BETWEEN NIGERIA AND ETHIOPIA, WHO OWNS TAYE?
By Abdulrazaq O Hamzat

For many years now, i have been a strong advocate of Universal Brotherhood, with special focus on Africa.

This position was also recently esponded by the Ooni of Ife.

I have said repeatedly that Africans, irrespective of country are members of the same family and the more we learn about each other, the better we know each other and connect our history, culture and tradition.

This was exactly what happened when I met Mr Taye.

Few while ago, at a program organised by Wanep in collaboration with African Union and Ecowas in Abuja Nigeria, i met an amazing man who simply identified himself as TAYE.

He wasn't just an ordinary person, he his the Information System Officer of Continental Early Warning Division, Peace and Security Department of the African Union.

His name is Taye. Taye AbdulKadir Edris. That's a typical Nigerian name, but he his not a Nigerian.

He was the representative of African Union at the programme and aswell as a speaker on early warning. He came all the way from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

What first attracted me to him was his name. Taye

When he climbed the podium to speak, he started by introducing himself as Taye, a citizen of Ethiopia, all the way from Addis Ababa to represent the African Union.

I didn't really get that introduction very well.

How can someone from Ethiopia have Taye as name. As in, Taye Taiwo.

Taye is the first of a twin in Yoruba language.

So, when he said his name is Taye and went on to say as in Taye Taiwo, i was confused and eager to connect with him after the program to ask more about his name.

However, besides asking about his name, i was also eager to engage him about the development in his home country, Ethiopia, particularly about the ongoing reforms by their Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed.

People following this wall must be aware of Abiy Ahmed, the new Ethiopian Prime Minister, who is also the youngest leader in Africa.

I am his big fan and i have written severally about his impressive exploit, management of Ethiopia and the reforms he his leading.

So, after the programme, i connected with Mr. Taye to ask a few question and trust me, Taye is a total gentleman, with a warm embrace.

He didn't only welcome me nicely,he made meeting an important personality seems so easy.

When i asked him about his name Taye, he told me it's an Ethiopian name.

According to him, he his aware that Nigerians also bear the name Taye, with the same spelling and same pronunciation.

But in this case, Taye in Ethiopian language means "tall", while that of Nigeria is the first of a twin.

Having been cleared on the name part, we dived into discussion about the Ethiopian Prime Minister and the many positive reforms he has initiated since assuming office.

Since coming to office in April 2018, Abiy Ahmed has ended several wars with neighbouring countries, released thousands of political prisoners and human rights activists, empowered women with 50% of his cabinet in addition to ensuring the first woman assume the position of a ceremonial president , deal with corrupt military generals and alot more.

We also talked about the changing global narration about Africa as a result of what is happening in Ethiopia. I must admit, meeting my first Ethiopian person to discuss Ethiopian matter is a delight.

Although, we could not continue the discussion due to limited time, but i promised to get across real quick as we exchanged contact.

Abdulrazaq Hamzat is the Executive Director of Foundation for Peace Professionals FPP

So in other words..afonjas owns Ethiopia as Igbos own Israel, while the abokiis own Nigeria

U said d name in Ethiopia means tall so wat else do u want to know? Or u want us to drag d name taye with them. Did we ever drag essien with Ghanaian's cos its also an Ibibo/annang name.

The spelling of names is not exclusive to one group of people. It could be the same spelling but the pronunciation and meaning is completely different.

Hum