An Open Letter to the Igbo People

Dear Igbo People,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I must admit that I was initially hesitant to address some of the tweets circulating lately, but it seems that this trend is only growing stronger. I write to you today to kindly request that you call some of your people to order. I genuinely fail to comprehend the purpose behind this new trend. Allow me to emphasize that we have no issues with you. However, it is crucial that we refrain from encroaching upon our history and territories. Such actions will neither be tolerated nor accepted.

I implore you, in the name of the goodness that we, the Itsekiri people, displayed during your times of dire need, to reconsider your campaign to rewrite our history.

During the Nigerian civil war, we put our lives on the line to protect your women and children in our lands. It was a selfless act of humanity, driven by compassion and the understanding that we are all part of a larger Nigeria. We beseech you, in the name of God, to cease this campaign and allow the truth to prevail.

Let me reiterate that we harbor no ill will towards you, and we hold you in high regard. We expect nothing less than the same level of respect in return.

It is essential to clarify that we do not share a single drop of ancestry with the Igbo people. I am perplexed as to the origin of these claims. For instance, claiming that the father of Nigeria's first finance minister was Igbo is a highly misleading and inaccurate statement. For the sake of accuracy and factual correctness, it's important to clarify that the father of Nigeria's first finance minister, Prince Okotie-Eboh, was not Igbo. His family, from Bateren and Jakpa, is actually part of the Itsekiri royal house.

Iwere, which is the original and native name for Warri, is not an Igbo word. It is, in fact, a Yoruba word, and we, the Itsekiri people, are a Yoruboid group. There are various places called Iwere in Yorubaland.

It is important to note that the Portuguese referred to us as Owere, but it does not mean that we are connected to Owerri in Igbo land. In truth, the Portuguese and other Europeans struggled to pronounce Iwere, resulting in various renditions such as Owere, Owhere, Oere, ouary, Awerri, ouwerre, Owhyere, Werre, Ware, Warree, Wari, and finally, Warri. Maps exist to testify to this fact.

Allow me to dispel any misconceptions: we are not an Igbo sub-group, nor do we have any affiliation with the Igbo people. The Itsekiri people are a Yoruba sub-group. The tribes that formed the Itsekiri community originated from Yorubaland, and the Igala-Nupe, the last to join, did so after the formation of the Itsekiri language.

The Bini people are the ones who came after the formation of the Itsekiri language. Prior to that, our ethnic name was Olukumi], which was also the name of some Yoruba groups at the time.

Our connection with the Igbo people only began during the civil war when they sought refuge in our villages and islands. We provided care and protection, shielding them from harm. Some of our parents and grandparents, who were the heroes of that time, are still alive today. Even some Igbo residents living in Warri can testify to the invaluable assistance rendered by the Itsekiri people.

I must clarify that there is no place called Okpara Waterside in Warri or any other Itsekiri lands. To the best of my knowledge, Okpara Waterside is a community in Urhobo land, specifically in the Ethiope East local government area of Delta State, not in Warri.

Furthermore, the name Ogbe is an Itsekiri word for quarter or compound. Its meaning can vary within the Itsekiri language. For instance, Ogbe-Ijaw means Ijaw quarter or Ijaw compound in Itsekiri. It is essential to note that Ogbe is not an Igbo word.

Similarly, the name Forcados is not of Igbo origin; it is a Portuguese word. Forcados holds no meaning whatsoever in any Nigerian language.

Let us celebrate our differences and respect each other's distinct cultures and traditions. Our foods are Itsekiri foods, not Igbo foods. Our cultures are Itsekiri cultures, not Igbo cultures. We share no commonalities with the Igbo people, respectfully.

I extend my regards to you, the Igbo people, and I hope that this letter fosters a better understanding between our ethnic groups. We must embrace unity and respect, recognizing that Nigeria is a diverse nation that thrives on the richness of its various ethnic groups. It's essential to respect the truth and avoid misrepresenting cultural heritage and historical facts.

Respectfully,

Lord_of_Warri on 𝕏 (Twitter)

FreeStuffsNG:
Nice. Thank you for sharing OP

muhammaduyusufu:

DMerciful:
You fought a civil war to force Igbos back to Nigeria, deal with it!

Nigeria had it coming! You guys should have left us alone!

raskymonojendor:

We fought a civil war to liberate the minorities you annexed into your mirage Biafria. Not only did you annex them, you also oppressed them.

DMerciful:
The minorities were part of the assembly that agreed for Biafra to be declared.

How are the minorities and majorities doing today? World capital of poverty and corruption

Chikel20000:
I am glad d sponsor of that bill in d senate is not from d south east.....so I don't see y drag d Igbos into dis

raskymonojendor:

Lol..which yeye assembly? Assembly of Ojukwu's stooges.

Same minorities that Ojukwu and Ironsi charged for treason when they tried to break away as well..

Same minorities jubilated when Ojukwu was defeated and fled.

You have got jokes. You should consider a career in comedy

https://www.nairaland.com/8058819/atrocities-ojukwu-biafra-rebels-against

DMerciful:
You gonna have to deal with Igbos unless we all agree to go our separate ways

raskymonojendor:

Carry your wahala dey go joor. Your attention is needed on a different thread.

DMerciful:
I never mentioned you, you were the one that quoted me.

JagabanB:
lgb0s want Biafra, they always the only thing holding them is Nigeria, they don't realize it's thèîr grèèd in trying to force other trîbès to join them.
Every tribe is thèîr subgroup.

raskymonojendor:

If they are really serious about their Biafria, they would have migrated voluntarily back to their region. Instead of all the noise and land grabbing attempt they are known for.

raskymonojendor:

I quoted you for trying to distort fact and revise history and would continue to do so until you stop being deliberately obtuse.

DMerciful:
You mentioned me when i never mentioned you but turned around to say I should go with my wahala? Are you confused?

christistruth01:


I am am in the middle of replying one that is busy rewriting the History of Lagos

JagabanB:

They are dragging all minor tribes surrounding them into Biafra, from NC to SS.

MrEverest:
Nigeria is said to have 280 ethnic groups yet it’s only Igbos we keep hearing everyday. What happened to the other 279? Are they all so inconsequential that no one remembers them?

Great Igbos!!!

raskymonojendor:

No. I am not. I am only telling you to stop distorting history else I would keep debunking your trashy post.

Just some of the athrocities commited by the rebel Biafrians.

raskymonojendor:

The black sheep tribe. Because you won't stop trying to grab people's land.

raskymonojendor:

We all saw the foolish map created by that idiot remote controlling them from Finland.