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We brought you Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa proverbs, and now, it’s time to shine the spotlight on another Nigerian language with rich wise sayings that enhance conversation.
This article focuses on Bini, one of the Edoid languages spoken in Southern Nigeria. Whether you’re a child of the soil or a language nerd looking to brush up, here are 15 Bini Nigerian proverbs and their meanings to kickstart your learning journey.
Omo na gba shi ukoko, o vha mi eseke a rhue
Translation: A child on the back doesn’t find a fortune.
Meaning: You have to leave your comfort zone to achieve success.
Erhali o ka to se omo a, o mi ewuen na
Translation: A child once scalded by fire gets scared of ashes.
Meaning: Experience is the best teacher.
Ogbe no gbe, la a mase a a na
Translation: One can only plan for a day that has come.
Meaning: Learn to make do with what you have.
A gha ye omo ku a ghi mhu gi enibie ore
Translation: After playing with a child, give them back to their parents.
Meaning: Never be hyper-fixated on what doesn’t belong to you.
Obo oguo o vha guese ache
Translation: One hand can’t cover the pot.
Meaning: Learn to seek help from others.
Ai kha me ovbie orimwin ighe oma he erha vbi iye se
Translation: You don’t tell the children of the deceased that they didn’t bury their parents properly.
Meaning: Don’t remind people who are hurt about their problems.
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A khe li omo o de e de, oli gbaga
Translation: When a child is cautioned, they should heed such.
Meaning: It’s important to heed warnings when you get them.
Ai vben ekpo mase no fien uvun
Translation: Not having a pocket is better than having one with holes.
Meaning: What’s worth doing is worth doing well.
Erokhi ma mien ebe,ele
Translation: If the chameleon doesn’t see danger, it won’t run.
Meaning: There’s a reason for everything.
Omo na gba shi ukoko, o vha yese khi ode oki o nue
Translation: A child carried on the back doesn’t realise the road to the market is far.
Meaning: Ignorance is bliss.
Okhiami o la a gbe ima ghue le
Translation: One’s stomach could be full even when they’re hungry.
Meaning: You can keep a clear mind even in chaos.
Omo o wa lewe, lo rhi okholi gbe enejo
Translation: That a child isn’t entitled to eat kolanut is why the elderly were captured on the battlefield.
Meaning: Don’t be quick to disregard the opinions of those you dim beneath you.
Agbon ghi salo
Translation: There’s not enough time to use the world.
Meaning: Tomorrow isn’t promised. Do what you want today.
Omo o kha khii le dobe tu agami aa lue, a wuon wen naali
Translation: If a child insists they can swallow an axe, simply hold it for them.
Meaning: Sometimes, let people learn from their mistakes.
Omo o ka khi le a mhuo li ogbo, a a lu o omi olimhi
Translation: A child who fails to appreciate their family is treated as an orphan.
Seen our Valentine’s Special yet? We brought back three couples we interviewed in 2019 – one now with kids, one now married and the last, still best friends – to share how their relationships have evolved over the previous five years. Watch the second episode below:
Something is in the Edo water. The state keeps making the news rounds lately for the spectacular doings of its young talents. Rema closed out O2 for his London concert on November 15. Shallipopi released his debut album on November 10, and is one of the breakout artists of 2023.
While these two may be the current faces of Edo, there are seven other artists from the City of Bronze you should have on your listening radar.
Aiseh
Omosefe “Aiseh” Aisosa is a hip-hop artist whose music revolves around everyday Nigerian life, relationships and his Christian faith. Five years after dropping his debut album, GROWING (2018), Aiseh returned in 2023 with Heartbreak, Bars and Melodies. The project detailed his love life and showcased a versatile music maker who can sing and rap equally well, with each song connecting cohesively into the next.
thellO
thellO (Ethel Blessing Ngohonba Mote) is a Cameroonian-Nigerian singer and rapper based in Benin, Edo State. Attention first beamed on her during her stint in the 2022 Hennessy VS Class. She raps in English, Yorùbá and her native Cameroonian tongue, Bassa. She’s a battle-tested emcee, and her social pages are stacked with freestyles and song covers you should deep-dive into.
Layzee Ella
Onose Emmanuella Bagudu, PKA Layzee Ella, is an androgynous singer-songwriter best known for her soul-pop music. Her EPs When The Lights Go Off (2021) and Feel Everything (2022) are built around vulnerability and romantic experiences. Her most recent offering, Infinito, is a collaborative effort with Romanian music producer and DJ, Vanotek.
Caleb Clay
Based in Lagos, Caleb Clay (FKA BigC) has made his identity as an adept lyricist in the Naija underground rap scene. Asides from being a great storyteller who tells introspective, personal stories and Lagos city tales, Caleb walks with pockets of flow that endear listeners to every bar he spits. His rapper CV includes three EPs and a session at DJ Jimmy Jatt’s “Jimmy Jump Off” show. His new single Pressure had Port Harcourt rapper, Sknny, on as a feature.
Aisosa
Before Aisosa released his emotional At Night, You Floor My Thoughts with producer UndieJulius in March 2023, he showed his lyrical depth of love languages with releases like Abeg, All Time Low (2021), Strange Fire and Fools (2022). Aisosa, born Michael Timeyin Igbinosa is a burgeoning R&B and afro-fusion act whose vocals and lyrics will wash over you like tidal waves. Watch out for him.
Harry Carter
Harrison “Harry Carter” Ogedegbe is one of the most exciting artists from Benin. When he isn’t exploring trap and emo-trap, Carter is drilling or making afro-pop jams like Myself featuring Lil5ive. From braggadocious rhymes to chill vibes, Carter is an all-round artist. His catalogue is two EPs and several singles deep — his latest is Ovbere (“He has come again” in his native Edo tongue).
Billy the GOAT
Ihama Peter, popularly known as Billy the GOAT (BTG), is a non-stereotypical rap artist. He conveniently switches flows to fit into his fusion of pop and afrobeats, while maintaining his rap aura at the core. STOP PLAYING, his four-track sophomore EP, came out in August 2023.
https://youtu.be/3HWoUDHxRPI?si=W65JEIVEVbiaZ81V
Get into these young Edo stars through our playlist:
When Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999, all 36 state governorship elections happened at the same time, and all governors were sworn in on May 29 of each election year. But eight states won’t participate in the governorship elections in 2023 like everyone else.
Why?
A Nigerian governor’s term runs for four years but disruption can occur if a court overturns the result after they’ve been sworn in. For example, if a court determines that another contestant actually won the election, the previous winner is removed from office, and the four-year term is renewed for the new winner. This is how states get out of sync with the rest of the country’s electoral calendar.
Here’s a rundown of how these eight states reached that point of no return.
Anambra
Anambra was the first state in Nigeria to break off the regular timeline for governorship elections. Chris Ngige won the 2003 governorship election but his opponent, Peter Obi, contested the result in court.
An election tribunal agreed with Obi’s petition and annulled Ngige’s victory in August 2005. Ngige fought this at the Court of Appeal where he lost again in a March 2006 ruling, paving the way for Obi to become governor. Since then, Anambra governorship elections have been conducted in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Bayelsa
When Timipre Sylva was elected the governor of Bayelsa State in 2007, his opponent, Ebitimi Amgbare, wasn’t pleased so he challenged him in court. Amgbare lost at the tribunal, but the Appeal Court agreed with him and ordered a fresh election in 2008. Sylva won the second election and returned to office.
Edo
Oserheimen Osunbor left his two-term tenure as a senator to be elected the governor of Edo State in 2007. But his reign was short-lived when a tribunal and the Court of Appeal re-examined the election and handed victory to Adams Oshiomhole in 2008.
Ekiti
Segun Oni became the governor of Ekiti State in 2007. His main opponent, Kayode Fayemi, challenged the result and won when the Court of Appeal ordered Oni’s removal in 2010, resetting the governorship election clock for Ekiti.
Imo’s governorship election timeline didn’t get disrupted until after the last general elections in 2019. Emeka Ihedioha was elected the state governor, but the result was contested by Hope Uzodinma who finished fourth with almost less than double Ihedioha’s number of votes. Yet, the Supreme Court awarded the victory of the election to Uzodinma in January 2020, thereby resetting Imo’s future election timeline.
Kogi
Kogi’s timeline disruption is the most unique on this list. Ibrahim Idris won his re-election into office as governor in 2007, but the election was cancelled because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wrongly excluded another candidate, Abubakar Audu, from the ballot.
A new election was conducted while the state’s Speaker of the House of Assembly, Clarence Olafemi, filled the position of acting governor. Idris won the election again and returned to office two months later.
Ondo
Ondo State’s fractured timeline didn’t happen until after the 2007 governorship election. Olusegun Agagu won that election for his second term in office, but the election tribunal and Court of Appeal overturned it in favour of Olusegun Mimiko in 2009.
Osun
Osun State’s timeline also veered off-track after the 2007 governorship election that was initially won by Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Rauf Aregbesola fought the result for three years before the Court of Appeal recognised him as the real winner in 2010.
Edo babes are the most beautiful women in the world argue with your big toe. Here are a few things you should know about them.
source: pinterest
1. Edo ≠ Benin
First things first, Edo state is not Benin City. Edo state is made up of other tribes aside from Benin, like Esan, Estako, Akoko-Edo and many others. So before you approach an Edo babe, know this if you don’t want to be on her bad side.
2. They are so beautiful
You think you’ve seen beauty before, but the beauty of an Edo babe is a discovery. Look at Osas Ighodaro or is it Adesuwa Etomi-Wellington? Can you see the material?
3. They know when you cheat
Don’t ask me how. They just know and they are quite skilled at revenge so play with them at your own risk. Ayelala is on their side. Also, first to do no dey pain because they’ll definitely do their own back.
4. They have hot temper
They are super sweet and will do anything for you but the day they switch up on you, you will hate yourself. Them go curse your mama die so don’t test them.
5. They don’t have time for nonsense
Edo women are always on the move. Thinking about how to make it bigger than their neighbours so don’t waste their time with small talk. The Edo babe you are talking to has many people on her list, so say whatever you want to say and stop wasting her time.
6. Yes, they fly
Stop asking smelly questions. They fly out of your life when they see you trying to do nonsense with them.
7. They are not afraid of anything
There is nothing they have not seen. Who you and your mama be? In fact, it’s them you should be afraid of. Fear who no fear Edo babe.
8. Not every light skinned Edo babe is a mami water
It’s a myth that needs to go. No thanks to Victor Uwaifo.
9. They don’t like the Italy jokes
In the 90s, hundreds of Edo women were trafficked to Italy and the effects of that are still very much present. Don’t make jokes about it and let go of that silly stereotype. It’s 2021 already, grow up and get better jokes.
Citizen is a column that explains how the government’s policies fucks citizens and how we can unfuck ourselves.
Godwin Obaseki has been declared the winner of the Edo Governorship elections, but what does his re-election mean for godfatherism in Nigerian politics?
Does this victory mean that so-called “Godfathers” are no more relevant in determining who wins an election in Nigeria?
Not Too Long Ago
In the run-up to the Edo Governorship elections, a lot of drama ensued. Godwin Obaseki, the sitting Governor of Edo State, was disqualified from the APC primary elections on the allegation that his certificates were irregular. He later moved to PDP, where he contested and won the PDP primary elections to become the PDP Governorship candidate.
Oshiomole’s Voice, Ize-Iyamu’s Hand
At the time, many said these occurrences were influenced by the then APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomole.
The story was that Oshiomole and his political godson, Obaseki, had a major disagreement, after which Oshiomole made sure to disallow Obaseki from contesting on the APC party platform. Oshiomole would later adopt Ize-Iyamu as his candidate for the governorship elections.
Now That Obaseki Has Won The Elections
The re-election of Godwin Obaseki presents new questions in Nigerian politics: can godsons now displace their political godfathers?
Do not forget that last year, Akinwunmi Ambode, the then governor of Lagos State, lost the APC primary elections and could not contest for a second term in office after he fell out with Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the so-called APC “structure” in the state.
So, what did Obaseki do right? And how can it be replicated by other godfatherless contestants? Maybe we’ll have to go to Edo State to ask Godwin Obaseki himself.
The Independent National Electioral Commission (INEC) has declared Godwin Obaseki as the winner of the Edo Governorship elections.
Obaseki got 307, 955 votes while his nearest challenger, Osagie Ize-Iyamu polled 223, 619 votes to emerge winner of the elections. He was announced by Prof Akpofureh Rim-Rukeh, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the elections, as the winner of the gubernatorial elections.
Reactions
Godwin Obaseki gave a victory speech after emerging winner of the elections:
Citizen is a column that explains how the government’s policies fucks citizens and how we can unfuck ourselves.
Okay, so if you’ve not seen Tinubu’s message to the Edo voters, find it here:
Still didn’t watch it? Here’s a quick summary:
Tinubu says Edo people should reject Godwin Obaseki in Edo’s Governorship election
Tinubu says he has suffered with many others to bring about democracy in Nigeria
Tinubu says Obaseki can’t understand the values and pains of democracy since he didn’t participate in any democratic struggle
Tinubu speaks on the political happenings with the Edo State Legislature, says Obaseki is a dictator.
Now, we have a few questions:
Why is Tinubu so interested in the Edo election?
Is it only people who were in this democratic struggle that can understand the importance of democracy?
So, who are the defenders of democracy in Nigeria?
What plans does the candidate from Tinubu’s party have for Edo people, and how will he achieve them?
Long and Short
The Edo State election is this Saturday. Expect many more hot takes and gbas gbos from politicians. Meanwhile, get ready to vote if you’re a citizen of the state and you actually can. The next few days will be… interesting. Or chaotic?
Citizen is a column that explains how the government’s policies fucks citizens and how we can unfuck ourselves.
The Edo State Governorship election is on the 20th of September, and it will be interesting to know who governs Edo State for the next four years, including how the winning candidate eventually makes the state better.
Will Adams Oshiomole have his man, Osagie Ize-Iyamu become Governor of Edo State? Or will Godwin Obaskei hold on to a office he decamped to the PDP at the last time for? Importantly, will the lives of Edo indigenes get better over the next four years?
WHY IS THE ELECTION HAPPENING NOW?
Ideally, all the 36 state Governorship elections in Nigeria should be held at the same time every four years, counting from 1999 when Nigeria returned to a democracy. However some states hold their Governorship elections at a different time usually because of election petitions and the judgement of election tribunals.
The different date of the Edo State is because of the 2007 Governorship elections in the state where Adams Oshiomole took Oserhiemen Osunbor to the Edo State Governorship Elections Tribunal over the results of the April 2007 Governorship election in the state.
Right now, candidates from 14 registered political parties are contesting for the Governorship seat of the state, but Godwin Obaseki of the PDP and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu are the most popular candidates.
All the other candidates include:
Edemakhiota Osaimiamia, Action Alliance (AA), Reuben Edokpayi, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Emmanuel Obio, African Democratic Party (ADP), Lucky Idehen, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Igbineweka Osmimuede, Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Amos Areloegbe, Accord Party (AP), Isaiah kosifu, Labour Party (LP), Jonathan Enobhaysobo, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Stevie Ozono, National Rescue Movement (NRM); Felix Obayangbon, Social Democratic Party (SDP); Jones Osagiobare, Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
WHAT ARE THEIR CAMPAIGN PROMISES?
The current Governor of Edo State is running under the campaign theme “Make Edo Great Again (MEGA)”. At the launch of his reelection campaign in July, he stated: “We are going to be introducing a lot of technology. We are going to make sure that programmes we are starting particularly with agriculture, youth employment, we are going to insist that we are going to continue in that path. Edo will be the business and economic hub of the country”.
During Obaseki’s first Governorship tenure, he got to office by campaigning on 37 promises — but the question of whether he has substantially fulfilled a majority of those promises still remains.
Meanwhile, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the APC is running for office on what he calls the SIMPLE agenda, which is an acronym for: Security, Infrastructural development, Manpower development, Public Private Partnership, Leadership and Employment creation.
He also plans on creating 70,000 jobs in four years, including 10,000 new jobs in the construction, housing and education sectors – within 4 years.
However, these guys have still not given us a detailed plan on how they will achieve these goals. They do not even have a website where their plans and how they will achieve them are properly outlined.
WHAT IS THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC) DOING?
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the Government Commission established by Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution to organize elections into various political offices in the country, among other things. Section 15 of the 1999 Constitution gives it this powers.
On September 19, 2020, INEC released a final list of the governorship candidates for the election, including all the deputy governorship candidates and their respective parties.
The Commission has also released a policy on how it will go about conducting elections during the Covid-19 pandemic, including a consideration of the legal issues, health issues and logistics and/or operational issues that have to be factored into conducting elections at this time.
SOME POLITICAL CALCULATIONS
Edo State has always been a politically charged state, especially considering that all states in the South-South Geopolitical zone are now run by governors in the PDP. So, this presents the only chance for the APC to win back a state in that geo-political zone of the country.
Actually, Godwin Obaseki of the PDP was initially elected on the platform of the APC. However, he was disqualified from the Party’s primary elections, on the grounds that his academic certificates were incomplete. Pastor Ize-Iyamu (who was formerly in the PDP) then became flag-bearer of the APC in the September 29 Governorship election, with Obaseki joining the PDP at the very last minute.
The political situation of things in Edo State is ascribed by many people to Adams Oshiomole, a former Governor of the state, who is said to have found ways to disqualify Obaseki from re-contesting under the APC in the state after both of them fell out. Many say Oshiomole brought Obaseki to become Governor of the state but fell out with him after some differences. Oshiomole now supports Ize-Iyamu to be Governor of Edo State, a former Secretary to the government of the state whom he once abused in the run-up to the 2016 Governorship elections in the state.
ISSUES OF ELECTION VIOLENCE, VOTER SUPPRESSION AND VOTE BUYING
There has been prominent issues of election violence leading up to the elections in Edo State. The situation of things have gotten so bad that the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 2, had to invite all the candidates, including the two major aspirants to his palace to plead with them to “reduce the political temperature” in the state. Lately, the Edo State House of Assembly has also been drawn into all sorts of crisis, all of which is not unconnected from the upcoming election in the state.
Also, voter suppression and vote buying still remain major issues in Nigerian elections. It is hoped that this election will witness significant changes in these vices, and that a free and fair election can happen, so that the votes of the people can count.
Check back everyday by 10am for more Zikoko Citizen articles.
