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Modified Northern Common Centre Theory: an Attendant Issue on Origin and Migration of Ndiigbo in the Early 21St Century-Linguists Contribution

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Modified Northern Common Centre Theory: an Attendant Issue on Origin and Migration of Ndiigbo in the Early 21St Century-Linguists Contribution www.idosr.org Longinus and Onuora ©IDOSR PUBLICATIONS International Digital Organization for Scientific Research ISSN: 2579-0765 IDOSR JOURNAL OF CURRENT ISSUES IN SOCIAL SCIENCES 7(1): 1-10, 2021. Modified Northern Common Centre Theory: An Attendant Issue on Origin and Migration of Ndiigbo in the early 21st Century-Linguists Contribution. Longinus Chukwuemeka Chinagorom1 and Onuora Ngozi Theresa2 1Department of Linguistics and Igbo Faculty of Humanities Imo State University, Owerri 2Department of Languages/Linguistics/Literary Studies/Theatre Arts Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria ABSTRACT The controversies bedeviling the question of uniqueness, identity and assimilation of people of Africa, which are borne out of the consequences of humanity’s quest for survival that have sparked off several noted revolutions, have given birth to the clarion call for a methodological cum systematic approach to the roots and branches of various peoples of the earth. The recent upsurge for self determination and referendum among distinct ethnic and linguistic groups need not be nipped in the bud; rather the attendant issue of showcasing genuine identities of peoples has become very relevant. In this early 21st Century, the challenges of directing and redirecting the dynamics of Igbo Civilization characterized by its autochthonous and primordial parlance of Ndiokpu na Ndiegede , projected lucidly in terms of self determination/Biafra Restoration and intent motivation for Ndiigbo to exhibit an inherent urge to develop resources towards contributing their quota in the domain of Globalization and current Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), spurs us to revisit some noted theories on the origin and migration of the Igbo. This paper tends to reassess the Northern Common Centre Theory; as among the most popular Schools of Thought on ground. We intend to identify some of the aberrations and most confusing statements about Igbo origin and migration that have been in vogue in some quarters. It is also an effort at appraising some honest inputs made by Scholars both indigenous and expatriates on Igbo History and authentic commitments to human existence. The fruit of this study is expected to correct anomalies among scholars who carry wrong notions about Ndiigbo to redress their steps, especially those who are at the top echelon of scholarship but are dearth of systematic and qualitative academic endeavours, less reality be wronged perennially and Igbo Civilization that has ab initio carved a niche in the global atlas might witness lamentable retardation. Keywords: Revolution, 21st century, Ndiigbo, Migration and Theory. INTRODUCTION The 21st century is more and to be reckoned with as it is more extending its tentacles to other rapidly extending its spheres into areas of scholarship. It is indeed other domains of discourse and embracing the various fields of diverse problems in relation to the human endeavours as tools for unprecedented scope and advancement and furtherance of its applicability in language related attendant motive towards achieving matters and information sustainable development goals. Thus communication technologies (ICTs). the 21st century and the 3rd millennium Today, the obvious phenomenal strides could be said to be motivated by the of migration and emigration among looming challenges of interdisciplinary peoples, no doubt spurs conscientious realities of achieving the required minds to raise questions on the synergy or their lucid interface on raison d’ etre of such movements. ground. In the same vein, This is made cogent when it is Linguistics as a relatively new undoubtable that it challenges discipline spearheaded by the Swiss traditionalnotionofaborigines,citizenshi born Linguist, Ferdinand de Saussure p,indignity,domicile hybridization. The (1857-1913), has become a science latent cinareo makes ethnologists, 1 www.idosr.org Longinus and Onuora historians, geographers and Linguists out of noted theories and to make enquires about the hypotheses, is aimed at presenting survival of hostcommunities, a picture that could help in forging environmental degradation and the unity among the Igbo, nay Africa, a once preservation of those human- neglected continent and even help in related issues such as cultural reshaping the thinking pattern of the heritage, preservation of the global community that is people’s authentic histories, arts, currently bedeviled by one form of religions,linguistic features, struggle, call it referendum; for either literatures,philosophies, or worldviews, autonomy or secession or even performances and the totality of their unification. Hence, the choice of existence. Most probably we may allege using linguistic correspondences and that it is as a result of negligence on sameness is borne out of the fact the part of the individuals to tackle that according to Adiele Afigbo a this problems for decades that could renowned historian and a have led to an upsurge of agitations quintessential personality of Igbo among races and ethnic nationalities studies; the problem of the origin of towards the recurrent moves for self the Igbo -Speaking peoples and how determination and revisiting the they came to occupy that portion on configuration in the guise of where we now find them “… cannot formerly identified nations and hope to reach definite conclusions countries, since it is obvious that until more evidence is thrown up unexamined life is not worth living. by linguistic and archeological research” Succinctly, the issue of Biafra [1]. The avowed attestation by no Restoration that has surfaced at its peak less a personality of this repute today calls for a thorough attracts our attention to the fact that investigation on their status quo in such insight had not received due the global community and among the assessment. It also provokes us to League of Nations. Maybe, it is tap from the current advantages possible that an in-depth investigation derived from the trends arising has not been made so far with from the reawakened consciousness regard to the puzzles surrounding with regard to the revolutions the origin, migration and settlement sparked off in the late 19th and early of Ndiigbo, or that an appropriate 20th Centuries in the field of theory or hypothesis has not been used scholarship. This is appropriately to address some of the controversies projected under the epoch known recycling around the issue in question. as Linguistic turn or literary Revolution The desire to pick a Modified [2]. Northern Common Centre Theory Theories on Origin and Migration In systematic discourse, theorem (or consequences that are directly theories) takes a prominent place. This testable. When they are favorable, the is so because human knowledge topic are said to confirm the hypothesis. is boundless and its horizon Logically, since hypothesis implies remains inexhaustible. Thus theories its consequences and since false when viewed broadly are statements propositions can be implied only by that can be proved by logical deduction false propositions, a single negative from a set of axioms. Thus once proved, instance can invalidate a hypothesis. it can be used to prove other theories However, since hypotheses are actually to build a system of theories. parts of systems of propositions, they Theories can also have some levels are usually parts of propositions. of relatedness with hypothesis Indeed, a theory or hypothesis can especially in scientific work, which sometimes be saved by making are propositions assumed to be true suitable adjustments elsewhere in the but are put forward to account for system. This brings us to the issue in and order a body of facts. However, in our discourse with regard to the use of core scientific contexts, hypotheses the word “Modified”. What it entails are seldom capable of direct test but is that the Northern Common Centre are tested indirectly by deducing Theory has been in vogue both 2 www.idosr.org Longinus and Onuora universally and specifically on Igbo mythologies and in some instances origin and migration. What we tend to based on scientific findings. put across here is that a theory or hypothesis can be acceptable when it Basing on this premise, some does in fact explain the body fact in theories have been made popular in question or is so formulated that contemporary epoch while some have consequences may be logically been debunked as appearing archaic deduced from it. It can also manifest and baseless by scientific consistency with existing well confirmed advancement and technological norm. At this point, the theory in breakthrough on the domain question would appear more fruitful of researches and scholarship. Some than some already exiting theories in noted theories include; the accounting for a longerrange of facts, anthropological theory, evolution as well as in motivating scholars for theory, Judeo- Christian theory, further lines of enquiry. Hence, that autochthonous theory, negro upheld theory despite that it appears theory, and the northern common clearer can also be more centre theory etc.Scholars of economical than other existing anthropology, especially since the 19th theories. This economic parlance century to the middle of the 20th makes the facts surrounding the century have come up with the idea of argument to be equally well the homo sapiens as an offshoot confirmed. It is important to state of the hominids development which that in pure and applied sciences, it has been given several names is characteristic of their nature such as Australopithecus,which has that no hypothesis is been estimated to have existed for presumed to be so certain as never to be about 200 million years ago. It is held subjected to possible revision or by them that the age of humans rejection. In this sense, the whole surfaced when a being emerged that of science is hypothetical. This is was able to carry its body upright why a study can be observational and and began to walk on his two feet could not show conclusively that a without holding anything or theory or hypothesis is certain. toddling again (referred to as homo Nevertheless, through history and erectus).
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