The intention of the Senate Committee on Federal Character to appraise the level of compliance with the Federal Character Principle is welcomed, provided it is intended to identify sections of the Constitution that might require amendments. Senator Smart Adeyemi, collaborating with the Federal Character Commission, currently chaired by Professor Oba Abdulraheem, the former Chancellor of University of Ilorin, is to organize a public hearing so that Nigerians could present their perceived marginalization to the public.
This is going to be an uphill task for Senator Smart Adeyemi and the Federal Character Commission (FCC). Is Smart saying that the FCC of 37 Commissioners is not smart enough in discharging their responsibilities? Smart has to be very stylish indeed in his crusade to 'control' marginalization in Nigeria.
Possibly his findings would compliment the bill at the House of Representatives seeking for the establishment of a commission to monitor the implementation of true federalism and harmonization of local government structures in Nigeria. The title of the House Bill is, "A Bill for Act to Provide for the Establishment of National Commission for Inter-governmental Relations and Federalism."
Part of the marginalization Nigerians could be complaining about is the revenue sharing formula. The House bill addresses the sharing of revenue among the three tiers of government so that no level of government maltreats the other. This aspect of marginalization might have resulted in under-development, with high rate of poverty in rural areas.
Nigeria is a country where every single community claims marginalization. The Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa, cried during Chief Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo's administration for marginalization. The World Igbo Congress would blame the division within the Organization on marginalization, which they have been crying for ages. The Niger Delta Region only known word is marginalization.
Unfortunately in Nigeria, ethnic bias was heavily promoted by the Military. The Military came into politics to discourage "nepotism, tribalism" if I may borrow the military coup plotters' slogans of those days. Ironically, regionalism, tribalism, nepotism went through all past administrations in Nigeria, regardless who was at the helm of Nigerian affairs.
The Military regimes picked up the slogan with no solutions; from Nzeogwu to Ojukwu, Gowon, Murtala/Obasanjo, Shagari, and Buhari/Idiagbon. Babangida invented religious polarization, as an added variable; perfected by Abacha.
Unfortunately in some parts of Nigeria today (2008), religion and ethnicity are credentials for employment, contracts, and admissions to higher institutions. These are some of the variables Smart Adeyemi has to examine in his Marginalization adventure.
Adeyemi, the 'smart', is ready to right the ethnic and religious wrongs in Nigeria. It will be a heroic accomplishment for Smart Adeyemi if he comes with the magic formula for preventing marginalization in Nigeria.
According to Senator Adeyemi,
"It is only the governors that are guilty of this and are violating the Constitution in respect of the principle of federal character. They pick people from their villages, Local Governments into sensitive positions against the provisions of the Constitution."
I thought Senator Smart Adeyemi, who is a former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), who spits words like Sango, is smart enough before concluding that "it is only the Governors that are guilty of this {Marginalization}." As a Journalist, he should know better.
Could this be the situation in Kogi State where the political players pick their people into sensitive positions against the provisions of the Constitution? It could be more than marginalization, possibly some retribution for disloyalty. How is he going to address the excision of his group from the old Kwara State believing that they would get better deals in the new Kogi? He has to probe the marginalization with the Igalas. Nigerians are really waiting for the outcome of Smart Adeyemi's adventure on marginalization.
He should realize that it is not limited to eleven States in Nigeria as he alleged, but practiced in all segments of the country's private and public services. Your cousins, uncles, nieces, religious members are all inclusive in the practice. Ironically marginalization has been imbedded in the veins of most Nigerians. It would take a genius to successfully probe the invisible marginalization policies in Nigeria.
Appointments and removals from office in Nigeria would always be coined as discriminatory. That is very obvious in a country where there is no trust among many 'nations' within the country. Even within each 'nation' there is no faith, just like what is going on in the Gateway State, where the issue of who would be the next Governor has degenerated into making lawmakers sworn to the oracle. The World Igbo Congress just concluded a convention in Florida (August 2008) that ended up with two factions.
Smart Adeyemi might have to get modish to understand how he would process marginalization 'policies' through over 70 million illiterate Nigerians, according to Dr. Kutara Elisha, Director of Inspectorate Division of Federal Ministry of Education. In addition to that, he has to deal with educated illiterates, who are the players in the marginalization game. How his Committee would go through Nigerians who have been hypnotized away from their basic life needs for lack of water, power supply, inadequate nutrition, and no job could be a challenge.
The United Stares of America could be phasing out the Affirmative Action program with Obama slogan "Yes We Can". Martin Luther King Jr., laid his life for humanity with "We Shall Overcome One Day". That song could be obsolete now in 2008 with Obama whacking it with McCain in the American Presidential election.
What is happening in the United States today does not mean that 'racism', as it is called in the United States, would fade away just like that. Nonetheless, the environment has matured to the path Obama is treading in 2008. Senator Smart should find ways to attain that level in Nigeria.
Nigerians that benefited from the Civil Rights Movement in America, most especially, at one time or the other should consider exporting their skills back to Nigeria helping Smart Adeyemi to get smarter. It would also make Nigeria a land of opportunities for the future generations, before Nigerians Abroad start loosing their teeth.
According to Smart Adeyemi,
"Now if that {Marginalization} is not addressed, the implication is that those who feel strongly marginalized and depressed will start thinking of being debased as human beings."
A timely warning for Smart Adeyemi, gays and lesbians in Nigeria would start requesting to be treated like any other Nigerians. Smart has to contend with the House of Rainbow Metropolitan Community Church in getting the gay community their rightful place in Nigeria. How smart would Smart Adeyemi approach religious organizations that accommodate the gays and lesbians, especially with the ordination of gays as priests in the Anglican Church?
Most Nigerians would frown at homosexuality and placed it as an infringement and a complete assault on Nigeria's core values. We could assume that the law on homosexuality is sloppy with lenient punishment for offenders. Nigeria classifies homosexuality as "unnatural offences" under Section 214 and "indecent practices between males" under Section 217 of the Criminal Code.
Smart Adeyemi went further to state that
"You know when somebody feels debased, it is as if the person is questioning the essence of his living and such a person is ready to go into internal terrorism that is when people start destroying government property."
Could this be the case with the Niger Delta Region people who felt marginalized from inception and now resolved into vandalizing Government properties, kidnapping individuals associated with the government, and now with oil war?
The movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) had launched an "oil war" in response to Saturday, September 13, 2008 aerial and massive bombardments on one of its positions by the military. Is this what Senator Smart is referring to as terrorism?
MEND in the statement signed by Jomo Gbomo stated:
"Following a previous warning that any attack on our positions will be tantamount to a declaration of an oil war, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has declared an oil war in response to the unprovoked aerial and marine attacks on a MEND position in Rivers State of Nigeria on September 13, 2008 by the armed forces of Nigeria. The operation will continue until the government of Nigeria appreciates that the solution to peace in the Niger Delta is justice, respect and dialogue. All international oil and gas loading vessels entering the region are warned to drop anchor in the high sea or divert elsewhere until further notice. Failure to comply is taking a foolhardy risk of attack and destruction of the vessel
." How Nigeria government handles the dividend of marginalization of the Niger Delta Region would be a challenge to Smart Adeyemi's Committee.
What about handling the rumor that Ibori might be considered a Minister and continue to marginalize his people at the expense of their needs. Nigerians might not believe much of the rumor, but the fact that he's been considered could be part of what Smart has to be smart about, when probing marginalization in Niger Delta Region.
It was rumored that Yar'Adua administration's effort to re-brand Ibori could have been tested during the recently concluded Beijing Olympics Games where Ibori as well as former Governor Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State were visible on the list of Nigeria's official delegation. Smart has to be very smart to come out with reliable results from his Marginalization probe.
That level of MARGINALIZATION of Obasanjo's regime to the Yorubas must be probed by Smart Adeyemi. He should extend same to the Servant-Leader with the allegation that he has stuffed his cabinet with people from the north.
What Nigerians should do presently is to appeal to the 'almighty PDP', to have mercy on poor innocent Nigerians, in spreading the 'honey' of democracy to every corners of Nigeria. Smart Adeyemi should get smart with this exercise. Nigerians are waiting the outcome of the marginalization probe.
If we may ask Senator Smart Adeyemi, what about the physically challenged Nigerians that have been stigmatized and marginalized? Honorable Yinka Ayefele, please advise Senator Smart Adeyemi on the wonderful work of God on physically challenged Nigerians most especially.
Courtesy DR. Femi Ajayi.
Culled from Nigerian world
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
National Parks in Nigeria (Nature Unspoilt)
Nigeria has abundant physical attractions ranging form hills, waterfalls, springs, caves, lakes and mountains across the length and breadth of the country. The fascinating features and beautiful scenes provide interesting sites for leisure, adventure and other tourism related activities. Some of these include the Jos Wildlife Park, Old Oyo National Park, Yankari National Park, Obudu Cattle Ranch etc..
National Parks are special natural ecosystems with unique attributes. They play special tangible and intangible roles vital to national/regional well-being as well as act as a catalyst for the development of eco-tourism. National parks also enhance ecological processes and life support systems such as soil regeneration, protection of nutrient cycles, cleansing and purifying hydrological cycles etc. Indeed the overwhelming roles National Parks play in ecological protection, enhance agriculture and medicine in a country like Nigeria far outweigh all other benefits. Today there are eight National Parks in Nigeria.
YANKARI NATIONAL PARK
Created since 1936 as a Game reserve, Yankari National Parks was upgraded to its present status(as a National Park) in 1991 and it covers an area of 2,250.10km. Its located in Alkaleri Local Government area of Baauchi State about 115km from Bauchi town. The Park could be reached by road from Jos airport through Bauchi state route and from Kano through Jos-Bauchi route.
The park has 110 visitor Chalets at Wikki camp, they are of several categories, including a low income youth hostels, a conference hall, in-door and out-door sport facilities, a standard restuarant, a natural clear and pure swimming pool(wikki spring water) sports facilities: badminton, table tennis and squash.
52 idetified species of animals including elephants , hippos, hartebests, baboons etc and variety of birds and fishes, marshall caves for those interested in caving. Yankari is also rich in ethno-historical and archaeological attractions, they include the Dukkey well, monumental iron smelting works of earlier settlements at Ampara and Shanshau with standing shaft furnaces. The year round wikki springs water, the source of river wikki which also serves as natural swimming pool is an added advantage to the park.
GASHAKA GUMIT NATIONAL PARK
This is the most scenic of all the National Parks in Nigeria. The Park covers an area of 6,402 sq km. Potentially, it is also the most important site for nature tourism with pleasant sub temperate climate, beuatiful array of scenery dominated by mountain valleys, rivers streams etc. The Park is home to some very highly endangered species fo wild life.
The Gashaka-Gumti National Park comprises tow sector each rich in its won unique flora and fauna species. The Gumti sector is located in its northern fringe while the Gashaka is on the southern fringe. The twin park is regarded as the largest in Nigeria and situates on vast land of mountains and valleys shared between two states, Adamawa and Taraba in North-East of Nigeria. It can be connected from Maiduguri, Jalingo, Yola and Republic of Cameroon
The park contains some historic sites, one of which is the Old Germain Fort at the Gashaka Hill. Gangarwal peak of the Chapal Wadi Mountain in range located in the Park is the highest peak in Nigeria. Fauna These include chimpanzees, cheetah, loepard, giant forest hog, colombos monkey etc. The Park is also a spawning ground for some fish species such as Nile perch, electric fish, Tilapia etc
CROSS RIVER NATIONAL PARK
It is located in the forest belt of south-east Nigeria. It has two sector, the southern Urban Division near Calabar and the Nothern Okwangwo Division near Obudu. It is conceived to protect and conserve the last vestige of the rain forest ecosystem and to promote eco-tourism in Nigeria. It is about an hour's drive from Calabar and can also be linked through Port Harcourt route.
The ultimate tourism potential of Cross River National Park lies on the development of the Kanyang Tourist Village to exploit the unlimited tourism resources of the Mbe Gorilla and the Obudu Cattle Ranch
The Park is home to many localized species of plants and animals which, include gorilla,drill. chimpanzee, an gwantibo or golden potto forest elephant, saleginella species.
KAINJI LAKE NATIONAL PARK
This Park is situated between Borgu and Zugurma sectors of Kwara State, it is reached through Ilorin by road and from Abuja through Lokoja; from Lagos through Ibadan, Ilorin and Jebba.
The Park have chalets, restaurants, conference hall and a water bus for lake cruising.
The Park is endowed with diverse wild life, a variety of ethno-historical and cultural sites among which are kobs, antelopes,hippopotamus, lions, etc The Park is closely associated with the famous Kaniji Lake oil hydroelectric complex.
KAMUKU NATIONAL PARK
The parks falls wholly within the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The park could be reached through Kaduna-Lagos route from the south west and north east and from the central parts of the country. The park is 305km from Abuja, 789 km from Lagos and 125 km from Kaduna.
The park boasts of elephant, antelope, Oribi water- bust, hunting dog, wet cat, green monkey, side stripped hyena and jackal. A wide variety of bird is also found in the park.
OKUMU NATIONAL PARKS
It is located in Ovia south west Local Government Area of Edo State. It lies 45km west of Benin City and immediately south of Udo town. Okumu is endowed with forest elephants, loxodants Africa, cyclotis, dwarf crocodile, forest buffaloes, red river hog, chimpanzees, leopard and white throated guenon monkeys put on wildlife conservation list for species near extinction. Okumu is also rich in bird life. This unmistakably is a very serene environment
Ranger escorts, canoeing and sport fishing and a house from which a panoramic view of the park can be enjoyed.
CHAD BASIN NATIONAL PARK
It is situated between Borno and Yobe states. The wetland of Bade and Nguru are internationally acclaimed as congregation site for migrant birds coming all the way from Europe. The park is an internationally refurbished tourist attraction as it has played host to Prince Bernhard of Netherlands (1987) and Prince Philip of Britain (1989). The park contains some rare desert wildlife like giraffe, ostrich, red fronted gazelle, etc.
OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK
The park is located in the northern part of Oyo State.It is rich in fauna and flora resources, significant species of which are the buffoon, kobes, buffaloes, and wide variety of birds.
The park is close to cities like Ibadan, Ogbomosho, Abeokuta, Lagos, Saki, Iseyin, etc. It is situated in the centre of a busy commercial and industrial part of the country. It is also in the middle of a vibrant community rich in tradition and cultural heritage. Facilities available include chalets, tourist camps, standard restaurant, air conditioned buses and facilities for boat cruising and sport fishing etc.
Pictures will be uploaded subsequently
National Parks are special natural ecosystems with unique attributes. They play special tangible and intangible roles vital to national/regional well-being as well as act as a catalyst for the development of eco-tourism. National parks also enhance ecological processes and life support systems such as soil regeneration, protection of nutrient cycles, cleansing and purifying hydrological cycles etc. Indeed the overwhelming roles National Parks play in ecological protection, enhance agriculture and medicine in a country like Nigeria far outweigh all other benefits. Today there are eight National Parks in Nigeria.
YANKARI NATIONAL PARK
Created since 1936 as a Game reserve, Yankari National Parks was upgraded to its present status(as a National Park) in 1991 and it covers an area of 2,250.10km. Its located in Alkaleri Local Government area of Baauchi State about 115km from Bauchi town. The Park could be reached by road from Jos airport through Bauchi state route and from Kano through Jos-Bauchi route.
The park has 110 visitor Chalets at Wikki camp, they are of several categories, including a low income youth hostels, a conference hall, in-door and out-door sport facilities, a standard restuarant, a natural clear and pure swimming pool(wikki spring water) sports facilities: badminton, table tennis and squash.
52 idetified species of animals including elephants , hippos, hartebests, baboons etc and variety of birds and fishes, marshall caves for those interested in caving. Yankari is also rich in ethno-historical and archaeological attractions, they include the Dukkey well, monumental iron smelting works of earlier settlements at Ampara and Shanshau with standing shaft furnaces. The year round wikki springs water, the source of river wikki which also serves as natural swimming pool is an added advantage to the park.
GASHAKA GUMIT NATIONAL PARK
This is the most scenic of all the National Parks in Nigeria. The Park covers an area of 6,402 sq km. Potentially, it is also the most important site for nature tourism with pleasant sub temperate climate, beuatiful array of scenery dominated by mountain valleys, rivers streams etc. The Park is home to some very highly endangered species fo wild life.
The Gashaka-Gumti National Park comprises tow sector each rich in its won unique flora and fauna species. The Gumti sector is located in its northern fringe while the Gashaka is on the southern fringe. The twin park is regarded as the largest in Nigeria and situates on vast land of mountains and valleys shared between two states, Adamawa and Taraba in North-East of Nigeria. It can be connected from Maiduguri, Jalingo, Yola and Republic of Cameroon
The park contains some historic sites, one of which is the Old Germain Fort at the Gashaka Hill. Gangarwal peak of the Chapal Wadi Mountain in range located in the Park is the highest peak in Nigeria. Fauna These include chimpanzees, cheetah, loepard, giant forest hog, colombos monkey etc. The Park is also a spawning ground for some fish species such as Nile perch, electric fish, Tilapia etc
CROSS RIVER NATIONAL PARK
It is located in the forest belt of south-east Nigeria. It has two sector, the southern Urban Division near Calabar and the Nothern Okwangwo Division near Obudu. It is conceived to protect and conserve the last vestige of the rain forest ecosystem and to promote eco-tourism in Nigeria. It is about an hour's drive from Calabar and can also be linked through Port Harcourt route.
The ultimate tourism potential of Cross River National Park lies on the development of the Kanyang Tourist Village to exploit the unlimited tourism resources of the Mbe Gorilla and the Obudu Cattle Ranch
The Park is home to many localized species of plants and animals which, include gorilla,drill. chimpanzee, an gwantibo or golden potto forest elephant, saleginella species.
KAINJI LAKE NATIONAL PARK
This Park is situated between Borgu and Zugurma sectors of Kwara State, it is reached through Ilorin by road and from Abuja through Lokoja; from Lagos through Ibadan, Ilorin and Jebba.
The Park have chalets, restaurants, conference hall and a water bus for lake cruising.
The Park is endowed with diverse wild life, a variety of ethno-historical and cultural sites among which are kobs, antelopes,hippopotamus, lions, etc The Park is closely associated with the famous Kaniji Lake oil hydroelectric complex.
KAMUKU NATIONAL PARK
The parks falls wholly within the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The park could be reached through Kaduna-Lagos route from the south west and north east and from the central parts of the country. The park is 305km from Abuja, 789 km from Lagos and 125 km from Kaduna.
The park boasts of elephant, antelope, Oribi water- bust, hunting dog, wet cat, green monkey, side stripped hyena and jackal. A wide variety of bird is also found in the park.
OKUMU NATIONAL PARKS
It is located in Ovia south west Local Government Area of Edo State. It lies 45km west of Benin City and immediately south of Udo town. Okumu is endowed with forest elephants, loxodants Africa, cyclotis, dwarf crocodile, forest buffaloes, red river hog, chimpanzees, leopard and white throated guenon monkeys put on wildlife conservation list for species near extinction. Okumu is also rich in bird life. This unmistakably is a very serene environment
Ranger escorts, canoeing and sport fishing and a house from which a panoramic view of the park can be enjoyed.
CHAD BASIN NATIONAL PARK
It is situated between Borno and Yobe states. The wetland of Bade and Nguru are internationally acclaimed as congregation site for migrant birds coming all the way from Europe. The park is an internationally refurbished tourist attraction as it has played host to Prince Bernhard of Netherlands (1987) and Prince Philip of Britain (1989). The park contains some rare desert wildlife like giraffe, ostrich, red fronted gazelle, etc.
OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK
The park is located in the northern part of Oyo State.It is rich in fauna and flora resources, significant species of which are the buffoon, kobes, buffaloes, and wide variety of birds.
The park is close to cities like Ibadan, Ogbomosho, Abeokuta, Lagos, Saki, Iseyin, etc. It is situated in the centre of a busy commercial and industrial part of the country. It is also in the middle of a vibrant community rich in tradition and cultural heritage. Facilities available include chalets, tourist camps, standard restaurant, air conditioned buses and facilities for boat cruising and sport fishing etc.
Pictures will be uploaded subsequently
THE OSUN SACRED GROOVE. A UNESCO APPROVED WORLD HERITAGE
In 2005 UNESCO named the sacred Osun groove a world heritage. This groove is located in the south western part of Nigeria. Where the native occupants are Yoruba a group of people that I will be publishing articles on subsequently.
ABOUT OSOGBO
Osogbo is an ancient town, about 80km north east of Ibadan , the capital city of Oyo State. It is a prominent cultural, craft and art center, as well as a famous tourist destination in Nigeria.
ABOUT THE OSUN OSOGBO FESTIVAL
The Osun cultural festival is a unique annual celebration in honor of the river goddess, popularly called Osun. The festival has acquired an international status witnessed by both domestic and international tourist. River Osun was believe to have provided the water of life which save the inhabitant s of ancient Osogbo town from hunger, pestilence and religious war centuries ago. It is still believe to provide protective guidance till today. The annual celebration is therefore done in reverence and appreciation to the goddess of fertility.
ABOUT THE FOREST.
The dense forest of the Osun Sacred Grove, on the outskirts of the city of Osogbo, is one of the last remnants of primary high forest in southern Nigeria. Regarded as the abode of the goddess of fertility Osun, one of the pantheon of Yoruba gods, the landscape of the grove and its meandering river is dotted with sanctuaries and shrines, sculptures and art works in honour of Osun and other deities. The sacred grove, which is now seen as a symbol of identity for all Yoruba people, is probably the last in Yoruba culture. It testifies to the once widespread practice of establishing sacred groves outside all settlements.
Some Justifications for Inscription
: The development of the movement of New Sacred Artists and the absorption of Suzanne Wenger, an Austrian artist, into the Yoruba community have proved to be a fertile exchange of ideas that revived the sacred Osun Grove ;
: The Osun Sacred Grove is the largest and perhaps the only remaining example of a once widespread phenomenon that used to characterise every Yoruba settlement. It now represents Yoruba sacred groves and their reflection of Yoruba cosmology.
: The Osun Grove is a tangible expression of Yoruba divinatory and cosmological systems; its annual festival is a living thriving and evolving response to Yoruba beliefs in the bond between people, their ruler and the Osun goddess.
I am currently unable to upload images. Will do so subsequently
ABOUT OSOGBO
Osogbo is an ancient town, about 80km north east of Ibadan , the capital city of Oyo State. It is a prominent cultural, craft and art center, as well as a famous tourist destination in Nigeria.
ABOUT THE OSUN OSOGBO FESTIVAL
The Osun cultural festival is a unique annual celebration in honor of the river goddess, popularly called Osun. The festival has acquired an international status witnessed by both domestic and international tourist. River Osun was believe to have provided the water of life which save the inhabitant s of ancient Osogbo town from hunger, pestilence and religious war centuries ago. It is still believe to provide protective guidance till today. The annual celebration is therefore done in reverence and appreciation to the goddess of fertility.
ABOUT THE FOREST.
The dense forest of the Osun Sacred Grove, on the outskirts of the city of Osogbo, is one of the last remnants of primary high forest in southern Nigeria. Regarded as the abode of the goddess of fertility Osun, one of the pantheon of Yoruba gods, the landscape of the grove and its meandering river is dotted with sanctuaries and shrines, sculptures and art works in honour of Osun and other deities. The sacred grove, which is now seen as a symbol of identity for all Yoruba people, is probably the last in Yoruba culture. It testifies to the once widespread practice of establishing sacred groves outside all settlements.
Some Justifications for Inscription
: The development of the movement of New Sacred Artists and the absorption of Suzanne Wenger, an Austrian artist, into the Yoruba community have proved to be a fertile exchange of ideas that revived the sacred Osun Grove ;
: The Osun Sacred Grove is the largest and perhaps the only remaining example of a once widespread phenomenon that used to characterise every Yoruba settlement. It now represents Yoruba sacred groves and their reflection of Yoruba cosmology.
: The Osun Grove is a tangible expression of Yoruba divinatory and cosmological systems; its annual festival is a living thriving and evolving response to Yoruba beliefs in the bond between people, their ruler and the Osun goddess.
I am currently unable to upload images. Will do so subsequently
In Nigeria you get so many beautiful scenery that just take your breathe away.
Below is a list of rocks you can find in Nigeria.
Aso Rock
Expect pictures of these rocks in up coming bulletins.
Below is a list of rocks you can find in Nigeria.
Aso Rock
Natural/Physical. The rock is the largest rock out crop within the Abuja metropolis, ranging about 936m above sea level, dominating the landscape of the capital city and overlooking residential quarters and office buildings like The National Assembly, The Supreme Court and The Presidential Villa. The rock has become synonymous with the nation’s seat of power. It has some caves within the structure which can be visited by tourists with the permission of the local priest. Aso people used to take refuge in the cave during intertribal wars. The rock is a sight worth seeing for every visitor in Abuja.
Tula Highlands/Hills
Physical/ Natural. Found in Gombe state, these are beautiful dome-shaped rock formations with fascinating scenery. They are ideal for climbing and camping.Eggon Hills & Caves
Physical-Eco-Tourism. They range over 30m. They are famous for many things; one of which is adventure. The rocks shaped like kopjes and inselbergs have long attracted strangers. Early Europeans settled at the peak of these hills. They constructed houses beside the slow flowing streams and unique rock formation. The caves were formidable natural bunkers for the native people in times of war. Eggon hills’ is an ideal place for mountaineering, wildlifeZuma Rock
Olumo Rock
Physical and well developed. Found in Abeokuta, Ogun state. The name means under the rock. It has several caves crevices that served as hiding place for early settlers. There are steps on it to make climbing easier. It is a good place for sight-seeing, climbing and camping.Kpambo and Fikiyu mysterious Rocks
It is a scenic attraction and as the name implies, the rocks are said to be mysterious. They are believed to move from one village to another at a particular time of the year.they are found in Kpambo and Fikiyu village in Taraba stateRiyom Rock
Natural. It is a beautiful tourist attraction that is laid systematically with small rocks on top. It is a pleasant architectural display of nature. It is found in Riyom Local government Area of Plateau state.Imoleboja Rock Shelter
This is a massive granite rock with inner apartments capable of accommodating a large number of people. In the local dialect of the people it means ‘God has built a house’. It is found in Odo-Owa, Kwara state.Shere Hills
Natural. Shere hill is about 1829m above sea level. It is recognized for its good sporting activities. It is found in Jos, Plateau state.Expect pictures of these rocks in up coming bulletins.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
ITSEKIRI NAITON
Above;Traditional attires of the Itsekiri peopleBelow;Cultural dances of the Itsekiri people
The Itsekiri are a peculiar and unique people in the Nigerian Niger delta. They have inhabited their homeland, which now constitutes the three Warri Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria, for centuries. The Itsekiri have rich traditional and cultural practices.
Itsekiri modern history dates from the late fifteenth century when the Itsekiri people adopted a prince from Benin Kingdom as their monarch. Prior to this time, Itsekiri lived independently in different communities that included Irigbo, Ureju, Omadino and Ugborodo. With the arrival of the prince and adoption of the monarchy. These communities coalesced to become a Kingdom. The current monarch is Ogiame Atuwatse II, who was crowned at an impressive ceremony in 1987.
History reveals that in several waves of migration before the 15th Century, and some a little later, groups from Igala in Nupe country came in through the creeks; Yoruba from ljebu-Ode, Akure and Owo found their way into parts of the Kingdom and a group from Aboh also came in. Some along the coast came in through Gulani/Amatu.
Historically, the ltsekiri have a monarchy, over 500 years old, and which, as a rallying point in their society, remains its supreme government. From 1480 to now, there have reigned 19 Olu of Warri: five Olus of the pre-Christian era; 1480 - 1597: eight Roman Catholic Olus from 1597-1735, and six Olus of the post-Roman Catholic Christian era. Atuwatse I, baptized as Dom Domingo reigned between 1625 and 1643, having studied in Coimbra University in Portugal for eleven years where he obtained a degree. The first-ever church monastery built in what today is Nigeria was erected in Big Warri (Ode-ltsekiri) before 1700 and was christened Saint Anthony (today, the site is known as Satone). As an ethnic nationality, the Itsekiri people are a micro-minority in Delta State. Estimated at over 450,000, Itsekiri is one of the five distinct ethnic nationalities in Delta State, Nigeria.
The Itsekiri ancient Kingdom of Warri dates back to the 15th century. Their 1,520 square mile homeland, known over time in history as Iwere or Awyri, Warree, Aweri and Wari etc, had diplomatic, Christian and trade relations with Medieval Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. It became a prominent trade centre within the Oil Rivers Protectorate.
Obaro Ikime, a prominent historian described the Itsekiri homeland as follows: "The Itsekiri inhabit the North Western extremity of the Niger Delta in area bounded approximately by latitudes 50 20 and 60 N and longitudes 50 5 and 50 40 East. Their neighbors are Bini to the North, the Ijaw to the South, the Urhobo to the East and the Yoruba of Ondo province to the North - West." ( Obaro Ikime Phd Merchant Prince of the Niger Delta, 1968).
The following also appeared in the footnote of Professor Allan Ryder's, book, Benin and Europeans 1485-1897 {page 108. "A.S.C. Scritture originali vol. 249 F328} - many varieties of the spelling of Iwere (Itsekiri word) appear in European documents. In the twentieth century English version - Warri has become the most common and will be used in future for the Kingdom of Itsekiri"
A highly cultured people, over the centuries they had impressive trade and cultural links with different people and these ties helped to broaden and enrich their cultural life. The Itsekiri were among the first to have contact with the Portuguese traders in the 16th Century. Traditionally, the ltsekiri are fishermen and traders.
The promotion of economic activity was a major pre-occupation of the ltsekiri monarch from the 16th Century. The fact that there existed a kingdom was important in the decision of the Europeans to do business with the ltsekiri. (Europeans tended to go to areas, which had a political system that could guarantee peaceful trade). The early contacts of the Itsekiri with medieval Europe, especially Portugal, helped to foster a conservative Christian education and civilization in Itsekiriland and the people remain proud of this historical circumstance.
The coastal location of the kingdom and accessible waterways and rivers did not only lead to the early contacts of the Itsekiri with medieval Europe, especially Portugal and foster a conservative Christian education and civilization, but it led to its significant prosperity between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries as trade with neighboring ethnic groups and Europeans flourished.
These interactions also led to an Itsekiri prince, christened Domingo, going to study in Portugal for eleven years in the seventeenth century and returning as the first Itsekiri to graduate from college. Itsekiri prosperity proved to be a fertile environment for the emergence of prominent Itsekiri leaders like several kings or Olu. They include, Diare, Olomu and Nanna. The latter three all serving as Governors of Benin River.
However, unlike in the past when prosperity from their homeland propelled the Itsekiri people to glorious heights, recent riches have paradoxically become bane to them. Not only has exploitation of crude oil in the area debilitated the ecosystem and destroyed local trades and economies, from 1997 to 2003, Itsekiri were victimized by some of its violent neighbors.
Language: Another aspect of the culture, which was greatly influenced by their interaction with other people, is the Itsekiri language. ltsekiri words like oro (gold), sangi (blood), garafa (mug), kidibe (pipe) etc are derived from the Portuguese language.
The relationship with the British also helped influence the vocabulary of these very sophisticated group of people. Itsekiri words like torosi, tapita, woske and several others all came from English language. Their relationship with the Yoruba people and the Benin people also influenced a lot of the Itsekiri vocabulary.
Until comparatively recently Itsekiri as a language was the lingua franca that was used by all Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw - in the Warri area. In fact up to the 1940's, anybody in Warri area, stranger or not, learned to speak Itsekiri, dressed the Itsekiri way and were given Itsekiri names.
Courtsey: Ugbajo Itsekiri Community. USA
IGBO COMMUNITY PART 1
IMO STATE
Ethnic Composition and Culture: The inhabitants of Imo State are lgbos, a culturally homoge neous group. The lgbo language is spoken throughout the state with minor differences in dialects. The official language of the state is how ever, English. Imo State has a very rich cultural her itage. This is manifested in dressing, music, dance, festivals, arts and crafts, and the traditional hospitality of the people.
Background Information
Historical Development: Imo State is one of the seven states created by the Federal Military Government on February 3,1976 during the MohammedObasanjo regime.Hitherto, the area known as tmo State was part of the defunct East Central State which was one of the twelve states initially created by the Federal Military Government (General Yakubu Gowon's regime) in 1967. With the creation of more states in 1991 by General lbrahim Babangida, Abia State was carved out from Imo State. The new Imo State is divided into twentyseven local governments areas (LGAs), and three senatorial zones .
Festivals: There are many traditional festivals observed in the State. Each community has differ ent festivals celebrated in honour of ancient deities or to mark an important event in the history of the area. There are different festivals to usher in the harvest season, the most popular being the Ahiajoku Festival, which is observed in all the farm ing communities.
Music and Dancing: Imo State is rich in tradi tional music and dances, which have persisted in spite of foreign influences. The lgbos have different types of music to suit various occasions, such as work, leisure, marriage, and funeral.Much of the traditional music is a combination of vocal and instrumental artistry, which produces a tuneful melody. Honoured traditional music and dances include Abigbo, Ekpe, Ikoro, Okonko, Mmawa.
Dress: The traditional apparel for the men is an overflowing jumper or a longsleeved shirt worn over the George wrapper, which is tied round the waist, flowing down to the ankles. This dress is complemented with a cap and a walking stick, which serves as an instrument of support and defence. The traditional wear for the women is a blouse, worn over a loin cloth. This female outfit goes with a headtie, ear rings and necklaces.Arts and Crafts: Traditional artists abound in the state. Works of art produced in the state include: carved doors, walking sticks of different designs, sculptures, flutes, wooden mortars and pestles, gongs, and the famous talking drums. Metal works and various types of fabrications are locally produced.
Culture: Part of the culture of the state is the lgbo traditional hospitality to visitors, which begins with the presentation of kolanuts to the visitor.The kolanut signifies that the visitor is heartily welcomed. The ritual of the presentation of the kolanut is consummated with the offering of prayers and thanksgiving or petition to the supreme God and other deities, for the protection of the visitor and the host.
Religion: There is freedom of worship in Imo State and religion occupies a central place in the lives of the people. The people are predominantly Christians of different denominations.
There are also a good number of Moslems in the state. They live together in harmony with their Christian neighbours. Some people in the state still cling to the local traditional religion
Ethnic Composition and Culture: The inhabitants of Imo State are lgbos, a culturally homoge neous group. The lgbo language is spoken throughout the state with minor differences in dialects. The official language of the state is how ever, English. Imo State has a very rich cultural her itage. This is manifested in dressing, music, dance, festivals, arts and crafts, and the traditional hospitality of the people.
Background Information
Historical Development: Imo State is one of the seven states created by the Federal Military Government on February 3,1976 during the MohammedObasanjo regime.Hitherto, the area known as tmo State was part of the defunct East Central State which was one of the twelve states initially created by the Federal Military Government (General Yakubu Gowon's regime) in 1967. With the creation of more states in 1991 by General lbrahim Babangida, Abia State was carved out from Imo State. The new Imo State is divided into twentyseven local governments areas (LGAs), and three senatorial zones .
Festivals: There are many traditional festivals observed in the State. Each community has differ ent festivals celebrated in honour of ancient deities or to mark an important event in the history of the area. There are different festivals to usher in the harvest season, the most popular being the Ahiajoku Festival, which is observed in all the farm ing communities.
Music and Dancing: Imo State is rich in tradi tional music and dances, which have persisted in spite of foreign influences. The lgbos have different types of music to suit various occasions, such as work, leisure, marriage, and funeral.Much of the traditional music is a combination of vocal and instrumental artistry, which produces a tuneful melody. Honoured traditional music and dances include Abigbo, Ekpe, Ikoro, Okonko, Mmawa.
Dress: The traditional apparel for the men is an overflowing jumper or a longsleeved shirt worn over the George wrapper, which is tied round the waist, flowing down to the ankles. This dress is complemented with a cap and a walking stick, which serves as an instrument of support and defence. The traditional wear for the women is a blouse, worn over a loin cloth. This female outfit goes with a headtie, ear rings and necklaces.Arts and Crafts: Traditional artists abound in the state. Works of art produced in the state include: carved doors, walking sticks of different designs, sculptures, flutes, wooden mortars and pestles, gongs, and the famous talking drums. Metal works and various types of fabrications are locally produced.
Culture: Part of the culture of the state is the lgbo traditional hospitality to visitors, which begins with the presentation of kolanuts to the visitor.The kolanut signifies that the visitor is heartily welcomed. The ritual of the presentation of the kolanut is consummated with the offering of prayers and thanksgiving or petition to the supreme God and other deities, for the protection of the visitor and the host.
Religion: There is freedom of worship in Imo State and religion occupies a central place in the lives of the people. The people are predominantly Christians of different denominations.
There are also a good number of Moslems in the state. They live together in harmony with their Christian neighbours. Some people in the state still cling to the local traditional religion
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