₦airaland Forum

My old professor asked us last two years during our morning lecture what we were given at the cafeteria☕️ for breakfast.

The whole diplomatic students were silenced and astonished.

The professor became surprised. He was thinking they still feed Nigerian students.

He began to console us eventually.

What am I trying to say. The said government who are making things hard for us, increasing tuition fees in tertiary institutions, going on indefinite strike, and lecturers frustrating students, etc during their time they never paid a dine as school fee, they select the kind of food to eat with hotel keepers to clean their rooms and wash their clothes.

They made education expensive for an average man or a poor man. They will embark on indefinite strike while their children are pursuing 3 years degree courses. Those same kid will come back and overtake you who is still battling with ASUU strike, NEPA strike. A 4 years course you spent 6 years. Everything is messed up.

During their time, ones you graduate from the University, you have automatic job, a Mercedes Benz and accommodation because of the price you pay for the rigorous 6: 3: 3: 4 system you undergo in Nigeria.

Don't be surprised. Nigeria was that good. But what happened at the end? Greed and selfishness crave in because our leaders feels if everyone is comfortable we won't be able to stand by their side when they are wrong and want to be reelected.

#ushiehistory

10 states in Nigeria where Bekwarra indigenes are found in large Number.

Article by Ushie S. A

Bekwarra local government is one of the major ethnic group in Cross River State located in Cross River North. It is believed to be one of the most populated ethnic group in Cross River with Bekwarra language as the major language of the state together with Efik and Ejajgam in South and Central Cross River respectively.

Bekwarra has a unique culture and language amongst other ethnic groups in Cross River state. They are the most travelled and are scattered everywhere in Nigeria. Just like the Igbo of the then Eastern Region, anywhere you go and you didn't see a Bekwarra man there you have to run for your life.

Outside Cross River, the people of northern Cross River are refers to as Ogoja including Yala, Obudu, Obanliku etc. But Bekwarra language is spoken everywhere in all the local government in Cross River State. An average Obudu man understood and speaks Bekwarra fluently.

Note that Northern Cross Riverians being refers to Ogoja doesn't really mean that Ogoja is popular neither is there any ethnic group called "Ogoja". Because we have the Nkim clan, Ishibori etc all under Ogoja local government. Ogoja is not an ethnic group but a combination of all the ethnic group in Cross River State North. This was so because before the formation of statehood in 1967 and local government reforms, Ogoja was a province where the present Abakalike was under Ogoja province and also, Ogoja houses some of the missionaries who came for evangelism especially the CMS and Assemblies of God missionaries who settled early in Ishibori and Anyikang of Bekwarra respectively. However, this topic would be treated in subsequent time.

However, Bekwarra people occupied about 40% of the populace in Ogoja, they are much in calabar, Obudu and Yala, Boki, Ikom, etc. It was due to the political exigency that made the Bekwarra people to be reduced to just a local government. Bekwarra are indigene of Ogoja, ikom as we speak.

The people are very hard working, both their children men and women. They have exploit majorly all the fertile lands in Cross River state especially Ikom, Boki where they are found in large number farming. They are known for farming and they go out looking for fertile land for their farming activities. They majorly specializes in cocoa farming, groundnut, palm oil, palm wine, yam, cassava etc.

Below are 10 states in Nigeria where Bekwarra are found in large numbers without doubt.

1. Edo state: located in South South of Nigeria. The areas in Edo Benin city where they can be found in Okada, udo, ukomu etc. Majorly specializes in cocoa, pineapple, cassava and palm oil in large quantities.

2. Benue state: is in North Central of Nigeria. The areas they can be found in large numbers are zaki biam, Gboko, katsina ala etc. Specializes in groundnut business, handwork like carpentry, mechanic, welder, etc.

3. Ondo state: is located in south western part of Nigeria. They have fertile lands too. Areas they can be found are Idanre 1, idanre 2, itaogbolu, Owena, Ore, ondo etc. Specializes in Cocoa, palm oil, palm wine.

4. Abuja: the federal capital Territory is no doubt a no man's land but Bekwarra are found here in large numbers. Areas they can be found are; Lugbe,kubwa, karmo, Mpape, No man city, etc. Specializes in white collar jobs, menial jobs and farming.

5. Kano state: located in North West of Nigeria. They can be found in Badawa, Bacharawa, etc. Specializes in handwork, business etc.

6. Taraba state: located in North East of Nigeria. They are found in Takum, Wukari, Beli etc. Specializes in farming of groundnut, cassava, yam, business etc.

7. Lagos State: located in South West of Nigeria. They can be found in Lekki 1, Victoria island, Mainland. Specializes in white collar jobs, menial jobs and business.

8. Nasarawa state: located in North Central of Nigeria. They are found in mararaba, kadoroko, Nyanya, Ado etc. Farming, business and collar jobs.

9. Kaduna state: Television, Nasarawa and kakuri.

10. Akwa ibom state: Uyo main town, itu etc.

All the aforementioned are where Bekwarra are found in numbers.
Bekwarra are everywhere but we hide under Ogoja during head count which has been affecting since 2006 because they felt we have a population of just 100 thousand. Go to Cities what we have is Ogoja community, Ogoja Association etc while 95% of these members are Bekwarra. This is not because the Bekwarra people don't want to associate with the name "Bekwarra" But the word Ogoja too is historically significant in the context of presenting any ethnic group in Cross River state North to the world.


Long live Bekwarra.
Ushie S. A
Historian

MUST ONE SPEAK Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba before he can be recognized as a Nigerian.(My story)

By comr. Ushie S. A. GPM, GIPM.

As a Nigerian, I graduate together with two of my friends Yusuf from Kaduna and Bukola from the Western part of Nigeria. We were all mobilized for youth service as I was deployed to where I have never being before that is Jigawa state. But as a Nigerian I had to travel because it was a compulsory program for all Nigerian graduates. However, my friend Yusuf was posted to Enugu and Bukola was posted to Abia state respectively.

However, unfortunately, Yusuf refused to report to camp because he said most of his people are faced with this issue of the Igbo calling them Hausa just because they are from North.. He said he wasn't a northern but a Christian from Kaduna state.

For me, I gathered momentum and embarked on a journey from Cross River state which is at the extreme end of Nigeria to Jigawa state which is also at the extreme end of Nigeria.. A journey that very few would embark. I arrived camp after my two days journey. I arrived fanisau gate the Yakubu Gowon permanent orientation camp Dutse Jigawa state. Immediately I arrived the mighty gate I will not see again after 21 days, I saw a well fitted Nigerian Army woman who saw me and asked me. " You!! Are you Yoruba or Hausa or Igbo"? I told her am known. She became annoyed and feel I was disrespecting her and she delayed me from entering until she had to permit me. Although I never felt anything nor blame her because as a historian I knew the point she was driving at.

After my registration and was given a platoon, the activities started. One issue I was caught up with is this issue of are you an Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba? I will tell them am known of those three and some will be like "bro are you sure you are a Nigerian? Hope you are not from Niger or Congo? I will laugh and start explaining to them. To some point you will see an educated Hausa man speaking Hausa with you and if you fail to reply them they will pick offence.

Some will come and blow Igbo with you and if you didn't respond you become their enemy. I now sat and asked myself. " Must I be Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba before I can be recognized as a Nigerian?

No one is denying the fact that the the area called Nigeria today was divided into North, West and Eastern Region that is Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo before the creation of states in 1967. But it is very pathetic to note that they are roughly estimate of over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria with about 520 languages with English as its official language which is understood by an average educated man. But is alarming in camp when you see some graduate who don't even understand English, they can't speak it but keep blowing Hausa to your ear. Please what happened to the official language? So the misconception is becoming alarming that ones you say you are from the North, our southern brothers would call you Hausa, a Muslim. They will start call them derogatory names and vice versa. They do this without minding the fact that not all northerners are Hausa and not all Northerners are Muslims. How about the ethnic group in Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, plateau, even kano where we have the Maguzawa who are the aboriginal of kano yet they are not Hausa but from North. Same thing with a Southerner who will always frown when you call him an igbo.

Corps members in one way or the other are faced with this kind of situation. One must not speak the aforementioned language before he can be recognized as a Nigerian. All these are emanating because of our lack of orientation. One would be born in the South and has never travelled out all his life, why won't he refer to all northerners as Hausa. Also, our poor knowledge of history. History as a subject in Nigerian schools has been relegated to the background. How would people exist without knowing their history.

I will drop my pen by saying everyone irrespective of your ethnic background, religion, etc try to accommodate one by first welcoming him or her with the official language.

I must not be wazobia before I can be recognized as a Nigerian neither if am from North doesn't connote that am an Hausa. I am a Nigerian and Bekwarra is my identity.

Long live Nigeria��
Long live Cross River State
Long live Bekwarra.

From Ushie S. A. GPM, GIPM.

Ufa atianghini ké Bekwarra.
A unique Culture of the Bekwarra people.

By Ushie S. A

Bekwarra practice a very unique culture which through my research and academic voyage I discovered that the Bekwarra people practice a culture which is still in place till present.

"Ufa atianghini" This is a very long time practice engaged by the Bekwarra people. This culture is as old as man itself. It majorly involves families, friends, neighbor etc giving out their animals especially birds, poultry, goat, sheep, etc out to their trusted friends, neighbors, family etc for them to rear those birds until it reproduces and becomes much.

This practice has strengthen a lot of inter group and inter family relations in Bekwarra today. It has also created wealth between these parties.

In the aspect of inter ward relationship, it has made possibe the interaction of people from all part of Bekwarra. For instance, it has made it easy for all the wards in Bekwarra to be integrated as one. You will see Ukpah woman travelling all the way to a places as far as Beten, Gakem, Otukpuru, Nyanya, etc only to check her hen and how there are fairing.

How is it done, a friend to a mother can decide to give out her small hen to a friend's child and the child will be nurturing the hen until the hen grow and starts reproducing. Most times, when the child nurse these hen well and they reproduced, the family and the owner will attribute such to be a responsible individual in the society.

Most times, if the hen produces up to 10 chicks, the child will rear them and give half of it to owner, this will continue in each hatching until the owner will decide and say that you have clear your payment and the mother hen will automatically become yours.

But recently, the culture is gradually dying due to lack of trust, as to if you give out your hen before you know, you will hear the hen was stolen or the hen is too stubborn and can't heat her eggs for them to hatch. Sometimes you will bring the hen and maybe because of the lack of adaptation the new hen will be stolen or might lost her way to find home.

But the importance of this culture cannot be over emphasis because it has given rise to rich fellow in Bekwarra today and top agriculturalist in Bekwarra today.

Ufa atianghini in Bekwarra is a very unique culture of the Bekwarra people and it must be preserved.

From
Ushie Sunday A.

Studied History and international relations but now a store keeper in a restaurant.. I do wake up and cry everyday.

This is fine if and only if Hausa Fulani will be excluded.

He should go and apologize to Jonathan.. Never you play with the blood of South South. He clamour for change and he has received it.

Aboki would always remain aboki. But mind you. They are not fools. I strongly believe what they are doing is a rehearsal for 2023 election. If not how were those kids mobilized since the Khadija and his ghost and alleged suitors are not tie to loyalty...
Am a Niger Deltan

Aboki matter.

PMB shoe � is worth watching. 1.5m God!!

Sen. Aberibe is the only senator we have in southern Nigeria today. His degree of sagaciousness and audacity to always vocalise the truth. He always say his mind. One of the major characteristics of an incompetent leader is when the security is beyond control and I can confidently say that this current administration has failed us and that is final. No one is saying anything. I think the UNSC need to act fast.

What is not constitutional? How about the state Police� in northern Nigeria?
They are against the Nigerian police especially the Sharia

South South region and their governors remain the most disorganized forum In Nigeria. They don't agree. Today Edo state would tell you there were part of Western Region and won't attend meetings with the South South. All these are egomaniac and it's all because of this oil money they are enjoying but at the detriment of the lives of South South. I stand with regional policing in Nigeria.

Yoruba are gradually coming back to their senses.
All I know is that the day southern Nigeria join forces Nigeria would shake. But Yoruba for long sold their birthright to the hausa.
Time shall tell.
Mazi knew that North and South can't stay together as one country. We are just managing if not this country is not one anymore. Look at the appointment especially the security and other top agency.

Nawooo Badaru. But to be frank, the state is actually developing more than all these Kogi, Benue that makes noise everyday on social media and national Assembly. Jigawa state pays their corp members even though it is a developing state. They have 27 local government but I can tell you that all the local Government has clean light rail with Dutse, gumel, Kazaure, Hadeja as their major cities. And these cities are good with light rail, tie streets, drainage, hospitals, water, and their state government give free education to tertiary level to their women, free hostel accommodation and 5000 naira monthly to all their females in school. If you see their well furnished schools, you can't see it in South. State polytechnic and state College of education is big equipped and developed than any school in Benue, kogi, etc. Nothing like potholes in Jigawa. Road is too clean. They have functional airport, one of the best NYSC camp in Nigeria. Fanisua. All corpers are provided accommodation and 10000 every two months. Can you find that in Benue, rivers, Kogi, cross River, etc? The only problem with them is that they should recruit teachers from other states and forget the issue of settlement and settlers syndrome. If that is done their educational system will be elevated. Jigawa state is doing fine. Very fine.
Ex corper Gumel jigawa state
Batch c1 2018

I served in jigawa state College of education. My God!! 95% of their staff are corpers who are not even qualified. The highest qualification among their active staff are HND. you will see OND holder as a dean of faculty. Tell me my people.. Where are we growing to. Education in Nigeria specifically in northern Nigeria is suffering a set back that is if they were at the front before.

Do u expect them to start fighting? They all have their secret agendas so forget what you see on social media. But if I may ask. Did Tinubu went with extra clothes for the convocation? Check the two pictures

See who dey talk. Democracy koh

Hmmm. In a court of law.
I can smell something bad very soon.

Although is worth comparing because Dubai itself was built on borrowing while Nigeria wasn't. Secondly, I will support Nigeria on this because our population is becoming uncontrollably. Imagine Dubai having population of just 3.4million with Lagos with the estimated population of roughly about 10million. So how can that be controlled? It can but the repressive government policies and autocratic leadership of Nigeria which has created forum of unemployment and homelessness is what has exacerbated to what we see today in Eko Lagos and other North and eastern part of Nigeria.

So is only dangote refinery that the whole Nigeria are waiting for? While we have over 3 refineries not working.

Read my lips. If that baby was ugly he wouldn't have touched her.

Read my lips. If that baby was ugly he wouldn't have touched her

Some dogs�� will forever make history Even more than we humans. That z what is called modernity and high degree of civilization.

Me I don't have anything to say at all. But God is my strength

That guy z not lost. I saw someone like him struggling for bus with me in Sandfill bustop

Thanks for the analogies. But that z as a result of ur joblessness. Go and find work and let others celebrate you

PROFILE OF THE NEW ACTING VC.

The new Acting Vice Chancellor of Cross River University of Technology .
Ogar, David Abua is a Professor of Forest Economics and Management in the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Resources Management, University of Calabar, Calabar.

He holds a Ph.D and MSc. Degrees in Forest Economics and Management from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, in addition to a Bachelor degree in Forestry and Wildlife from the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

He was a Sub-Dean, Faculty of Agriculture (2004-2006) and Head, Department of Forestry, University of Calabar (2006-2008).

He is a Fulbright Scholar and Grantee of African Academy of Science. He has researched extensively on carbon stores in tropical rain forest and management among others. He has successfully supervised several Ph.Ds, MScs and undergraduates.

He taught integrated Conservation and Development to the Postgraduate Students at Brandeis University, Massachusetts, USA. He was a consultant to FAO/Federal Ministry of Environment, USAID/SPACE, DFID/Cross River State Forestry Commission and Ford Foundation/NEST.

He was an Adjunct Lecturer and a visiting Scholar to the Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Prof. Ogar is an indigene of Otukpuru ward in Bekwarra Local Government Area, Cross River State. He is well known for his discipline, hardwork and his penchant for Excellence.

Until His appointment, He was the current Head of Department , Department of Forestry and wildlife Resource Management, University of Calabar UNICAL.

He is married to Mrs. Paulina Oshama Ogar and the marriage is blessed with 3 Children.
Read more about the Bekwarra born professor on Bekwarra blog.
By U. S. Ashiwere.
Historian/writer

Sanwo olu is a scam to Lagos State government. Look at the state of roads In Lagos State

Biography of Michael Alice Oshama. The miss Ipiem ihihe of Bekwarra.

The Bekwarra new yam festival is an annual festival which is celebrated every year in the local government. It is a unique cultural ceremonies which features events like best palm wine tapper of the year, best farmer, best dancer, best singers, performance from Bekwarra Artist, food competition, pageantry etc. It is held every first Saturday of September annually. This festival is historical significant.
On the 7th of September, 2019, a new crown of the miss ipiem ihihe was crowned. It is imperative we know where she held from, her educational background, social life, religious background and others.
Miss Michael Alice with a native name "Oshama" As she was lovely called by her loved ones is the current miss Ipiem ihihe. She was born on the 24th September in the 21st century. She was born and brought up in Kano state. North West of Nigeria.
Miss Alice Oshama held from Bekwarra local government of Cross River State. From Beten-Olokpa political ward of the area. From the Oko Imodey (Onumobali's). compound of Beten-Olokpa.
Religiously, the number one queen and number one indigene of the kingdom was born into a God fearing monogamy family of six (6) she is a practicing Catholic and a baptised and confirmed member.
Educational background. Both her primary and secondary education during the period of 2002-2016 were in Solid Rock college Badawa Kano state. Along the line, with her spirit of patriotism and love for her people, she decided to come back home and continue her academic pursue. She is currently an undergraduate student of medical biochemistry at the prestigious Cross River State University of science and technology CRUTECH.
Social life. She is jovial and loved by many and her beauty and humility attracts her to people. She began her dreams of becoming a queen love ago after associating and participating in different pageantry across the local and state level. She made her way into becoming miss Ipiem ihihe on the 27th September, 2019.
In one of my interview with her she said and I quote; ' I have all the plans on ground and we are making contact to ensure that we don't keep stones on top stones. Gradually we shall get there and my office will be used for the betterment of all. "
She is a unique person you would like to meet someday.
You can search more of her on nairaland and Bekwarra blog.
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By U. S. Ashiwere