Genevieve Nnaji, “Ndi Yoruba na Igbophobia”

(Genevieve Nnaji: ... one of Biafra’s and Africa’s leading actresses writes on ongoing widespread attacks on Igbo immigrants and the destruction/looting of their business enterprises by regime death-squads in Lagos, west genocidist Nigeria…[from Ngozika Ugochi Chukwu and Samuel Okeke’s Facebook pages, slightly edited])

Genevieve Nnaji

THE Igbo have never been the problem with Nigeria or

wherever they find themselves.
This is not ethnic jingoism or
bigotry.

The Igbo will never foment troubles where they are
because they know that “isi kote ebu, ogbaa ya”.

They also know deep in their hearts that “ife onye metalu, obulu”.

The Igbo will never kill others to live because they believe
that “ndu bu isi” Yes, murder or “igbu ochu” is one of the most
despicable crimes amongst the Igbo.

The Igbo believe that once you are alive, there is always a way left to succeed.
The “igba mbo” is perhaps the best gift of the Igbo.
Yes, the Igbo struggle to make it in life.
They are industrious, assiduous & sedulous.

The Igbo also believe in helping one another.

That’s why you hear “onye aghana nwanne ya”.

THERE is also no lateness in making it in life amongst the Igbo

because “ebe onye oso ruru, onye ije geru” and “uwa mgbede
ka mma”.

Igbo businesspeople are scattered all over the world.
Wherever they are, they make their homes, building houses &
gentrifying districts. For most lgbo, “ala bu otu”.

Igbo are liberal, accommodating & very friendly to foreigners.
This is because they are themselves scattered all over the world as
immigrants.

NA LAGOS, ndi Igbo naagba oso ahia, Igbo neere gala na go slow,

Igbo naaru conductor, umu Igbo bu importers buru manufacturers,

Igbo noo into clearing and forwarding,

Igbo neesi nri, umunna neere motor parts, Igbo naaru police na oru aka.

Ndi Igbo adiro selective with jobs maka na onye ruo, orie.
But the Igbo will never take your lands or countries from you.
The Igbo think about their native home.

Yes, you will never provide them with akpu, bitter leaves soup, palm wine, isi ewu & other scrumptious dishes they miss at Igboland.
While living in your country or State, never you imagine the Igbo are not thinking about their village.

My friend, they do that everyday.
Where ever the Igbo habitate, their hearts are not far from their native homes.

STOP KILLING the Igbo.
They will only make their money & go back to their land.
And they know how to make legitimate money.
Yes, where you see nothing, the Igbo with their gimlet eyes see “ego”.

So when next you meet an Igbo, ask them “nna, nne, how far?”
If you are lucky & they had done a successful business deal, they
might just take you out for lunch. Yes, the Igbo like sharing.

On the other hand, if business is low, they will tell you the
normal clichés... “obodo bu igwe” or “ife anaeme adiro easy” or
“ogbogu di tight”.

LOOK AT their face closely as they lament.
You will see no signs of defeatism. Mind you, they might just be
carrying 1 million naira in their pockets.
Just that the money had
already been budgeted for... “Sontin...es”!!!

Daaluu nu

(Alice Coltrane Quartet, “Lord, help me to be” [personnel: Coltrane, piano; Pharoah Sanders, tenor saxophone;  Jimmy Garrison, bass; Ben Riley, drums; recorded: Coltrane home studio, Dix Hills, New York, US, 29 January 1968]) 

*****Herbert Ekwe-Ekwe is author of the recently published The longest genocide – since 29 May 1966 (2019)  (https://re-thinkingafrica.blogspot.com/2019/01/published-longest-genocide-since-29-may.html)

Twitter @HerbertEkweEkwe