Chideraa: The Igbos rise simply because their “Chi” (the Gods) created them with what is known as the ‘Destiny Mindset,’ i.e., they are consequential. It is this mindset that gives a ‘true’ Igbo person the grit, the tenacity, and yes, the brave heart. The Igbos rise because they know the ancestors’ bequest is sacred and irreversible – Oderaa – O desi go… While you keep hating, the Igbos as the warriors, will continue to rise. It is no magic, it’s not arrogance, it is simply God’s gift that keeps giving – it is called DESTINY – a mystery from the “Gods” whom you cannot battle.
By Elsie-Bernadette Onubogu
Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is my gateway to writing about destiny from which I believe the Igbos of Nigeria derive the gifts of resilience, grit, and yes the audacity of the unstoppable spirit. Within Igbo culture, that destiny gifted by “Chi Okike” (God the Creator) as referred to by hitherto “real traditionalists,” is summed up in the saying (name) – Chideraa – once the ‘Gods’ have written – it is sacrosanct!
Ab-initio, it must be stated, that, destiny is not an exclusive preserve of any being, ethnic group or religion. To Moslems, it is Qadar – “Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments) of all things before their creation….” {Quran 54:49}. So, to each his or her own.’
For clarity, ease of reading and respect for ‘other’ religious beliefs, I have chosen to use the word ‘God’ and the ‘Gods’ interchangeably. To the Ephesians, Saint Paul wrote: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children….according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:….being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will {Ephesians 1 verses 4-5,11}.
Thus, this is a calculated reminder that no matter the trials and challenges that confront the Igbos, they are a ‘predestined’ people, chosen and created by a ‘higher power’. It is trite rule of life that destiny is intertwined with purpose. So, as the Igbo destiny unfolds, many will be compelled to see that purpose, which may be discomforting for some. Unfortunately, O deraa – O desi go!
Increasingly, Igbos are a target of different forms of bigotry, discrimination, provocation, hatred, and in some cases supported by local authorities. This was most apparent during the 2023 elections especially in Lagos where the Master of Ceremony (MC) – acting as the ‘official thug’ and others under his command attempted to deny Igbos their fundamental rights to vote.
It sure feels like State-sponsored discrimination, bigotry and hatred, as we continue to see calls and actions backed by the Lagos State government’s demolition of properties belonging to Igbo people, and or renaming of streets and roads that reflect Igbo heritage.
Urgent action is required, for as Dr. Bolaji Akinyemi rightly cautions, “If we fail to act now, we may soon wake up in a city where fire rages and nobody knows who lit the match.”
For a minute, these perpetrators conveniently forget the efforts, contributions and sacrifices of Igbos like Sir Louis Odimegwu Ojukwu (to mention just one) to what is now known as Lagos. But, history rarely forgets, and definitely can’t be erased.
To digress briefly, for those who ask why this write up? Consider the following from Professor Chinua Achebe:
- A great Igbo proverb reminds us that, “until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter; and
- In dealing with a person (man) who thinks you are a fool, it is good sometimes to remind the person that you know what they know but have chosen to appear foolish for the sake of peace.”
To any who would argue or pretend that ‘others’ also suffer same fate as the Igbos, I urge you to objectively review the indicators and facts which are in the public domain to confirm the ‘unequal treatment.’ The disparity in magnitude and targeting invalidates any claim or assertion of equal treatment. In other parts, such as northern Nigeria, the Igbos are also under attack.
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The reasoning behind these determined provocation, violence, violation and hatred beggars belief. The unanswered question is why? Why such provocation, hatred, unequal treatment and denigration is meted out to the Igbos is not clear.
Most of the actions are driven by jealousy. It seems what irks many of the perpetrators is the fact that, despite losing the war, Igbos have not only shown remarkable resilience, but they thrive with a flabbergasting grit.
This ‘unexplainable grit’ is frustrating to many who otherwise had wished to see the Igbos in the ‘post-civil war’ language – ‘vanquished.’
But no, driving it home – “Mbaanu –Tufiakwa’ – the biblical caution is apropos: ‘If God blesses, no person (man) can curse’ – Onye Chi ya goziri – mmadu apùghì ìkòcha! A direct affirmation of destiny – Chideraa – O desi go!
A powerful reminder from Professor Chinua Achebe is apt. “We cannot trample upon the humanity of others without devaluing our own” – the Igbos….put it concretely….: Onye ji Onye na ani, ji onwe ya – whoever that holds another down in the mud must stay in the mud to keep them down.”
While a few decent Nigerians including of Yoruba extraction have spoken against this tide of hate, there has been deafening silence. However, one outstanding son of Yoruba land has been a voice of justice and courage.
In calling the Lagos government to act, Dr. Bolaji Akinyemi stated, “I read with deep concern the unsigned and shameful document issued in the name of “Yoruba Elders Progressive Council (YEPC)” titled “Our Land, Our Identity: Lagos State Government Must Act Before We’re Made Strangers at Home.”
In his words, “It is unfortunate that in 2025, in a democratic Nigeria where the Constitution reigns supreme, some cowards cloaked in the name of Yoruba elders still find it acceptable to publish ethnic bile and incite division without the courage to sign their names….As a proud Yoruba son, a senior citizen, and a disciple of the progressive school of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, I cannot keep silent. At the same time, these masked agitators try to drag the Yoruba identity into the mud of tribal bigotry and reckless political opportunism.”
Still, majority of Nigerians remain quiet in the face of these attempts to provoke and denigrate Igbos – a clear violation of the fundamental freedoms and rights as enshrined in the Constitution, and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As Professor Wole Soyinka stated: “The person (man) dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.” These acts are unjust and tyrannical.
Through the provocation and hate, the Igbos have remained calm and peaceful, but it feels like a “hate storm, a hate tide’ sweeping across with such intensity.
At the prevailing rate and intensity of this tide, it could become a ‘tsunami’ with consequences beyond anyone’s control. As Achebe noted, “If you find water rising up to your ankle, that’s the time to do something about it, not when it’s around your neck.” I hope the Tinubu-led administration is watching this tide!
If the government is truly committed to the peace of this nation, it ought to investigate and address these violations and punish violators accordingly. Adopting the ‘ostrich’ attitude will not cut it, and it may well be too late to act if decisive action is not taken soon.
As Dr. Bolaji Akinyemi cautioned, “We must not let tribal madness become state policy … Let me be clear: the Lagos State Government must distance itself from this dangerous document. It must not allow tribal entrepreneurs to drag our state into the pit of ethnic cleansing through policy … This is not a time for silence.”
Despite the provocation, hate, and attempts to dig at their destiny, let it be known that none can prevent the fulfillment of that destined purpose.
As a Yoruba adage puts it: “Jagunjagun ti a pinnu lati só itan ogun ko ni parun ni ogun” – the warrior destined to recount war stories won’t perish in battle. For the avoidance of doubt, the Igbos are the warriors destined to recount war stories. The Igbos will endure because they are ‘purposefully destined’ to flourish.
Aristotle, the Greek Philosopher, captured it thus: “Destiny is linked to the concept of teleology and his eudaimonic ethics. Each being (group) has an intrinsic purpose, a purpose that defines it. The destiny of an individual is not imposed from outside….”
The Greek concept of ‘eudaimonia’ describes a state of flourishing, meaning, and purpose in life.” Here, then, it supports the idea that God created each with a purpose. So, the Igbo destiny is linked with an in-built purpose that defines who they are. This destiny cannot be imposed from, or by outsiders – nor altered through provocation, bigotry or hatred.
So, as children of destiny with that insuppressible spirit, ‘they rise’! The Igbos rise simply because their “Chi” (the Gods) created them with what is known as the ‘Destiny Mindset,’ i.e., they are consequential. It is this mindset that gives a ‘true’ Igbo person the grit, the tenacity, and yes, the brave heart. The Igbos rise because they know the ancestor’s bequest is sacred and irreversible – Oderaa – O desi go!
I will say it again, whether perceived or real, most of these actions are fueled by jealousy, hatred, and at a few levels – out of ignorance. Either way it does not make it right. In any case, perception they say is reality!
The Igbos are not a perfect ethnic group. Show me a perfect group or person. Igbos have internal challenges. But who doesn’t? The ‘irritating’ and inconvenient truth remains, the average ‘Igbo’ spirit is imbued with sheer grit.
Yes, there may be ‘some bad apples’ within – who or which group has the audacity to point the first finger?
Without the risk of sounding egotistical or condescending, a word for the haters. I hope you learn the lesson of Maya Angelou’s poem – “Still I rise.”
While you keep hating, the Igbos as the warriors, will continue to rise. It is no magic, it’s not arrogance, it is simply God’s gift that keeps giving – it is called DESTINY – a mystery from the “Gods” whom you cannot battle.
To the haters, kindly redirect your energies to elevate chances to better lives, livelihoods, develop Nigeria, and leave the Igbos the heck alone!
To the Igbos, remember that, ‘that which does not kill you, makes you stronger.’ Do not allow their hate and bigotry to provoke your spirit or define you. You are predestined! I implore you to rise above, defy hate, provocation, bigotry and the jealousy that fuels it.
In the words of Michelle Obama, ‘when they go low, we go high.” I urge you to stay focused, embrace and hold onto the audacity of the ‘unstoppable spirit’ that Chi Okike fashioned you in.
For the silence, we get it, ‘The Man Died’!
But remember Dr. Akinyemi’s words, “All true Yoruba sons and daughters — the Omoluabi — must rise and publicly disown this tribal gang….I call on the media, civil society, the Lagos State House of Assembly, and every peace-loving Nigerian to reject this tribal nonsense…If we fail to act now, we may soon wake up in a city where fire rages and nobody knows who lit the match” (Leadership, August 11, 2025).
In the final analysis, what I know for sure is, like the Catholic Church’s Latin maxim – Roma locuta causa finita est, to the haters, the ancestors have spoken, and that seals it – Chideraa – O desi go!
Epilogue
As I pondered over this, Maya Angelou’s words came to me as aptly describing the situation, and also, as a lesson to the perpetrators, and a message to the Igbos.
So, allow me to recreate some of the stanzas in Angelou’s famous poem – ‘Still I rise.’ To showcase how this captures the Igbo spirit, I have taken the liberty to modify for the reader – particularly ‘Ndi Igbo.’ For clarity, words in CAPS signify this author’s insertion/modification to the original poem.
A note to the Igbos!
And so, to every Igbo person out there, allow me to speak to you through Maya Angelou’s words:
THEY may write YOU down in history
With THEIR bitter, twisted lies,
THEY may trod YOU in the very dirt
But still, like dust, YOU’ll rise.
Did THEY want to see YOU broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by YOUR soulful cries?
Still, YOU’ll rise
Does YOUR haughtiness offend THEM?
Don’t take it awful hard
’Cause YOU laugh like YOU’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in YOUR own backyard.
Still, YOU’ll rise
THEY may shoot YOU with THEIR words,
THEY may cut YOU with THEIR eyes,
THEY may kill YOU with THEIR hatefulness,
But still, like air, YOU’ll rise.
Out of the huts of NIGERIA’s history’s shame
YOU rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
YOU rise
YOU are AIR, YOU are UNCONTAINABLE,
RISING & RISING AGAINST THE HATE tide.
Leaving behind WORDS of terror and fear
YOU rise
Into a daybreak that YOUR ANCESTORs DILIGENTLY SANCTIONED.
YOU rise
Bringing the gifts that YOUR ancestors gave,
YOU ARE the RESILIENT and the hope of YOUR PEOPLE.
YOU rise
YOU rise
YOU rise.
