
BENUE INDIGENOUS IGBO
These are found primarily in two LGAs of Benue State in the southern senatorial district (namely Ado and Oju LGAs). In Ado, they are found in five out of the 10 wards namely Ulayi, Ekile, Ijigban, Igumale 2, and Akoge/Ogbilolo. And in Oju LGA, they dominate one ward, Idelle out of 11 wards in the area. The Igbo of Benue belong to the Ezza, Izzi, Ezzamgbo, and Effium tribes.

©Osita Mordi

NaijirianKing:
Ndi Igbo

We need to discuss an issue.

The newly nominated CBN Deputy Governor Dr. Kingsley I. Obiora is from Oshimili in Delta State, which is in South South geopolitical zone.

Why then is he representing South East in the CBN Board?

Is there an overnight adjustment to the existing zonal structure or is it that zones and zonal boundaries don’t exist anymore?

Does it mean that zone and tribe are the same, assuming that he’s Igbo?

Can a Yoruba person from Niger, Kogi or Kwara represent South West in a Federal position?

This needs to be addressed as we've seen that merely having an Igbo name doesn't make one "Igbo", however, when it comes time for appointments for Igbo, the same people will join the queue.

NaijirianKing:
How vocal are the "Benue Igbo" about their Igboness and how vocal are they about being recognized as such?

If they're silent, then the greater Igbo Nation should leave them for now until such is made.

The new crop of Igbos are focused solely on the SE for now, other groups have to convince us of their loyalty before we stick our necks out.

Remember a man from the present day "South South" set in actions that the SE Igbos still suffer from.

NaijirianKing:
The new generation of Igbo Men are not playing by the same old rules where one will spend their lives denying being Igbo, only to be a Johnny Come Lately when being Igbo is beneficial.

Our new Code of Conduct includes seriously taking note and recording anytime one denies being Igbo or doesn't embrace such, for such a time as this, we will then bring those receipts to now deny the person.

The new generation of Igbo Men are unapologetically Igbo and follow the Code of Igbo Empowerment.

NaijirianKing:
How vocal are the "Benue Igbo" about their Igboness and how vocal are they about being recognized as such?

If they're silent, then the greater Igbo Nation should leave them for now until such is made.

The new crop of Igbos are focused solely on the SE for now, other groups have to convince us of their loyalty before we stick our necks out.

Remember a man from the present day "South South" set in actions that the SE Igbos still suffer from.

NaijirianKing:
Ugwuanyi's Ongoing Transformation Of Forest Reserve, Okpara Square, Enugu (Photos)

IgbereTV reports that the Enugu State Executive Council (EXCO) in its meeting of October 24, 2019, among other decisions, entered into agreement with the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, to beautify and provide works of arts in major roundabouts in Enugu City as well as the forest reserve adjacent to the popular Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, at a prevailing commercial rate.

The roundabout beautification project is ongoing as can be witnessed at Otigba junction, Enugu and other locations.

The ongoing project at the forest reserve, Okpara Square, which is massive, will be beautified with art works such as an artificial water pond and a monumental roaring lion of about 30ft high and 60ft length.

The project when completed will transform the area to a Unity Park and serve as a tourist attraction as well as a place for relaxation and recreation, in line with urban renewal drive of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration.

Enugu State is in the hands of God!##

http://igberetvnews.com/1309690/ugwuanyis-ongoing-transformation-forest-reserve-okpara-square-enugu-photos/

pazienza:
BENUE INDIGENOUS IGBO
These are found primarily in two LGAs of Benue State in the southern senatorial district (namely Ado and Oju LGAs). In Ado, they are found in five out of the 10 wards namely Ulayi, Ekile, Ijigban, Igumale 2, and Akoge/Ogbilolo. And in Oju LGA, they dominate one ward, Idelle out of 11 wards in the area. The Igbo of Benue belong to the Ezza, Izzi, Ezzamgbo, and Effium tribes.


POPULATION AND LAND AREA
In Ado LGA there are 140 political polling units (PUs) with the Igbo speaking population occupying over 50 of such Pus. In general, the Igbo PUs, tend to have greater voter’s registration compared to their Idoma counterparts. Using this fact as guide, we can estimate the population of the Igbo people of Ado LGA. It is no less than 90,000 out of the 184,000 people enumerated in Ado LGA in 2006 (or about half the population).
For Oju LGA, Igbos dominate only Idelle ward with little presence elsewhere.

We can estimate that about one-tenth of the LGA’s population is Igbo (ca. 15,000). When we add these figures up, we get a population of 105,000 Igbos occupying their homeland in Benue State and that is about 2.5 percent of the population of Benue State or 1 person out of 40 residents in that state according to the 2006 census. This should have grown to over 140,000 people by the end of 2019. The land area occupied by the Igbo is about 500 km2 (Ado ca. 400 km2; and Oju ca. 100 km2). It is important to note that Ado has five districts namely Utonkon, Apa-Agila, Igumale, Ijigban-Ekile, and Ulayi. Apart from Utonkon and Apa-Agila, Igbos dominate Ulayi and Ijigban-Ekile and make up a substantial chunk of Igumale.


ECONOMY
The economy is dominated by agriculture and the area lies in the heart of the rich agricultural Benue-Ebonyi-Cross River belt. Among the produce found in abundance are yams, cassava, soybean, palm oil, fruits, vegetables, maize and many others.

Interestingly, the raising of goats, sheep and cattle of the Muturu tape are major occupation making this area an importance source of food. And because of the fertility of the soils, and the industry of the people, the largest markets in the locality had developed. The Ichari-Inikiri market is the largest market in the whole of Ado LGA and is an important source of IGR through market fees and levies. Other markets of considerable size in the area include Iddah and Iduokpe markets.
Though, there is little or no exploration of minerals in the area, the geological location of this area in the mineral rich Lower Benue-Trough indicates that the area might be mineral rich.


HISTORY
The Benue-Igbo are primarily of Ezza, Izzi, Ezzamgbo, and Effium stock who began to arrive the area in the early 1800s. This rapid expansion and remarkable mobility of the Izzi and especially the Ezza people, meant that the country was settled very rapidly mainly for farming and hunting activities. This expansion of the Northeastern Igbo, had been a topic that has been discussed by several historians such as Prof Elizabeth Isichei, Prof Adiele Afigbo and others. Thus the idea that the Benue Igbo are tenants is far from being the truth.

They are settled on their lands – their homeland. They had been settled on these lands prior to colonial rule and there is no evidence they paid royalties to the Idoma or Igede. In that period, there were lots of displacement and population movements. The Igede pushed south to parts of Cross River states, and the Idoma who originally occupied much of what is now Tivland, pushed to different directions some moving to Cross River State and Ette(in Enugu) and nobody calls them tenants in those areas. Remnants of the idoma people are the Etulo now in the heart of Tivland and communities belonging to Igede which had been lumped to Konshisha and Gwer East LGAs (part of Tivalnd).


If there is any group which is almost certain to be the aborigines of the area, that should be scattered communities of Ukelle people and this explains why there are Ukelle speaking enclaves in parts of the present Ebonyi State such as the Mtezi and Okpoto. The Utonkon were also believed to had left their homeland somewhere in the present Ebonyi and moved north due to pressure by the so called Abakaliki Igbos(Ezza, Izzi, Mgbo and Ikwo). The Utonkon today are grouped as “Idoma” but the fact is that they don’t speak Idoma at all. Their language (Ufia) is a dialect of Ukelle. The Effium probably were originally Ukelle people who did not move out and were assimilated into the Igbo population before colonial rule. This yet again proves that the Benue-Igbo people are occupying their lands.

Interestingly, many Utonkon people connect themselves with the Effium, Okpoto and Mtezi enclaves (and by extension the Igbo) rather than the Idoma which administrative convenience had imposed on them.
Among the clans (the Ezza being dominant) are Umuezeokoha, Umuezeoka, Oriuzor, Umuoghara, Ameka, Amezekwe, etc. These major clans have dispersed settlements numbering over 300 many developing as farming camps.
MARGINALIZATION
Many often wonder how come these “Abakaliki” Igbos of Benue are marginalized considering their substantial numbers (over 105,000 according to the 2006 census or 2.5 percent of Benue State). The reason is simple.

Ado was originally grouped as one unit along with Okpokwu and Ogbadibo LGAs. If we combine the population of these three LGAs, we have about 490,000 people according to the 2006 census and with only 90,000 people or just 18 percent of the population, one gets a clearer picture of how the sad state of development of these Benue-Igbo communities began. They did not carry much political weight. They were just seen as a far flung people with power base of what will be defined as Ado LGA centered on the towns of Utonkon, Agila and Igumale.

Thus the political elites destined to run Ado LGA, was not nurtured in Benue-Igbo area, the missionaries also did not penetrate early enough unlike Utonkon, Igumale and Agila. In the old Okpokwu LGA(now new Okpokwu, Ogbadibo, and Ado), the Igbo were not given their “districts” rather they were distributed and lumped to districts politically dominated by the Idoma and since they were cut off often by infrastructure and the people being largely uneducated then, one understands why it still dominates how Ado is organized till now.
The result is that schools, and hospitals are largely absence in Benue Igbo areas. Roads, water supply and electricity do not exist. The Ado LGA authorities only seem to remember them when it comes to collection of levies and taxes in their markets.

The same scenario is observed in Oju LGA. In the past, Oju and Obi LGAs were grouped together as Igede homeland and the smaller Igbo population here (mainly at Idelle) then, was even less significant. But strangely, despite their less significant population in Oju (among the Igede), there is evidence to prove that they are better treated than their Ado counterparts with political representation and sense of belonging.

©Osita Mordi

NaijirianKing:
If Kizz Daniels is engaging in such behavior, then I'm deleting any and all songs from my playlists, moreover, Igbo men should do the same as our women's respect is paramount and no one from another group can engage in such and we sit by watching.

In the next 5 years, if this continues at this rate, Igbo women will have zero respect and will be viewed merely as objects to use and discard.

We as men, need to start dealing directly with these artists and boycotting their music.

NaijirianKing:
If we can control it, then it may be used as a good thing. For example, when a Black American male obtains fame or vast sums of money, White fathers have no problem with their daughters marrying them.

This is because by marrying them, they're obtaining the resources of that wealthy male and transferring the resources to their family. For example Michael Jordan has a white wife, and when he passes away, his fortune will go to his wife and her white family.

To an extent, Igbo women generally only marry Yoruba men of means, or they stick with Igbo men. This may be a good thing, in limited numbers as a way to transfer wealth from the men to the family of the women.

What are your thoughts?