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My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado - NYSC - Nairaland

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My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by AmericanQuarter: 11:02pm On Dec 16, 2019
My NYSC service year purged me of tribal stereotype, says Peter Omoniyi Gidado who served in Anambra Anambra State

The news that I have been posted to Anambra State for the mandatory one-year national youth service greeted me with mixed feelings. For one reason, I was elated that I will be travelling very far from home for the first time having spent over two decades in my hometown, Ado Ekiti. I was delighted that I will be able to see other parts of my beloved country; learn a new language, and as a culture enthusiast, taste yet another sumptuous spread of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

On the other hand, I was a bit worried that I will be leaving home to a place where some of my kinsmen, who are perhaps uninformed, said its inhabitants wear rudeness and unruliness like a flowing Agbada. Despite being torn between the two, I was resolute not to seek redeployment to another state. I wanted to confirm myself some of these allegations because I secretly believed they are mostly products of unfounded stereotypes and hearsay.

I was eventually posted to the ancient town of Abagana for my primary assignment. In Abagana, I lived at Enugu Ukwu in Njikoka LG. I am thankful for my posting because it helped re-orientate and change my perception of the Igbos. I became a keen observer, then gradually a lover of the Igbo people. I fell in love with their way of life —food, language, mode of dressing and their industriousness

The Land of Beauties

One is immediately fascinated by the unrivaled beauties across Igboland. There, I saw independent women that glow more than the radiation of the sun and young ladies, and in fact, babies with stunning coverings. Yes, you might say pretty women are found in all societies and that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but I have my personal conviction and that I hold dear to myself.
Another endearment of the South East is the unrelenting business acumen of the Igbos. The Igbo men are fantastically industrious and business smart. The business sagacity of the Igbo people is second to none in the whole country, little wonder one of the busiest markets in West Africa is the Onitsha main market in Anambra State.

Most of the civil servants in the state also have other businesses that serve as a second, and perhaps a third source of income. This enterprising mindset is visibly transmitted to their young wards at an early age and this has not only helped to improve the living standard of the people but has also affected the economy of the state positively.

Catholicism Reigns Supreme

Catholicism is king in Igboland. The practice of Catholicism in Igboland seemed strange to me at first. Perhaps no phrase describes the Igbos religious leaning better than ‘more catholic-than-the-pope’. Once, I had thought I was in the heartbeat of Rome for I gasped Papacy in reverend fathers there. The unfettered regards for statues of Mother Mary, the Ave-maria girls with their long rosaries on hot Saturday afternoons, the pages boys zeal for service on holy Sundays and the profuse dedication of the catholic women and men to the church’s growth might be seen as fanatical to some extent to a newcomer, but later one is drawn in by the pervasiveness of it all that it becomes entrancing and enticing.

There are also countless Anglican churches with large edifice and the endearing zealousness of its parishioners. There are splattering of Pentecostal churches but their spiritual impacts are barely felt among the people.

Igbo Delicacies

How does one forget the mouthwatering Igbo delicacies? Although I am not a big fan of the oha soup, I find solace in the ever grinning Ofe akwu, the joyous nsala soup, the pale-looking bitter leaves soup and some other sumptuous meals I can’t stop gushing about. Street delicacies like Abacha and Okpa (somehow related to Yoruba’s moimoi) are always seen displayed by energetic hawkers. Akpu (foofoo), the staple in Igboland is paraded in every street corner and stall. Most times I wonder who buys the Akpu when almost everyone sells it. The matrimony of garden eggs and groundnuts in Igbo traditional events is superb but — hey! groundnut is profusely abused, and I am proposing a national referendum to tame it!

A People Steep in Culture

The Igbos have a steadfast admiration for their traditions and cultural heritage. The traditional breaking of kola nuts to connote peace is still held high in Igbo cosmology. The Igbo traditional wedding and burial ceremonies are events to behold despite their disregard for ‘Owanbe’ which is popular among Yorubas. The popularity of Christianity in the region has not deterred most of them from performing key cultural rites. Their rich traditions are also evident in the frequent outings of Masquerades and during the New yam festivals.

Another impressive feature worthy of admiration is the profound positive imparts of community development associations in various towns and villages in the state. In Enugwu Ukwu, so many developmental strides were seen executed by the town union which includes the building of a town hall, assisting the government in the area of security of lives and properties, organising free jamb coaching for young school leavers and promoting a healthy lifestyle through monthly keep fit exercises.

Such exemplary gestures by the town union were also noticeable in other neighbouring communities like Nawfia, Abagana, Nimo and other communities I visited. I prescribe this act of sportsmanship to all towns in Nigeria, for the progression of our society does not lie in the hands of our government alone.

My experience in Anambra has really afforded me the opportunity to see people differently from what I was brought up to believe. It has helped me in seeing the country in a new light and has certainly taught me not to view things or people from a stereotypical lens.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/364146-my-service-year-purged-me-of-tribal-stereotype-graduating-corps-member.html

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Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by crestedaguiyi: 11:09pm On Dec 16, 2019
thank God for your life

153 Likes 4 Shares

Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by ghettokid1(m): 11:12pm On Dec 16, 2019
U re welcome! Hope say none of our girls carry belle 4 u?

386 Likes 17 Shares

Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by Lekan111(m): 11:14pm On Dec 16, 2019
Every tribes has their own share of stereotype

77 Likes 5 Shares

Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by austinsmat(m): 11:15pm On Dec 16, 2019
Welcome bros

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by kayfra: 11:26pm On Dec 16, 2019
Fake news grin

29 Likes 6 Shares

Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by mrchineke: 11:28pm On Dec 16, 2019
FAKEST NEWS!!!!!

26 Likes 8 Shares

Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by Earlystar698(m): 11:49pm On Dec 16, 2019
Igbos don't make noise but after u enter Igbo land I bet u will become Town crier .... forget say many the sleep for shop for Lagos, most of them have storey building at their various places.

IgboAmaka

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Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by mumumugu(m): 11:56pm On Dec 16, 2019
did he observe if they are greedier than Yoruba's or if they are more courageous

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Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by DMerciful(m): 12:00am On Dec 17, 2019
I had this same stereotypes until I was posted to Jigawa State long ago. It was fabulous. In all honesty, the disunity is caused by our leaders for their selfish gains! Keep the masses divided so they will not unite and dislodge us

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Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by chival(f): 12:22am On Dec 17, 2019
Your observations are very apt. Proud to be onye Anambra. That said, every people and tribe have distinct features that make them beautiful and grand.

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Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by Nobody: 12:36am On Dec 17, 2019
Hmmm

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Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by BabaRamota1980: 12:52am On Dec 17, 2019
First and foremost, there is no family compound in Yorubaland called GIDADO, which is the surname the corper identified himself.

Tell him to re-identify.

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Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by Omoodua007: 2:16am On Dec 17, 2019
Legendhero despite being majorly Christian the Catholics still control all of them

7 Likes 3 Shares

Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by Purpletee(f): 3:41am On Dec 17, 2019
IgboAmaka
#proudAnambra
#proud njikoka lady
#proud enugu-ukwu warrior.

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Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by chiefolododo(m): 4:17am On Dec 17, 2019
I won't say anything
Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by LegendHero(m): 4:31am On Dec 17, 2019
Omoodua007:
Legendhero despite being majorly Christian the Catholics still control all of them

Lol
Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by Shiver99: 4:31am On Dec 17, 2019
Yep , Igbos in my opinion are the most beautiful in West Africa and some of the most beautiful in the world.
Also, the Igbo spirit of community and achievement ensures that the masses continue pooling money for the collective interest of the community, that’s why they have the largest middle class and most of the amenities that can be found in the city can be found in many Igbo Villages.
This is possibly why when Igbo were posting pictures of their village houses a few years back, some people were accusing them of taking photos of Igbo cities. Lol. grin

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Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by kayusely70(m): 4:55am On Dec 17, 2019
He didnt tell us about their attitude, behaviour and disposition to strangers and visitors.

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Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by Randy100: 6:22am On Dec 17, 2019
Why do Yorubas think that Igbos are disrespectful? Is it because Igbos don't lie face down to greet their elders? It is ridiculous.

178 Likes 9 Shares

Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by TheFacelessMan: 6:23am On Dec 17, 2019
Shiver99:
Yep , Igbos in my opinion are the most beautiful in West Africa and some of the most beautiful in the world.
Also, the Igbo spirit of community and achievement ensures that the masses continue pooling money for the collective interest of the community, that’s why they have the largest middle class and most of the amenities that can be found in the city can be found in many Igbo Villages.
This is possibly why when Igbo were posting pictures of their village houses a few years back, some people were accusing them of taking photos of Igbo cities. Lol. grin
Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by timibare(m): 7:03am On Dec 17, 2019
So no attempt to eat you? Den no pull clifford Orji stunt on you abi

11 Likes 2 Shares

Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by dokyOloye: 7:17am On Dec 17, 2019
Earlystar698:
Igbos don't make noise but after u enter Igbo land I bet u will become Town crier .... forget say many the sleep for shop for Lagos, most of them have storey building at their various places.

IgboAmaka
I keep telling the ones working with me here in the north but they won't hear.
The scraggly looking used motor parts dealer you ignore makes your salary x 3 every month and has already built a house in his father's compound.

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Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by Endy10(m): 7:40am On Dec 17, 2019
I first want to commend your writing. It's very rare nowadays to see a writeup so cleanly written. I understood the message you were trying to convey and I love the flow of your paragraphs.

I'm happy you enjoyed your service year. I schooled (boarding school) in Anambra state so I was able to relate to a lot of the things you said. I'm from Delta state. I didn't know about Okpa till I got there.

I wish you good luck in the next chapter of your life.

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Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by Kingluqman(m): 8:03am On Dec 17, 2019
Musa is pleased now






grin grin

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Re: My Service Year In Anambra - Corper Peter Omoniyi Gidado by Myhusband(m): 8:44am On Dec 17, 2019
I served in the same anambra and all these your acknowledgement is quite funny


modified

way of life

Anambra Nnewi people are exposed due to their people being the most travelled in East but their love for money is second to none. when it comes to money, human live had zero value to them


Anambra people believe in make it young and die Rich. their interest for money made them to involve in series of ritualism to look for money, if I'm lying non Igbo that served there can burst my lies, you can hardly see obituaries of old people in Anambra, Nnewi most esp (obituaries aged from 40 below) and when you listen to what causes these death you just shake your head


do I need to talk about N20 poison that can seized your legs, I got a job at Nnewi after service but I've to pick race when a man that was working in bank leg was poison with this stuff


their ladies

they're so pretty but you would never want to invite them at home, the fear of HIV and a Lady that might have been killed alive (a story of a corper that invited one and she died on spot the guy couldn't complete his service and was compel to be jail for offence he's innocent of)

just tell their ladies you're in abroad or you've container on the sea, na yakata dem go fall for you, some might even dash you money ignorantly


Philanthropic life

corpers that served there can testify projects carried out there always meet a serious setback because the rich men they always seek assistance from do turned them down

what surprise me more is their rich men, I mean those with big and exotic cars who bring kegs to fetch to buy water outside


only Igbo like them understand that you must not envy big houses at that end because the source my scare you. I met a Yoruba who called himself herbalist there, I stylishly asked him what brought him to Nnewi and he said don't you know Igbo like ritual a lot, that was prompt is relocation

Enmity

many of their kinsmen can't even go/visit village because of their pull them down syndrome that had become their habit at that end. I have a corper friend who always change to mufti whenever she's travelling from CDs just because of this wickedness of this people. the only Igbo that might relate well with you are those that have stepped out of their village and east to west, south or north, you see those that live in the village don't mess with them or else you're a goner, person wey dey used their own for suya, how much less non relative ?


marital life


if you want to marry Anambra lady, don't make a mistake to settle with the one in the village, you will regret your life. you can choose from those that live all their life out of east even among themselves in that Anambra there is always discrimination when it comes to marriage

I'm sure this is not news that some Igbo who aren't from IMO always runaway from mbaise girls, why this happened till date elude my common sense because their reason is not enough to justify such dumb rejection

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