The Travails Of A Stranger In Igboland (Part 1)

Ifeanyi is my favorite CD seller at Dugbe market, Ibadan. He is an epitome of a hardworking young Nigerian. At 23, he can boast of a thriving business that attracts customers like me, and a stable relationship with his supportive and pretty girlfriend, Nkechi. He stays in his own rented apartment and attends Winners' Chapel, Bashorun, Ibadan. Ifeanyi is a jovial and easy-to-approach person that is down-to-earth and knows a great deal about CDs. As far as I was concerned then, all is well with my friend. In the course of one of our innumerable chats, he informed me of his search for a huge sum of money to enable him meet a lot of needs that he failed to tell me upon all my mounting pressures and that got me thinking. I wondered what challenges my brother from another mother is facing but couldn't find answers right away. But an avenue came in late 2007 when the rise and tides of time associated with the potential minefield status of Nigeria, that can erupt ...Read the full article.

Ranter · Jun 12, 2009 , 12:06 PM

"The popular myth is that an Igbo man can do anything for money hence should be handled with extra precautionary measures. According to the myths, while a Hausa man is described as the easiest and safest business colleague, the Yoruba man is the nosy partner that loves to party and enjoy himself, a true picture of what Fela meant by suffering and smiling."

That would be you in the bolded part.Na you biko.

About the Hausa man being the easiest and safest, go ask the people of Niger Delta.Abacha was stealing money just for the sake of it, without any need or purpose. But story has it that him papa na ibo, and IBB's wife taught him to take what does not belong to him alone.

OBJ, does not like money, he is keeping it safe for all of us.

Bill Carson · Jun 12, 2009 , 12:48 PM

Except am missing something….that Is the most stupid and meaningless essay I have ever had the misfortune of reading..

akuluouno · Jun 12, 2009 , 02:06 PM

On 2014 we stand. Then we will all be strangers eveywhere

kalu31 · Jun 12, 2009 , 07:01 PM

hello Adepoju,

i love your essay, cant wait for part for part 2.

dont mind anybody ooh, write what you see, experience it well well.

PS

aint their women simply beautiful?

Carrygo · Jun 12, 2009 , 11:44 PM

Adepoju,

I have heard tales of gruesome acts of ritual killings in Yoruba land; I have heard/read people say that the Yoruba are very fetish/magic-minded, but these have not made me change the way I see them. There is no particular pleasure of living in any part of Nigeria. Living in Nigeria brings you into confrontation with every variety of evil. Any attempt to carve out an exception is resisted by unalterable realities on the ground.

A human parts market was recently discovered in Lagos, plus the unending tales of Yoruba politicians involved in ritual killings. There is a flourishing culture of ritual killing in Yorubaland and many Yorubas are prepared to resort to babalawo ‘remedies’, but I do not see all Yorubas that way. I will never go to Yorubaland with any peculiar apprehension because these acts do not flourish uniquely there. I do not see every Yoruba person as a ritualist or capable of the most bizarre acts of magic. I do not mind living in Yoruba land or encouraging any one to marry a Yoruba person. I will never shy to record the immoralities of Igboland. Evil enjoys a flourishing kingdom there.

I have been told that people of Benin origin are ingrained in ‘Juju ways’ but I do not see all of them that way. I have heard things spoken about the Ijaw etc, but I do not see all of them that way. Tales of precolonial ways abound in that country, so particularizing a certain section may just be another manifestation of tribalism. Igbos have donated large amounts of their blood to Islamic extremist killings and other acts of lawlessness across the country, but they still pledge geographical bond to them. Nigeria is a very dangerous place to live in, period.

I am sure you are acquainted with all these facts and they should in my view, lead you to make a balanced judgment about living in Nigeria. I will like to see Nigerians broaden their horizons, move out of the dense ways of their parents and acquire geographical breath. I have dealt with the Yoruba and I am aware of the conclusive ‘Omo Igbo expression.’

It is the same Igboland that gave Africa literature( with a breakneck expansion of creativity amongst Igbo youths), the biggest African movie industry( Nollywood), spurned Comedy, music, commercial industries that have been killed by Nigerian socialism, the most brave CBN governor, professionals in universities, industries around the world. The Southeast, you may not know, is filled with very talented people. Hear tales of ingenuity there, at university and outside. These ingenuities of the Igbo have lead many of them to harbour thoughts of ethnic superiority. My dear, every part of the country is steeped in immorality. If I should go by what I have heard, I will have no place to travel.

b4best · Jun 13, 2009 , 01:16 AM

For N150. COMMON NOW. You should do better. Every person likes money.

lateesha · Jun 13, 2009 , 02:09 AM

He'll soon tell us how they pursued him with knife on Erekwerenwa street to eat his burnt meat.
I hope he escapes.
I can't wait for part II

blondie · Jun 13, 2009 , 07:01 AM

I like this guy's style of writing. Once a writer succeeds in throwing his readers in the wrong direction then I he earns my respect. Kalu has been the only one so far who has the discerning mind to deconstruct this writer. But honestly I never saw so much twist in his tale. It was pretty obvious that this chap has good memories of his sojourn in the east. You can now imagine my dismay on reading people's responses here. You guys make the writer an Agatha Christie. Good one Mr. Writer. I am happy for you.

f.scorpion · Jun 13, 2009 , 08:34 AM

@blondie..

like you said, it is obvious where he is going with this. You can tell the latent tribalists in this thread.. LMAO

Albany · Jun 13, 2009 , 11:14 AM

Adepoju,

if you open your mind, you will discover that there is much more to Igboland than 'the love of money'. Be sure to try some delicacies like 'Ofe Owerri' (if you can afford it, cos it could be expensive) and 'Ugba and Okporoko' before you post the second part of your Travails.

machiavelli · Jun 13, 2009 , 11:47 AM

@Lakota - the article has not even been concluded and you already referred to the guy as a fool. Haba! The guy's style and use of grammer might be somehow amateurish, but this is not an English grammer competition.

@Carrygo - why are you so apprehensive about the article. The poor guy hasn't claimed to be speaking on behalf of the Yorubas, or has he? And you went to town reeling out the achievements of Igbo people over a simple article. I believe the guy is entitled to his own opinion. Abeg chairman, take it easy before you suffocate over a simple fairy-tale story. Na wah oo!

@Blondie - I love people like you. Very civil and tolerant. I am enjoying the guy's story very much just like you. I like his style, although the grammer is poor. With a bit of polishing, the guy could even be our own J.K Rowlings (sic)

I can't wait for part 2.

Adepoju Paul · Jun 13, 2009 , 07:07 PM

Hi, I read your comment on my article. Except I'm missing something, that was against the rules of being nice and having fun.
I'm not a professional writer neither am I a politician. Like everyone here, I just want to get my opinions heard but you are making it difficult for me.
I'm an extremely nice person who love to have good fun but your comment and view about my article and personalty made fun a rare commodity.

Adepoju Paul · Jun 13, 2009 , 07:32 PM

Hi everyone. It's great to read your comments about the first part of my true life experience and would like to appreciate everyone that got time to make their views known. I however have some clarifications to make before I post the second part.

Firstly, I would like everyone to know that I'm not a voice for the Yorubas (at least not yet) and would not like my views to be taken as such.

Secondly, I'm not a professional writer or student of linguistics. I'm just a young medical student who became interested in writing after reading the works of Reuben Abati and several other fine Nigerian writers. I agree with you all that I made some grammatical blunders in the article and wouldn't want to defend my oversight of such. I however want to apologize for a reason that wasn't due to my lecturers. I didn't read the article through after typing it. I did it based on the belief that I wanted to speak my mind and wouldn't want a case where my intentions would be sacrificed on the altar of lexicons.

Thirdly, I want everyone following my story to know that this is not a script but a true life experience. I came from my home town that I've never left in my life to a place that I only know exists on Nigerian map. Like many in different parts of the country experiencing such unplanned "uprooting and planting", getting to know the experience of someone like them would come handy in getting well prepared for the tasks and challenges before them.

Finally, I don't want you to become professionals at horoscopy who knows the end well before the outset. I want this to be interesting and revealing, not an avenue to throw hot tribal punches at one another. I don't know how professional writers handle such great criticisms but I'm not one yet so let's stick to the quick rule: Be nice. And we will all have nice time without which I will have to stop the stories which I bet it, you will certainly find handy one day somehow.

I thank you all.

lateesha · Jun 14, 2009 , 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by Adepoju Paul

I'm an extremely nice person who love to have good fun .

ray :

I am the Queen of Ethiopia

Bill Carson · Jun 14, 2009 , 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by lateesha

I am the Queen of Ethiopia

Why Ethiopia?…… I heard there Is famine & starvation In Ethiopia.

akuluouno · Jun 14, 2009 , 08:03 PM

High Chief Bill Carson,

I think Late might be referring to the Queen of Sheba, who seduced Solomon

As for those who terrorize Igbos for loving money, My full names are Aku Luo Uno Okwue Ebe Osi literally meaning that when wealth is finally domiciled at home (Igboland), it would be identified with the owner. My ambition is to be first the first Igboman to embezzle one billion naira from the national treasury just like our Hausa/Fulani and other ethnic groups

My avatar was deliberately chosen so that my focus is not blurred.

Bunch17 · Jun 14, 2009 , 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by akuluouno

My ambition is to be first the first Igboman to embezzle one billion naira from the national treasury just like our Hausa/Fulani and other ethnic groups

Ehm,

I think you are already late. I think Andy Ubah has beaten you to that.

Igboamaeze · Jun 14, 2009 , 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by akuluouno

High Chief Bill Carson,

My ambition is to be first the first Igboman to embezzle one billion naira from the national treasury just like our Hausa/Fulani and other ethnic groups My avatar was deliberately chosen so that my focus is not blurred.

--------------

Since you have such a low ambition, I Igboamaeze, Okwuchaa Ogwu Nd'Igbo of NVS hereby bar you from holding any public office in Abuja unless you can convince me that you meant One trillion Dollars.

Please browse through Endless Corruption by Felix to get some sense of what the capones are "chopping" while nibbling away at their gworo.

I reject the spirit of low ambition...

UncleTisha · Jun 14, 2009 , 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by akuluouno

High Chief Bill Carson,

I think Late might be referring to the Queen of Sheba, who seduced Solomon

As for those who terrorize Igbos for loving money, My full names are Aku Luo Uno Okwue Ebe Osi literally meaning that when wealth is finally domiciled at home (Igboland), it would be identified with the owner. My ambition is to be first the first Igboman to embezzle one billion naira from the national treasury just like our Hausa/Fulani and other ethnic groups My avatar was deliberately chosen so that my focus is not blurred.

akuluouno
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