Latest Naija Gist

Mr Dangote Africa's richest man is no stranger of the good things of life, courtesy of his position in the world, being among the richest.

Having the ability to buy clubs like Arsenal is no small thing. But then we will like to see the houses and mansions of this Naija business tycoon.

He has houses in many cities of the world. Latestnaijagist got the pictures of some of them





Note: Effort to reach mr Aliko Dangote estate managers proved abortive that is why latestnaijagist.com can not say weather those mansions are 100% Dangote's.  

There is one in USA, many in Lagos and Kano, others in PH, Owerri and other major cities in the world. Here some  pictures we could obtain.

Atlanta

Side view

Lagos Nigeria

Kano

Paris

This lady in red A woman in Cleveland pleaded guilty to sitting on her 120-pound boyfriend, Mikal Middleston-Bey, and killing him.

(She was 300 pounds and he was 120 pounds... OUCH~!)

She used her extremely heavy body as a weapon.
Mia Landingham, a 300 lb woman from Ohio, sat on Mikal Middleton-Bey, 120 lbs, during a domestic dispute. Wednesday, Landingham (huh, huh. Landing. Ham.)

pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the deadly domestic dispute. Landingham and Middleton-Bey had three children together, and her lawyer told the judge that the couple had a history of domestic abuse.

You could be Like This?

A 38 year old Mexican woman have told her story, about losing weight and the extreme measure she took in doing so. According to her she have tried many weight loss methods including exercises, skipping meals and doing other things in other to shed some pounds.

To her obesity is a disease and was prepared to do any thing to combat it, including the extreme crazy thing she later did swallowing tapeworm

How she discovered it

"one day while was I particularly down with nothing to do, I figured I could do something with my computer, make some more research about my condition. So I went on net, as luck might have it found an article about the top extreme weight loss method that is where I found out that tapeworm can help in weight loss.

I ordered it online and swallowed it."

On why she did that?
I was afraid initially to swallow this tapeworm seeings the worm can grow up to 30 foot, but then I figured since people can eat under cooked infested meats especially in the developing world and still survive, I can get away with it.

Besides thinking of what I've passed through being fat can even make some commit suicide, I lost my husband to a slim woman, and since then I haven't been able to find a date, I've been scorned and made jest of. So it seemed that I had no option other than doing that or killing myself."

Her gains?
"Yea I lost weight alright, and was the envy of many former fat gym partners, who where asking me what I did to lose weight in such a short time."

I didn't tell them because I was afraid to do so, it is just that I don't want them to go through the pains I went through after I swallowed the worm."

Any side effects or disadvantages?

and look like this

Stomach ache and illness were the major negative things I experienced, but I reached the desired weight quickly and then took a drug that killed this worm, before it got the chance to do more damage. Some say that I was lucky that it could have killed me, but if I was, it is because I killed it before it killed me."

photo credit: Oddee

You think that eating Tapeworms is the only thing people do to lose weight? Well obviously not, there are some shocking crazy things that people do for weight management.

Obesity is such an issue that people are afraid of it, this big issue cuts across both genders, whether it is a male or a female no one is spared the backlash and negativity that often comes from being overly fat.

In a world where six packs for guys and slim fit for females are cherished, the people outside this are looked at a second time, and then for the 'fatites', it seems that there is no room for people that are fat, they are just being tolerated.

For some people exercise won't do it, cutting back food intake won't do it, taking drugs and supplement doesn't work, they then decide to go the extreme, doing some crazy things that will make the average guy tremble.

Here is list of some shocking things fat people were known to do

1. Eating Tapeworms

This is no secret as lately stories of people that did this are going viral. This is a process where People buy either a live tapeworm or one that is packaged in form of a tablet and swallows it whole.

But does this Tapeworm intake reduce fat?

There are a few different kinds of tapeworms, but it is the Tapeworms that are found in beefs called Taenia, that is usually used in these sorts of quick weight-loss schemes.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, advertisements touted “easy to swallow,” “sanitized tape worms” as a weapon against fat – “the ENEMY that is shortening your life,” as one old ad recently showcased by the National Women’s History  Museum's website.

More recently, reports surfaced that dieters in  Hong Kong were swallowing tapeworms to lose weight. And in 2009, Tyra Banks did an episode  of her talk showing where she interviewed women who said they would be willing to swallow a tapeworm if it really meant they could lose weight. And then there is this report about an Iowa women that swallowed Tapeworm.

The truth is Tapeworms can make someone lose weight, as it is a parasite that depends on what you eat to survive. But it has side effects, if the worm isn't killed, it could grow up 2.2m and kill the host.

2. Fasting

Our christian friends know how this works, after all Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. While no human could possibly go without food for 40 days, some have tried.

As crazy as it seems some have starved them self long enough to lose some pounds, Although this is not easy some will rather do it than face the reality of constantly being reminded of how fat they are.

Does this work?

Technically if you don't eat you wont become fat, and the fat you have will not be there if you don't maintain it by eating. So it works, it is just that this is so difficult to be practical, imagine going without meal 70% of the time, that is plain torture and no sane human will like to do that to him or self. Ulcer can take you over if you insist.

3. Drinking Urine

Perhaps the crazy of the craziest lol, but it is amazing the extent people can go in order to accomplish what they want.

Drinking urine has the fancy name of hCG diet, forget the fancy grammar here is what hCG diet is all about, dieters inject themselves with a hormone found in the urine of pregnant women. This was very was popular in the 1960s and 70s, although it is somewhat gross it still doesn't stop it from experiencing resurgence in recent years.

It’s easy to make light of extreme dieting strategies, but if a person is so desperate to lose weight they're tempted to try something as horrific as inviting a 30-foot worm to take up residence inside their intestines -- well something bigger might be at work here.

Breast ironing is the pounding and massaging of a pubescent girl’s breasts, using hot tools, to try to make them stop developing or to disappear. It is typically carried out by family members who are trying to protect the girl from sexual harassment and rape. They hope it will also prevent early pregnancy that would tarnish the family name, or to allow the girl to pursue education rather than be forced into early marriage.
It is mostly practiced in parts of Cameroon, where boys and men may think that girls whose breasts have begun to grow are ready for sex. The most widely used implement for breast ironing is a wooden pestle normally used for pounding tubers. Other tools used include leaves, bananas, coconut shells, grinding stones, ladles, spatulas, and hammers heated over coals.

Lots of things have been said about this, but lets hear first hand from the victims

Cindy, 14 years old; and a wooden spatula that has been used for breast ironing. Photo credit: Gildas Paré

“Every morning, before going to school, my mom makes me lift up my top so she can make sure I haven’t taken my bandage off. It’s been two years now and she still checks it on a daily basis. It’s humiliating. I’d like her to stop. When I grow up, I want to be a lawyer or play piano. I hope that wearing this bandage will help me to continue my education.” – Cindy, 14 years old.
“Having breasts was shameful. My grandmother noticed mine when I was 10. One night, she made me lie down on a bamboo bed by the fire. She pressed on me with a hot wooden spatula and tried to flatten them. Even now, I don’t want people to touch my chest.” – Jeannette, 28 years old.
“When my breasts started to grow, people in my house began to talk about it. Neighbors, my mom’s friends, our elders. So much talking! Even I started to feel ashamed because people were talking about it. Eventually, my mom decided to iron my breasts. ‘If we don’t iron them, it will attract men. And we know that men mean pregnancy,’ she said. We needed to kill those breasts, she claimed. She used hot rock on my right boob, then the left, then the right. This went on for weeks. I suppose she meant well. Breasts are what makes a woman beautiful, though. Today, mine are flabby. They can’t even stand.” – Carole B., 28 years old.

“They tell you: ‘Don’t scream, it’s for your own good.’ I haven’t had the courage to talk about it to my children yet. Three days ago, my son asked me, ‘Mommy, why do you have small breasts?’ I told him that I didn’t know. I also have a six-year-old daughter. But I’m not ready to talk about it. I would have loved to breastfeed a future president.”– Carole N., 28 years old.
“I was eight when my mother told me: ‘Take your top off. Do you have breasts already? When a girl your age has breasts, men look at her.’ I didn’t understand what she was doing. Every day, sometimes three times a day, she would flatten my chest with a hot spatula. She would just say: ‘It’s for your own good.’ It was a nightmare. I noticed that the more she massaged me, the more my breasts grew. When she realized it wasn’t working, she used a rock. That was hell. It felt like my body was on fire. A guidance counselor, who I told everything, tried to talk to my mom and get her to stop. I was happy because I thought it was over. But she did it again—with heated fruit pits this time. She massaged and massaged. I packed my stuff and moved to my aunt’s immediately. Sometimes, I try to understand my mother’s actions. It hurts so much when I look at myself in the mirror.” – Doriane, 19 years old.

“My breasts finally began to grow when I was 18 years old. Before that, boys weren’t attracted to my body. I felt really bad about it. My grandmother began destroying my breast when I was 12 years old. I would try to run away from her every morning but she’d catch me. Other kids were going to school and I was being massaged with a hot rock. She did it twice a day for a year. Having breasts is natural, it’s human. When I didn’t have them, I felt like a boy.” – Agnès, 32 years old.
“Pestles remind me of my childhood pains. That same piece of rock people use to crush spices has been used to crush women’s beauty and wilt teenagers’ skin. My breasts began to grow when I was ten and my family thought that massaging was the solution. When I was 16 and got pregnant, they also darkened. A black fluid would come out every time I tried to breastfeed. I have a hard time remembering it all. I decided to forget it and to fight violence against women.” – Cathy, 27 years old.

“She was my mom, so I had to obey when she called for me. Even if I ran, she’d catch me; when I went to bed, she’d grab me; when I was washing myself, she’d get me and start massaging. She’d find a way, no matter what. I could cry all I want, but she would still do it. It felt like she was stabbing something into my chest. She’s dead now. I never really understood what she was thinking—if she thought she was helping me or punishing me. My cousin raped me when I was 13 and I ended up giving birth to his child. I needed to produce milk but I no longer had breasts. We tried to use driver ants. When they sting you, your breasts inflate and it’s supposed to encourage milk production. I’ve had three children and, despite the ants, I haven’t been able to breastfeed any of them.” – Emmanuelle, 23 years old.

“My mother told me that my breasts were going to attract men. So she brought me to a traditional healer. He grabbed a knife, cut my breasts, one after the other, and sucked the insides out with a tube. He told me: ‘If you don’t do it, people will think you’re a prostitute.’ I fainted from the pain. It took days to heal. Breasts are a gift from God.” – Lisette, 34 years old.

 Help stop this practice, share until it becomes so popular that the government and the word can't help but notice, use our hashtag on twitter #stopbreastironing

Kudos to Igbere Tv, for helping in exposing this.

Professor Bolaji Carew also known as Ricardo Ricardo in the cult word was the provost of the Lagos State College of Education, a man who is known to be dead, but is usually seen around Lagos.

So what happened to him? What made some cultist to believe and can swear that he is dead ? What made them believe that Bolaji Carew is a ghost walking around Lagos, who is this Bolaji Carew? 

About two decades after the formation of the Pyrates Confraternity (PC) also known as- National Association of Seadogs (NAS), the BAN was born. Wole Soyinka, then student at the then University College, Ibadan, and now in Oyo State code-named “Captain Blood” and six other students, who called themselves the “Original Seven” or “Magnificent Seven”, found the Pyrate in 1952. The group claimed it was founded to fight against social ills, and not as a violent gang. Wole Soyinka later become one of the world's literary figure, with many popular written works.

Bolaji Carew started off as a one time active member of the Pyrates Confraternity with his code-name “Rica Ricardo.” Amongst the pyrates code names are required, so each member must have one.

If you're a cultist you've probably heared about the rebellion of the thirty "R - 30" well it is this same Rica Ricardo that lead that rebellion a mutiny in Military terms, him along with other thirty members of the group. The Pyrate leadership responded by expelling them, and tagged  Rica Ricardo (Bolaji Carew) as “late Ahoy Rica Ricardo”. In the Pyratical world, Carew is dead, that is why Pyrate members regard Bolaji as a dead person, but in the buccaneer world, he is alive, hale and hearty, and is the Supreme Eye (Boss) and spiritual head of the Buccaneer Confraternity. 

When ever this issue of violent cult groups in comes up the Pyrate lays the blame on Carew and his Buccaneers for the subsequent multiplicity of blood thirsty and violent confraternities and gangs on campuses and in the streets.

But, the Association of Air lords also called Supreme Eiye Confraternity was earlier founded by 7 students at same University of Ibadan which the (Eiye) call “Araba (Mother Nest)”. But the controversy around the Bolaji Carew episode overshadowed the existence of the Eiye. Secrecy is one of the fundamental principles of the confraternity. Its members are called, “Haba Krier” and they wear blue beret. Beyond these three (Pyrate, Buccaneer and Eiye) there are many other groups operating inside and outside the school environment.

Joshua

Truth is despite the many numerous adverts on blogs and forums including social media 80% are all fake. Illuminati don't beg people to join rather they approach you that's why 'how to join the Illuminati' is a good read.

Many Nigerian pastors are in this order, ever wondered why that poor man that find it difficult to eat suddenly becomes a pastor and start rocking the latest car ever to hit the shores of Naija? Or that pastor you know that doesn't have much member, but suddenly miracles start happening and the church start filling up and money start coming. Well that is Illuminati at work.

Recently rumor have it that Nigerian pastors are among the front runners when it comes to Illuminati in Africa. But who are they? 

Below are the list of unconfirmed Illuminati pastors in Nigeria

1. Prophet TB Joshua : It was said he some how disobeyed the Illuminati order hence that attact on his Synagogue church that killed many people.


2. Pastor Chris Oyakilomi : The senior man of Christ embassy is another Naija Illuminati member. It was rumored that the Illuminati caused a rift between him and his ex wife Anita which led to their divorce how exactly we do not know.

3. Rev Father Mbaka
Mbaka is well known in Nigeria, in fact he is a house hold name in the East of Naija, The account although unconfirmed have it that he joined Illuminati long before he became famous. The Jonathan fiasco was what he was told to do.

4. Pastor Enoch Adeboye

The RCC boss is another that is reportedly in the Illuminati order, he did a lot of things to be where he is among which having to sacrifice dead people from the mog for an annual ritual. 

5. David Oyedepo


Winners is a notorious church, especially in dressing and grooming, where the females allegedly wears trousers to church, according to the Illuminati directives.

6. Lazarus Muoka 

The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Church Boss, is a strong man when it comes to certain certain, it was said that when he joined the Illuminati, he was asked to change his name from his original to Lazarus, the reason latestnaijagist.com do not know. 

This are the Illuminati pastors in Naija. 








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NOTE: nothing here is confirmed, except that they are pastors and are based in Nigeria. Their Illuminati membership are all strong rumors which might be false or true, this is a conspiracy theory, hence nothing is certified confirmed.

This is the EP to the forth coming album named 

Naija's president Muhammadu Buhari, the president of the Federal republic of Nigeria have become one of the latest topics of gist in Naija, apart fronm his Family or Families, which have been mentioned in passing terms. What do we know? Except that we saw his wife frying Akara (bean balls) during campaigns.

What about his kids? How many wives and children does Buhari have, does he like Dangote have a secret family? It should not surprise us if his excellency has more than one family, as Islam his religion allows that.


Well let us look at Buhari's family the one which is currently known.

His first is wife Aisha Buhari  AKA mama akara, mummy bean balls, but whatever Nigerians call her one thing is certain this woman, our first lady is beautiful and we are proud of her beauty, if nothing else. Does she even have an office? Oga at the top Buhari said no office of first lady.

Aisha and Buhari have a minimum of nine children, this nine children are

Buhari's Daughters

1. Hadiza Buhari,
2. Safinatu Lami,
3. Halima Buhari Sheriff,
4. Fatima Buhari,
5. Zulaihat Buhari,
6. Yusuf Buhari,
7. Zarah Buhari,
8. Amina Buhari,
9. Musa Buhari

There is something with Northerners, Hausas in particular, no matter the number of children there must be Aisha and Fatima in terms of female, and Musa in terms of male.

Buhari's secret families if any have been hidden cleverly, but latest naija gist will continue snooping around until we have uncovered them. 

Naija President His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari's have done some appointments, because of this there has been an uproar from section of the country crying foul of marginalization. Since then, Unprecedented regional propaganda by certain sectional media outfits have become the order of the day.

Because of this appointments that are seemingly centered in the North many people are not smiling, Nigeria's president have tribal tag hanging on his head.

Here is a compilation of PMB's (Northerner) appointments so far and their equivalents during GEJ's (Southerner) regime: 


APPOINTMENTS MADE BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI TO DATE:

1. Aide de Camp to president: Lt. Col Abubakar Lawal, [North-West].

2. Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the president: Femi Adesina, [South-West].

3. Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity: Garba Shehu, [North-West].

4. State Chief of Protocol/Special Assistant (Presidential Matters): Lawal Abdullahi Kazaure, [North-West].

5. Accountant General of the Federation: Ahmed Idris [North-West].

6. National Security Adviser: Babagana Monguno [North-East].

7. Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonishakin, [South-West].

8. Chief of Army Staff: Tukur Buratai, [North-East].

9. Chief of Naval Staff: Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, [South-South].

10. Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar, [North-East].

11. Chief of Defence Intelligence: Monday Riku Morgan [North-Central].

12. Director General, State Security Services, SSS: Lawal Daura, [North-West].

13. Acting Chairperson, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Amina Zakari, [North-West].

14. Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA: Habibu Abdulahi [North-West].

15. Special Adviser, Niger Delta Amnesty Office: Paul Boroh, [South-South]

16. Acting Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration, Safety and Security Agency, NIMASA: Baba Haruna Jauro [North-East].

17. Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission: Umaru Dambatta [North-West].

18. Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS: Babatunde Fowler, [South-West].

19. Director General, Budget Office of the Federation: Aliyu Gusau, [North-West].

20. Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Emmanuel Kachikwu, [South-South].

21. Secretary to Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, [North East]

22. Chief of Staff to the President: Abba Kyari, [North-East].

23. Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service: Hameed Ibrahim Ali, [North East].

24. Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service: Kure Martin Abeshi, [North-Central].

25. Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate): Ita Enang, [South-South].

26. Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives): Sumaila Kawu, [North-West].

27. Director, Department Of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Modecai Baba Ladan. [North-Central].

28. Managing Director, Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, Ahmed Lawan Kuru. [North West].

29. Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive of the National Insurance Commission, Mohammed Kari [North-West]

30. Executive Director AMCON: Kola Ayeye [South-West]

31. Executive Director, AMCON: Eberechukwu Uneze, [South-East]

32. Executive Director, AMCON: Aminu Ismail, [North-West]

33. Group Executive Director, NNPC, Maikanti Baru, [North-Central]

34. Group Executive Director, NNPC, Isiaka Abdulrazaq, [South-West]

35. Group Executive Director, NNPC: Dennis Nnamdi Ajulu, [South-East].

36. Group Executive Director, NNPC: Babatunde Victor Adeniran, [South-West].

37. Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron: Mr. Joshua Okpo [South-South]

NORTH=24, SOUTH=13




FULL LIST OF GEJ's EQUIVALENT APPOINTMENTS AS AT HIS LAST DAY IN OFFICE: 

1. Aide de Camp to president: Lt. Col Ojogbane Adegbe,(North-Central].

2. Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the president: Reuben Abati, [South-West].

3. Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity: Doyin Okupe, [South-West].

4. State Chief of Protocol/Special Assistant (Presidential Matters): Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, [South-South].

5. Accountant General of the Federation: Mr. Jonah Ogunniyi Otunla [South-West].

6. National Security Adviser: Col Sambo Dasuki [North-West].

7. Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Sebundu Badeh, [North-East].

8. Chief of Army Staff: Lt Gen. Kenneth Minimah, [South-South].

9. Chief of Naval Staff: Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin, [North-Central].

10. Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Amosu, [South-West].

11. Chief of Defence Intelligence:Rear Admiral Gabriel Okoi [South-South].

12. Director General, State Security Services, SSS: Mr Ita Ekpenyong, [South-South].

13. Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC: Attahiru Jega, [North-West].

14. Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA: Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero [North-West].

15. Special Adviser, Niger Delta Amnesty Office: Mr Kingsley Kuku, [South-South]

16. Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration, Safety and Security Agency, NIMASA:Mr Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokem [South-South].

17. Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission: Mr Eugene Juwah [South-South].

18. Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS: Mr. Samuel Ogungbesan, [South-West].

19. Director General, Budget Office of the Federation: Director General,Dr. Bright Okogu, [South-South].

20. Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Joseph Thlama Dawha, [North-Central].

21. Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Anyim Pious Anyim, [South-East]

22. Chief of Staff to the President: Brgd Gen. Jones Oladehinde Arogbofa, [South-South].

23. Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service: Abdullahi Dikko Inde, [North-West].

24. Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service: Mr. David Shikfu Parradang, [North-Central].

25. Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate): Senator Joy Ifeanyichukwu Emodi, [South-East].

26. Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives): Senator Joy Ifeanyichukwu Emodi, [South-East].

27. Director, Department Of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Mr. George Abiodun Osahon. [South-South].

28. Managing Director, Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, Mustafa Chike-Obi. [South-East].

29. Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive of the National Insurance Commission, Mr. Fola Daniel.[South-West]

30. Executive Director AMCON: Mofoluke Benedicta Dosumu [South-West]

31. Executive Director, AMCON: Hewitt Adegboyega Benson [South-West]

32. Executive Director, AMCON: Abbas Mohammed Jega [[North-West]

33. Group Executive Director, NNPC, Ian Udoh, [North-Central]

34. Group Executive Director, NNPC, Adebayo Ibirogba, [South-West]

35. Group Executive Director, NNPC: David Ige, [South-East].

36. Group Executive Director, NNPC: Bernard Otti, [South-West].

37. Group Executive Director, NNPC: Dan Efebo [South-South]

38. Group Executive Director, NNPC: Aisha Abdurrahman [North-West]

39. Group Executive Director, NNPC: Attahiru Yusuf [North-West]

40. Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron: Mr. Joshua Okpo [South-South]

SOUTH=27, NORTH=13

AMONG the different ethnic groups in Nigeria, the Igbo are without a doubt, one of the most remarkable. So remarkable, indeed, that some have even traced their ancestry to biblical Israel, as the far-flung descendants of Jacob, the Jewish patriarch. Gad, Jacob’s seventh son, is said to have had three sons who settled in South-eastern Nigeria. These sons; Eri, Arodi and Areli, are believed to have fathered clans in Igbo-land and to have founded such Igbo towns as Aguleri, Arochukwu, Owerri and Umuleri. 

Igbo Genius Even the bitterest adversaries of the Igbo cannot but admit that, as a people, they are very resourceful and ingenious. Indeed, this has often been the cause of their envy and dislike by others. However, more enlightened non-Igbo Nigerians see this as a cause for celebration. While today, the centre-point of Nigeria’s manufacturing is situated in the Lagos/Ogun axis, there is no doubt that the real locomotive of Nigeria’s indigenous industrialization lies farther afield in Aba and in the mushrooming cottage-industries of the Igbo heartland. Igbo-menIn one of the paradoxes of Nigerian history, the terrible civil war provoked homespun industrialization in the South-East. Military blockade left the Igbo with little alternative than to be inventive in a hurry. While Nigeria as a nation failed woefully to harness this profitably after the war, it has nevertheless ensured that the Igbo are at the forefront of Nigeria’s economic development today. Indeed, the way we disregard “made in Aba” today is the same way we disregarded “made in Japan” yesterday. For those of us who believe against the odds that Nigeria is the China of tomorrow, we equally recognize that the ingenuity of the Igbo is an indelible part of the actualization of that manifest destiny. The Igbo have been a great credit to Nigeria. They have given us a great number of our favourite sons, including international statesman Nnamdi Azikiwe; military leader Odumegwu Ojukwu; regional leader Michael Okpara; vice-president Alex Ekwueme; mathematical genius Chike Obi; literary icon Chinua Achebe; world-class economist Pius Okigbo; world boxing champion Dick Tiger; international statesman Emeka Anyaoku; and world-class artist Ben Enwonwu. Permit me to include in this illustrious list even some of my very good Igbo friends: Pat Utomi, Ojo Madueke, Olisa Agbakoba, Joy Ogwu, and Stanley Macebuh. 


Let us get one thing straight: Nigeria would be a much poorer country without the Igbo. Indeed, Nigeria would not be Nigeria without them. Can you imagine the Super Eagles without the Igbo? Not likely! Who can forget Nwankwo Kanu, Jay Kay Okocha and our very own Emmanuel Amuneke? Can you imagine Nollywood without the Igbo? Impossible! Just think of Stella Damascus-Aboderin; Rita Dominic and Mike Ezuruonye. And then there are the diaspora Igbo who many are unaware are of Igbo descent, including concert singer and actor Paul Robeson; Oscar award-winner Forest Whitaker; mega-pastor T.D. Jakes; Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu; and BAFTA actor award-winner Chiwetel Ejiofor. You may well wonder why I have found it necessary to present this small litany of Igbo who-is-who. I think it is important to emphasise how the Igbo have been very vital to the Nigerian project. They have more than represented Nigeria creditably in virtually all walks of life. This makes it all the more absurd that this same people have been consistently denied the position of executive president of the country in all but six months of Nigeria’s 54 year history. Umu Ashebi: Igbo maidens surround Bride at a traditional wedding Umu Ashebi: Igbo maidens surround Bride at a traditional wedding Civil-War Legacy Of course, a major reason for this was the 1967-1970 civil-war which had the Igbo on the losing side. 

But that was over 40 years ago. If there is really to be “no victor, no vanquished” in anything more than mere rhetoric, then the rehabilitation of the Igbo back into post civil-war Nigeria will not be complete until an Igbo man finally becomes president of the country. That imperative should be of interest to every Nigerian nationalist, committed to the creation of one Nigeria where everyone has a deep sense of belonging. The problem, however, is that the Igbo themselves seem to be their own worst enemies in this regard. They appear to be doing their very best to ensure that this inevitable eventuality continues to be denied and delayed. The Igbo need to forgive Nigerians. No one who lived through the horrors that precipitated the secession of Biafra and led to the civil-war cannot but admit that the Igbo were abused and maltreated in one of the worst pogroms ever. It was not just that they were senselessly massacred in their own country; it was that they were butchered.

 I remember vividly gory pictures of scores and scores of the Igbo with hands chopped up and with legs amputated. And then there were the ravages of the three-year civil-war itself, resulting in the death of millions of Igbo; many through starvation and attrition. The end of the war brought no respite, as the Igbo were pauperized by fiscal decrees that wiped out their savings and their properties were blatantly sequestered by opportunists. All this is more than enough to destroy the spirit of any group of people. But God has been on the side of the Igbo. It is a testament to their resilience that, in spite of this terrible affliction, they have survived, bounced back and have even triumphed in Nigeria. Forty years have now gone by. The Igbo may never forget what happened to them and, indeed, should never forget. But it is past time for them to forgive. 


We Are Sorry This is one voice in the Nigerian wilderness saying to the Igbo from the depth of his heart: we are sorry. We are sorry for the way we mistreated you. We are sorry for the way we abused you. We are sorry for starving your children to death. We are sorry for killing your loved ones. We are sorry for stealing your properties. We are sorry for making you feel unwanted in your own country. Please forgive us. It is time to forgive us. It is way past time for the Igbo to forgive Nigerians. We beg you in the name of God. There was a civil war in the United States, but the defeated South rose from the ashes. Five of the last nine presidents of the United States have been from the South, including Jimmy Carter from Georgia, George Bush from Texas and Bill Clinton from Arkansas. The time is overdue for an Igbo president of Nigeria, but it is not going to happen as long as the Igbo continue to hold a grudge against Nigeria and Nigerians. There is no question about it: the Igbos cannot elect a president of Nigeria on their own. To do so, they have to join forces with others. They have to form alliances with people from other parts of Nigeria. That is not going to happen as long as the Igbo continue to bear a grudge against practically everybody else.

The Igbo have a gripe against virtually all the people they need. They have this tendency to antagonise their possible alliance partners. They keep dredging up the past, refusing to let sleeping dogs lie. Until they drop these gripes, they are not likely to realise their dreams. Demonising Yorubas For example, the Igbo have this tendency to demonise the Yorubas. It is alarming when reading the Vanguard blogs today to see the animosity often expressed between Igbo and Yoruba contributors. The hatred is most unhealthy. Insults are traded with abandon. What is the point of this? For how long will the Igbo demand emotional retribution from every Yoruba for the betrayal of Awolowo? Most of the contributors were not even born when the civil-war took place more than a generation ago. There is now even transferred aggression against Babatunde Fashola, who made the blunder of repatriating some destitute Igbo from Lagos back to their home-states. The man has apologised for the infraction. He should be forgiven. Blunders are not the exclusive preserve of the non-Igbo. The Igbo have made more than a few themselves and will yet make others. Paradoxically, the redemption of the Igbos to prominent national office moved apace under President Obasanjo; a Yoruba man. Recognising that Igbos are some of the most seasoned, competent and experienced public-servants, Obasanjo relied heavily on their expertise. Thanks to him, we got Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at Finance, Charles Soludo at Central Bank, Obiageli Ezekwesili at Education, Ndidi Okereke at the Stock Exchange, and Dora Akunyili at NAFDAC. Indeed, Igbo statesmen came into more prominence under Obasanjo than did Yoruba statesmen. But for some strange reason, this does not seem to have succeeded in assuaging the ill- feeling of the Igbos toward the Yorubas. Bad Politicians Within the framework of Nigerian politics, the Igbo also have a fundamental problem. Out of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria, the Igbo have by far the worst politicians. 


They have no recognizable leaders, and have no discernible strategy as to how to negotiate power at the centre. As a result, the Igbo have tended to be short- changed at the federal level. Traditionally, the inconsequential ministries, such as the Ministry of Information, have been zoned to them. The Igbo need to work out a plan that will take them to Aso Rock. First, they need to choose and groom a de-tribalised leader of the Azikiwe mould who can be sold to non- Igbos. Then, they need to give him undiluted support. 


At the moment the internal politics of the Igbo militates against this. The Igbo seem to hate themselves as much as they hate others. They seem to fight themselves with as much venom as they fight others. Every potential Igbo leader seems to have more enemies within than without. This must not be allowed to continue. The Igbo need to help themselves in order that their friends can help them. In this centenary of Nigeria’s amalgamation, as we embark on the arduous process of crafting our future through a National Conference, we salute the Igbo for their fortitude and implore them to stake their claim in Nigeria. Nigeria cannot survive without the Igbo.