Why you can’t make excuse for these scam artists and Yahoo Boys

Why you can’t make excuse for these scam artists and Yahoo Boys

Wait first, why do so many people seem to be making excuses for yahoo boys with some creating unnecessary diversion all in a bid to shield Yahoo criminals from their criminality?

I mean, other times (more times than I can remember, actually) that I call out politicians here on this wall, how come no one comes out to remind me that the politicians are from amongst us, that I should equally call out the fraudulent petrol pump attendant, the corrupt civil servants who ask for bribe before moving your file etc but only yesterday that I called out those despicable criminals (murderers, actually, seeing as they have now added ritual killing to it), a whole lot of people jumped out and insisted I use that one post dedicated to yahoo boys to start calling out the same politicians I call out almost everyday ?

Some say I should blame bad government instead of blaming yahoo boys and I ask;

You that is asking me to blame bad govt and leave yahoo boys alone, are you not affected by bad govt too? Why have you not taken to yahoo too?

Should we equally start making excuses for Boko haram, bandits and the marauding herdsmen who people like Sheik Gumi has repeatedly argued are victims of bad govt too?

Should we stop frowning at every crime and criminals simply because we are experiencing bad govt???

Yahoo boys hardly steal from our corrupt politicians but go about stealing all the savings from our old pensioner parents, people’s hard earned money and even committing gruesome murder in the name of ritual killing, yet, the people who make excuses for them hardly offer the same excuses for other criminals and murderers like Boko Haram, the bandits, rapists, armed robbers, terrorists etc who are all victims of the same failed system.

Why is this so? Why do we defend and make excuses for only yahoo boys and not every other criminals even when everyone living in Nigeria including Charles Ogbu, are all victims of the Nigerian failed system?

Am I missing something here?

Charles Ogbu

CULTURE DOES NOT MEAN A RETURN TO ANTIQUITIES

CULTURE DOES NOT MEAN A RETURN TO ANTIQUITIES

Fr Angelo Chidi Unegbu (29.01.2022)

Putting on an Isiagu dress, red cap, holding a local fan or even an Ikenga alone, does not make one a traditional person. Living in a mud house, performing a traditional wedding, naming ceremony or joining a masquerade group alone, does not make one a traditional person either. The main questions are: do you know the reasons behind those acts/ behaviour? Do you know the values they carry? Do you know that every culture or tradition tells a story, gives a direction or sounds a warning? Do you know the story, direction, warning and values behind the culture you are practicing today? Do not forget that customs/ cultures are not arbitrary. They are not done for doing sake. Culture does not simply mean a return to antiquities. It is not just about going back to the past. Even when we need to look into the past, the aim is to retrieve values that build the community and not to live in the past. The Chinese, Europeans and many others seem to have understood this very well. Our forefathers did not live in the past of their own ancestors. They rather improved on the past of their ancestors and made sure that the storyline was not broken. They were open to changes. They willingly borrowed traditions of their neighbours that they found useful. Some celebrations or groups like Ekpe cult or some food we have today like rice, cassava, beans, tomatoes, onions and so on were not there from the beginning. They were borrowed and indigenized. It is no longer a secret that some of our ancestors willingly accepted Christianity and Western education. We do not fight for the restoration of culture so as to remain in the past. Not at all. We do that in order to restore our core values and storylines so that we may base our growth on the achivements of our forebears; because it is only by so doing that we can achieve an organic, a stable and meaningful growth.

Nwanyiocha, Anambra Culture, Politics and Matters Arising

Nwanyiocha, Anambra Culture, Politics and Matters Arising

Soludo has been known as a man that has always fixed square holes in square peg and with the assemblage of the technocrats that he has, it will cement the position of Anambra as the light of the nation and the first born of the igbo nation.

Having said that, the issue of square peg in a square hole is becoming an issue when there has been rumours that Soludo is alleged to take the Swiss lady married to an Anambra man to be the Commissioner of culture! And this has raise various reactions in the state with some folks saying it is not right.

But, we must get this fact straight, Nwanyiocha has showcased the igbo culture for years, speaks igbo more than many igbo and have this particular love for the igbo people. Having been married to igbo man and Anambra man in particular, nwanyiocha is an Anambra lady by marriage which means she has the right to be commissioner

Well, she has shown love for igbo culture and have demonstrated it over the years and that means she is pure igbo lady and also loved by many igbo who supports her and are very appreciative of her role in putting igbo culture in the global cultural map.

According to Don Chuks Ibeh, he said “To me anybody that loves and promotes Igbo culture no matter how little or big is my best friend.But For Nwanyiocha she doesn’t just promote or talk about the Igbo culture, she eats, sleeps, talks and breathes Igbo culture.”

He added that “The attempt by agents of darkness with inherent wickedness who wants to pull her down because she is a foreigner who is doing what they cannot do for their people in the next million years should be totally frowned at.”

According to Maxwell Obi Okonkwo he said that” I like Nwanyiocha the way she’s promoting our culture both home and abroad. And also she’s teaching her kids how to speak Igbo language and culture too. I know many Igbo women both home and abroad who are not teaching their kids how to speak Igbo or write in Igbo language. I know many will be saying she’s not from Nigeria or Anambra state. But she is married to an Igbo man and also from anambra state. So for me she’s good to go for that post. “

In a new twist, Onyeazor Archangel said that” I suggest commissioner on diaspora matters. She will help to integrate our people offshore for investment, tourism and image making. Our culture will be ambiguous for her for now.”

Nazzy Frances added also that” She’s not well grounded in our culture yet, and she’s not Igbo born and bred. She just knows common things about our food, language and dressing. It will be a slap on the faces of Anambra ladies who have been promoting our culture even more than her if she’s appointed as the commissioner for tourism.”

While Sunday Nweke opined a serious question asking” Sure she will But the question is will she live her comfort zone and risk her family,her children education and the rest to live here in Nigeria ???

While Ugo Sọlọmọn said “She should be appointed for Culture and tourism at federal level not only State, let us join other races to promote the unity as many of our Africans has been appointed and elected in other countries.”

Promise Ihezie said finally that “By marriage she is Igbo and I don’t see the colonialism in making her anything in Anambra state. Secondly, who are the tourists? Them or us? How many Igbos spend good morning touring Igbo land and appreciating the culture and diversity? How many other tribes do? So, If the real tourists who will bring money are those who come from outside, maybe we should make one of them a poster child of our culture and tourism, especially when she is our wife.”

Anambra indigenes are one of the most enterprising and educated in Igbo land and Nigeria in general producing intellectuals like Chinua Achebe, one of the finest writers from Africa, he was a lecturer in USA, Chike Obi, the foremost professor of mathematics once had overseas appointment, Oby Ezekwesili the financial guru has been working overseas also. This shows that Anambrarians are well versed, exposed and travelled, just naysayers are calling out Nwanyiocha for political reasons but in real sense, she is an Igbo woman by the virtue of marriage!

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

THE RETURN OF SOME IGBOS THAT MIGRATED TO IDU/IGODOMIGODO AND IDAH BEFORE 800AD.

THE RETURN OF SOME IGBOS THAT MIGRATED TO IDU/IGODOMIGODO AND IDAH BEFORE 800AD.

Recently I have heard a few of people who say some igbo speakers who also bear igbo native names are not igbos , some claim they came from either Benin or igala .Or some self acclaimed historians claim igbos are not of same ancestors.Some even went ahead to say igbo was imposed on them.There is a saying that a lie repeated too often will be assumed to be true.This article is to address some of the misconceptions and prove that igbos are one people, same ancestor wether your migration story is from Idu(Benin) or igala. .

1.Idah and igodomigodo/idu are part of the earliest sphere of igbo migration before 8th century AD. Migration is part of human evolution and humans are not static. Igbos have always moved from one location to the other in search of greener pastures and arable land for farming from prehistoric times and igbos are known for that even till today.

2.According to Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel) ,the igbo area of southeastern Nigeria is one of the most populous region of sub-saharan Africa ,with a human density of 1,000 per square mile.In addition, in the book,cambridge history of Africa before 1600AD,it stated that the population distribution of eastern Nigeria is a high density belt.So it’s not surprising that igbos from prehistoric times had migrated to Idah and Delta-Benin environs due to high population density in search for arable virgin land for farming which was there major occupation .This movement is estimated to have occurred before 8th century AD, long before the advent of kingdoms in idah and Benin which subsequently led to the recoil of these igbos back to the eastern region.

3.Igbos have formed part of the nucleus of the multiethnic population at Idah before the settling of igalas and advent of igala kingdom. Its on record, as documented by G,T BASDEN(among the igbos of Nigeria) and Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel) that the awka blacksmithers travel beyond the borders of ibo country ,north into igala, ibaji, idoma,warri and beyond, casting bronze,brass iron bells,hoes,according to specifications.Most times awka blacksmithers spend months and years away from igboland plying there trade and the possibility of establishing igbo settlements at these distant places can not be ruled out.This trade is estimated to have begun before 8th century AD (igbo ukwu bronzes) but however it became apparent in the 14th century AD following excavations made at awka (D.D HARTLE, 1966 page 26),GENERAL HISTORY OF AFRICA (Africa from 7th -11th century AD page 522.

4.Awka Smith always worked alongside Nri priest(patron and founder of the Ozo title) and they made and fabricated the ozor staff(ofor) ,iron bells and other ritual staves for the Nri priest. It’s on record that the Nri Influence extended beyond the igbo sphere into southern igala where igbos had earlier migrated and Idu/igodomigodo which later became Benin ,Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel).

5.Nri Influence (9AD) extended beyond the shores of igboland into south of igala and igodomigodo(igbanke igbos in present Edo state) all of which igbos had earlier migrated in prehistoric times,(according to a book GENERAL HISTORY OF AFRICA (Africa from 7th -11th century AD by M.El Fasi) .On the west of Niger River,Nri priests along side Awka blacksmithers Made Ofor wands(staffs) for igbos along that axis(from Anioma down to Benin(igbanke igbos).Ichi facial scarification were also Noted among igbos in Delta and eastern side.They maintained ties of loyalty with Nri priestly cult by cleansing grave social infractions and abominations and conferring of rights of leadership (interesting narratives of olaudah equano 1745AD and Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel) .So there was a prehistoric movement of igbos up north (idah) ,followed by migration and drift downward of igala from Wakuri in Taraba (Attah of igala HRH Dr Michael Idakwo-punch 2017) and migration of some igala into northern igboland to seek refuge due to raids in the extreme north of igala by sokoto jihadists in 1834 (igbo-igala borderlands by Austin.J.Shelton page 18).Igala later(late 1800) imperial Influence on northern igboland was kept in check by activities of the Aro.

In an interview granted to Obi agbogidi chukwunwike anyasi of odumuje-unor kingdom, delta state,he clearly stated that Nri priests performed rituals at the palace of Oba of Benin (genesis of migration of Ezechima to Benin from igboland) and this point was further supported by M.D W Jeffrey in his book Oreli mask Nigerian field, volume 10.He noted that Nri priests were performing certain ritual functions at the installation of a new oba of Benin.

6.As noted by Nancy Neaher,Nri Influence extended beyond northern igboland into idah where igbo settlements had earlier dispersed(ibaji,akpanya, olamaboro) from prehistoric times before the establishment of igala kingdom .Nri priests,along side Awka blacksmithers made iron bells, hoes,armlets,leg bands in igala and took over production (Boston 1964). R.N Henderson noted in the book GENERAL HISTORY OF AFRICA (Africa from 7th -11th century AD ) that royal bells made by awka blacksmithers were included in the burial of igala kings.In exchange for the services rendered, the awka blacksmithers brought back dried fish,maize,yams,elephant hair necklaces and horses which they used for sacrifice to Alusi (Nancy Neaher ). The true igala/Benin migrants Into igboland are few and mostly located at the igbo-igala ,Benin-igbanke igbos borderlands and those migrants met existing igbo settlements on ground.

  1. Its important to note that the subsequent rise of igala kingdom in the north and Benin empire in south led to the decline of Nri Influence in the igbo country that span from the borders of Benin (igbanke igbos in present Edo state ) down south and akpotos(igala/idah) up north and ijaw being there closest neighbours in the Delta borders (G.T BASDEN “among the ibos of Nigeria) page 28.

8.With the rise of Benin kingdom in the south and hostilities in the kingdom, many of these igbos that had migrated there prior to this time (Ezechima, Akalaka etc) began to return home.There deliberate migration towards the east, crossing the Niger river back to Onitsha shows they knew where they came from.As already noted in the book, cambridge history of Africa before 1600AD,page 273,the density of population in eastern region was already high before 1600AD when Ezechima and family is said to have left Idu/igodomigodo. So migrating in reverse, against an already densely populated area must be a deliberate move heading home and its unlikely they arrived onitsha a virgin land.

9.Thesame recoil event Also happened with igbos already spread up north to idah.The igala kingdom and subsequent hostilities,many of these igbos returned back to Nsuka,Enugu Ezike northern igbo borders. please note.non of the said igbos that returned from Benin or idah spoke any other language on arrival to igboland except igbo.They all had igbo names and spoke igbo on arrival to igboland. No history book documented they spoke any other language other than igbo.This further proves that they had already migrated there in prehistoric times and only returned back home.As igbos have always been decentralized societies,with the priestly cult of Nri widely known and fulfilling the needs of igbos at that time all over igboland, the system of government is not military. it’s not surprising if the history of early kings of agbor are from Benin. origin of kingship is not always origin of a people. The rise of igala or Benin kingdom may have Imposed some conventions among igbos within there sphere, but that doesn’t take away the fact they have always been there and retained there igbo identity.

10.So contrary to what some believe that some igbos are not of same ancestor, igbos have always been one and ancestral in there land.wether your migration story says your ancestors migrated from around Benin or igala, igbos have always been igbos and those that migrated to distant places only returned back home because archaeological findings have shown igbos are aboriginal occupants of southern Nigeria with settlements dating since 3000BC.(Thurstan Shaw-Radiocabon dating in Nigeria, 1968.

By professor Ofoegbu R.N with contributions from Dr Benson and Dr Opone.C

Dated 28/7/2020.
REFERENCES:
1.G.T BASDEN “among the ibos of Nigeria ,first published 1921.
2.Cambridge history of Africa from 1600AD to 1790,first edited by Rìchard Gray,by J.D Fage.
3.GENERAL HISTORY OF AFRICA (Africa from 7th -11th century AD by M.El Fasi)

  1. HRH,Obi agbogidi chukwunwike Anyasi of odumuje-unor kingdom, delta state,
    5.Interesting narratives of the life of Olaudah Equano 1745AD.
    6.Nancy C.Neaher(awka who travel,Itinerant metalsmiths of southern Nigeria.
    7.Oral tradition of UmuEri clan on the founding of igala by Eri.
    8.(igbo-igala borderlands by Austin.J.Shelton page 18).