Beloved homeland of our brave heroes
We must defend our lives or we shall perish
We shall protect our hearts from all our foes
But if the price is death for all we hold dear
Then let us die without a shred of tear

This we sang as kids about 50 years ago, the Biafran National anthem. Play this on your organ today and see reminiscences of yore. It is sad that 47 years after General Yakubu Gowon proclaimed: ‘No Victor, No Vanquished’ and flashed his three Rs[Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction], areas that were known as Biafra still look like they are not part of oil rich Nigeria.

Let us be honest for once: We can stop Biafra agitations without dropping a pint of red blood. Nigerians must come to terms with the fact that there has been a lot of injustice. Under the present dispensation, it is not just injustice it is wickedness on the part of those who have a golden opportunity to make this nation great again.

Those who have chosen to tie their tongues with silence will not survive another war. Those who have not seen battle and are eagerly pushing the country to an inglorious end should go and ask questions. Another war will not just destroy this nation, it may consume all of us.

Give the South–East geo–political zone one more state, create another state in Southern Nigeria and you get balance of identity. The North-West has seven states and the whole North is made up of 19 states while the South comprises 17.

Those who do not want the creation of more states should think twice. Revenue is shared according to the number of Local Government Areas and states. Political advantages accrue from states. The South-East therefore cannot continue to be denied a fair share of our commonwealth.

Let Nigerians resolve to pump money into areas destroyed during the Civil War. After the Second World War, the United States came up with the Marshall plan to help Western Europe. That brought Germany back to life. Today they are Europe’s strongest economy.

No such thing was done for the South–East. Just look at the money going to the North-East that saw far less devastation because of Boko Haram, today. Insurgency around the Lake Chad Region has killed in thousands. Biafrans died in millions.

The Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta coupled with the creation of a Niger Delta ministry is something to celebrate. To cap it all, a son of the South-South, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, ascended the throne that is oiled by the black gold discovered in Oloibiri.

What is wrong with building federal industries in Igbo land and other devastated parts of the old Eastern Region? Fix a refinery in the South-East, open up a sea port, build a Second Bridge across the River Niger, work on the roads like you have in some zones up North and allow them to use the brain God has given all Nigerians.

The Igbo have done so much to show they believe in one Nigeria. Let us look at the background of men who have ruled or affected the movement of History. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was born in the North and schooled in the West. He spoke the three major Nigerian languages. First President of Nigeria. Zik’s first language was Hausa and his children bear Yoruba names. General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi attended Primary School in Kano and grew up in Calabar. He spoke Hausa. His Second in command was a Yoruba , Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe. None of his Service Chiefs was Igbo. Gowon, a Lt.Col., from the North, headed the Army. Captain Edet Wey, an Efik turned Yoruba was in charge of the Navy. Another Efik, Chief Luis Edet, gave way to Alhaji Kam Selem as Police Chief and George Kurubo, [ Kalabari] led the Air Force. Ironsi’s escort team was led by William Walbe, from the Middle Belt. His Aides de Camp were Andrew Nwankwo, Air Force, Sani Bello, Army, Dennis Okujagu, Navy[ Ijaw ] and Timothy Pam, Police[ Middle Belt]. Now to Nigeria and Biafra. Gowon was born in Pankshin and taken to Wusasa when he was barely three years old. General Emeka Ojukwu,like Zik, was born in Zungeru. Primary education was at St. Patrick’s Idumagbo, Lagos. After that he proceeded to CMS Grammar School and later Kings College, both in Eko. Ojukwu mastered the Yoruba language and could write love letters in Hausa. Those who accuse Biafra of being an all South-East affair are mean. The Chief of Defence Staff was an Akwa Ibom General named Philip Effiong. Secretary to the Government was Chief Ntieyong Akpan. Commissiner for External Affairs was Mathew Mbu from today’s Cross River State. High Commissiner to the UK, Ignatius Kogbani, an Ogoni man. The Golden Voice of Radio Biafra was Okonkon Ndem. Head of Military Intelligence, Bernard Odogwu, hailed from today’s Delta State. An Ijaw, Capt. Willie Murray-Bruce[Ben’s elder brother], was high up in the Airforce. Former Cross River governor ,Clement Ebri ,was there too. Of the 21 provinces, nine were non-Igbo like their administrators . Chief Ekukinam Bassey, Annang. Prof Eyo Bassey Ndem, Calabar. Mr. S.N. Dikibo, Degema. Mr. S.J. Edoho, Eket. Mr. Frank Ugbut, Ogoja. Dr. Sylvanus Cookey, Opobo. Mr. Emmanuel Aguma, Port Harcourt. Chief J. Udoh–Affiah, Uyo and Chief Frank Opigo, Yenogoa. In 1974, Gowon changed the Bight of Biafra to Bight of Benin. Two journalists: Henry Onyedike and Agwu Okpanku of The Renaissance newspaper, were arrested over an article: Killing Biafra. Today, because of high handedness, Biafra has refused to die. Perhaps, the Peduase Lodge, Aburi Accord of 1967 would have killed Biafra if it was implemented. An area that produced our country’s First President, First Senate President , First Speaker, First Head of State, First Olympic gold medalist cannot be silenced. Let there be justice and you may not hear much of Biafra.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/nigeria-can-bury-biafra/
Seun... Come see this thread... Good morning

Kikikiki,

New state in the Southeast zone to bury Biafra agitation? You never begin.

How do you restructure the brains of religious extremists of far northern Nigeria to respect the sanctity of human lives, in their bid to intimidate others in order to dip their Holy Book in the non-Muslim eastern Nigeria side of the Atlantic Ocean?

A new state in the southeast?

Lol. Mention it, the first to kick against it were the most "Shophischicated" tribesmen from the SW.

They asked you: are you crazy to ask for more states while most of the existing 36 states are not viable, can't even pay workers salaries? Hollow argument of theirs.

But they didn't know that they were equally shooting the entire southern region on the foot, because paucity of states in the SE amounts to inadequate political representation of the entire Southern region in Nigeria's political process.

Abeg, no bring back yesterday's arguments.

Raji Fashola as governor of Lagos state replied Igbos asking for sixth state in the SE. Fashola replied that there was no need for any new state; he added that what Nigeria required was creation of new local government areas.

Loooooool, great politician, Raji.

Amah70:
Kikikiki,

New state in the Southeast zone to bury Biafra agitation? You never begin.

How do you restructure the brains of religious extremists of far northern Nigeria to respect the sanctity of human lives, in their bid to intimidate others in order to dip their Holy Book in the non-Muslim eastern Nigeria side of the Atlantic Ocean?

Strong question

Amah70:
Raji Fashola as governor of Lagos state replied Igbos asking for sixth state in the SE. Fashola replied that there was no need for any new state; he added that what Nigeria required was creation of new local government areas.

Loooooool, great politician, Raji.

Are you kidding me?

Let nigeria have referendum in its constitution. We should stop deceiving ourselves about "unity"

Igbos are free to have their own country. Nobody is stopping them. Why are their leaders keeping silent about this biafra issue? If the igbos want biafra, they should protest against their leaders who have chosen to keep silent.

God forbid that it be buried.

If only I could have my way..

Well, I'd rather not say what's on my mind before some excited mod bans me for "supporting secession" like they once did.

Guess you guys must be hallucinating? Do Nigeria look normal now to you? No man can stop an idea whose time has come.I'm not & must not be a Biafran to know that either we restructure this country or go our different ways.BTW why the sudden obsession with Biafra?

Chigold101:

What is wrong with building federal industries in Igbo land and other devastated parts of the old Eastern Region? Fix a refinery in the South-East, open up a sea port, build a Second Bridge across the River Niger, work on the roads like you have in some zones up North and allow them to use the brain God has given all Nigerians.

But..but..but...we thought Jonathan did all this for the South East throughout his 5 years in power which was why the SE gave him 95% of their votes. Its a travesty of logic to expect the man they consider as a "brain-dead illiterate dullard" to accomplish all of this which the PhD President failed to accomplish. Afterall what can a "nepa-bill" President be expected to achieve in the SE? Stop speaking from both sides of your mouth.

deedeedee1:
Let nigeria have referendum in its constitution. We should stop deceiving ourselves about "unity"

That is what it should have been from the beginning.May it never be well with Lord Lugard for forcing this useless marriage on us.

It goes beyond trying to bring about those superficial palliative measures. The right to a choice must be recognised and given, decisive actions must be given to accord every region its right of place. Real discussions must be had and agreements reached not some elevated fools impressing their ideas of the benefits of unity.

fulanimafia:


But..but..but...we thought Jonathan did all this for the South East throughout his 5 years in power which was why the SE gave him 95% of their votes. Its a travesty of logic to expect the man they consider as a "brain-dead illiterate dullard" to accomplish all of this which the PhD President failed to accomplish. Afterall what can a "nepa-bill" President be expected to achieve in the SE? Stop speaking from both sides of your mouth.

Young man, the discourse is beyond elections and who supported APC or PDP. Issues have festered and gone sour so for once try understanding the foundational problems or better still, keep the APC/Buhari and PDP/Jonathan narrative aside. These are mere offshoots of the real problems that plague this country.

omenkaLives:
God forbid that it be buried.

If only I could have my way..

Well, I'd rather not say what's on my mind before some excited mod bans me for "supporting secession" like they once did.

lols

Ban for supporting secession? Now that's some weird stuff.

The mod really want you gone by any means necessary .

kenny987:


Young man, the discourse is beyond elections and who supported APC or PDP. Issues have festered and gone sour so for once try understanding the foundational problems or better still, keep the APC/Buhari and PDP/Jonathan narrative aside. These are mere offshoots of the real problems that plague this country.

Miss Geriatric, that is false. If the past president had delivered on his promises to the South East and done what the writer is asking the Buhari administration to do in order to quell tensions, then the cries of marginalization wouldn't be so loud. You lot just hate to accept the fact that you were scammed by Jonathan and PDP (and voted with your emotions not brains) and are now waiting for the 'dullards' administration that you worked so hard to keep away from power to perform miracles your hero couldn't perform.

EvilMetahuman:

They prefer one nigeria more than anything, all those biafra chant gimmick is just to blackmail federal government to consider them after making huge political blunder.

Spot on! Read through this 2011 thread where they were celebrating and justifying Jonathan's marginalization of the Yorubas, NOT ONE WORD of Biafra or IPOB was mentioned.

https://www.nairaland.com/745731/yoruba-marginalization-elders-met-jonathan

It's all a scam and we are the wiser .

deedeedee1:
Igbos are free to have their own country. Nobody is stopping them. Why are their leaders keeping silent about this biafra issue? If the igbos want biafra, they should protest against their leaders who have chosen to keep silent.

No way. They would rather attack attack oshinbajo and obasanjo for speaking for one naijairiya but not their leaders.

They prefer one nigeria more than anything, all those biafra chant gimmick is just to blackmail federal government to consider them after making huge political blunder.

Give them 2-3 solid federal post now, you will see them singing ebele buhari.

Awon alatari pelele.

fulanimafia:


Miss Geriatric, that is false. If the past president had delivered on his promises to the South East and done what the writer is asking the Buhari administration to do in order to quell tensions, then the cries of marginalization wouldn't be so loud. You lot just hate to accept the fact that you were scammed by Jonathan and PDP (and voted with your emotions not brains) and are now waiting for the 'dullards' administration that you worked so hard to keep away from power to perform miracles your hero couldn't perform.

That's a tad myopic but it's clearly all u can offer so I'll leave you to it. With a bit more maturity and wisdom perhaps, you just might get it.

EvilMetahuman:
lols

Ban for supporting secession? Now that's some weird stuff.

The mod really want you gone by any means necessary .

Two weeks I was given back then. I was shell shocked!

Since then I have decided never to "support secession" openly.

EvilMetahuman:


No way. They would rather attack attack oshinbajo and obasanjo for speaking for one naijairiya but not their leaders.

They prefer one nigeria more than anything, all those biafra chant gimmick is just to blackmail federal government to consider them after making huge political blunder.

Give them 2-3 solid federal post now, you will see them singing ebele buhari.

Awon alatari pelele.

You know, the fact that the politics of vindictiveness and winner-takes-all is still the order of the day and supported by supposedly enlightened persons shows that there's something fundamentally wrong. Unless the law provides for a one party state I see no reason why the democratic choice of candidate of any person or group of persons will be a basis for some kind of 'punishment'. If no crime was committed exactly why should one think that demanding equality and the so called federal character is not the entitlement of those who supported a candidate who didn't win elections?

fulanimafia:


Miss Geriatric, that is false. If the past president had delivered on his promises to the South East and done what the writer is asking the Buhari administration to do in order to quell tensions, then the cries of marginalization wouldn't be so loud. You lot just hate to accept the fact that you were scammed by Jonathan and PDP (and voted with your emotions not brains) and are now waiting for the 'dullards' administration that you worked so hard to keep away from power to perform miracles your hero couldn't perform.



Spot on! Read through this 2011 thread where they were celebrating and justifying Jonathan's marginalization of the Yorubas, NOT ONE WORD of Biafra or IPOB was mentioned.

https://www.nairaland.com/745731/yoruba-marginalization-elders-met-jonathan

It's all a scam and we are the wiser .

saved link for reference.

I only pity a yoruba man who is yet to see through the gimmick of this flat heads and still stays indifferent.

kenny987:


That's a tad myopic but it's clearly all u can offer so I'll leave you to it. With a bit more maturity and wisdom perhaps, you just might get it.

You definitely lack the capacity to fault the logic of my submission hence your resort to baseless babble. Swerve and savor your sour grapes in peace.

fulanimafia:


You definitely lack the capacity to fault the logic of my submission hence your resort to baseless babble. Swerve and savor your sour grapes in peace.

I can't debate with u when you're clearly stuck at peripheral politics of APC and PDP. That'll be sinking too low for me..Enjoy ur mud bath, I don't deal at such levels. Logical submission?! Ha! Hilarious to say the least!

kenny987:


You know, the fact that the politics of vindictiveness and winner-takes-all is still the order of the day and supported by supposedly enlightened persons shows that there's something fundamentally wrong. Unless the law provides for a one party state I see no reason why the democratic choice of candidate of any person or group of persons will be a basis for some kind of 'punishment'. If no crime was committed exactly why should one think that demanding equality and the so called federal character is not the entitlement of those who supported a candidate who didn't win elections?

gimme a break abeg.

Yoruba demanded the same in 2011, instead what did we get?
This
https://www.nairaland.com/745731/yoruba-
marginalization-elders-met-jonathan

Did yorubas set the country on fire cos of this? Nope
Did we go about abusing other tribes for the marginalisation we did not even deserve?
To think we even voted for this same gej.

Instead, we went back to the drawing board.
Why can't these people do the same instead of trying to blackmail us with Biafra chant?

kenny987:


You know, the fact that the politics of vindictiveness and winner-takes-all is still the order of the day and supported by supposedly enlightened persons shows that there's something fundamentally wrong. Unless the law provides for a one party state I see no reason why the democratic choice of candidate of any person or group of persons will be a basis for some kind of 'punishment'. If no crime was committed exactly why should one think that demanding equality and the so called federal character is not the entitlement of those who supported a candidate who didn't win elections?

Politics is all about interests; that's why you have right and left wing parties who further their agenda whenever they gain power. Are you suggesting that after winning an election your interests should be on the front burner not mine? You think it was in my interest for Jonathan to have given criminal militants like Tompolo contracts to purchase warships for my country? But it happened didn't it?

If everyone was entitled to 'equal' treatment regardless of political leaning, then what is the point of competing fiercely for political power? Wouldn't everyone just relax and save their resources knowing ANYONE who gets power will satisfy EVERYONE'S interests equally? Think.

The crux of the matter is that equality in partisan politics is an ideal and never a reality. My interests will always come before yours...kapish?

EvilMetahuman:
gimme a break abeg.

Yoruba demanded the same in 2011, instead what did we get?
This
https://www.nairaland.com/745731/yoruba-
marginalization-elders-met-jonathan

Did yorubas set the country on fire cos of this? Nope
Did we go about abusing other tribes for the marginalisation we did not even deserve?
To think we even voted for this same gej.

Instead, we went back to the drawing board.
Why can't these people do the same instead of trying to blackmail us with Biafra chant?

No one is setting the country on fire. The issue of the Igbos have been long before 2015 elections, there was a reason for the civil war and those reasons persist even now. Biafra was even before Nigeria and certainly before 2015. MASSOB has been for decades, IPOB was before 2015!

The thing is, we've decided not to muddy the waters but rather stay independent if a restructuring of the current political arrangement will not be effected. There's no point attempting to thrive in putrid filth when there's fresh air to be had is there? The status quo is disgusting! A few benefit but the majority suffer! Even with the North in in power, majority still suffer and only enjoy d sentimental satisfaction of 'my person is in power'.

The difference between us and others is that we don't do underhand nonsense! Let everyone get their fair share and contest meritoriously for the top places, simple! We believe in making our own food n then paying out of our excess on agreed terms not someone sitting up there n deciding what I should get when I can get more! If others don't buy into it then we don't belong together so we split! Any problem?

kenny987:


I can't debate with u when you're clearly stuck at peripheral politics of APC and PDP. That'll be sinking to low for me..Enjoy ur mud bath, I don't deal at such levels. Logical submission?! Ha! Hilarious to say the least!

I don't expect you to be excited about reminiscing your political miscalculation so your desperate attempt to evade it comes as no surprise

Reality is a b!tch in stilettos honey. Deal with it and save me your mindless babble.

fulanimafia:


I don't expect you to be excited about reminiscing your political miscalculation so your desperate attempt to evade it comes as no surprise

Reality is a b!tch in stilettos honey. Deal with it and save me your mindless babble.

Oh dear...such a pity!

kenny987:


No one is setting the country on fire. The issue of the Igbos have been long before 2015 elections, there was a reason for the civil war and those reasons persist even now. The thing is, we've decided not to muddy the waters but rather stay independent if a restructuring of the current political arrangement will not be effected. There's no point attempting to thrive in putrid filth when there's fresh air to be had is there?

yadayadayada.

Is it a coincidence that we only hear of Biafra chant more when political setting doesn't favour dem flat heads.

Did you know kanu has been running his radio biafla even before jonah came in, then why did he start his hate speech when buhari came in?


Jonathan did the first picture to veteran biafran warlord, flat heads didn't flinch or wail biafra or death,

Buhari did the second after hate speech, the Biafra chanters won't let us sleep.

EvilMetahuman:
yadayadayada.

Is it a coincidence that we only hear of Biafra chant more when political setting doesn't favour dem flat heads.

Did you know kanu has been running his radio biafla even before jonah came in, then why did he start his hate speech when buhari came in?


Jonathan did the first picture to veteran biafran warlord, flat heads didn't flinch or wail biafra or death,

Buhari did the second after hate speech, the Biafra chanters won't let us sleep.

These people think everyone is as politically inept and forgetful as they are. If only they knew...

It is a game of interests but not to the detriment of the other. There's a reason there are laws and they aren't meant to be bent in every direction. Basics like socio-economic development must never be compromised. The annoying part of all this is that substantial actions cannot be taken without the approval or at least buy-in if the FG and that's the major reason for the demand for restructuring and devolution of power from the centre.

Nigeria is still a developing country. I can understand places like UK, France, Canada etc doing the left n right wing thingies because the fundamentals are in place! Those are working societies that even the most inept of presidents will be stopped in their tracks by an effective system. How can ur interested supersede mine in terms of health, education, security, employment for instance?
Do you honestly think ur region or supporters of the ruling party should have these basics first or better than others? I think NOT!

So my point is, the continued celebration of 'na my man win' will only continue to breed underdevelopment and resentment because we see the resources being wasted just because it's their turn so we scheme to get our turn and do same...that's evil! Bridges n roads n electricity supply shouldn't be political points but here we are...so we must get past that! That's why I kept saying u needed to get past APC n PDP, that is not the average Igbo man's problem.

fulanimafia:


Politics is all about interests; that's why you have right and left wing parties who further their agenda whenever they gain power. Are you suggesting that after winning an election your interests should be on the front burner not mine? You think it was in my interest for Jonathan to have given criminal militants like Tompolo contracts to purchase warships for my country? But it happened didn't it?

If everyone was entitled to 'equal' treatment regardless of political leaning, then what is the point of competing fiercely for political power? Wouldn't everyone just relax and save their resources knowing ANYONE who gets power will satisfy EVERYONE'S interests equally? Think.

The crux of the matter is that equality in partisan politics is an ideal and never a reality. My interests will always come before yours...kapish?