“EGBE BERE UGO BERE” AS ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE IGBO CONCEPT OF CO-EXISTENCE AND UNITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper intends to examine “Egbe bere Ugo bere” Igbo proverb and employ its symbolic lesson to illustrate expected co-existence among Nigerian ethic peoples for the purpose of fostering unity. The choice of this topic comes on the backdrop of Nigeria ambient situation characterized by disequilibrium in socio-political and economic arrangements which have encouraged exclusion of certain ethnic groups, divisive tendencies and clamour for separation from the whole by the parts that feel ostracized in the scheme of things. It is the belief of this paper that “Egbe bere Ugo bere” philosophy and the lessons drawn from it will restore social equilibrium, fairness and equity in distribution of social and collective goods, and restore the sense of belonging to the aggrieved groups. The crux of this paper is to show that the peoples of Nigeria can possibly co-exist and remain peaceful with ambient situation in check. It also highlights how the divisive and centrifugal odds and forces that threaten Nigeria peoples' unity can be managed through the Egbe bere Ugo bere philosophy of social dynamism. The approach of this paper will anchor on philosophical analysis of concepts and their contextual application.