₦airaland Forum

The Midwest Invasion of 1967: Lessons for Today's Geopolitics

Text of a keynote speech delivered at the Nigerian Independence Day Celebration sponsored by the Nigerian Women Association in Columbia, South Carolina on October 3, 1998 at the Holiday Inn Express, 773 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29210.

Nowamagbe A. Omoigui, MD, MPH, FACC

Email: Nowa@prodigy.net

INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

Thank you very much for inviting me to deliver the keynote address to the Nigerian community in South Carolina this year. As you all are aware, our country is 38 years old, having attained political independence from Britain on October 1st 1960.

Our history goes back much further. Having secured the Atlantic coastal areas, in the latter part of the nineteenth century (1, 2), two significant events at the turn of this century marked the interior drive by colonialists to gain political and economic control over what later became the central and eastern states of Southern Nigeria. They were the Benin expedition of 1897 and the Aro expedition of 1901-2. Much earlier, Consul Johnston of the Niger Coast protectorate removed King Jaja of Opobo in 1887. Chief Nana of Itsekiri was deported in September 1894. In the context of events created by the 1892 treaty with vice-consul Gallwey, the Benin empire fell in the wake of the so-called "punitive" expedition by Sir Ralph Moor's government on February 18, 1897. Oba Ovonramwen was subsequently deported to Calabar (3).

The British government later transformed the Niger Coast Protectorate into the "Protectorate of Southern Nigeria", encompassing multiple ethnic territories (except Lagos) some of which used to be administered under the Royal Niger Company. In 1906, the colony of Lagos was merged with the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria.

On January 1st 1914, Sir Frederick Lugard announced the amalgamation of two British colonial protectorates, northern and southern Nigeria. In his words, the union would henceforth be "….conforming to one policy and mutually cooperating for the moral and material advancement of Nigeria as a whole…". (4) Based on other accounts, however, it appears that the reason why the British amalgamated Northern and Southern Nigeria had nothing to do with the moral and material advancement of Nigeria as a whole. His Majesty's Government sought to consolidate contiguous colonial possessions and reroute the great rail-lines, thus gaining direct access to Atlantic ports. Southern Nigeria's riches (particularly timber) was a means to subsidize the cost of administering northern Nigeria so as to free up scarce resources in other colonies to prosecute the First World War.

Perhaps emblematic of our inability to find a stable structure (5, 6), Nigeria has had eight constitutions in the 70-year period between 1922 and 1992: 1922, 1946, 1951, 1954, 1960, 1963, 1979, and 1989. At the present time, we are in the throes of yet another military-civil transition program that will (hopefully) lead to the emergence of the third republic on May 29, 1999. The draft of our ninth constitution was recently released for public comment (7). There are those who believe we are in for yet another replay of our tortured past.

Indeed, much has happened in the last eight years, the details of which you are all aware. On April 22, 1990, a young middle-belt Armored Corps officer by name of Major Gideon Orkar (supported by a clique of southern minority officers) went on Lagos radio and announced the expulsion of all states in the far north fringe of Nigeria from the country. His putsch eventually failed. In 1993, Nigeria's military leader, General Ibrahim Babangida, (himself a northerner, with a personal agenda of his own) was urged by a clique of northern officers in the Army (with the acquiescence of some southern civilian elite) to prevent the apparent winner of a national election from taking office. According to Babangida's son, these officers reportedly cited the economic control of the country by southerners as a justification for politico-military control by the "disadvantaged" north. The presumed winner of the election, Moshood Abiola, who died recently in detention, was a Yoruba from the southern part of the country. Since then, separatist instincts (which have never been too far from the surface) have been given a new lease of life. With nearly all ethnic groups in the country suffering from the disease of want and feeling "marginalized" from opportunity by at least one other ethnic or religious group, calls have increased for measures to attain redress. They include a "sovereign national conference" to decide the future of the country, confederation, a return to the 1963 regional constitution, establishment of a political "Truth Commission" and even outright dissolution of the federal republic. Most recently, the establishment of "regional armies" has been advocated to redress what is perceived as the domination of the military by "the north" (7).

These developments are neither trivial nor new. In early September, an unnamed diplomat was alleged to have imported 9000 9mm parabellum pistols and 500 submachine guns across the Beninois border (7). Rumors of similar activities in other parts of the country (including the stockpiling of weapons in warehouses abroad) persist. Such importation may be motivated by the desire to sell weapons in Nigeria's thriving "Armed Robbery" market. A more sinister possibility, however, is the contingency storage of weapons (by private interests) for another civil war.

My roots are from the Edo nation of the old Midwestern region (now Edo and Delta states) of Nigeria. My ancestors established the ancient Benin Empire, which, after 400 years of contacts with Europeans, lost its independence in 1897. Our country, Nigeria, has failed to live its promise and sometimes behaves as if it is living between wars. Indeed, no less a personality than Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma, former Army Chief made a similar observation in 1979.

Today, I have chosen to reflect on a particularly sensitive period of our history. The two-month period of the Nigerian civil war from August 9 to October 8th 1967 represent the entry and exit dates of Biafran forces from the Midwest. As we ponder the suggestion to set up "regional armies", there are lessons from that campaign that need emphasis if we are to learn from history and avoid repeating its mistakes.

E no go better for colonialist wey join Niger Delta minorities with cannibals in Eastern Region.

Igbo on Igbo crime is turning OSU Biafrauuds into the worlds largest Internally Displaced People.

Wike Wonder!!!

Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi’s coup

The real coup happened on January 16,1966 by Aguyi Ironsi

The morning after the January coup… Shehu Shagari got news that the Prime minister had been abducted… he tried to reach out to the Sadaurna.... His phone lines were down. He reached out to his neighbour at Ikoyi… minister for Housing and survey, Adeniran Ogunsanya and the minister for transport, Zanna Bukor Dipcharina… the most senior civilian official in rank at the time… Dipcharima summoned a meeting of all ministers to his house…..

It was at Dipcharina’s house that updates of events the previous night came in… about the death of Okotie Eboh and factions of the military responsible for the rebellion….. the updates also came of Akintola and Sadaurna’s death…. With the news coming in… they got into a panick…. Especially when they got rumors that the coup plotters in the North were upset with how events where handed in the south and were organizing to march down south to finish everybody off….

Nzeogwu had put together a force in the North that he divided into three groups.. one group was to head to Kano to stop a resistance from the fifth battalion…. Another was go to the southeast and take Enugu/Benin and a third group led by Chijoke Ojukwu was to march to Lagos and complete the mission…. At this time, Dipcharina, being the most senior NPC politician was in control of the situation. He sent for the British high commissioner Francais Cummings Brusce and Ironsi.

Dipcharina got worried when he learnt that Maimlari had also been killed and that Ironsi was the one in control…. It was very obvious that Ironsi was deliberately stalling to create an atmosphere of panic…. Dipcharima told the British ambassador… Francais Bruce that they were not comfortable with the army in control of Ironsi and that British should provide them with military support to protect the country….. Bruce replied that it had to be in writing because it is a request from one sovereign country to another and must be signed by an appropriate authority.
The NPC ministers nominated Dipcharina as the acting Prime Minister pending the next meeting where he would be officially recognized. senior members of NPC left for the house of the senate president and asked him to officially recognize Dipcharima as the acting prime minister…. Nwafor Orizu refused and said he wanted to consult first with NCNC members…..

Ironsi called a meeting of senior military officers, including Joseph Edet, Colonel Njoku, Colonel Banjo and Colonel Fajuyi and Colonel Yakubu Gowon. He asked for their opinion and cleverly talked them into suggesting him to take over to restore order… everyone agreed… with an exception to Gowon… He stuttered a bit and apologized, saying he wasn’t thinking straight and would wish to take permission to go to the North to mobilize an army from Zaria….

January 16, 1966….. Ironsi called a meeting of both army and senior officers and told them that the only way order can be restored is if he took over as head of state. He claimed he was reluctant to do so but that the soldiers were adamant …He made them aware that if power was not handed over to him, their lives were at risk.

Alhaji Abdulrazak was asked to put together a hand over note and Nwafor Orizu made a broadcast that the council of ministers had unanimously handed over to the GOC…. Thus, the real coup happened on January 16,1966 by Aguyi Ironsi..... Everyone in the military who could have stood up to him had been killed. If Ademulegun and Maimalari were still alive... they would have brought the needed balance the senate needed to preserve the young democracy. Both of them would have taken charge and easily restored order in the North and West.

Please follow the series of events... we are heading somewhere....

Gbonka Ebiri

Elon Musk on Obidient losers: “There’s an old saying that ‘history is written by the victors,’ it’s like well, not if your enemies are still alive and have a lot of time on their hands to edit Wikipedia. The losers just got a lot of time on their hands.”

Labored in vain and in pain. Obi presidency was normal Ibo hallucination. Like Ibo own Lagos, Niger Delta, Benue. Kogi.

What has happened to Igbo? - Joe Igbokwe

Nairaland mods go ban any one that answers this question truthfully.

oyatz:
The Asaba people who are saying they aren't Igbos are those whose Ancestors came from Bini, Igala, Yoruba and some autochthonous ancient communities within that axis.

The point is there are enough of these non-Ibo Asabans to make Asaba an impossible Biafra territory.

besides this colonial map of cannibalism shows that people on the west of the Niger river don't eat humans. That is a powerful piece of scientific anthropological proof that there are no cultural Ibos or otherwise West of the River Niger.

The point is there are enough of these non-Ibo Asabans to make Asaba an impossible Biafra territory.

gidgiddy:
Well if the 98 year old king of Asaba, Obi Chike Edozien, has told the whole world he os a proud Igbo man, tells you all you need to know about Asaba people

The Following Are the Ezechima Towns
1. ISSELE-UKU - Was founded at about 1230 A.D by Uwadiei, second son of Oba Ehemihen of Benin. It was foun by the Oba Ewedo to check the incursion of stranger elements the Benin Empire.
2. ONICIIA-OLONA — Was founded by Ohaeze in tile 16th cen after his flight from Issele-Uku.
3. EZI-UZOR — Was founded by IFITE, son of Ohaeze grandson of Ezechima).
4.ONICHA-UGBO — Was founded by prince Agba, eldest son of Ohaeze (and great grandson of Ezechima).
5.OBIOR — Was founded by princess Obior and her husband, Ukpali.
6. ONICHA-UKU — Was founded by immigrants from Onicha-Olona.
7. ISSELE-AZAGBA — Was founded by immigrants from Issele-Uku.
8. ISSELE-MKPITIME — Was founded by Ogbeowele, Ogbeofu and Idurnuinei quarters from Issele-Uku.
9. OBOMKPA — Was founded by prince Anagba, junior brother of Ezechima.
10. ONICHA-MILT—Was founded by Oha-Eze

THE ROLE OF ISSELE-UKU AS THE HEAD OF EZECHIMA CLAN

1. The Ezechima Native Court: This was built at Issele-Uku in 1906 by the British Government a few years after they had assumed full control of the administration of Nigeria. Government built native courts in the headquarters of clans. All the towns of Ezechima had always attended the native court at Issele-Uku and in fact, regarded it as their court. The Obi of Issele was the president of the native court.
2. Ezechima Hall: This was built in 1953 at Issele-Uku, with contribution from all the nine towns that make up Ezechima clan.
3. The 1896 Treaty: This was treaty of cession signed by Obi Egbune of Isseles, on behalf of himself and his people of Ezechima clan to maintain peace and cordial relations with Royal Niger Company.

Obi Odiwe of Asaba trekked to Issele-Uku to interpret and sign as a witness. A photocopy which was brought from the Museum in London by the Obi of Isseles in 1965 is attached.
4. Peace Treaty of 1912: The Obi of Isseles, Osemene I signed peace treaty with the British Government after Ekumeku war, was signed on behalf of himself, Ezechima people and the entire Niger Ibos. The British Museum, London, has the copy of this treaty.
I want to make it clear to Your Royal Highness, that Issele has love for all not only for Ezechima towns but the entire people of Nigeria living in our midst. We have always thought also that all Ezechima towns and other areas love us.
With the formation of District Authorities in 1981, people starteded to question the propriety of Issele-Uku to the headship of Ezechima clan. It is disheartening that in spite of the amicable settlement the Bendel State Government, in halting the attempt of removal headship of the clan, from Issele-Uku to another place, some have continued to exploit the pages of newspaper to write insinuating and tendentious statements which do not make for pleasant reading. We would like you to think, Your Royal Highness, that this situation is not strange to you. Issele-Uku is not just claiming the headship of Ezechima now. It is and has always been the Headship from the days of Oba Ewedo in the 13th century that is 752 years ago.
It is unfortunate that traditional rulers of one Ezechima family and descent, should allow themselves to be bought with money in order to enable one of us, lay abominable claim, in 1982, to the headship of Ezechima which this town Issele-Uku has been exercising for past eight centuries.
It is time we stopped using politicians and money to buy position which are essentially traditional. Politicians come and go but traditions remain as a full embodiment of our spiritual essence and existence. Headship of traditional institutions is also not estabestablished in pages of newspapers or in the mounting of signatures
to deceive the public. This is significantly puerile. Headship of clan is embodied in the genealogy and genesis of a people just as I have enumerated above. It cannot be established through open antagonism, nocturnal meetings, gang up, lobbying or the cajoling of long cherished Head into submission and to abdicate his position.
I am advising everyone in the presence of our respected Benin Monarch, the father of the Edo's, the father of our origins, and to whom we all own the traditional homage to think of how we can forge a united front and maintain peaceful co-existence with one another. Distasteful meetings aimed at ganging-up to destroy the image of a Head who did not stay there by himself but by natural design, will only create unnecessary bitterness which we all cannot be proud of.

The Stabillizing Role of the Oba of Benin

Your Royal Highness is not the Oba of the Edo's but I say with confidence, that you play the role of the traditional supervisor of Bendel State. The recent increase in the stipend paid to natural rulers is a credit to you in your capacity as the Adviser to the Government on Traditional Matters. In the ensuing years, you will have a vital role to play in fathering diverse political forms, and supplying the necessary equilibrium for natural co-existence and co-operation among the diverse ethnic groups that make up our communities. You are the embodiment of the total tradition of Bendel State and with the galaxy of eminent and seasoned Chiefs and traditionalists all around you, you will be able to cope squarely with the challenges of modern times, it is my hope and that of my people that your visit today is a sign of greater things to come.
We are proud of you and it is our prayer that you will continue to champion our cause at all times. In these days, when some politicians would tent to flout traditional authority, your position remolding situations will serve as the last hope of our people in the preservation of our culture. No nation can exist without its culture and our culture stands as a lasting testimony of our pride and identity as a people. Once again, I thank you for coming to this part of Bendel State while we wish you peaceful, prosperous and prodigious reign.



OBA GHATO OKPERE! ISE!
Your Royal Highness, Omo N'Oba, N'edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin, Respected Natural Rulers, My Lords Spiritual and Temporal, Chiefs, Service Chiefs, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for listening to this Address.
ROYAL PALACE, . (SGD) HRH, OSEMENE III
ISSELE-UKU. OBI OF ISSELES AND
15th of MARCH, 1982. TRADITIONAL HEAD OF
EZECHIMA CLAN.

Republished by Imasuen Amowie Izoduwa

gidgiddy:
Well if the 98 year old king of Asaba, Obi Chike Edozien, has told the whole world he os a proud Igbo man, tells you all you need to know about Asaba people

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS
OSEMENE III, THE OBI OF ISSELES AND TRADITIONAL
HEAD OF EZECHIMA CLAN
TO
OMO N'OBA N'EDO UKU AKPOLOKPOLO,
THE OBA OF BENIN,
OMO N'OBA, OBA EREDIAUWA.

ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ROYAL VISIT TO ISSELE-UKU
ON THE 15TH DAY OF MARCH, 1982.

YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS, UKU AKPOLOKPOLO
THE OBA OF BENIN,
MY LORDS, SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL, RESPECTED NATURAL RULERS,
CHIEFS,SERVICE CHIEFS, DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.


OBA GHATO OKPERE, ISE

isi Eze Ise! Nenu, Ise!

I, on behalf of myself, Chiefs, Issele Community and the Ezechima Clan, have the greatest joy to welcome you to this history town of Issele-Uku which, right from the 13th century, has had connection and deep-rooted association with Benin. In fact, Esigie, in giving the Royal Bronze Mask to Obi Oligbo on enthronement at Benin City in the early 16th century, re-emp that Issele was on the Eastern extremities of the Benin monarch This was testified to by His Royal Highness, Uku Akpolokpolo Akenzua II, of blessed memory on 11th February, 1976, Nigerian observer, front page, No. 2452, Monday, November 1976, to quote the OBA, "The bronze mask was given out by Esigie to Obi Oligbo of Issele to symbolize his position as the
authentic representative in the eastern extremities of Benin Empire.
He continued, "The Bronze mask is the face of Oba Esigie while the Festac Ivory mask, still in London, is the face of Queen Mother, Idia N'IYe'Esigie of Benin.

Your royal visit to us today is not the first time that a Benin Monarch has stepped on Issele soil.

a. Oba Ohen, in 1334, before his coronation, passed through Ukwunzu to Issele-Uku, travelling to Benin for his enthronement.
b. In the early 151h century, OBA Ewuare stayed at Issele-Uku for a short time. He was allowed to remain as common man, he was made a traditional chief as the Akogun of Issele-Uku, during the reign of Eze Ise of Issele-Uku.

c. When the Bisi asked the Oba Oguola to put to death his only brother, Adomo, before he could ascend the throne, Oba Oguola dispatched his brother Ogie Uwadiae to Issele-Uku. Adomo lived his life at Ogbeofu Quarters.


d. Before the reign of Obi Egbuna in 1840, all Issele Obis were schooled in the art of native administration in the Oba's palace and crowned there before they ascended the throne of Issele. The practice changed in 1840 when the Oba of Benin started to send his personal representatives to the coronation of all Obis at Issele-Uku. During the coronation of the reigning Obi Osemene III, Oba Akenzua II sent his chiefs, led by the Arala of Benin, Chief Osula. to represent him and perform some traditional rites at the ceremony.
e. During the campaign for the creation of Mid-West region. (Now Bendel State). Oba Akenzua II visited Issele-Uku twice to enlighten the people.
f. In 1962. when the then Western Regional Government voted £48,000 for Issele-Uku's water supply, Mr. Mark Uzoka of Onicha-Ugbo. the then Commissioner for Midwest Affairs, decided to install a master plan for water supply for the whole area. A water supply fund was launched at Issele-Uku, under the able leadership of Mr. Mark Uzoka himself. The Oba of Benin. Akenzua II sent his chiefs to the launching and made a personal donation of £100.

Your royal visit to Issele-Uku today has yet added another feather to this long established link. We are indeed very grateful to you and we assure you of our love and continued association with Benin monarchy, whatever may be the pattern and direction of political weather which, for all intents and purposes, are fundamentally artificial.

----------

The Founding Of Issele-Uku

Issele-Uku was originally called "Isi-Ile Uku" (meaning another provincial kingdom of Benin) and was founded by the Binis… the headship of prince Uwadiei, the second son of Oba Ehemil…. brother of Oba Ewedo in about 1230 A.D. The name "Isi-Ile … means belonging to Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin.
When Oba Ewedo founded the new outpost of Isi-Ile Uku, his main objective was to check the influx of people from across the river Niger and to establish Edo presence in the area. Oba Ewedo crown Ogie Uwadiei and sent him to rule Isi-Ile (Issele-Uku) in the company of Benin warriors from Ogbe, Ehaekpen, Idumu Inneh N’Ibiwe, Udumuigun and Udumuiken from Uselu, Ogbe-Eribo and Ugboka. The quarters they occupied still exist at Issele-Uku this day and are known as Ogbe-Ofu, Ishiekpe, Idumunei, Idumuzu (iron casters), Ogbeidibo and Edemoka.

Ogie Uwadiei gave birth to Ogie Ohania, Ohania gave birth to Osamala, Osamala died without a son and so there was a interregnum. Eze Ise, a Benin prince took over, he was the father of the Eze Ikhimi-Ezechima, Ezechima gave birth to princess Obior, a woman, prince Onicha and prince Oligbo who became Obi oligbo at the death of Ezechima because the senior brother Onicha had died while Ezechima was still on the throne of Issele!. The death of Onicha, while his father was still alive, was regarded as an abomination and he was buried in the bad bush at Issele-Uku which we call Onicha Ofia. When Eze Chima died at a very grand old age his surviving children Princess Obior, Prince Oligbo and the eldest son of Onicha, prince Ohaeze, struggled for the right to the throne of Issele. When it could not be settled at Issele-Uku, the case was taken to Oba Esigie, the reiging Oba of Benin, for final adjudication. Princess Obior, although the senior, was disqualified by the Oba on the ground that it was unheard of, for a woman to ascend to the throne in the Benin Empire. Prince Ohaeze was disqualified on the ground that his father, Onicha, had died prematurely and, therefore lost the right to the throne.

Prince Oligbo was approved for the throne being the only surviving direct son of Ezechima. He was called Ovbi-Ise (meaning the direct son of Ise). That was what gave rise to the title of our kings now known as "Obi".

The verdict of Oba Esigie marked a turning point in the history of this area for it led to the migration of Ezechima's children from Issele-Uku, without which the clan might not have come into being. Two things emanated from this situation. The first is the position of Issele-Uku, as the Head and origin of the clan and the second is the position of the incumbent of the seat of the Obi of Issele. If Onicha had lived to bury his father Ezechima, he would have taken over his throne at Issele-Uku and the question of migration by his children would not have arisen. Because this did happen, Oligbo became king. The position of Issele-Uku has remained unchanged for over eight centuries.
The decision of Oba Esigie was not taken kindly to by Ohaeze and princess Obior. They felt they would not live in the same town with the Obi Oligbo any longer. On their return from Benin, princess Obior and her husband, Ukpali, left Issele-Uku and finally settled at a place now known as Obior while Ohaeze left Issele-Uku and settled at Onicha-Olona. Ohaeze later continued his flight and went across the Niger to found Onicha Ohaeze now Onitsha in Anambra State. He left one of his wives who was in labour at Ezi, with his royal escort, Ifite and some of his other followers. On giving birth to a son, he named him Ezi Uzo, now Ezi town. At the death of Ohaeze at Onicha-Mili (Onitsha on the Niger) his junior son, Allah (now called Alori) became very powerful and his senior brother Agba. Agba later fled Onicha-mili and came back to Onicha-Olona and later to Issele-Uku. He finally settled down at the grandfather's farmland and called it Onicha-Ugbo (Onicha on the farm). This is how Onicha-Ugbo derived its name. One of the followers of Ohaeze who settled down at Onicha-Olona is called Ikelike. Ikelike later left some of his children at Onicha-Olona and went to settle at Ogwashi-Uku. His quarter at Ogwashi-Uku is known as Ikelike till this day.

gidgiddy:
Well if the 98 year old king of Asaba, Obi Chike Edozien, has told the whole world he os a proud Igbo man, tells you all you need to know about Asaba people

FAKE NEWS
EDO-ZIEN AS in EDO! EDO!! EDO!!!

OBI from Edo word Ovie (Son of)

Asagba is Ovie (Son of) Edo

Know-it- all Ibos insist on teaching you your own history from the perspective of OSU Bisfrauud land grab.

Stillkrug:
What a daft and product of daft sperm

Asaba Man Responds On Facebook To Asaba Is Igbo Claims

Asaba Inlaw: "In This Whole World You Couldn’t Find Anyone To Marry But An Igbo"

Short story: One of my earliest and most persistent memories is this - near my village, 1 kilometer from Asaba, was a camp where people lived.
Who are they I asked - “Wa bu Ndigbo” I was told. Translation: “They are Igbos”.
I was confused. Aren’t we Igbos, but I said nothing.
Another occasion I heard some commotion in the direction of the camp. Oh don’t be worried I was told. They are Igbos. Again so thought but we are igbos!

Fast forward 3 decades.
A friend of mine from Aba who married from Asaba, over a beer told me “I can’t get over Asaba people. During my native law, my wife’s people kept abusing her in the same language I spoke. They kept saying ‘so in this whole world, you couldn’t find anyone to marry but an Igbo?’”
These are true accounts.
People from my area… even the indigenes of ONITSHA (I’ve been told) consider themselves Not Igbo.
I grew up seeing my people refer to others as “Those Igbo people”.
I have just learnt that the phrase “Igbo enwere Eze” was coined by core Igbos to separate themselves from the Onitsha indigenes…
Following that logic, Asaba nwere eze .... kedụ ka ọ ga-esi bụrụ igbo?
ka anyi biri n’udo nwanne m nwoke
m zuru ikpe m

It’s not an issue to be swept under the carpet. We need to consider it seriously.

Just because everyone in America speaks English doesn’t change their ancestry (some are of German, Italian, Russian, African, Chinese ancestry...).
Ancestry can only be determined scientifically by DNA analysis. My sister discovered she has ancestors from Mali, Senega... of course!! The river Niger flows through those nations before it passes the shores of my village which sits on the West Bank of the Niger net Asaba.

Bottom line, you cannot teach a man how to write with his left hand in old age.
The real issue is why so many Igbo speaking people reject the idea they’re Igbo. (Like some Egyptians in an interview I watched - who can’t understand why they’re considered Africans at all!).
Let’s have an academic discussion why!
We may learn valuable lessons.
��‍♂️�
Good morning.

Global Developers from the land of the rising scorn are planning to invade Asaba.

Mr. Ilonzeh Kingsley Onyebuchi and Mrs. Ilonzeh Roseline Nonyelum

Global Developers from the Land of the Rising Scorn at it again.

Core Northern Nigeria and Niger Republic should be one country.
E no go better for colonialist wey join Niger Delta minorities with cannibal Ibos in Eastern Region.

Labour in vain like IPOBI

Resource control should be the only immediate agenda of the SS/Niger Delta.

Trust Ibo to join bad thing. Na Yoruba envy go perish Ibo.

Native son to deal with the nuisance "developers" from the land of the rising scorn.

Driggs:
the one weyn dey sup for Osun and Agodi Gate ibadan na wetin??

Sponsored!!!

PityObi, I hope you are following.

Any protest wey Yoruba no champion for Nigeria is dead on arrival. Yorubas are clearly the preeminent nation in Africa.

Transform Education In Nigeria: Osinbajo had 8 years in the executive saddle and could not do this, now he was to it as the head of an NGO.