Across the Idoma, Igala, and Ekureku people of Nigeria, certain traditions are keeping tabs on women’s fidelity, income, and their choice to bear children.
TheMiddleBelt
Children suffering from sickle cell disease are referred to as “Abiku” by the Yoruba and “Ogbanje” by the Igbo, which translate to mean “born to die” and children that come to cause suffering to their parents.
Mike Ede, 56, from Opiruku, Oju Local Government Area of Benue State, North-central Nigeria, couldn’t believe that her ever fertile land that was a source of healthy products could reduce in nutrients as he stood looking at the piece of land. “Only but a glorified farmland,” Ede’s thought betrayed him aloud as he tried hard to swallow the pain. Mr Ede wouldn’t have worried enough if only the trend is just on a piece of land, but across many farmlands in “Orihi” and “Iyato”- the two most fertile areas where foods are grown in the local government, at least that is accessible for him. “There were times all these places were full of trees and covered grasses, you could barely go through them because of the thickness of the grasses,” Mr. Ede explained. He continued, “At that time, a piece of land in this area can give you a double […]
“The phenomenon of “press release journalism” in the Middle belt region has overtime, hindered the uncovering of valuable facts and realities of critical sectors in the area. thereby limiting the effect of the people’s will – a menace he frequently said must be halted.” By: Bryan Ula. A bid to respond to the clamors for quality reportage in the middle belt region of Nigeria births a sustainable initiative and regional news media, “Middlebelt Reporters.” The online media platform on Friday 9th December 2022, commenced a 3Days compulsory virtual Capacity Training for 28 selected early career journalists on high-quality reportage focusing on investigative reporting and human interest stories among others emanating from the region. North Central Nigeria also regarded as a middle-belt region consists of six states Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja. Speaking during the training, the host and founding partner of Middle […]
