₦airaland Forum

The Igbo and the Yoruba occupy front-row seats in individual achievements in Nigeria, but politically it seems a curse, or a spell, had been cast on them long before 1960 when Nigeria got her Independence. In spite of the achievements of these two ethnic groups, they have always played second fiddle in Nigeria, and seem to have been happy doing so, because of myopia and pettiness.

In the last 100 years of modern history, it is difficult to recall anytime the Yoruba people attacked the Igbo living in Yorubaland and vice versa. The people of these two ethnic groups may bicker, compete, exchange hot words but it never degenerates into physical combat or bloodshed.

They have different cultures but share some common values like respect for human life, love for education, love for Western life, quest for excellence, religious tolerance, love for enterprise, and self-reliance. Each year, they produce the highest number of graduates, professionals and rich men in Nigeria.

Yet, rather than come together to give the nation true direction, they bicker over trivialities, blaming one another as the cause of the national problems, making puny attempts to belittle the other, believing they are wise.

Once they mock and tear each other apart, they assume they have won World War III. Once they see the other side lose out in anything it is pursuing, they feel they have achieved the 10th Wonder of the World.

What is the result? In spite of their academic and business achievements, they have continually lagged behind in the power equation of the nation. Sadly, for over five decades, they have learnt nothing.

Anytime a discussion is raised about the need for the Igbo and the Yoruba to close ranks, most Igbo and Yoruba would buy the idea. But ironically, many of those who stress the need for the two ethnic groups to work together would say that they would immediately start blaming the other ethnic group as the cause of the disunity between the two. Then, they would say unkind things about the other ethnic group and tell you that they are simply telling the truth. And they usually end with a conclusion that runs thus: “You guys need to admit the truth so that your ethnic group can move forward.” With such bigoted so-called truths, accusations and counter-accusations as well as insults would be exchanged, and everyone would return to square one of bickering and playing second fiddle.

Yet, the two ethnic groups claim to be educated, well-travelled, exposed and wise. One then wonders how wise people could behave foolishly consistently for decades.

Interestingly, it is the leaders of the two ethnic groups who sowed the seed of suspicion and distrust that has been bearing abundant fruits in and out of season. Before Nigeria’s Independence, the biggest and most educated political leaders in Nigeria were Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Their people saw them as demi-gods. When the election for the first Prime Minister of Nigeria was held at Independence, neither Azikiwe nor Awolowo became the Prime Minister.

Later, the Nigerian Civil War threw up another leader for the Igbo: Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. He replaced Azikiwe among the Igbo and the bickering between the Igbo and Yoruba continued.

Ironically, the Igbo and the Yoruba intermarry in high numbers. They partner in business. They work together in offices. They play together and laugh together. But once it comes to political issues, the imaginary line emerges and the blame game commences.

It was, therefore, heart-warming to hear late last year that a group known as Nzuko Umunna was working on a summit that would bring the South-East and South-West together in Enugu. The summit, which was tagged, “Handshake Across the Niger: A Celebration of Igbo/Yoruba Friendship Beyond Brotherhood,” was meant to unite the Igbo and the Yoruba by highlighting the unity and sacrifice that resulted in the deaths of Major General Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi and Lt. Col. Adekunle Fajuyi who were killed together during the July 1966 coup. Fajuyi was said to have resisted the killing of Aguiyi-Ironsi, who was his guest and head of state, and he was subsequently killed with the visiting head of state by the coup plotters. It was an act of courage and loyalty that has not been highlighted enough in the relationship between the Igbo and the Yoruba.

Happily that event held last week in Enugu with the families of Fajuyi and Aguiyi-Ironsi in attendance. Representatives of the Middle Belt and the South-South were also present. The two key highlights of the conference were the reinforcement of the call for the restructuring of Nigeria as well as the call for the proscription of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and the declaration of the Fulani herdsmen as a terror group.

At the end of the summit, a communiqué was issued. Some points from the communiqué were that the summit:

Noted that in a long history of close relations and association, the Igbo and Yoruba have no recorded instances of violence against each other’s ethnic group, such as inter-ethnic mass killings and destruction and/or seizure of property; that instead, they have lived, worked and prospered together, accommodating and respecting their differences;

Expressed awareness that grievances generated by past errors on both sides can no longer justify or sustain dissention between the two groups whose solidarity and mutual collaboration have the capacity to dramatically change the fortunes of Nigeria, thereby also, changing the fates of the African continent and the black race;

Noted that the HS has brought about a new dawn of irreversible amity in the horizon of Igbo-Yoruba relations, that they have today declared time-up for, and permanently buried, the hatchet of distrust and spiteful rivalry, leading to a credible tipping-point of optimism and opportunity in realising the destiny of Nigeria as a start-up nation-state that can achieve great things;”

The sad part of the summit is that while the cream of Igbo leaders represented the South-East, members of the All Progressives Congress from the South-West did not participate. It is obvious that they placed partisan politics above the interest of the people. These are people who have championed the issue of restructuring for over two decades. But they have kept away from all meetings held to press for restructuring in the last two years, because they assume that discussing what they have championed for decades is tantamount to opposing the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, whose Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, is a kinsman.

Interestingly, if they fall out with Buhari or lose out in the political permutations, they will find their voice and return to the campaign for true federalism. Let them pray that at that time they will find somebody to work with.

Buhari’s words and actions have shown that despite using the word “restructuring” to win election in 2015, he is against any effort to restructure Nigeria. It is obvious that he can only accept restructuring if his back is on the wall. It is, therefore, important that the pressure be kept on.

There are those who do not want to see the South-East and South-West work together. The blackmail they use is that it is a “gang-up against the North.” But when the North and South-West work together, it is not called a gang-up against the South-East. When the North works with the South-East, it is not called a gang-up against the South-West. It is also not called a gang-up against the South-West or South-East when the North works with the South-South. So, why is it different whenever the South-East plans to work with the South-West?

There is immense benefit in having a harmonious relationship between the Igbo and Yoruba. That is why this handshake should even graduate to a hug across the Niger.

©Samuel Gbenga

God be praised for the lives on board. Tragedy shall never be our portions in Jesus Name.

The former Ivorian International star, Emmanuel Eboue, is dead. Emmanuel Eboue is reported to have committed suicide in London.

Eboue, is believed to had struggled with long-term depression. He was found dead in his sister’s North London home according to Police.

Ex-Ivorian football star Emmanuel Eboue did not leave a note behind and he was found hanging in the room on a fan hook, Police said in a statement.

Police declined to comment whether it was suicidal or a perpetrated act but assured the public an investigation is ongoing.

Emmanuel Eboue had received offers of legal advice in his bid to overturn a court ruling which was set to leave him homeless in the wake of his bitter divorce.

The ex-Arsenal defender, 34, previously spoke to the Mirror of his fears for the future following his acrimonious split from wife Aurelie.

The former Galatasaray star a fortnight ago revealed how he lost all his fortunes, going from a rich football star to a poor man who was contemplating suicide.

Eboue made millions of pounds at Arsenal and then more than £1.5million a year at Turkish side Galatasaray. However, the football star said he had lost all he had to his wife Aurelie who he claimed also handled his finances, adding that “whatever she told him to sign he signed.

After their divorce, the court awarded all his fortunes to his wife in a divorce settlement and he was ordered to also give up his house in London to the ex-wife.

The 34-year old and his wife lived there before he bought a mansion – which Aurelie has now put on the market.

Eboue had also surrendered his expensive cars to his wife, and before his death, he relied on London public transport. He often slept on a mattress on his living room floor.

As if all these were not enough, Eboue was also said to be suffering from an undisclosed medical problem.

The 34-year-old had served a one-year ban for failing to pay a former agent but got back into football recently, agreeing a deal with Cypriot side Turk Ocagi Limassol.

However, his move to Cyprus was not plain sailing and his agent Tekin Bircini said his client was

facing ‘medical problems’.

Cool

Power bank, power bike; how gossip has become the highest employer of labour in Nigeria!

By:
Jubril Mahmud.

With the break of each day comes another drama in Nigeria. From the goofs of those at the corridor of power to the controversies that engage the masses. Some of the topics are not even worth it, but people focus on it, maybe to allay their sufferings. Hardly will a day go by without a talk of the town.

In the space of this week, we've seen our vice president with a power bank. A pointer to the epileptic and unreliable power supply we have in the country, or so we interpreted it to be. Then came the controversy on the age of the president, he thinks 74, his handlers say 75. Some aged compatriots said "you were 33 during the civil war in 1967, today, you must be 83". Alas, the unwanted and unexpected happened, the president's son was involved in a power bike ghastly accident. As expected, mixed reactions trailed all of these events.

One of the minuses of being in power is being under the stare of the public. Public office takes away private life. Every deed and misdeed attracts insurmountable attention or frenzy. Adding salt to the injury, a majority of the public are unemployed, hungry, free and pissed. Since the government failed to provide them with a life to concentrate on, they feast on theirs.

It seems a wise man already saw this time when he said a day will come when the oppressed will have nothing left to eat than the flesh of the oppressor. Mention wailers, analysts and activists and you'll have covered the occupation of our majority. There's no much food left in the society, gossip is all we have left to eat. And because we are pissed, in their misfortunes we find solace from our agony, no sympathy.

Yusuf is now in some hospital, battling for his life. "Serves them right" many will say, an eye for an eye. They feel for the trying times the country has and is going through in the hands of his father, this is payback. Rather than his life, the focus is now even on the price of his bike.

As humans, we have every right to be sore. Moreover, we are not duty bound to sympathise with the first family of the country. But we mustn't be consumed by hatred and become bestial too. As you'll value and care for the life of any other Nigerian, please do Yusuf too. A life is worth more than the million dollar bike. While we wail, lament and complain, we must be compassionate.

Congratulations on this Success Aunty Tope...
Baba God; in 2018 I just don't want to build a house of my own; I want to buy house for people and I also want to be blessings to people such that they can build their own houses through me. Amen in Jesus Name...

I can feel your pain Bro... I'll advice you not to quit the job now, unless if you have someone feeding you. Do a thorough search for a better job. Package your profile very well, meet with people that could be of help financially, go to developing schools for maintaince jobs, request for a part time job in other computer training centres. Trust me, if you can be diligent with all these, you'll raise fund to start your own training school. Give yourself time target, don't stay in your present work for more than two months more. They can be frustrating; they will be enjoying Christmas and festives with their family. Possibly they will even travel out of the country; yet they refuse to pay their staffs salary.

I wish you the best in the coming year my brother. Don't give up... God bless you.

#FELADUROTOYE2019

Progressive Nigerians, now that the long awaited red card for clueless, visionless, embarrassing, boring and unproductive leadership in Nigeria is out, I can't wait to be part of the team that will make it happen in 2019. My unquenchable curiosity for the entity called NIGERIA gives me sleepless nights. Gladly, history is about being made that will change global perception about this great nation.

"Everything rises and falls on leadership" - John C. Maxwell. Nothing is absolutely wrong about this nation, but everything is definitely wrong with its leadership. I couldn't vote in 2015 because for me, it was a choice between two evils. One lacked the courage of a leader and the clueless ness of the other was just too nauseating for me.

#FelaDurotoye is a young, vibrant, well-educated, so articulate, versatile, over-handsome, focused, purposeful and vision-driven leader of global repute that Nigeria can't afford to miss at this time. Believe me, we are about having a president that Africa and the world will be proud of.
I write to encourage every Nigerian youth anywhere in the world to be part of this journey to a new Nigeria we can all be proud of. Get your red card ready for BORING leadership and get your PVC ready for a new Nigeria with FD.

Besides, his wife Tara (Founder/CEO, House of Tara Intl) is someone that millions of people from around the world look up to as their inspiration. Imagine having both as president and firstlady! Oh my God, it has never been this good, even Obama and Mitchell will come to learn the real presidential swag.
I call on all well-meaning Nigerians to stand up and take back our great nation from cluelessness. Kindly bury your tribal and religious sentiments and be of this amazing journey.
God bless Nigeria!

#FD2019
#NewNigeriaThatWorks

The fact still remains nobody can defeat Buhari in 2019. Though, we need a better, young and vibrant candidate aside Buhari and Atiku. The younger potentials we have in this country don't have the political sagacity to win a Presidential election in Nigeria.

Atiku is a no go area... We should stop deceiving ourselves; what was his impact to the nation when he was a VP. You don't have to be President to prove yourself. He want to become a President to score political points.

Meanwhile; Buhari has failed us... But he will still win...

A masquerade was reportedly knocked down by a hit and run driver on the Nwaniba Road by Use Offot, Uyo, in Akwa Ibom State.

According to online reports, the driver who was on high speed, tried to avoid another vehicle on the road, when he knocked down the masquerade to death.

The identity of the masquerade is yet to be revealed.

Return to Lagos

NwaChibuzor13:
That girl is very foolish. Now that she has quit, how will she feed herself. A wise girl will eben offer her goodies between her legs on a platter of gold.

I am very sure you did not read the transcript, because if you do, you will realize this issue happened not in Nigeria where you will panic on how to get another job. Must you compromise morals because there is no job?

How much is one ton of cassava?

This one na scam joor

25?

2014 I was 24
2015 I was 24
2016 I was 24
2017 I became 23
2018 I will return to 24
2019-2023 I will be 25

UTILITYMAY:
Good day guyz... Please I applied for South African Visa with five other friends on the 29th of August. After 10 working days, the other five people were called to come and pick up their passports and visa was granted to all. Mine is yet to come, the only thing they've been saying is that my application is under processing. What could be the possible issue? The seminar we applied for is 5th and 6th of this month, that is, Thursday and Friday this week. Please I need your advice please.

Good evening friends, in respect to this, I got a message last night to pick up my passport today. I was there, after opening the passport, I was denied the visa, stating that my account statement is a forged one. This is actually false, the account statement is a genuine one. But I need to reapply for another one, since the seminar I want to attend can be rescheduled for another date and venue. Please, when and how soon can I reapply? There is a stamp on one of the page of my passport, hope it's not indicating apply after six months? I need urgent response please. You guyz rock...

Jerishank1:
Where did you applied? Lagos or Abuja??

Lagos

obaxlove:
Try and call them, I guessed they are having issue confirming your bank details or something is not adding up. Did you guys used the same documents?

Thanks for your response. We all use the same documents. We were expecting all the visa to come the same day, but we don't understand why mine is not there. I have been to their office twice, they told me the same thing to hold on. My bank details confirmation should not give issues at all. I am confused.

Good day guyz... Please I applied for South African Visa with five other friends on the 29th of August. After 10 working days, the other five people were called to come and pick up their passports and visa was granted to all. Mine is yet to come, the only thing they've been saying is that my application is under processing. What could be the possible issue? The seminar we applied for is 5th and 6th of this month, that is, Thursday and Friday this week. Please I need your advice please.

I read Fayose would be his running mate, what a failure combination?

Fiery preacher, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka has voiced out again on the health of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mbaka, who was speaking during a weekly programme entitled ‘E No Dey Again’ held on Wednesday, said he heard a cry like pattering of the rain from the Aso Rock chamber.

The cleric said he got a vision to rush to Aso Rock but on reaching there, nobody was ready to take him to where Buhari is in the UK.

The cleric during the programme said he had a vision where he was at a meeting in Aso Rock, which had Ibrahim Babaginda in attendance.

“I asked him (IBB) a question about Buhari but he told me to forget it. There is cry like rain in Aso Rock and in the north. In the spirit world, Nigerian flag is burning. Within a short time what is hidden will be revealed,” he said.

He also revealed that Holy Spirit had told him to forget trying to help the situation, adding that he had tried his best but people in Aso Rock did not listen to him.

“People/the elites already have their visas on hand, when the problem starts, it is the poor that will perish”, he added.

He also recalled that there was a time he told Buhari that people were planning to kill him but nobody listened to him.

He recalled that before Buhari travelled, he was in a vision where God told him to go and pray for him but the same Aso Rock people did not allow him in.

Yorubas are coward?

Do you know that the major actors responsible for the victory of the ill fated civil war were Yorubas (Ben Adekunle, Obasanjo, Gen Adebayo, Awolowo etc)

Do you know that it was ONLY the yorubas that stood by Ojukwu in his early days in exile despite being a treasonable felony to do so.

Do you know that no Igbo leader, not even one, has the gut to visit Ojukwu in exile within the first seven years. Only Yoruba 'cowards' like Soyinka, Tai Solarin & co were brave enough to visit and spend time with him in Abidjan.

Do you know that of all his contemporaries it was only the Zik of Africa that ran abroad during the political turbulence of late 60s.

Do you know that if Abiola was to be Igbo in the case of June 12, they won't have gotten Obasanjo.

Do you know that despite the heroic welcome giving to Ikemba upon his return from exile, the same people rejected him from becoming a senator less than a year after?

Yorubas are not cowards.

We are compasionate deep thinkers who don't do things precipitously and we see beyond tommorow.

We don't fight wars we can win with brains with hands.

We are warrior who use great ideas, intellect and strategies to fight war.

We can decide to lose a battle just to win a war.

We are the most sophisticated microcosm of the entity called Nigeria.

We are the glue that binds Nigeria together.

We are Yorubas, omo to ni ran. The desendant of Oduduwa. Omo kaaro Oojiire bi.

#Copied

KaptainAfrika:
Sorry about that, I assumed you were a woman. I would dare say that you have the perfect profile. But again there is the issue of a husband leaving behind his wife and kids for 3 weeks, to visit an Uncle in the US. Now lets realise that these VO's are human beings, some of them, fathers and mothers who probably miss their family and here you are, wanting to go for 3 weeks holiday without your family. It looks somehow.
Here is my recommendation:
- travel to a country, where the visa requirements are like that of the US, with your family.
- then a year later, reapply with your family for a US visa.
How about that?
I know someone might have told you, that leaving your family behind shows that you have a family tie to Nigeria - on the law books that might be the case but a VO might see you as a heartless father who wishes to abandon his family in Nigeria and illegally migrate to the US.
THIS IS MY OPINION, IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT WAS THE REASON FOR YOUR REJECTION, I AM JUST PLAYING OUT THE POSSIBILITIES.
ALL THE BEST!

Thanks, thanks, thanks for your contributions and advice. I will put them into consideration.

You guyz are wonderful.

KaptainAfrika:
Well if that is the case, I think you should reapply. Maybe a different VO may look more favourably on your case.
I am not a VO but you seem to have all ties to Nigeria - do you have kids? they serve as strong ties too. Your are married. Have a good paying job Have an Okay travel history.
But then there is the issue of a married woman, leaving her husband and kids (if there are any) to go visit an Uncle in the US. It looks somehow. IMHO though.

Married with two girls(twins). Is there anyway I can prove myself on this, apart from merely telling the VO I am married with two kids. Meanwhile, the VO did not even ask all these from me yesterday, I don't know why... As for the aspect of a woman leaving her husband and kids: I am a man.

Thanks Boss.

bigbus:
My 3 cents.
@Bolded: Perhaps the VO was not satisfied that a grade 10-12 would understand your explanation of the equation of a line.

"....how soon can I reapply?" -You answered this yourself. It is written in the blue paper.

"If I apply today or tomorrow, won't they see it as being desperate?" If I am the VO, I will see it as desperate. Though you want to visit your uncle, I would suggest having a holiday somewhere else, e.g. a trip the UK (US appears to use "b" instead of "c" in the equation.). Good travel history is a plus for demonstrating that you love staying in Nigeria and love traveling for short visits.

I assume that your uncle is legally in the US and cleanly also (not the visit converted into stay type).

KaptainAfrika:
1. The equation of a line is typically written as y=mx+b where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept
2. Don't apply soon unless you are desperate or its an emergency, it is recommended that you wait for 3 months or until your circumstances changes as per ties.
ALL THE BEST.

Thanks a lot for the response, necessary points are well noted. However, as for the equation of a line some books use b while some use c, the main point is explaining what the b or the c is, which I did ( y- intercept). I also have a travel history of a week in Dubai and a week in Kenya. I am married, my uncle is been in US for over Ten years through Visa Lottery (He is a card carrying citizen). He is clean even working with a wonderful firm in New York. I want to visit the US just for 21days during summer; July 28-August 18. That is why I am asking if I should try applying again, the fact still remains I will like to visit him this summer.

You guyz rock...

My interview transcript yesterday 31st May, 2017
V.O.: Good morning
Me: Good morning
V.O.: What do you want to go and do in the US?
Me: I'm going to the New York to visit my Uncle
V.O.: What do you do?
Me: I am a teacher, I teach Mathematics(IGCSE Standard) I mentioned the name of the school... Take note guys: "It's a very big school in VI with monthly salary of #250000" as it is in my application.
V.O.: What class do you teach?
Me: I teach Year 10 through 12
V.O.: How many students do you teach?
Me: Like 30 students
V.O.: What are some topics you teach of recent?
Me: Statistics, Probability, Trigonometry and Geometry
V.O.: You say you teach Mathematics?
Me: Yes
V.O.: What is the equation of a line?
Me: y= mx + c; where y is the y-coordinate, x is the x-coordinate, m is the gradient of the line and c is the y-intercept
V.O.: We are sorry you are not qualified bla bla bla... As she handed over the blue copy to me.
Me: Pakam... Lols

My question: I want to reapply again, how soon can I reapply? Though it is written on the blue paper that I can apply again at anytime. If I apply today or tomorrow, won't they see it as being desperate?

Thanks guyz... I need your contributions ASAP...

Please I need help for this Quantitative Reasoning questions... Thank you all...

What a time to be alive!!!
The Facebook pictures showing an Obituary of prof Sulaiman Gbadegesin brought my leave from facebook to an untimely end. The gallantry nature and Alutaistic bravery of our ever gallant Ladokites deserves a trending tag by world leaders and activists. We have seen political cases receive a global attention before and I do not see a reason why LAUTECH case should be different. When the Chibok girls were abducted, it was an humanitarian issue as world leaders saw it as a strategy of the perpetrators to discourage women Education.Hence #bringbackourgirls was launched. The situation in LAUTECH is pathetic because it involves two governors who have lost their humanly heart (do you remember constituted authority?) and the helpless student population. While Ajimobi is full of ego and hatred for Nigerian educational systems, his Osun counterpart is an opportunist and a drama king who believes in putting money where he can be paid back. Aregbesola constructed Osogbo govt High school with a whopping 1.3billion naira, a project that is ill timed and also over rated considering the current economic challenges of the state due to his mismanagement and lack of critical thinking skills. Aregbesola will not Fund Lautech because there won't be a ceremony for him to dance his shameful palongo dance.
I salute the students for barring JAMB candidates( when some people have remained in a level for 3 years, why should others be allowed to fall victim?) it shows that the Aluta blood in every ladokite is still running.
However, I believe Prof Gbadegesin has contributed his quota. I appreciate his past efforts at ensuring LAUTECH returns to the glory days but I have some questions for him;
why is a school with over 40,000 students battling with workers' pay?
what happened to LAUTECH ventures I.e bakery, honey and lautech farms. No returns?
If the Management under prof Gbadegesin cannot manage the resources of the institution, he belongs to the Pharaoh class of Ajimobi and Aregbesola, hence, the students are justified in celebrating your Obituary.
To the NANS executives, I want you to know that an injustice to one is an injustice to all. This current crisis rocking LAUTECH is a slap on student unionism and a question on your leadership.
To my dear Ladokites, I speak Alutaprophetically and I declare that soon, all Pharaoh holding you down will die with their hosts. Let us keep going,for the victory is near and those who intimidate us with power will soon be checkmated with shame.
Viva Aluta from LHML OBAMAREP.
follow @oluobamzy on twitter

#Copied...

Imagine these IPOB leader, thinking Biafra will become a reality... He is even campaigning for himself in disguise. Anyway let's wait and see how it unfolds. I laugh chiko [/b]chintuntuntantunchunchanchinnnntun[b]
Biafra my foot...

Meanwhile I dedicate FTC to my bank maybe some free money go enter ma account

Only if we can get it right as a nation. The young good heads that would have be assets to our country will only run out of the country for greener pastures, since the foolish and diabolic old cargos refuse to die and release power to younger brains. In the long run, our young ones will be making exploits for another mans land. Aye le ooo, ibosi ooo...

Please can anybody tell me the meaning of LALASTICLALA?

Ha