₦airaland Forum

You are quite wrong there. Of course you can use pronounciation as a pint-pointer as to where a word came from (or did not come from). Pretty much every borrowed Yoruba word follows mostly the pattern of standard UK English:

Skirt (falling tone) - síkéètì (falling tone) - aso awosodo.
Computer (low-high-high) - kònpútá (low-high-high) - ero onisiro.
Nigeria (low-high-high-low) - Nàìjíríà (low-high-high-low).

You are also mistaken in your view in which you actually believe that you can ever (as in, without a doubt) prove a word's origin. That's obviously not possible due to language predating written records. I see that you like refering to historical accounts which only proves that a word has been used; it does not prove the word's origin or how it came to be.

If you do care about the validity of your arguements, then you should avoid falling into such traps. First you assume (based on zero evidence, other than "it is said" - by whom, where, when?) that oga comes from organizer. You then make a second assumption that oga was taken from pidgin English which again took it from English. That's a whole lot of assumptions based on nothing factual. It's fair to say that your arguement would be dismissed in any serious academic setting.

Oga is a basic Yoruba noun; it's irreducible (VCV). Organizer is pronounced with pressure on the "o". Phonetically it would translate to ọ́ọgà(nizer, i.e long high-low) if you were to actually believe it is a corruption. However, the word is pronounced ọ̀gá (short low-high) in Yoruba. It's not a borrwed word, and even if it was you can't prove it since it's irreducible.

I'm all for productive discussions, but when people start to manufacture their own truths it has gone way too far.

Arigold007:
Please I would like to ask if I were to transfer the living expenses fees 103950NOK, as I have gotten admission to study satellite Engineering in UiT, how do I verify that the account is authentic as I was asked to pay into danske bank
Bank account number :9731 05 35307
Bank account owner:Norges arktiske studentsamskipnad
Address: Teorifagbygget Hus 2, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
Please has anyone gotten admission in this school. I need to verify as there is a lot of fraud now, and if so what's best means to pay this, do I use dollar account or DIAMOND PTA transfer.

The account is authentic. You can find the account number on the university's site.

https://uit.no/utdanning/art?dim=179005&p_document_id=352107

There are two okas in Yoruba.

1. ọkà from yam.
1. ọkàa which is corn (for example oka baba). Oka baba is not flour, it's corn.

AbakalikiPress:
You dey mind am? That guy na core Igbo supremacist, so mind how you deal with him.
By the way, there is als a written historical account that dates to the 1830s of Yoruba people referring to whites as Oibo or Oyibo..... I think I saw someone post it somewhere before.
So it's not even as if there are no written records of them using it from way back.

I dey laff.

You know, we are actually here to learn new things and become wiser. This other guy is the opposite of that: He's not here to learn; he's here to convince and spit on those who have opposing opinions. It's more amusing than anything else, really. It's interesting to see how far someone is willing to go on about something of which they have no proof or worthwhile arguements.

Would be interesting to see such a record, indeed!

pazienza:
Of course, it has been said that Oyibo originated from Oye eboe, as narrated by Olauda.

So, why exactly was the word corrupted (mind you, corrupted is not a negative term in this case)?

pazienza:
Oyibo is an Igbo word ,and Ndiigbo have a historical explanation of how that word came about, and this is backed by historical data recorded by the whites, that placed the very first usage of that word to be amongst Igbo speaking people.

I don't give a dead rat about your Yoruba Oyinbo or it's explanation, and by the way, stop acting neutral, you obviously are Yorubacentric, embrace it, there is no shame in it. No one is deceived by your desperate failed attempt at claiming neutral and "detribalized ".

Right. Instead of countering my argument you apply fallacy, interesting. You're more than likely unfamiliar with the concept of fallacy, so I'll allow you to google it and educate yourself on the subject.

You fail to realize (despite your best intentions, I'm sure) that whether a word was recorded first or written down first, here or there is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. Take this experiment of thought: Let's assume France had no written language. Let's assume that the French word for sky ciel was first recorded and used in an English poem before any French references - Would that make the word English? Sure (it makes it a borrowed English word), but not English of origin. The same logic can be applied to oyibo.

The simple fact is that oyibo makes no sense in Igbo by itself which is one sign that it might've been borrowed. You mention "historical reasons" and list a bunch of people shouting the word at the white men. That gives us nothing on the origin of the word. If it is, as you say, obvious that the word is Igbo - Why can't you be so kind and break down the word for us: syllable by syllable.

I'm patiently awaiting your break down of the word.

pazienza:
Please enough of this nonsense, I can already see Yoruba people claiming Igbo to spew trash here.

The academic fact remains that the earliest documented use of the word Oyibo in Nigeria was in Igboland, amongst Igbo people.

Which means nothing since language predates written history.

The problem here is really a simple one: Oyinbo is more than likely a Yoruba word because it can be broken down within the language.

However, that does not mean that the word couldn't be of shared heritage, or is a simple coincidence unrelated to the similar-sounding Igbo word oyibo.

With that said, it baffles me why tribalism is still so rampant in this day and age. People borrow words all the time. English sef is a result of extensive borrowing. You all ignore the truth and would rather chase the half-truth to dismiss the actual truth.

The fact is also that you can never definitely prove a word's origin 100%, but based on the evidence we do have, it would be silly to claim that oyinbo isn't a Yoruba word. Meanwhile no one really knows where the Igbo oyibo came from. It may either be unrelated, shared or borrowed. However, pretty much every Igbo/Yoruba word that cannot be broken down into pieces is likely to be borrowed. If that is the case, then no one knows whether oyibo was borrowed from Yoruba or another source.

Mehn, chey. I no know wetin dem dey do for that country sef. Na be drugs or other more respectable tins.

But one thing is for sure: racism in SA is well known. South Africans beating and killing other Africans. In one way you understand it, since they're marginalized in their own country, but it baffles me as to why a Nigerian would have any business in such a racist country.

Better stay home and improve our own place of birth for it to become a better place so no one has to flee.

It's the same with the Benin bronze plaques: they were stolen and kept by the wicked British.

What puzzles me is that you can see all the immorality in these colonial powers, yet Nigerians still flock to these countries.

It's hard to say how these items can be reclaimed, but a good start would be to start an organization which starts mapping which items are still in the posession of foreign countries, and then starting to make claim to them.

Sadly, Nigerian politicians are all educated abroad and have zero interest in their own country's well-being, mostly due to their lack of knowledge (and care) about Nigeria's rich culture and heritage.

frank043:
Thanks for the response and info bro... It was quite useful.

Please, I'd like to know if you are currently in Stavanger, and school in Uni. of Stavanger.

Based on my research, I found out that even if one has some sort of savings, one still needs some level of part time job over there to survive.

I'm well aware that jobs ain't really readily available, but what sort of menial jobs do most international students do over there?

I know a few fellows that got jobs in their departments, research and teaching assistantships. What do you think are the requirements?

You can always reply at your convenience.

Thanks.

I'm not in Stavanger, no.

You can live just fine as long as you actually posess and can use the required funds (100k NOK). I pay a rent of 5000 every month (you can find way cheaper housing), and have everything I need. Shop smart and don't buy useless items.

If you have knowledge of certain fields etc. you can indeed apply for assistant teacher in those fields (and if they are in English). To land such a job you should preferably already have a master's, as most teaching assistants do have one, but you can get by with a bachelor and work experience. You could also get lucky if they have few people to choose from with just a bachelor's. Other than that, there are not that many jobs unless you speak the language (at which point it shouldn't be too hard to grab some part-time work in a grocery store or something similar).

philoxy4:
Thanks for your time @StarFlux
Please do you know anyone at UiT Tromso,i want to know of the best housing option around there.

I had a friend there, but he moved. I'd take the school's accomodation as it is generally the cheapest (not necessarily the highest standards) and then when you arrive you can research the options. It's safer and you also get in touch much easier with other stuents. Other than that, I have no knowledge of the quality of the different options in Tromsø. As for me, I prefer private housing. It's more expensive, but the standard is higher and you can find great deals during the summer months. Not something I recommend when you first arrive though.

You can see the student housing options for UiT here: https://studentbolig.samskipnaden.no/?searchFilter=eyJib29sIjp7Im11c3QiOlt7Im1hdGNoX2FsbCI6e319XX19

opeyemi361:
What can I do? I studied Accounting

There is not that much to do other than asking which courses are missing according to them, and then research which ones you can take at a Nigerian or Norwegian university to fulfill the criteria (if you wish to give the program an additional try in the future).

frank043:
Hello StarFlux, you are doing a great job here, making out time to attend to people's queries and all with out any charges... That's impressive man!

Please, I have made some level of research on one of Uni. of Stavanger Master's courses, which is MSc in Marine and Offshore Technology.

Based on these, (polytechnic, YABATECH, with OND - upper credit, HND - distinction, BSc Uni. of Ibadan, with a strong 2:1, all in Civil/Structural Engineering, with over five years cognitive industry experience in my field, four paper publications etc.), I'd like to know your view as to my chances at securing the admission. I'm planning August 2018 intake.

Any other advice will be fine.

Thanks... Kindly reply at your convenience.

Thank you for the compliments.

Looking at the average grades from the professional course in offshore technology (5 years) from 2015 and 2016 respectively, you'll see a great drop in average grades (I am not claiming however, that results from this course is necessarily representable for the master's your planning on taking, but I believe that it's a great pointer). If I had to place the Norwegian system in percentage then: In 2015 average admision grades were from 78-86% of the Norwegian grade scale. 2:1 on the Norwegian scale (which is a system of relativity) is probably around 70-80% or B more than likely. In 2016 everyone who applied were granted admission. The numbers from 2017 aren't released, but I'm more than certain that everyone were granted admission this year as well.

Based on that I'd say you have excellent chances of being granted admission.

niyogeol:
Hello Starflux. Any idea what Profs look at in giving one PhD position over there?

Not sure. I do know that ideally you'll need a B average from your master’s to be considered (at least in some institutions), but beyond that I only know that the project outline (as always I guess) is extremely important. Having some publications doesn't hurt either.

chaiks:
Happy Easter to bandeco, tensanzangestu, starflux, niyogeol, and all nairalanders. May d season favour us all.

You too, enjoy am

niyogeol:
Thank you for your response. Do you by chance work in the Oil Industry in Norway?

As for the renewable energies stories, the debate is huge and different people oppose and support the trend alike. Regardless of the divide we find ourselves, fossil fuel still has a role to play in our lives.

I'm elated you took time out to respond to me. Thanks once again.

Very true. Glad to be of help !

trilobite:
Oga StarFlux, been following your comments and on behalf of applicants like myself i say: THANK YOU.

I am inclined to agree with you as the situation is dire everywhere one looks. However a lot can still change in two years in the oil sector, and i would also advise we petroleum geoscience applicants to consider environmental specializations to be on the safe side.

Appreciate the kind words, thank you!

Indeed. Enviromental studies have been (not sure about now) much easier to gain admittance to than petroleum sciences. It's also a field of education within which the demand will keep increasing, whereas petroleum will continue to decline (although people will retire and jobs will open up that way; still a net loss). Solar power will probably be huge in sunny countries like Nigeria sef, and the market is increasing.

Interestingly enough, I put a small amount of money into a Norwegian enviromental fund, and the % profit keeps increasing by every year. If I had put that money (however small) into the oil sector, I'd most likely have lost and not gained. Just a personal observation on my part.

kagari:
i dont really think the whites is our problem, but i think we blacks are our problems. Ok lets imagine we were not colonized by the whites, do you ever think we would have coexisted as one. As little as kingdoms ran during that era theyy believed in total power absolvsion. Walter rodney made some valid points in his book but i think we are our problems. I have a poem i would post here later, y'all would get my point from the poem. Men we blacks dont love ourselves, a lot of us worked hard to get to the top

The problem is that culture does not obey by evolutionary rules. There are multiple lines of change - one society may not necessarily follow that of another one.

First you have to define DEVELOPMENT. Is development really increasing your material needs and lusts and/or living as one? There are many hunter and gatherer socities which do not want to adapt the western way of living. Do you know why? Because they have what they need; they haven't been struck and corrupted by "unlimited needs" which so well defines the western way of living. These people are not backwards, they simply chose another way of life. I remember especially well an article on a people in the Congo. They said something in the lines of "why would we start farming when there are an abundance of food around us?"

And the point is, adapting the capitalist way, Africa has become poor. The misconception here is that Africa was poor prior to colonial times - it wasn't. There was no poverty in Africa. Food was plenty and people had few needs - they lived well. Now look at what we have reduced ourselves to. People can't even afford a bag of garri and beg for water on the street.

Poverty is caused by the illusion of unlimited needs, it is created when materialism becomes the standard way of life and by which we judge others. By adapting such an inferior ideology, we Africans have made ourselves poor and reliant on everyone but ourselves. The only people you may call "backwards" are the ones who forced their way of life upon others. That is what it means to be backwards when you can't respect others.

niyogeol:
Life some times can be funny. I applied to NTNU last year and I was denied admission. So this 17/18 session, I just re-submitted my previous document on their website, and viola, I got a place for MSc Petroleum Geosciences.

The issue now is that I hold offer for the same course in Ireland - tuition applies in this case but I have scholarship to offset the cost. Another thing is the MSc in Ireland is one year while that in Norway is two years.

Duration is not really a concern, but the chance of getting a job after studies. So my question goes to guys who have studied in Norway, how easy is it for a non-EU person to get a job in Norway Oil industry after studies. I have read here on the monetary requirement for a post study visa. That shouldn't pose a challenge as the scholarship I plan using for Ireland will cover for the requirement.

Looking forward to kind response(s) from fellow nlanders.

Regards.

Congratulations on your admission.

Oil in general is gradually being replaced by renewable energy sources. Norway especially wants to be at the forefront as new and better energy sources are being developed. It has become easier to gain admission due to a declining interest in oil-related work (the obvious ethical issues of which more and more people have become aware, innovation in renewables etc.). Norway has seen some pretty significant cuts in the oil industry as a result and a lot of people have lost their jobs as of recently.

Based on that, I'd say the chances of obtaining work are rather slim, but not impossible.

You know, I'm growing increasingly tired of this reckless and lavish spending of our celebrities.

See small pikin for street wey dey no get food to chop, see parent wey dey work until body no fit function. They see the situation in their country, yet they spend money like obo sef. When will this come to an end? Why is it that Nigerians keep adapting the ways of the white men who ravaged through our land, enforcing upon us their values? You'd think the average Nigerian would be aware of this issue, but that seems to be far from the truth. In fact, Davido and his likes are the perfect example of an African embodiment of western materialism. They ride through ojuelegba in their fancy million dollar cars, smiling and laughing; waving with naira in their hands. They see and they are aware of the people they're smiling at. They can see the sweat, scars and both physical and mental struggle in their faces, yet they do not care for their fellow countrymen and women. Nigeria will never progress as long as 1% of the population sits with 90% of the riches.

There needs to be equality. Fame in itself is a great accomplishment, why do these people in addition need to earn such an obscene amount of money when the rest of the population is struggling? Chey, Africa sef.

Na serious question?

If so, the answer is no (with that in mind that not everyone is miserable). Pre-colonial Africa was built and run on African ideas and technology, fitted to the ecological situation (land yielded enough nurture to feed those who cultivated it, but no more, no less. This meant that Africans overall had smaller profit margins, which is why there was little accumulation of riches and there were no social classes like there is now differentiating between people: every one were equals). There was no poverty either since land was plenty and gave high enough yields to feed yourself. Nowadays Africans try hard to mirror European societies (who knows why) without realizing that these societies might have developed for a myriad of reasons, but in a European context. It doesn't really make sense to attempt mirroring these societies so different from our own. Because of not sticking with that of our ancestors, we now have poverty and social classes associated with stigma.

Paulweasley:
Helo. Goodday everyone. I want to first of all appreciate starflux and all the other gurus in the house for how there have really brought blessings to the life's of most people who came looking for help from this house. May the almighty God continue to bless the works of yours hands IJN. Amen.
I am highly interested in studying in Norway and have made some researches of my own. Found some tuition free universities and of all Norwegian University of Science and technology(NTNU) suit my interest. I planned doing bachelor's in geology but unfortunaletly it's only taught in Norwegian. So I searched for related course which are being taught in english and found oil and gas technology.
My problems are I don't know how to apply and the requirements and things to do in order to get admission and worse is dat I don't know anything concerning Norway visa. That's why I came here to get more knowledge, advice and information concerning the whole journey before I begin.
Please I like to know estimately how much I will need in total to pursue for Norway visa and be successful. Am I to pay any money to the embassy like the 8600 eur being payed for German visa? What and what am I to pay for in oder to successful in securing my Norway visa. And I like to know the crucial documents am to have in oder to be succesful. Please I really need your help about all this informations. Please I lack time for application deadline is 1st of March 2017.
I really appreciate your assistance. Please anyone should help me as I lack time. Please.

Literally all the information you've asked for is present on the NTNU website and can be found using a quick google search.

http://www.ntnu.edu/studies/financingandscholarships/is_self_financing
http://www.ntnu.edu/studies/langcourses/languagerequirements
https://www.udi.no/en/want-to-apply/studies/studietillatelse/?c=nga

obehivan:
Please is toefl mandatory for nigerians aiming for msc in norway and please anybody studying in germany(msc) should indicate. Have some questions to ask. Thank you so much

Same rules apply to most universities.

https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/master/english-proficiency-master.html

From whose perspective will these cultural teachings stem from?
First of all it is important to remember or be aware that cultural fields of study (sociological/historical fields) at least previously were severely biased towards western ethnocentrism. As a result you have serious implications in regards to the accuracy, and indeed the truth, of many accounts of African societies. Although today analytical models have to a large degree rid themselves of this western influence, old works require revision.

My suggestion:
Disregard Nigerians who studied abroad (a new perspective is needed) and develop pure Arican models for explaining and understanding our culture.

Obimgbo:
See these people complaining as if they have stopped eating meat. Shaking my head. They dont even know they are guilty of this too once they are still eating meat.

It's not so much about whether one eats meat or not, but more about whether it is sustainable or not. That is also to say that, compared to ancestral times, respect for animal life has dwindled. Often animals are killed in the pursuit of profit and not mere survival and self-sustenance. Therefore you have to distinguish between these two categories.

Said differently: Eating meat from common cows does not compromise these animals' continued survival, because these cows in specific are plentiful. However, it is clearly necessary to regard the life you eat as, in fact, life. Life in all its forms requires respect because it provides you with the means to see another day. Actively pursuing life for other goals than being able to maintain your own life, must never be taken lightly. It is when you start taking life lightly that disregard becomes a reality.

Even if you won't aknowledge what I just wrote, you should accept the fact that driving animals extinct will leave you with no animals to eat at all.

Hello,

I have a relatively straightforward question (I hope). I've been reading some etnography on the Fula people and it has left me with a question.

As I have understood it, the core family (husband, wife, sons and daughters) ceases to exist once all the cattle has been transferred to the sons. Assuming that husband and wife is still alive after the transfer, they go on to live in their separate parts of a domestic unit. What I wonder is: What is the connection between husband and wife after this dissolution? Does their relationship completely end with the dissolution of the family or do they still maintain/keep some sort of affection afterwards?

Fulaman198 if you're still here!

olaric:
Animals are created by God to serve as food for man. Eat, cook and eat; no sin has been committed in the process. Don’t let those animal rights people fool you.

That's one way to look at it.

However, organized hunting and general mass-slaughtering of animals for show is not a good thing. While these civets, for now, are plentiful, it might very well be a day where they are not, and what will you eat on that day?

Respect for animal life is a necessity for their continued survival. Complete disregard for their lives is dangerous. You don't need to look far to realize there's a lot of previously abundant African species going extinct. Rhinos, leopards, cheetas and the list goes on.

babyfaceafrica:
there are three schools good in Yoruba studies. 1.University of Ibadan. 2.University of Lagos. 3.Obafemo Awolowo University ,Ile-Ife.

Notable mentions University of Ilorin,Ogun state Univeristy,Lagos State Univerity,Ojo and Adekunle Ajasin University,Akungba Akoko.

Now must your field work be in the village? If yes...the Univeristy of Lagos is a bit far from village,although it has various ghettos and surburbs which the speak Yoruba well.If you really need a village setting the either Univerity of Ibadan or Obafemi Awolowo University is fantastic...there are jus few minutes from the villages.The three schools have top notch Yoruba studies.Living conditions are cheap in Ife and ibadan,but you will be far more comfortable in Lagos.the other schools are also good.Just lemme know. Any other information you need...ask


Note...I am a graduate of linguistics with minor in Yoruba from the Univeristy of lagos and going for PG studies in linguistics at the Univerity of Ibadan early next year

Thank you for such a great reply! I am extremely interested in languages, so it's pretty invaluable hearing from a linguist.

I found the international student tab on the University of Ibadan website. It would seem unproblematic to apply there. Although it appears to be more feasible for my university to create an exhange programme with them, so that's probably the route I will take. I'd start mid 2017 or later depending on the university's semester Schedule.

Regarding the field work. I have not yet decided whether it has to be an actual village or not, perhaps a combination of urban and village life in which case it wouldn't be necessary with daily contact with the village. What interests me is language usage and domain loss, more specifically the status of English as an official language and its impact on languages (Yoruba in this case), culture and people in general. Eventually I would like to form a theory out of my results (based on current changes) and suggest preventative measures should there be any indication of an increasing domain loss (which I would assume there is).

Do you have any idea what I could expect in Ibadan as an international student? I'm half Nigerian so I'm not too worried about fitting in, more curious about the general study enviroment.

babyfaceafrica:
which state is your field work,lemme recommend a school for you?

Nothing is set in stone yet. The field work is a part of my degree in anthropology. I would like to base my choice of village on the location of the university, so that's my first step. I'm also an international student not residing in Nigeria currently.

babyfaceafrica:
if you have the money,get a private Yoruba teacher

Thanks for the reply!

That is one option, but I'll need to attend a university during the field work regardless to get credits. It would be more convenient for that university course to be Yoruba.

Hello.

I'm planning on doing field work in a Yoruba village in about a year or two. I've learned Yoruba in the past to a decent level, but my profiency has detoriated to the bottom level, unfortunately.

I've looked at both at Unilag and Ibadan, but I was unable to find any references to any language courses. I did find something about an 8 week long intensive language course during the summer months (Ibadan), but I'm afraid that's not enough to get to the level I'd want to be at.

I would greatly appreciate any pointers!

Tolexander:
How does that affect your daily bread?

Onirisa(Ogunwusi) is trying to bring back the lost Yoruba people to their root, something Benjamin Netayahu has never thought doing!

Bee ni o.

It's a cultural norm. Nothing more, so you choose to follow it or not, up to you. Get ready for a lot of angry looks if you chose not to follow it.

Na crime

lobito007:
My! So Norway operates the same difficulty level as Germany. Their way of making you pay for the free education. How saddist of these European Institutions! Little wonder we never hear of Nigerians doing exploits and breaking records in these countries. After my MS, na to port to US or Canada straight go flex with better job that will pay me good money for the rigorousity of the academics.

What a lot of people don't grasp is that Norwegians are actually paying for every foreign student enrolled to a university through tax. So generally speaking you're getting your education paid for by the Norwegian people. High requirements are a small price to pay for that kind of hospitality (unsure if your post is sarcasm though).

Neither the US or Canada offers the same opportunities as the nordic countries do. You can live a pretty good life even with the measliest of jobs; you can't do that in the US. Although I think Nigeria generally needs a bigger educated workforce - it's a shame to see every one fleeing the country to never come back and help her grow.

Seths:
Hi guys i just joined in and i need some help with yuroba. can anyone tell me what the following means in yuroba:
good morning?
how are you?
how was your day?
what are you upto ?


thanks

(E) kaaro
Bawo ni?
Bawo l'ojo re?
Ki'lo n sele?