True Identity

Good Day everyone, join me in saying

• "NIGERIA IS NO MISTAKE, MISTAKES DON'T SURVIVE A HUNDRED YEARS"
• "I WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE UNITY, PEACE AND GROWTH OF NIGERIA; SO HELP ME GOD"

Welcome once again,

Flawed Ethnic Map Representation of Nigeria

Igbo Land Map

So I read a Facebook comment thread today which reinforced the need for us to actualize the National Portrait project. This young man shouting Biafra Biafra was actually of the opinion that the South-south especially Rivers state was an Ibo land, not knowing that the South-south is comprised of more than 50 ethnic tribes, Rivers state alone has about 8 tribes. Similarly Adamawa is often mistaken as an Hausa state when in truth it is made up of over 50 ethnic tribes.

Ethnic Tribes of Delta State

                 

 

Tribal Map of Nigeria

My question is this; how do we begin to work together when we do not even know one another, I mean if you resume a new job the first thing they do is to give you an induction, introduce you to your co-workers, then you can begin to forge lasting relationships that improve efficiency.

For so long we have erroneously simplified Nigeria to 3 tribes, Yoruba, Hausa, and Ibo. 

That ain’t right, 

How do you round down 370 tribes to just 3, how do the remaining 367 tribes identify and integrate properly with the nation? 

Not forgetting in doing this we are also robbing ourselves (and these tribes) of cultural relevance, there is beauty in diversity. 

Imagine how curious the world (tourists) would be to hear that Nigeria has 370 unique ethnic tribes who have lived together for over a century as a nation, the curiosity should drive tourism, people the world over should want to come and experience this cultural magic firsthand.

 I mean how do you even begin to assimilate 370 tribes/cultures, the rich heritage attached to each one from Nupe to Ibibio’s to gwandarawa to the yakurr… too numerous too rich… 

Our cultural diversity is a tourism product the world needs to see, infact we should have a National Culture Day whereby every Nigerian dresses up in traditional attire to celebrate and appreciate one another’s culture not the skewed WaZoBia culture system but a holistic cultural carnival.

Ethnic Spread 

We must do this; we must identify ALL the pieces of our nation Nigeria’s puzzle, which in my opinion is the first step towards actualizing our true unity.

PLEASE comment with your NAME and TRIBE, help me identify the tribes... Thank you

Below is a list of ethnic tribes and states where they may be found, the list isn't accurate and you can help me correct it where there may be errors. Thank you.

TRIBE STATE

1 Eket Akwa-Ibom
2 Anang Akwa-Ibom
3 Ibeno Akwa-Ibom
4 Ibibio Akwa-Ibom
5 Okobo Akwa-Ibom
6 Oron Akwa-Ibom
7 Andoni Akwa-Ibom
8 Akweya-Yachi Benue
9 Egede Benue
10 Etilo Benue
11 Ufia Benue
12 Utonkong Benue
13 Yalla Benue
14 Tiv Benue
15 Idoma Benue
16 Jukun Benue
17 Bini Edo
18 Ishan Edo
19 Etsako Edo
20 Etuno Edo
21 Okphameri Edo
22 Owan Edo
23 Uneme Edo
24 Ebu Edo
25 Igbira Kogi
26 Bunu Kogi
27 Gbede Kogi
28 Igalla Kogi
29 Ijumu Kogi
30 Ogori Kwara
31 Owe Kwara
32 Oworo Kwara
33 Yagba Kwara
34 Isoko Delta
35 Itsekiri Delta
36 Kwale Delta
37 Urhobo Delta
38 Izondjo Delta
39 Achipawa Kebbi
40 Dandawa Kebbi
41 Dukawa Kebbi
42 Zarmawa Kebbi
43 Kambari Kebbi
44 Reshe Kebbi
45 Affade Yobe
46 Bade Yobe
47 Buru Yobe
48 Chibok Yobe
49 Mangawa Yobe
50 Ngizim Yobe
51 Abua Rivers
52 Degema Rivers
53 Ebana Rivers
54 Egbema Rivers
55 Engenni Rivers
56 Epie Rivers
57 Etche Rivers
58 Gokana Rivers
59 Chinine Borno
60 Dghwede Borno
61 Gamergu-Mulgawa Borno
62 Gavako Borno
63 Gwoza Borno
64 Kanembu Borno
65 Mandara Borno
66 Mobber Borno
67 Higi Borno
68 Buduma Borno
69 Attakar Kaduna
70 Ayu Kaduna
71 Bina Kaduna
72 Gure Kaduna
73 Jaba (Ham) Kaduna
74 Kafanchan Kaduna
75 Kagoro Kaduna
76 Kaje (Bajju) Kaduna
77 Kajuru (Adara) Kaduna
78 Kanikon Kaduna
79 Katab (atyap) Kaduna
80 Kiballo Kaduna
81 Manchok Kaduna
82 Moruwa Kaduna
83 Rishuwa Kaduna
84 Rumada Kaduna
85 Rumaya Kaduna
86 Surubu Kaduna
87 Kanufi Kaduna
88 Kamaku Kaduna
89 Ninzam Kaduna
90 Nunku Kaduna
91 Uncinda Kaduna
92 Bassa Kaduna
93 Koro Kaduna
94 Gwari Kaduna
95 Gwandara Kaduna
96 Mada Kaduna
97 Auyokawa Jigawa
98 Warjawa (Warji) Jigawa, Bauchi
99 Kurama (akurmi) Jigawa, Kaduna
100 Adim Cross River
101 Adun Cross River
102 Agbo Cross River
103 Akaju-Ndem (Akajuk ) Cross River
104 Anyima Cross River
105 Bachere Cross River
106 Bahumono Cross River
107 Bekwarra Cross River
108 Bette Cross River
109 Boki (Nki) Cross River
110 Efik Cross River
111 Ejagham Cross River
112 Ekajuk Cross River
113 Ekoi Cross River
114 Etung Cross River
115 Ododop (Korop) Cross River
116 Ikorn Cross River
117 Abayon Cross River
118 Iyala Cross River
119 Mbube Cross River
120 Nkim Cross River
121 Nkum Cross River
122 Olulumo Cross River
123 Qua Cross River
124 Ukelle Cross River
125 Uyanga Cross River
126 Yache Cross River
127 Mbembe Cross River
128 Yakurr (Yako) Cross River
129 Afizerre Plateau
130 Afo Plateau
131 Alago (Arago) Plateau
132 Amo Plateau
133 Anaguta Plateau
134 Ankwei Plateau
135 Bada Plateau
136 Bashiri Plateau
137 Birom Plateau
138 Bkkos Plateau
139 Buji Plateau
140 Burma Plateau
141 Bwall Plateau
142 Challa Plateau
143 Chip Plateau
144 Chokobo Plateau
145 Doemak(Dumak) Plateau
146 Miango Plateau
147 Eggon Plateau
148 Fyam (Fyem) Plateau
149 Fyer (Fer) Plateau
150 Qanawuri Plateau
151 Geruma Plateau
152 Goernai Plateau
153 Gusu Plateau
154 Irigwe Plateau
155 Jidda-abu Plateau
156 Kantana Plateau
157 Kenern (Koenoem) Plateau
158 Kulere (Kaler) Plateau
159 Kwalla Plateau
160 Kwaro Plateau
161 Kwato Plateau
162 Mabo Plateau
163 MamaMemyang Plateau
164 Miligili (Migili) Plateau
165 Montol Plateau
166 Munga (Mupang) Plateau
167 Mushere Plateau
168 Mwaghavul Plateau
169 Nokere (Nakere) Plateau
170 Pai Plateau
171 Pyapun (piapung) Plateau
172 Rindire Plateau
173 Ron Plateau
174 Rukuba Plateau
175 Shangawa Plateau
176 Shan-shan Plateau
177 Sikdi Plateau
178 Sura Plateau
179 Yergan (Yergum) Plateau
180 Yuom Plateau
181 Tarok Plateau
182 Shirawa Kano
183 Teshenawa Kano
184 Hausa Kano
185 Kyengawa Sokoto
186 Shangawa Sokoto
187 Pulani (Pulbe) Sokoto
188 Yoruba
189 Awori
190 Egun
191 Baruba (Barba) Niger
192 Baushi Niger
193 Boko (Bussawa) Niger
194 Gade Niger
195 Gurmana Niger
196 Laaru (Larawa) Niger
197 Lopawa (Lupa) Niger
198 Nupe Niger
199 Pongo (Pongu) Niger
200 Rubu Niger
201 Ura (Ula) Niger
202 Yumu Niger
203 Zabara Niger
204 Dakarkari Niger
205 Bakulung Taraba
206 Bali Taraba
207 Bambuko Taraba
208 Bandawa Taraba
209 Betso (Bete) Taraba
210 Bobua Taraba
211 Chamba Taraba
212 Chukkol Taraba
213 Dangsa Taraba
214 Diba Taraba
215 Gengle Taraba
216 Gornun (Gmun) Taraba
217 Gonia Taraba
218 Gwom Taraba
219 Jahunawa Taraba
220 Jero Taraba
221 Jonjo (Jenjo) Taraba
222 Potopo Taraba
223 Sakbe Taraba
224 Sate Taraba
225 Shomo Taraba
226 Wurkun Taraba
227 Yandang Taraba
228 Yott Taraba
229 Kabawa Taraba
230 Kadara Taraba
231 Karimjo Taraba
232 Kenton Taraba
233 Koma Taraba
234 Mambilla Taraba
235 Kugama Taraba
236 Kunini Taraba
237 Kuteb Taraba
238 Kutin Taraba
239 Kwanchi Taraba
240 Lama Taraba
241 Lamja Taraba
242 Lau Taraba
243 Mbum Taraba
244 Mumuye Taraba
245 Ndoro Taraba
246 Nyangdang Taraba
247 Panyam Taraba
248 Pkanzom Taraba
249 Poll Taraba
250 Tikar Taraba
251 Vommi Taraba
252 Waka Taraba
253 Bamborawa Bauchi
254 Bankalawa Bauchi
255 Barawa Bauchi
256 Barke Bauchi
257 Belewa (Buli) Bauchi
258 Bomawa (Burmano) Bauchi
259 Bomboro Bauchi
260 Buli Bauchi
261 Burak Bauchi
262 Butawa Bauchi
263 Chamawa (Fitilai) Bauchi
264 Chamo Bauchi
265 Dadiya Bauchi
266 Daza (Derewa) Bauchi
267 Deno (Denawa) Bauchi
268 Limono Bauchi
269 Karaikarai Bauchi
270 Ngamo Bauchi
271 Ouguri Bauchi
272 Dumawa Bauchi
273 Galambi Bauchi
274 Geji Bauchi
275 Gerawa (Gere) Bauchi
276 Gerumawa Bauchi
277 Gingwak Bauchi
278 Gubi (Gubawa) Bauchi
279 Gururntum Bauchi
280 Gyem Bauchi
281 Jaku Bauchi
282 Jara (Jarawa) Bauchi
283 Jimbinawa Bauchi
284 Kamo Bauchi
285 Kariya Warji Bauchi
286 Zaranda Bauchi
287 Zayam (Zeam) Bauchi
288 Zulawa Bauchi
289 Jere (Jera) Bauchi
290 Kirfawa Bauchi
291 Kubawa (Kubi) Bauchi
292 Kudachano (Kudawa) Bauchi
293 Kushi Bauchi
294 Kwami (Kwom) Bauchi
295 Miyawa Bauchi
296 Ningi (Ningawa) Bauchi
297 Pa'awa (Pa'a) Bauchi
298 Pero Bauchi
299 Polchi Habe Bauchi
300 Rebinawa Bauchi
301 Sanga Bauchi
302 Sayawa Bauchi
303 Seegidi (Segidawa) Bauchi
304 Siri (Sirawa) Bauchi
305 Tangale Bauchi
306 Tula Bauchi
307 Waja Bauchi
308 Terawa Bauchi
309 Angas Bauchi
310 Bolewa Bauchi
311 Kwankwa Bauchi
312 Bachama Adamawa
313 Banso Adamawa
314 Batta Adamawa
315 Baya Adamawa
316 Bilei Adamawa
317 Botlere Adamawa
318 Bura Adamawa
319 Bwatiye Adamawa
320 Bwazza Adamawa
321 Daba Adamawa
322 Daka Adamawa
323 Palli Adamawa
324 Gaánda Adamawa
325 Gira Adamawa
326 Gizigz Adamawa
327 Gombi Adamawa
328 Margi Adamawa
329 Ndhang Adamawa
330 Shuwa Adamawa
331 Gude Adamawa
332 Gudu Adamawa
333 Gwa (Gurawa) Adamawa
334 Gwamba Adamawa
335 Holma Adamawa
336 Hona Adamawa
337 Ichen Adamawa
338 Jibu Adamawa
339 Jirai Adamawa
340 Kaka Adamawa
341 Kambu Adamawa
342 Kilba Adamawa
343 Kurdul Adamawa
344 Lakka Adamawa
345 Lala Adamawa
346 Ubbo Adamawa
347 Kona Adamawa
348 Ngweshe Adamawa
349 Babur Adamawa
350 Matakarn Adamawa
351 Mbol Adamawa
352 Mbula Adamawa
353 Muchaila Adamawa
354 Mundang Adamawa
355 Njayi Adamawa
356 Pire Adamawa
357 Sukur Adamawa
358 Teme Adamawa
359 Tigon Adamawa
360 Tur Adamawa
361 Vemgo Adamawa
362 Verre Adamawa
363 Wagga Adamawa
364 Wula Adamawa
365 Wurbo Adamawa
366 Yungur Adamawa
367 Longuda (Lunguda) Adamawa
368 Kanakuru (Dera) Adamawa
369 Ibo
370 Fulani

The First Chapter

Good day everyone, family and friends. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you our project for 2017; as it stands I cannot execute it successfully without your collective help because it is a national project in which we all have a role to play. I am a passionate die-hard unrepentant Nigerian patriot whose vision is to help build a United and Patriotic Nigerian nation as I believe this is the only way Nigeria can truly move forward.

Efik 

This vision led to the birthing of the Many Roots One People campaign, a campaign which aims to erase all divisive lines that have held us back as a people (ethnic lines, religious lines, political lines, etc.) and replace this with one LINE, the Patriotic line. As we say “Nigeria is no mistake, mistakes do not survive 100 years” and also “the diversity of our nation is the beauty of its perfection”. In line with this mandate we would be creating a National monument; a national symbol of unity which I have tagged “The National Portrait”.

The National Portrait is a portrait of all the 370 tribes in Nigeria; it is a photo collage of a male and female model in the traditional attires of each tribe.

The reason we are using same faces to represent each tribe is to drive home the #manyrootsonepeople message (it doesn’t matter what tribe you’re from, we are one and the same). 

Once completed we shall be unveiling the National Portrait to the world in Abuja in front of dignitaries from different walks of life, the tentative date for this is May 21^st 2017, which is the international day for diversity. 

After the unveiling we shall be presenting the National Portrait to the Presidency or Senate for ratification as a National Monument.

As you can see this is an enormous task, but it isn’t impossible especially when we work on it collectively.

Bini

We would need your help in the following ways:

1. Gathering of information on the various tribes: we need to verify the facts on each tribe especially with regards the traditional attires. We would be opening a thread where you can help us identify the tribes, upload pictures of the respective traditional attires and suggest where or how we can acquire the said attires.
2.  Funding: the project is rather capital intensive, we have a modest budget of N9.4million which covers costume, accessories, props, makeup, professional fees of photographers, models & make-up artiste, production of Portrait, logistics etc. In order to raise the needed funds we shall be employing crowd funding strategy, this way everybody can play a part. In the coming days I shall be unveiling how you can specifically contribute financially towards the project as well as promote it within your circle (we have included some perks for contributors).
3. Spreading the word: we would also like you to help us build a worldwide following for this project. Since we intend for it to be a symbol of national unity, we need to create awareness around the project which you can help us spread through your social media networks.



Nupe Women

4. You can also volunteer directly to be a part of this project, for this we require passionate patriotic volunteers who would help drive this project with their skills and time. Either by sharing ideas that would aid execution; or promoting it on social or contemporary media; or linking us with persons of interest; or any other means you believe you can step in.

Kanuri Children

Over the next couple of days and weeks I shall be putting up updates on the project, please kindly look out for this. I look forward to making history with you even as we build our Nation together in unity.

Thank you for your time.

OJO Olanrewaju