SEPTEMBER WISHES

Age 16 in my country

At age 16 in my country 

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HOW DO YOU INTEND TO IMPACT THE IGBO GIRL CHILD POSITIVELY IN 2024 ?

It's twenty years of adandiigbo cultural pageant, Participating in  Season 20 of the Adandiigbo Cultural Pageant could significantly impact an Igbo girl child's  future in various ways, such as:

1. _Career boost_: Adandiigbo creates that platform a girl child needs to learn and be conscious of her heritage culture and unique morals of the Igbo people  ,an Increased  opportunity in the modeling and entertainment industry.

2. _Cultural ambassadorship_: Being  a role model. Of Igbo, fashion , culture, promoting cultural awareness and passion for patriotism .

3. _Networking opportunities_: Connecting with real  people, industry professionals, and potential collaborators to the next level of the Igbo girl child through  education and reaching the peak of the creative abilities of the contestants .

4. _Personal growth_: Building confidence, ,breaking barriers ,self-esteem, and public speaking skills. Inspiring a whole lot of culturally unaware youths to the beauty of the uniqueness of our culture and innate morals 

5. _Personal improvement and educational opportunities_: Possibly  support for further education or personal improvement 

6. _Business opportunities_: Attracting business ventures, endorsements, or partnerships.

7. _Media exposure_: Featuring in media outlets, interviews, and publications.

8. _Community involvement_: Participating in community service, cultural events, and initiatives.

9. _Role modeling_: Inspiring young people, especially those from the Igbo community, to pursue their passions.

10. _Prizes and awards_: Receiving prizes, awards, or recognition for achievements.

11. _Travel opportunities_: Traveling for events, photoshoots, or cultural exchanges.

12. _Personal branding_: Establishing a strong personal brand, showcasing talents and values.

13. _Mentorship_: Guiding and mentoring others in the industry or community.

14. _Cultural preservation_: Contributing to the preservation and promotion of Igbo culture.

15. _Empowerment_: Empowering oneself and others, especially the girl child , through confidence and achievement.

Every participant win or loose is expected to impact the society actively  and make that change we all crave 

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Are we on one page

*Wike: Ikwerre Is Igbo*

The Ngwa are Igbos. The Ikwerre are Igbos. They are offsprings of the same father.

Agreed, Wike has the right to hold any view so far as it is within the ambit of the law and not counter-productive. He can define himself in any manner he deems fit. But he is not in anyway speaking for us(Ikwerre people)

It is important to state for record purposes that historically Ikwerres fully identified themselves as Igbos without suffering harms. Chief Joseph Wobo, member of the Council of Chiefs of Eastern Nigeria, clearly stated he was an Igbo. Nobody can dismiss him as he defended Ikwerreland in colonial Nigeria

Sir Jackson Mpi, first and last Ikwerre to be conferred with Knight of the Order of British Empire, OBE, by Queen Elizabeth II of England in 1960, identified himself as Igbo. From the ancient Kingdom of Isiokpo, Sir Mpi worked tirelessly for Igbo advancement. 

Dr Obi Wali was the first Ikwerre PhD holder, senator and university lecturer. He was also the only Ikwerre in the 1978 Constituent Assembly where he was selected one of the 50 Wise Men that drafted the 1979 constitution. The great Dr Wali identified fully with his Igbo heritage and was gruesomely assassinated defending it.

Okogbule Wonodi, first Ikwerre registrar of any university, first and only Ikwerre poet and Paramount title Holder of Eze Ohiaemeru. Ohiaemeru, where you have present-day Comprehensive College in Borokiri, was his ancestral home before the British vacated them between 1913-1923. Wonodi remained a respected member of Nzukor Igbo and Ohanaeze Ndigbo till the end of his life.

Patriot Emmanuel Aguma was former Mayor of Port Harcourt. As Principal of St John College, Diobu, he was the first Ikwerre to head any college. One of six pre-independence Ikwerre University graduates, former administrator of Port Harcourt Province in the defunct Peoples Republic of Biafra, first Ikwere minister in 1979, Aguma remained a member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Emmanuel Oriji was a respected local government administrator, traditional ruler, a commissioner in old Rivers and core Igbo nationalist. The immediate past Deputy Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Isaac Wonwu, is an illustrious Ikwerre son from Elele. He is known to assert his Igbo identity. Equally valid, Chief Jackson Womenazu from Rumukrushi in the Evo Kingdom is a member of the Elders’ Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. 

In colonial documents, written when Igbos had no capacity to influence anything, Ikwerres also defined themselves as Igbos. When Ikwerre leaders presented their case before the 1957 Sir Henry Willinks Commission, Wobo declared that Ikwerres were Igbos and Port Harcourt to Onitsha was Igboland. 

The cream of Ikwerreland have asserted their Igboness. Most illustrious sons and daughters. Tell me any Ikwerre whose CV can match those of Mpi, Wobo, Aguma, Wonodi, Dr Wali or Amaechi? 

We must resolve all outstanding issues occasioned by the military-inspired partition of Ikwerreland as war booty. Our irreducible stand includes: 

One, Ikwerres are Igbos and Ikwerreland is so important to the Igbo that they will never take any step to destroy Ikwerres or toy with their destiny. In geo-strategic terms, Ikwerreland is the tongue of the Igbo race to the sea. 

Two, we are aware there are plans to landlock the Igbo nation. These plans are rooted in history. My brother and personal friend, Wike, should not be a crusader for such plans because it will be resisted with the sword as no nation will allow itself to be landlocked. All legitimate, moral and spiritual means available to Ndigbo would be used to resist the excise of Ikwerreland from the larger Igboland. 

Three, *“Obigbo,” means “Heart of Igboland.” It is the right name for that Local Government Area, LGA. “Oyigbo” means nothing and was never and will never be the name of Obigbo. The British met local people on ground who said their world was called Obigbo. Any researcher can go there and verify for himself. None should be persecuted for calling Obigbo its original pre-civil war name. I, Uche Okwukwu, call it Obigbo and I have no apologies for that.*

Four, “Ohiaemeru” is the original name for Borokiri. It was the British who removed the indigenous Ikwerre population there before declaring the place Crown Land between 1913-1923. Equally so, “Igweocha” or “Diobu” is the original name for Port Harcourt. We must set the record straight. 

Five, demographically and historically, Igbos constitute the majority in the Niger Delta. Wike’s idea of the region is flawed considering that nine states make up the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, namely, Imo, Abia, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, Ondo and Rivers. It is absurd and unacceptable stating that Umuagwo is not in the Niger Delta but Ogoja is. Be that as it may, there is now a statutory definition of the region manifest in the NDDC Act. 

Any definition that excludes the Igbo from the Niger Delta, or tends to disenfranchise them from the privileges thereof, is unacceptable. This is because there were plans in the past that destroyed any benefit coming to the Igbo. Boundary adjustments were carried out to remove oil-producing areas from the former East Central State. 

Six, in terms of ethnicity and language, Igbos are also in the majority in Rivers. It is fallacious that there are no Igbos here. Igbos are here because Ikwerres are Igbos. Ogbas are Igbos, Ekpeyes are Igbos. Etches are Igbos. Obigbos are Igbos. So no one can talk about Igbos coming in to cause trouble. Igbos are peaceful. Rivers is our home, and we are its autochthones. 

Seven, Binis have no cultural or historical link with Ikwerres. We worship different gods, have different market days with different monarchical structures. Our Kingship is not from father to son like the Binis. Our kingship is based on gerontocracy where the oldest person assumes leadership. What brought us together was the 1914 amalgamation. No pre-colonial or colonial record has it that Ikwerres migrated from Benin. The post-war purported claim that Ikwerres are Binis is parasitic, defeatist and self-hate. 

Eight, Ikwerreland is heavily garrisoned. Two million Ikwerres in four LGAs are tightly sandwiched by two naval barracks at Iwofe and Borokiri; two army barracks at Port Harcourt and Elele; air force base in Port Harcourt and an army shooting range in Igwuruta. Large swathes of land were appropriated for the building of the international airport, University of Port Harcourt and its teaching hospital, Rivers State University, Ignatius Ajuru University, Nigerian Television Authority, Area 1 Seaport, etc.  

Wike is an illustrious Ikwerre son. And for emphasis, he is an Igbo man. A kettle might call itself an electric kettle, but it remains a kettle. Wike will do himself great service to forget the purported prejudice of the past and assert his Igboness. You don’t deny your own roots because they may not be there anymore when later you need them. All those who deny their people have always regretted it. 

Was Wike not doing an overkill saying that an Igbo son desirous to be president was claiming to be Igbo?  My real pain concerning Wike’s outburst last year is why he chose these trying moments when some mischievous Nigerians lumped Ndigbo with IPOB. It is frightening and I would like to know who is writing the script for him.

Written by Dimm Uche Okwukwu,

An Ikwerre man.

Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide

Edited by Igbo History And culture TV

PRISCILLA NZIMIRO

Helen okereke

Helen Okereke is a multifaceted software engineer, robotics enthusiast, and passionate advocate for women in technology. With a background in software development, Helen has honed her skills in programming languages like C, C++, Java, and PHP, and enjoys exploring the world of robotics as a hobby. Her innovative spirit is showcased through projects like a home security system that integrates fingerprint authentication and voice commands, blending creativity with cutting-edge technology.

Helen is known for her dedication to mentoring and empowering the next generation of tech leaders. She has led numerous workshops across Nigeria, focusing on IoT technology, smart automation, and the potential of voice technology in enhancing everyday life. Her efforts have reached thousands of developers, tech enthusiasts, and even children, igniting a passion for technology and innovation in diverse audiences.

Beyond her technical expertise, Helen is deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. As a Women Techmakers Ambassador, she actively organizes events and challenges to uplift women in tech, helping them build personal brands and navigate their careers with confidence.

Helen is going to be live at season20 adandiigbo holding in port Harcourt to empower the girl child with her tech knowledge 

Helen is single , from Uburu in Ebonyi state. She currently resides in Enugu state

Igbo History

The igbos are considered to be the oldest ethnic nationality in the Nigerian space .

It is sad that despite this ,the younger igboid ethnic nationalities  and neighbors all choose to intimidate the igbos around then 

There are some indirect hints and theories to lend credence to this long history  based on:

1. Archaeological findings: Excavations at Ugwuele and other sites in Igbo land have uncovered pottery and other artifacts dating back to around 2500-2000 BC.

2. Linguistic studies: Some linguists suggest that the Igbo language may have evolved from a proto-language spoken in the region around 3000-4000 years ago.

3. Genetic studies: Recent genetic studies suggest that the Igbo people share a common ancestry with other African populations dating back to around 4000-5000 years ago.

4. Oral traditions: Igbo oral traditions and myths mention a ancient ancestor named "Eri" who is said to have migrated from the Middle East or North Africa around 3000-4000 years ago.

COMPARED TO THE NOK CULTURE AN EQUALLY OLD ETHNIC NATIONALITY 

The Nok culture is believed to have existed from around 1500 BCE to 200 CE, while the Igbo people have a history that stretches back even further.

Assuming the Igbo people have been present in their ancestral lands for around 5,000 years (as suggested by some estimates), we can calculate the age difference as follows:

- Nok culture: 1500 BCE - 200 CE = approximately 1,700 years

- Igbo presence: 5,000 years (approximate)

So, the Igbo people would be approximately 3,300 years older than the Nok culture. These dates are approximate but hold true in fact .

COMPARED TO THE KALABARIS 

 The Igbo people have a longer history in Nigeria than the Kalabari people.

The Igbo people have been present in their ancestral lands for over 5,000 years, with some estimates suggesting that they have been there for up to 7,000 years.

On the other hand, the Kalabari people are believed to have migrated to their current location in the Niger Delta region around the 14th to 16th centuries AD, which is approximately 600-800 years ago.

So, the Igbo people predate the Kalabari people by around 4,200-6,200 years.

Here's a rough timeline to illustrate this:

- 5000-7000 years ago: Igbo people present in their ancestral lands

- 14th-16th centuries AD (600-800 years ago): Kalabari people migrate to their current location

COMPARED TO THE BENIN

 The Igbo people have a longer history in Nigeria than the Benin Kingdom.

The Igbo people have been present in their ancestral lands for over 5,000 years, with some estimates suggesting that they have been there for up to 7,000 years.

On the other hand, the Benin Kingdom was founded around the 12th century AD (around 1200 AD) by Eweka I, also known as Ogiso.

So, the Igbo people predate the Benin Kingdom by approximately 4,000-6,000 years!

Here's a rough timeline to illustrate this:

- 5000-7000 years ago: Igbo people present in their ancestral lands

- 12th century AD (around 1200 AD): Benin Kingdom founded by Eweka I

For me ,it's very exciting to hear that Igbos existed here more than 4000 years before Jesus was born !!! and have been here at least another 2024 years after the birth of Christ ,quite exciting to know

Adandiigbo.blogspot.com

Igbos before the 16th century

Before the 16th century, the Igbo people were primarily a decentralized and autonomous society made up of various communities and clans. They were predominantly farmers who developed complex agricultural systems, such as slash-and-burn cultivation, terracing, and crop rotation. The Igbo also engaged in hunting, gathering, fishing, and trade, which facilitated their interactions with neighboring ethnic groups. The Igbo were known for their rich and diverse cultural practices, including art, music, dance, storytelling, and spiritual rituals. Their religious beliefs were centered on a supreme being, as well as various deities, spirits, and ancestors. The Igbo had no centralized government or kingship system, but rather organized themselves into small democratic communities, led by councils of elders and lineage heads. The Igbo society was also marked by social and economic mobility, as individuals could rise in status and influence based on their achievements and contributions to their communities.

Igbo ethnic nationality

Between the 16th and 19th century, the Igbos were an ethnic group that lived in southeastern Nigeria. They were known for their strong social organization, which was based on a system of village and family councils. They also had a vibrant culture, with a rich tradition of music, dance, and art. The Igbos were primarily farmers, but they also engaged in trade and crafts. In the 19th century, they were involved in the transatlantic slave trade and suffered greatly under British colonialism. Despite this, they have persevered and remain one of the most populous ethnic groups in Nigeria today.

THE IGBO GIRL CHILD

"Empowering the girl child , avoiding the mistakes that could lead to damages to the psyche of the girl child

Ensuring positive narratives for our future mother's . Encourage our future mother's to cultivate individual capabilities and  strengths.

 

Greatness starts from little tender steps 

We should be concerned about the interests of our girl child ,we should start in time to nurture who we leave our future mother's in their care !! 

For the transfer of our culture from generation  to generation ,the most important link is the future mother's who should prepare real food  for their husbands after a hard day at work not to  ask them to go to the fridge and defrost soup for their dinner . 

Let's cut down on divorce ,low self esteem and Ill temper .

Let's foster greater morals ,a future of certainties .

Our future mother's should be hands on custodians of the original Igbo heritage  ,morals and culture . 

Before the civil  war ,an Igbo girl was intentional of her makeup,dressing ,skills and courtesy ,where did  all that go to ? .

Your mentoring an Igbo girl ,is all it takes let's teach them to be great again .

Adandiigbo.blogspot.com