This dialogue is posted without the permission of the participants but I consider it important enough to present without waiting for their permission.
The views they express may have been expressed before by others, but a sense of balance is suggested by their positions.I wont pretend to know much about the facts of the socio-economic issues discussed,so cant asess the ccuracy of some of their positions, but their perspectives provide a critical lens that seems honestly balanced.
From Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/moyo.okediji/posts/652613324751350?comment_id=7266877&offset=0&total_comments=13&ref=notif¬if_t=feed_comment_reply
Yele Odofin-Belo
At some points in my life, I have also been duped by Igbos, Yorubas, and every ethnic group in-between, so I do not need any individual and/or groups to validate my objectivity as it relate Nigerian's ethic interactions: Those stereotypes do not appear on my radar.
I deliberately ignored this story about deportation of people because it was both idiotic and a waste of valuable resource, time. I have asked most people who contacted me through email and over the phone...: Even if the Nigerian constitution permits this "deportation", are there borders or fences to keep out those deemed as flotsam and jetsam of Lagos? How would you determine their states of origin?
How about those productive groups known as "the working poor" who reside under Lagos bridges?
Personally, I have never come across an Igbo beggar in Lagos but I have had several conversations with those from the North as well as those from other Yoruba States...yes, unlike most people I try to engage beggars when time permits (there are lots of interesting life stories out there).
By year 2025, there will be more of us living in urban centers/cities like Abuja, Lagos, PH etc than those in the rural areas, are the governors aware of this trend and are they planning ahead?
If not they should start firing some aids ASAP.
All ethnic groups have added values to the development of Lagos but it would be reckless and insensitive to exaggerate the percentage of Igbos in that matrix (as allegedly done by a sitting Igbo governor and a former).
Furthermore, it will also be insincere to underplay the socio-economical contributions and future political relevance of the Igbos in Lagos.
It is valid to say that Yorubas are frustrated with the glass walls that prevent them from acquiring properties and access informal business sectors in Igboland.
This perception should not be dismissed quickly because they (Yorubas) have had access in other parts of Nigeria. These concerns would have to be addressed.
Similarly, I have traveled all across major Ibo cities and had not seen any type of ethic plurality as reflected in other regional cities of the country.
Why is this so?
Femi Fani-Kayode love him or hate him is one of the VERY few sound minds in our political firmament and has expressed the sentiments of ordinary Yorubas.
Moyo Okediji
As usual, great comment, Yele Odofin-Belo.
You have balanced things out most judiciously.
The Igbo have contributed to the development of many parts of Nigeria.
They must find it in their hearts to allow other Nigerians to contribute to the development of Igboland, in return.
Otherwise other Nigerians may fear that their lands are being colonized rather than being developed.
A national dialoge is necessary to address the ethnic conflicts in Nigeria--not when a crisis arises, but before there is any crisis.
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "USA Africa Dialogue Series" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to usaafricadialogue+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
No comments:
Post a Comment