Last week’s verbal attack on the Igbo by a Roman Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. James Anelu, from Edo State, brought the issue of Igbophobia to the fore once more in Nigeria. As if on cue, the next day, a deputy commissioner of police, Mr Ibrahim Babazango, from Adamawa State, was reported to have threatened the life of one Igbo man, Mr. Vincent Umeh, for buying the property next to his residence in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State.

For Rev. Fr. Anelu, the Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Enu-Owa, Ikorodu, Lagos State, the trigger was that the choir was singing “too many” Igbo choruses. It was reported that he stopped the choir midway and outlawed the singing of Igbo songs in the church. That was not all. He went into the usual ethnic tirade of how Igbo people liked to dominate everywhere, citing the example of an Igbo person being the bishop of his home diocese (Benin Diocese), and other stereotypical statements.

From his speech, captured on camera, it was obvious the singing of Igbo songs was not his main problem. The Igbo were his problem. Even though that parish was highly populated by Igbo people, for the sake of integration and inclusiveness, songs sung at such a church should reflect the ethnic diversity of Nigeria. A Roman Catholic head of a parish wields enormous power. He can sack the entire choir. If Anelu’s concern was truly the need for inclusiveness, he could have invited the leaders of the choir to a private meeting and explained to them the need to sing more songs from other ethnic groups and English. After that, if the problem persisted, he could apply punitive measures to the leadership of the choir or the lead vocalists with the sole aim of correcting the problem.

He could also take other practical measures to change the situation like encouraging more non-Igbo people to join the choir. He could also encourage non-Igbo to teach the choir more non-Igbo songs to deepen their repertoire. But the words of Fr. Anelu showed that his primary concern was not to promote inclusiveness but to express his views about the Igbo. The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos quickly intervened by suspending him.

In the case of Babazango, Sahara Reporters had reported that he was caught in an audio warning Umeh to reverse the land purchase deal or face some consequences, including no guarantee of his personal safety.

“We’re a homogeneous community, I don’t want you; you can’t be my next-door neighbour, I swear. What sort of insult is this? Can any northerner move now to the South-East, say Onitsha, and just bump into any neighbourhood to buy a property just like that?” the senior police officer had allegedly said to Umeh. Sahara Reporters reported that when it contacted Babazango, he maintained his stand on the issue.

A follow-up news story by Sahara Reporters noted that the Nigeria Police Force described the accusation as false, stating that Umeh never reported such a case to them as he claimed. However, Sahara Reporters confirmed that Umeh reported the matter to Zone 3 Police Command, Yola and also the office of the Department of State Services in December 2021.

These cases only became points of interest because of the status of those involved and because they were brought to the media space. But they are not unusual. They are only part of a bigger and deeper problem. In the recent past, some prominent Nigerians like the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, etc, have been caught on camera displaying Igbophobia. However, most non-Igbo, who don’t experience Igbophobia, would easily dismiss any claim that Igbophobia is systemic in Nigeria. But that should not be surprising because they are not involved. It is said that whoever feels it knows it.

There are two types of Igbophobia in Nigeria: the brazen and the subtle. The brazenness is what usually attracts national attention. Subtle Igbophobia usually goes unnoticed. It is so deep in the system that it is taken as normal. In fact, those who engage in it do not realise that they have such a problem. It manifests in different ways like giving the Igbo a different standard or condition that is not given to other ethnicities or always believing that there is “something” wrong with the Igbo.

Many nice, urbane, educated, supposedly detribalised, open-minded Nigerians don’t even know that they have Igbophobic tendencies. They will swear with conviction that they are not Igbophobes. But once you hear someone say: “Igbos are great people but…;” “I have many Igbo friends. I have nothing against Igbos but…;” “The problem with Igbos is…,” you see a subtle Igbophobe.

If you discuss the issue further with such people, their next line is that they are speaking the truth and that one problem with “you people” is that you don’t like the truth.” Then you hear something like: “You people are too emotional.” To such people, they are merchants of truth and rationality, while the problem is with “you people.”

Whichever way the Igbo act, such people find something wrong with it. For example, if the Igbo vote for their kinsman, the accusation is: “You people are clannish.” If people from the North or South-West or South-South do the same, the music changes to: “They are politically strategic.” If the Igbo vote for non-Igbo people, the same people say: “Igbo people don’t speak with one voice. They don’t love one another.” If people from the North or South-West or South-South do the same, the narrative changes to: “They are politically sophisticated.” Then, if the Igbo vote massively for one candidate, the accusation becomes: “Igbo put their eggs in one basket.” If the Igbo spread their votes between two candidates, the accusation changes to: “Igbo scatter their votes unwisely. They are not politically sophisticated.” Head or tail, there is something wrong with the Igbo people.

Without knowing it, these nice people who harbour unconscious Igbophobic feelings regularly set different standards for the Igbo, standards they don’t set for their own folks or other ethnic groups: “You guys must come together and present one presidential candidate with integrity.” If you ask them which ethnic group has ever done that, they bring up another blackmailing line about “you people ‘’ not liking to hear the truth and then jump to another topic.

The biggest challenge facing the Igbo is their large numbers in other parts of Nigeria. They are usually the second largest population after the indigenous people. They usually control the retail business wherever they are. Therefore, if the indigenous people want to buy a malaria drug, it is an Igbo person they go to. If they need a spare part for their motorcycle or motor vehicle, it is an Igbo person that sells it to them. If they need a shirt, an electric bulb, a tin of milk, a loaf of bread, a bowl of rice or a mobile phone, it is an Igbo person that sells it to them. Consequently, the Igbo unconsciously assume the image of an army of occupation, which attracts resentment towards them. This is compounded by the aggressiveness with which the Igbo buy parcels of land and erect houses wherever they are. It creates a convincing narrative that the Igbo have a long-term agenda of taking over the communities where they reside, which worsens the resentment towards them. Being a loud and proud people does not help the case of the Igbo. Therefore, if the economy tanks and prices of goods go up, the Igbo get the blame for that because they sell most of the goods the indigenous people use. If there is a riot, their goods and investments become easy targets.

The Igbo are not saints or angels. They have weaknesses and strengths like any other ethnic group. But the problem lies in always concentrating on their weaknesses or using the bad acts of individuals to judge the entire ethnic group or setting an impossible standard for them. Nigerians have an Igbo problem, which they do not realise, but which they need to solve, if the claim of national cohesion and unity has any sincerity in it.

Twitter: @BrandAzuka

https://punchng.com/igbophobia-runs-deeper-than-we-think/

SolutionsMed:
Last week’s verbal attack on the Igbo by a Roman Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. James Anelu, from Edo State, brought the issue of Igbophobia to the fore once more in Nigeria. As if on cue, the next day, a deputy commissioner of police, Mr Ibrahim Babazango, from Adamawa State, was reported to have threatened the life of one Igbo man, Mr. Vincent Umeh, for buying the property next to his residence in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State.

For Rev. Fr. Anelu, the Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Enu-Owa, Ikorodu, Lagos State, the trigger was that the choir was singing “too many” Igbo choruses. It was reported that he stopped the choir midway and outlawed the singing of Igbo songs in the church. That was not all. He went into the usual ethnic tirade of how Igbo people liked to dominate everywhere, citing the example of an Igbo person being the bishop of his home diocese (Benin Diocese), and other stereotypical statements.

From his speech, captured on camera, it was obvious the singing of Igbo songs was not his main problem. The Igbo were his problem. Even though that parish was highly populated by Igbo people, for the sake of integration and inclusiveness, songs sung at such a church should reflect the ethnic diversity of Nigeria. A Roman Catholic head of a parish wields enormous power. He can sack the entire choir. If Anelu’s concern was truly the need for inclusiveness, he could have invited the leaders of the choir to a private meeting and explained to them the need to sing more songs from other ethnic groups and English. After that, if the problem persisted, he could apply punitive measures to the leadership of the choir or the lead vocalists with the sole aim of correcting the problem.

He could also take other practical measures to change the situation like encouraging more non-Igbo people to join the choir. He could also encourage non-Igbo to teach the choir more non-Igbo songs to deepen their repertoire. But the words of Fr. Anelu showed that his primary concern was not to promote inclusiveness but to express his views about the Igbo. The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos quickly intervened by suspending him.

In the case of Babazango, Sahara Reporters had reported that he was caught in an audio warning Umeh to reverse the land purchase deal or face some consequences, including no guarantee of his personal safety.

“We’re a homogeneous community, I don’t want you; you can’t be my next-door neighbour, I swear. What sort of insult is this? Can any northerner move now to the South-East, say Onitsha, and just bump into any neighbourhood to buy a property just like that?” the senior police officer had allegedly said to Umeh. Sahara Reporters reported that when it contacted Babazango, he maintained his stand on the issue.

A follow-up news story by Sahara Reporters noted that the Nigeria Police Force described the accusation as false, stating that Umeh never reported such a case to them as he claimed. However, Sahara Reporters confirmed that Umeh reported the matter to Zone 3 Police Command, Yola and also the office of the Department of State Services in December 2021.

These cases only became points of interest because of the status of those involved and because they were brought to the media space. But they are not unusual. They are only part of a bigger and deeper problem. In the recent past, some prominent Nigerians like the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.); Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, etc, have been caught on camera displaying Igbophobia. However, most non-Igbo, who don’t experience Igbophobia, would easily dismiss any claim that Igbophobia is systemic in Nigeria. But that should not be surprising because they are not involved. It is said that whoever feels it knows it.

There are two types of Igbophobia in Nigeria: the brazen and the subtle. The brazenness is what usually attracts national attention. Subtle Igbophobia usually goes unnoticed. It is so deep in the system that it is taken as normal. In fact, those who engage in it do not realise that they have such a problem. It manifests in different ways like giving the Igbo a different standard or condition that is not given to other ethnicities or always believing that there is “something” wrong with the Igbo.

Many nice, urbane, educated, supposedly detribalised, open-minded Nigerians don’t even know that they have Igbophobic tendencies. They will swear with conviction that they are not Igbophobes. But once you hear someone say: “Igbos are great people but…;” “I have many Igbo friends. I have nothing against Igbos but…;” “The problem with Igbos is…,” you see a subtle Igbophobe.

If you discuss the issue further with such people, their next line is that they are speaking the truth and that one problem with “you people” is that you don’t like the truth.” Then you hear something like: “You people are too emotional.” To such people, they are merchants of truth and rationality, while the problem is with “you people.”

Whichever way the Igbo act, such people find something wrong with it. For example, if the Igbo vote for their kinsman, the accusation is: “You people are clannish.” If people from the North or South-West or South-South do the same, the music changes to: “They are politically strategic.” If the Igbo vote for non-Igbo people, the same people say: “Igbo people don’t speak with one voice. They don’t love one another.” If people from the North or South-West or South-South do the same, the narrative changes to: “They are politically sophisticated.” Then, if the Igbo vote massively for one candidate, the accusation becomes: “Igbo put their eggs in one basket.” If the Igbo spread their votes between two candidates, the accusation changes to: “Igbo scatter their votes unwisely. They are not politically sophisticated.” Head or tail, there is something wrong with the Igbo people.

Without knowing it, these nice people who harbour unconscious Igbophobic feelings regularly set different standards for the Igbo, standards they don’t set for their own folks or other ethnic groups: “You guys must come together and present one presidential candidate with integrity.” If you ask them which ethnic group has ever done that, they bring up another blackmailing line about “you people ‘’ not liking to hear the truth and then jump to another topic.

The biggest challenge facing the Igbo is their large numbers in other parts of Nigeria. They are usually the second largest population after the indigenous people. They usually control the retail business wherever they are. Therefore, if the indigenous people want to buy a malaria drug, it is an Igbo person they go to. If they need a spare part for their motorcycle or motor vehicle, it is an Igbo person that sells it to them. If they need a shirt, an electric bulb, a tin of milk, a loaf of bread, a bowl of rice or a mobile phone, it is an Igbo person that sells it to them. Consequently, the Igbo unconsciously assume the image of an army of occupation, which attracts resentment towards them. This is compounded by the aggressiveness with which the Igbo buy parcels of land and erect houses wherever they are. It creates a convincing narrative that the Igbo have a long-term agenda of taking over the communities where they reside, which worsens the resentment towards them. Being a loud and proud people does not help the case of the Igbo. Therefore, if the economy tanks and prices of goods go up, the Igbo get the blame for that because they sell most of the goods the indigenous people use. If there is a riot, their goods and investments become easy targets.

The Igbo are not saints or angels. They have weaknesses and strengths like any other ethnic group. But the problem lies in always concentrating on their weaknesses or using the bad acts of individuals to judge the entire ethnic group or setting an impossible standard for them. Nigerians have an Igbo problem, which they do not realise, but which they need to solve, if the claim of national cohesion and unity has any sincerity in it.

Twitter: @BrandAzuka

https://punchng.com/igbophobia-runs-deeper-than-we-think/

Igbophobia is real.

Interesting

Igbophobians will soon gather here, just watch and see.

In Benue State last year, a place populated by Idoma. In several occasions I have bumped into people accusing Igbo business men hiking the prices of goods. I got annoyed when I was buying stuffs in a super market and one man was complaining of Igbos hiking the price cooking gas. I couldn't hold so, I confronted him with fact.
One doctor was blaming Igbos of hiking the price of dollar, his argument was that they demand alot of dollar to pay for goods.
I have witnessed it alot, subtly or openly. Having a conversation with a person of different ethnic group, you will hear " don't carry Igbo sense enter this matter"
You speak Igbo language even when you are not talking to them, they will feel offended. But others can speak theirs comfortably.
There are alot to say about this, though most of us has grown thick flesh on many igbophobic attitude.

Sincerely speaking, you just hit the nail on its head! "Nigeria has the Igbo problem to solve, first."

How can you admire someone, and at the same time hate them so much?

How can you sell your piece of land to him and yet not want him to build?

How can you not want someone and yet you need them?

The big truth is that the Igbo is like a very big bone in Nigeria's throat

Igbos don't care.
As long as it is ' One Nigeria ', Igbos will keep on buying up properties everywhere in the country. If they like let them wail from now till eternity.

Victim mentality.

May be others should also be recycling all the bad utterances Igbo's have made against others.

Eish

Neatboy:
Sincerely speaking, you just hit the nail on its head! "Nigeria has the Igbo problem to solve, first."

How can you admire someone, and at the same time hate them so much?

How can you sell your piece of land to him and yet not want him to build?

How can you not want someone and yet you need them?

The big truth is that the Igbo is like a very big bone in Nigeria's throat

As for me, no be only Igbos dey face all this things you dey talk about.

I doubt Nigeria go fit better with all this nonsense

The Solution to Nigeria matter now is to make a new constitution that will be in favour of a powerful region and a weak central or make we all go our different ways

Things dey get worst for Nigeria daily and the Government is doing very little about it

Watch as Nairaland Igbophobic idiots will come and start vomiting trash.

But let them deny Igbo the presidency in 2023 first…

If you think igbophobia is a joke come and rent house in Lagos and hear what Yoruba landlords will ask you.

kollinzgee:
If you think igbophobia is a joke come and rent house in Lagos and hear what Yoruba landlords will ask you.

stop demonising yoruba, Igbo need to stop playing the sympathetic game in the situation they created

Tribes Ndị Igbo are living free rent in their heads are:
Yoruba
Bini including Ikwerre-Bini
Urhobo
Ogoni
Ijaw
Fulani.

But you know what?, Igbo no send them.

helinues:
Victim mentality.

May be others should also be recycling all the bad utterances Igbo's have made against others.

Eish

please post reports of unguarded utterances by high profile igbos against other tribes.

Post it here

lightskinnigga:
please post reports of unguarded utterances by high profile igbos against other tribes.

Post it here

You do not have to stress yourself about that, just look for any Ohaneze's threads

[s]

helinues:
Victim mentality.

May be others should also be recycling all the bad utterances Igbo's have made against others.

Eish

[/s]

True words.
This has made the Igbos to keep loving themselves the more.

Attitude is like watching your reflection in a mirror, the way you pose is the way you see yourself, you can't be full of bad despicable behavior and want people that love you, quite impossible, evil begat evil, bitterness begat hatred, treachery begat calamity, you cannot be full of indignation and wrath and you want people to cherish you, it is impossible, gunmen went to the market to kill 8 people unprovoked, those you killed their people will they continue to love you, from the first coup that you killed people and robbed them, do you expect such people to trust you.

helinues:


You do not have to stress yourself about that, just look for any Ohaneze's threads

one thing I’ve noticed about ppl like you and your likes is that u tell lies a lot.

U tell lies like children.


U made a claim, you cannot even back it up like the op did his.

“Reputation is how ppl see u, character is who you are”.

You have a very bad character and reputation

IgweOfNnewi:
Attitude is like watching your reflection in a mirror, the way you pose is the way you see yourself, you can't be full of bad despicable behavior and want people that love you, quite impossible, evil begat evil, bitterness begat hatred, treachery begat calamity, you cannot be full of indignation and wrath and you want people to cherish you, it is impossible, gunmen went to the market to kill 8 people unprovoked, those you killed their people will they continue to love you, from the first coup that you killed people and robbed them, do you expect such people to trust you.

and the Fulanis have been murdering you and and stealing your lands are your lovers

Lol

lightskinnigga:
and the Fulanis have been murdering you and and stealing your lands are your lovers

Lol

Fulani problem became conspicuous when buhari became president, it wasn't as pronounced as this, almost all tribes have their fair share of their rampage, more casualties in the north and south east, but igbos have been having problem with other Nigerians since 1966 just six years into independent, how disgusting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS0wr6BZ01w

The eyes of some people are beginning to open

I always tell people, that the only thing holding Nigeria as one is their hatred towards the Igbos. Remove Igbos from Nigeria and see how they will all scatter. Even those claiming they're one with the Fulani will not even like to stay a day with the Fulani.

Igbos are everywhere in the north and south West and I tell you the naked truth, the Fulani, the Hausa and the Yoruba will miss the Igbos like mad any day they choose to close their shops, sell their houses and return to the east.

I have live among the yorubas, the Hausa and even the Fulani, the truth is that they have one thing to complain about us. Small thing, they'll start calling you nyamiri. Small reaction, just by telling them the price of your goods and boom they'll start threatening you.

Some of them will tell you that Igbos are taking their women away from them like the Tiv in Benue State. This even made the Igbos do meeting and warn everybody to stop doing anything with their women or pay a fine.

But still, that did not stop them. They will come to your shop steal your goods and when you shout they will tag you the thief and their people will come and use that opportunity to loot your goods.

I can still remember how my brother was killed in Benue State. That very moment, my hatred for this people grow to the point that going to the North becomes like a suicide thought to me.

Yes he was killed just for trying to collect his money. The story long but igbophobia is real and every damn person in Nigeria knows that. My biggest concern is that our politician is always afraid to speak up. Walahi if I join politics, Niger go hear am. It will be about my people all through. This shit is getting out of hand.

My happiness now is that majority of the Igbos are no longer going to the North like before while many of them are returning to the east with their investment.

You forgot to add the bridge. They keep telling nndigbo to build bridges when they haven't built any. Na only one person go build the bridge. Why is it that Igbos are always asked to build bridges? The north no de build?

Igbophobia is real.