The Yorubas

A really special breed, majorly found in the South-West of Nigeria. These breed of  people are evident in the core of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos  and Kwara states.

Having spent more than two and a half decades with these people, I would argue overboard that their culture is rooted in the spirits. The uniqueness of the language and attitude, the uniqueness of their names and its meanings that suit a particular occasion, time and purpose, the sense of unity (both at home and in diaspora), and more importantly, the uniqueness of their beliefs in traditional medical practice and outright 'syncretism'.

Having dominated the beautiful towns of Hackney and Backay in the London metropolis in the UK, it is difficult to accept that the towns are British owned as the infiltration of "Omo Oodua" in this small neighbourhood tells more than a thousand stories. Another visit to South Carolina state in the USA, states more than the obvious as Yoruba inhabitants are looking to create their own City in God's own country.

As the years mature in everyway, my fondness for the Yorubas take a different turn as I initially refused to believe it is a way of life among these beautiful people. Naivety, tribalism and a large number of its younger children exposed to intense labour, hawking, poor personal hygiene, toutism, lack of engaging in activities worthwhile among others, should be a huge turnoff from these folks. The number of unskilled and redundant youths are alarming. 

Arguably, these people would get a VIP slot for uncleanliness and poor personal hygiene, from the quality of their meals, which is poor and near tasteless to the absence of variety which pushes their delicacies to be fried, which modern medicine describes to be unhealthy to consume. The traditional Amala, Iyan and Lafun together with soups such as Gbegiri, Efo Riro and Ewedu mostly their lot. Their meals are usually dominated with more meat(usually fried), more pepper, less vegetables and even lacks variety.

Another aspect is the level of tribalism and nepotism. They favour their own and see a succesful opposition as either a threat or a total enemy. Sadly, they extend these habits to one another especially if one is doing better in the area of handwork or sales, and could go as far as using spirItual means to truncate such success. Even when you do well as a person in a given area of specialisation and you're worth a nod, you would be suprised how much you would be sidelined and replaced with a mediocre "Omo Oodua", just because you don't bear that name. 

Having lived with them for over 25 years, these folks would refer to other tribes as "Omo Igbo" and tag such people as desperate, wicked, inconsiderate and greedy. They see voodoo practice as a way of life which in my opinion ranks them as the highest people that practice "Syncretism". They could well go to churches or Mosques, yet have small shrines where they pour libations and offer funny items for protection.

They take a weary hold of religion, if it doesn't solve their immediate problems, and look for quicker diabolical means to set the ship to sail. One would no doubt agree that these people are conservative, with a strong will to do the extraordinary and equally a stronger desire to do the unthinkable. Even their own people think they're terrible in their disposition and can hardly point a finger where these South-Westerners come good.

Many may not necessarily subscribe to this assertion, but if you have lived among these folks and haven't observed any of the aforementioned; or you think any of the points have been exaggerated, identify it and draw an argument. As much as I love the South-West, most of its people and their dispositions are a "Modern Nightmare" and one to be wary of.

                            By Jeffrey Oparah

The Igbos

Amidst the funny and repurgnant history associated with the Igbos, one would hardly believe that these set of people are impossible with how much they make things happen.

Existing in the South-East of Nigeria, spread across Imo, Enugu, Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi states, history has it that they were the least that accepted civilisation, and lived in clans within their small communities, obviously comfortable with what they knew, and were hesitant to learn something new.

Talking about the culture of these people, it is totally extraordinary with some of its core simply termed as "ridiculous". The rites of marriage, the 'mini' ritual carried out before the breaking of kolanut in any gathering; the child naming rites, among a host of other core traditional values cherished by these special people.

Naturally, one would marvel at the fact that the Igbo people can actually go to the desert and create a fountain of water for survival. This clearly explains that everything is possible with the average Igbo man. Widely known for his business acumen and his excessive crave for wealth, the Igbo people are found on any part of the earth, and if possible beyond as they continue to expand their businesses.

Sadly, a number of vices can be attributed to the average Igbo man. Greedy, stingy, desperate and practically impossible. A quick peek on the aforementioned reveals quite a handful of truth. His nature makes him want to acquire anything within reach at the expense of anything. The large number of money ritualists, fake drugs importers and pirates in the South-East further buttresses this assertion.

Another nugget that these folks obviously lack is 'Unity'. The fact that the average Igbo man wants to be more successful and revered than the other explains that he doesn't want to unite with his compatriot. This fact has naturally shown that they can hardly hold a spot in governance, or even succeed in their quest for fighting for any course. Progress is hardly evident where Igbos are dominant, from Churches, Communities and even smaller groups.

An average Igbo man is too forward. He obviously feels he knows too much and clearly doesn't need to learn anything from anyone else. Far from this negativities, these folks have choice tastes when it comes to personal hygiene, food and even dressing. They have varieties of food, from abacha, ugba, nkwobi, oha, achara, apku, ukwa, achi, among others to choose from. Their level of cleanliness and strong value for hygiene is enviable.

Although, these "Omo Nna" and "Nyamiri" as they are fondly called by the Westerners and Northerners respectively, have no strong value for education per se. This strong value and energy is largely channeled towards delving into business, as it is a quick means of making money. They do all kinds of businesses and succeed a great deal no matter how petty the business is. Most of the biggest provision, Medicine, Spare Parts and Foodstuff stores in the country are owned by illiterate Igbo traders, who have made a fortune from such businesses.

Many may not necessarily subscribe to this assertion, but if you have lived among these folks and haven't observed any of the aforementioned; or you think any of the points have been exaggerated, identify it and draw an argument. As much as I love the South-East, most of its people and their dispositions are an "Extraordinary Dogma" and one to be wary of.

                            By Jeffrey Oparah

What If

What if death is not the ultimate end? I have taken my time to analyse this phenomenon called 'death'. Often times, when someone dies, I see this sober comments and gesture from friends and loved ones. Invariably, they will psychologically disassociate themselves from such a deceased person. Consequently, I have been thinking lately; what if the life beyond is better than the life here? Its not enough for us to send parting messages to our loved ones when they die, but its preferable to believe that they have gone to a better place. Heaven? Hell? Whichever. Yes! Hell is real, but  can God stand to condemn his own? I don't know. Life is man's ultimate test, the toils and turmoils; and then when he dies, he is free of all these. Even as a billionaire, life has a way making you uncomfortable either with fear of the unknown or fear of losing what has been made over the years. For me, the life beyond is better, more relaxing, better enjoyment and free of pain, worry and problem. So when someone dies, just smile and wish him a blissful stay in forever land.....#thinkingaloud