Countless accounts of terrifying and dehumanizing events that happened during the slave trade era have been passed down from generations to generations; accounts of irrational cruelty, starvation, resistance, mass killings and suicide. The story of the Igbo landing is another tear-evoking account of resistance to slavery by the Igbo slaves from present-day Nigeria off U.S. coast in 1803…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

What Is The Igbo Landing Or Ibo Landing?

The Igbo landing, also written as ‘Ibo landing‘ or ‘Ebo landing‘, is a historic site at Dunbar Creek on St. Simons Island, Glynn County, Georgia, U.S.A. where dozens of Igbo slaves took their own lives in a resistance to the cruelty of slavery in 1803.

In May, 1803, a ship named the wanderer, just like other slave ships, conveyed slaves from Africa to America. Among these slaves were set of Igbo people who were known by the then slave traders of the American South for being fiercely independent and unwilling to tolerate chattel slavery. The Igbo slaves were bought by the agents of John Couper and Thomas Spalding at $100 each for forced labour on their plantations in St. Simons Island, U.S.A.

When the slave ship landed in Savannah, Georgia, the chained Igbo slaves were reloaded and shoved under the deck of a coastal vessel named the Schooner York (some accounts claimed the vessel name was Morovia) which would take them to St. Simons Island. It was during the voyage that the group of Igbo slaves numbering about seventy-five rebelled against their captors and forced them to plunge into the water where they drowned. The slaves successfully regained their freedom but it was of no use since they were already out and far away from Africa, and so, on the order of a high chief who was also a captive, they sang, marched ashore and then into the marshy waters of Dunbar Creek where they drowned themselves.

According to Professor Terri L. Snyder, “the enslaved cargo suffered much by mismanagement, rose from their confinement in the small vessel, and revolted against the crew, forcing them into the water where they drowned”. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

A white man, Roswell King, who was an overseer on a plantation known as Pierce Butler plantation was the first to record the incident at the site now known as the Igbo landing. Roswell and another man, Captain Peterson, recovered thirteen bodies of the drowned Igbos while others bodies were lost forever in the water. OldNaija gathered that some of them might have survived the suicide episode and this make the actual number of deaths in the Igbo landing uncertain.

“Regardless of the numbers, the deaths signaled a powerful story of resistance as these captives overwhelmed their captors in a strange land, and many took their own lives rather than remain enslaved in the New World. The Igbo Landing gradually took on enormous symbolic importance in local African American folklore”. – Momodu, Samuel

People in the U.S.A termed the resistance and suicide by the Igbo slaves the first freedom march in the history of Africa and the United States. Local people claimed that the Landing and surrounding marshes in Dunbar Creek where the Igbo people committed mass suicide in May, 1803 were haunted by the souls of the dead Igbo slaves.

In September, 2012, the Igbo Landing site was designated as a holy ground by the St. Simons African American community. The Igbo Landing is also now a part of the curriculum for coastal Georgia schools.

In recent times, many artists, songs, movies and others have paid tribute to the Igbo landing/ Ibo landing. A notable tribute is found in the ending part of Marvel’s comic movie, Black Panther, where Killmonger, played by Michael B Jordan, refer to the event by saying, “Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships, ’cause they knew death was better than bondage”. Beyoncé also was not left out in the tribute paying as she portrayed the incident in of her music videos.

Before the advent of the internet, this story successfully thrived among Nigerians, but with the emergence of the internet and easy access to social media, the truth behind the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match was revealed…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

Though there are different accounts of the match, but they all have the following in common:

1. That the match ended with India scoring 99 goals and Nigeria scoring just one goal.
2. That Nigerians were unable to kick the ball because the football kept turning to a lion which scared them away.
3. That Indians later agreed that if Nigeria could score one goal, they would concede defeat.
4. That Samuel Okwaraji scored the winning goal and lost his life in the process because the ball turned into stone as he was about to kick it.
5. That FIFA banned India from soccer because they used juju (black magic) in that match.

Why did people believe the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story?

Even with the absence of the internet back then, this kind of claims should be immediately recognized as lies, the kind of lies they call “big fat lies”. But most people like to acknowledge this story as true with the fact that no one has ever seen India play in an International Football Match. Since no one actually saw India participate in most international soccer games, this gave a little credence to the story.

Another reason this lie thrived for long was that credible information was not easily accessible in Nigeria unlike now that even a 4-year-old child can debunk false claims within minutes with the help of Google. This Nigeria Vs India match story would have been fabricated by one community elder to children during an evening gathering; that’s our take at OldNaija.

What Actually Happened!

On the 12th of August 1989, Nigeria lost one of her best footballers, Sam Okwaraji who died during a football match. We wrote about how he died on the pitch and you can read it here. Sam Okwaraji was the player rumoured to have lost his life in that game when in truth he died during a FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Angola in the 77th minute. He collapsed and died of cognitive heart failure. May his soul rest in peace. AMEN!

So, that is the only truthful thing about the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story, the fact that a Nigerian player died during a football match. That is what these lies was fabricated around. The match was not against India, Nigeria did not lose the match and as you must have guessed, and there were no lions or ball turning into a stone.

Nevertheless, one cannot deny that this kind of story made one’s childhood as a Nigerian.

Before we go, READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Why was India Banned by FIFA?

India was never banned by FIFA. It was India that withdrew from the tournament themselves. Here is how it happened.

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) made it clear to India that they would not be allowed to play in the 1950 FIFA World Cup without footwear.

Then something happened. You see, when determining the make-up of the 1950 World Cup, FIFA determined that obviously the two defending finalists, Brazil and Italy, would be guaranteed slots. That left fourteen slots that needed to be filled.

FIFA decided that seven of those slots would come from Europe, six would come from the Americas and one would come from Asia.

The problem was that of the four Asian teams that were invited to the World Cup, three of them (the Philippines, Indonesia and Burma) withdrew from the tournament before the qualification round.

Therefore, India earned an automatic slot within the World Cup. It would be India’s first time appearing in the World Cup but India, too, withdrew from the tournament because FIFA would not allow them to compete barefoot.

Chief Dr. Harry Akande was the richest Nigerian before Alhaji Aliko Dangote. In 2001, a list of looters and the richest Nigerians was released and Harry Akande was a way richer than the looters. The front page of The Punch (2001) reported that Chief Akande earned a monthly income of $533 million…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

Biography Of Harry Akande

Harry Ayoade Akande was born on the 3rd of March, 1943 in Ibadan to Pa Joseph Afolabi of the Ile Olorin compound at Orita Merin, Ibadan and Chief Mrs. Regina Akande of Olagoke family of Oje. He started his educational career from Sacred Heart Nursery School, Idikan, and St. James Primary school Oke Bola and the Abadina School, University of Ibadan. Harry Akande later got admitted into Olivet heights Oyo, in 1957, and records from that institution showed that not only was he brilliant in his academic performance, but also very proficient in sports.

On leaving Olivet Heights in 1961, he gained admission into Hampton University, Hampton Virginia USA on a scholastic bursary from abroad, graduating in 1967 in Accounting and Finance with highest honors. In 1969, Chief Harry Akande obtained his MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg’s Graduate school of Management to become the prestigious school’s first graduate of African ancestry.

Career and Accomplishments

Chief Akande has been involved in the execution of infrastructural development projects across Africa and the Caribbean to the tune of over $2 billion in the last twenty years, with business activities cutting across computer, aviation, telecommunications, management and petrochemical industries. In 1970, Chief Akande returned to Nigeria, having filled positions as financial consultant with KPMG Peat Marwick and Standard Oil Corporation in the USA. Chief Harry Akande established AIC Limited and became the president of NAFTEC (New African Technical & Electrical Company), representative company of G.E America, which subsequently executed the major Gas Turbine Electricity Projects at Ughelli, Ijora, and Delta II-IV.

In 1976, his company, Engineering and Power Development Nigeria Limited (EPDN), in association with Balfour Beatty Engineering of UK was established. In 1977, they were awarded the irrigation studies in Bauchi covering 47000 hectares. The areas were Bagel-Zungur, Balangar, Kaltungo, and Katini. Expansion, Northern Ishan, Yola Jimeta, Gombe Water Scheme, Ilorin and Jebba, Uyo Metropolitan Water and Oyo-North Water Schemes.

In 1980, AIC in conjunction with Wimpey of UK, his company undertook the Hydroelectric Power Installation and Construction of Oyan dam, and in 1982, in conjunction with EPDN designed and supervised the Balanga Dam and irrigation scheme in Bauchi. AIC formed first overseas affiliate, in the University of Health Science, Antigua (UHSA) School of Medicine.
His company in conjunction with Costain International was also involved in the Osogbo- Ede Water Scheme. It was then, the largest water project in Africa at 35mgd capacity. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Among other projects executed by Chief Akande’s company are: The Bauchi Township water supply scheme in 1988, financed by the African Development Bank (ADB) to the tune of $70 million. This project set the precedence for many subsequent schemes.The Benin city and Warri/Effurun 35mgd water supply project in 1989 also financed by the ADB to the tune of $120 million. AIC in 1991 was appointed to oversee the complete rehabilitation and refurbishment of Nigeria’s National Art Theatre. AIC in 1994 appointed consultants for the reconstruction of the Ibadan- Ilorin Highway, 136km four lane dual carriage way, financed by the ADB. AIC also undertook he feasibility study for the Point-a-Pierre refinery in Trinidad also in 1994. The Keffi/Akwanga, Doma and Jos Bukurru water supply scheme engineered and supervised by AIC in 1995, financed by ADB at $165 million.The $200 million AIC/Hilton Hotel at Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos was initiated in 1999. AIC/Hilton Abidjan – 500 rooms 5-star hotel valued at $120 million in 2000.Between 2000 and 2001, AIC limited provided engineering consulting services to the Oyo state government, for the feasibility studies, engineering designs and source of funds for Saki, New Iseyin and environs water supply scheme in the Oke Ogun area of Oyo State. The project was valued at $250 million, and was undertaken to provide potable water to millions of people resident in that area.

In Lagos State, AIC Limited is presently involved in their engineering design and tender documentation as well as source of funds for the implementation of a dedicated Lagos Fisheries terminal for the Federal Government which will provide harbour facilities for the trawling and Fishing business that will earn foreign exchange for Nigeria.

According to How Africa, Chief Akande was associated with the development of the Crystal Palace hotel, a 1000 bedroom hotel in Nassau, Bahamas as well as Las Quevas Bay Hotel in Trinidad and Tobago.
Chief Akande is well renowned for turning ideas into reality within and around Africa, Europe and the USA. This has enhanced his reputation among Global Businesses and World Leaders. His ability to lead and execute projects timely is extraordinary.

Political Background

Chief Akande was the former chairman board of trustees of All Peoples Party (APP); the second biggest political party in Nigeria. He was the arrowhead of the APP/AD Alliance in 1999. A patriot of no mean order, Chief Akande has been concerned about peace, progress and development of his Fatherland Nigeria. His reputation for initiating projects, sourcing for funds to finance projects and successfully executing projects is second to none.

Family Life and community involvement

Chief Akande has been married for almost 36 years to his wife Chief Mrs. Tolulope Akande, and they have four children, Olumide, Foluke, Atinuke and Olawunmi.
An active member of his community, Chief Akande was conferred with the honorary chieftancy title of Agbaoye of Ibadanland in 1979. A highly committed philanthropist, he has worked selflessly with AMFAR, International Children Appeal and many other children Charities. In 1987, Chief Akande was selected to receive the outstanding 20 years Alumnus Award from Hampton University, Virginia, USA.

Chief Harry Ayoade Akande has been endorsed as the leader of choice in the ANPP across all the geo-political zones, and his pedigree, experience as well as accomplishments over the years show him to be more than suitable to serve our great nation as president.