Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation - Politics - Nairaland
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Buhari Is A Wrong Choice As Nigerian Leader - Ayo Adebanjo / Abubakar Audu: Nigerians React To Accusation Of Rape / The Mistake Tinubu Made In The APC Marriage – Adebanjo - From Vanguard (2) (3) (4)
| Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by LocalChamp: 10:53pm On Oct 09, 2012 |
Achebe needs cure from Awophobia – Adebanjo On October 9, 2012 · In Interview 7:17 pm BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE FIRST generation Awoist and elder statesmen, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, yesterday picked holes in Professor Chinua Achebe’s accusation that Chief Obafemi Awolowo was part of General Yakubu Gowon’s cabinet that initiated pogrom and genocide as a policy against the Igbo during the civil war. In a 16-paragraph, 2109-word rejoinder to Professor Achebe’s book, “There was a country,” yesterday, Adebanjo said instead of vilification, the late sage should be commended for his efforts in minimizing the damage that could have arisen from the war. He said the civil war could have been avoided if Biafran Leader, Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu had not reneged on his promise to Awolowo to negotiate with the Federal Government and kick-started the war by attacking the Mid-West. Claiming that Awolowo did not hate the Igbo and made efforts to rehabilitate the Igbo after the war, he said Professor Achebe had displayed his deep-rooted hatred for Awolowo and the Yoruba race with his comments. He said: “If it is true that Chief Awolowo was such an architect of pogrom and genocide against the Igbos, how would Professor Achebe explain the fact that there were no incidents of pogrom or genocide against the Igbos in any part of the then Western Region composed mainly of the Yorubas, and Chief Awolowo’s primary sphere of influence. Rather, the Igbos who fled the West on the clarion call of Ojukwu for them to return to the East had their properties kept safe for them, with the rents collected on the properties duly accounted for at the end of the civil war and paid to such Igbo owners. It should be noted that no incidents of “abandoned property” occurred in the Western region – Chief Awolowo’s zone, rather the controversy around such property were restricted to areas such as Port Harcourt and the Northern region.” Wondering what Achebe wanted to achieve by exhuming the dark years of the nation’s history at a time a host of Yoruba and Igbo leaders were collaborating to find a lasting solution to Nigeria’s problems, Adebanjo said he was distressed that Achebe be could be credited with the comments. The rejoinder read: “I am sad and distressed that a literary giant and an elder statesman such as Professor Chinua Achebe should be credited with the statement attributed to him in his latest book on the Nigerian Civil War at this time in Nigeria’s political history, over 40 years after the end of the Nigeria Civil War. “His statements however, are not unfamiliar to those of us who were around during the civil war, and who knew what falsehood and half-truths were bandied around then especially from “Biafra Radio” and supporters of the Biafra cause, notable amongst whom was Professor Chinua Achebe. Some thought they were effusions from supporters of Biafra in order to enlist international support for Ojukwu but many on the other hand attributed Professor Achebe’s position to his pathological hatred for Chief Awolowo and the Yoruba race. “Professor Achebe has accused Chief Awolowo of being part of General Gowon’s cabinet that initiated pogrom and genocide as a policy against the Igbos. Yet, Professor Achebe cannot claim ignorance of the fact that specific recorded instances of pogrom and genocide were a consequence of the 2nd military coup of July 1966 in which the Northern Soldiers and Northerners committed series of atrocities against the Igbos in the North. At this time Chief Awolowo was still in Calabar prison serving his jail term of treasonable felony, it was after his release from prison that Gen. Gowon invited him to join his cabinet as vice Chairman of the Federal Executive Council and Minister of Finance. The war was already brewing at such time. At the risk of his life, and against the advice of his cabinet colleagues Chief Awolowo made contact with Ojukwu and met him in Enugu to dissuade him from going to war. In his one-on-one meeting with Ojukwu, Chief Awolowo tried to persuade Ojukwu to come to a round table conference with the Federal Government to iron out his differences with the government. But despite the assurances then Colonel Ojukwu gave to Chief Awolowo that he had accepted to dialogue, Ojukwu reneged and a few weeks later attacked the Midwest and thus declared war against the Federal government, which is how the civil war became inevitable. “The above facts are verifiable. Fair minded persons cannot accuse Chief Awolowo of being part of the intellectual arm of a cabinet that intentionally initiated the pogrom of the Igbos, when in fact the record shows he took positive steps to persuade Ojukwu to avoid the conflict. Whilst the war was raging after the liberation of part of the then South East which then included Port Harcourt and Calabar, Chief Awolowo visited Enugu and Port Harcourt where he saw Kwashiorkor (malnourished) victims for the first time. He wondered how this could happen in view of the quantity of food items sent through international agencies to the civilians in these areas. He was then informed that the food never got to the civilians, the food items were cornered by the soldiers who were feeding to the detriment of the civilians. One can imagine such a report being provided to a cabinet filled with military officers conducting a war. It should not be surprising that to avoid feeding enemy soldiers, the Federal Government at the time put a stop to the delivery of food meant for the civilians population that was being hijacked by Biafran soldiers. This is what Achebe mischievously called the deliberate starvation of the Igbos. “I would like Professor Achebe, if he can; to make reference to any publication where Awolowo made the statement that starvation was a legitimate tool of war. Furthermore, if such starvation ended with the end of the war, Professor Achebe should explain why if the specific objective of the policy was to reduce Chief Awolowo’s enemies, why did he not influence the continuation or doubling up on such policy when Nigerian troops had control of Biafran territory at the end of the war. One would have thought the charge of genocide should have been better directed at the leaders of Biafra who had first hand knowledge of the starvation in the area they controlled, and yet did not as they could, bring an end to the war sooner before two million people, mainly members of future generations had died of starvation as professor Achebe claimed. “Also, during the war it became known that the Nigerian currency, which Biafran soldiers had looted from Central Bank locations in Biafra occupied areas were being exchanged to buy arms for the Biafran army. To put a stop to this Chief Awolowo, as the federal commissioner for finance, suddenly changed the Nigerian currency without the prior knowledge of members of the cabinet. Even General Gowon, who was the head of state, was informed only a day before the announcement. These two major policies of stopping food meant for civilians which was being ambushed by the Biafrans soldiers and the sudden change of Nigerian currency were two factors that quickly brought the misery of the civil war to an end. “It should be noted that Chief Awolowo’s prudent management of the Nigerian economy made it possible for the Federal Government to prosecute the civil war without borrowing a kobo from the outside world. This achievement was acclaimed globally. It is this policy that quickly put an end to the insurgence that Professor Achebe has interpreted as punitive measure against the Igbos. “At the end of the civil war, a problem did arise with respect as to how to verify the amounts creditable to Biafrans who made claims to money held in Nigerian banks before the declaration of war. Unfortunately there were no records to confirm the amount in savings or current accounts held by a good number of such Biafran claimants. As a result, a committee was set up by the Central Bank, the members of which were unknown to Chief Awolowo. Such committee recommended an across the board payment of 20 pounds to every claimant. It is therefore most uncharitable for Professor Achebe to put the blame of the payment of this amount on Chief Awolowo. Furthermore, to extrapolate from this policy a deliberate policy to stunt or obliterate the economy of the Igbos does not stand up to critical review and is rather far fetched. Firstly, what is an administrator to do in the face of such unverifiable claims? Pay every all and sundry claim? As Chief Awolowo has stated, doing so would have bankrupted Nigeria at the time. Secondly, common sense would suggest that claims that such sums as were left behind were very substantial needed to be substantiated. It should be noted that the percentage of all Nigerians in general with substantial amounts in banks during that period was limited. In addition, with the advent of impending war, the natural reaction is a run on banks to withdraw all such sums or as much as possible, particularly for Igbos then deemed to be fleeing to a new country Biafra. Under such context, the payment of 20 pounds (a substantial sum at the time) to all claimants without proof of specific amounts due to them was not altogether an unreasonable policy. More to the point, this was not a policy recommendation that can be specifically attributable to Chief Awolowo, but rather the recommendation of a committee of the Central Bank set up at the time, “It is noteworthy that after the division of the country to 12 states by General Gowon in 1968, the East central state composed mainly of Igbos emerged. Chief Awolowo then diligently saved the monthly allocation due to Igbos during the war and released same to them at the end of the war. The African Continental Bank (ACB) and the Cooperative Bank for Eastern Nigeria the two main Financial Institutions of the Igbos at the time and which had become moribund during the civil war were rejuvenated by Chief Awolowo by his releasing substantial funds to them for active operation. Professor Achebe would have to explain how these actions beneficial to the Igbo emanate from somebody whom he claims has hatred for the Igbos or harboured intent to deliberately and systematically exterminate the Igbos or deny their right of existence as a group. Furthermore, after the civil war, Professor Achebe can not claim ignorance of the fact that Chief Awolowo personally wrote to prominent Igbos (including Professor Achebe himself) who had fled the country during the war to come back home. One of those who responded to the call and whose home coming was facilitated personally by Chief Awolowo was the late Chief M.C.K Ajuluchukwu the former editor of Dr. Azikiwe’s Newspaper “The West African Pilot” and his wife a medical doctor who were then based in Germany. Chief Awolowo facilitated the employment of the wife at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and also latter employed Chief Ajuluchukwu himself as the director of research and publicity of his party – The Unity Party of Nigeria. “If it is true that Chief Awolowo was such an architect of pogrom and genocide against the Igbos, how would Professor Achebe explain the fact that there were no incidents of pogrom or genocide against the Igbos in any part of the then Western Region composed mainly of the Yorubas, and Chief Awolowo’s primary sphere of influence. Rather, the Igbos who fled the West on the clarion call of Ojukwu for them to return to the East had their properties kept safe for them, with the rents collected on the properties duly accounted for at the end of the civil war and paid to such Igbo owners. It should be noted that no incidents of “abandoned property” occurred in the western region – Chief Awolowo’s zone, rather the controversy around such property were restricted to areas such as Port Harcourt and the Northern region. “Whilst it is true to say Chief Awolowo had the ambition to rule the country, it is unkind to say he wanted to achieve this by wiping out the Igbos whom he considered an impediment. On the contrary, Chief Awolowo’s position has always been to rule the country with other progressive elements from all parts of the country including the Igbos. This he demonstrated in 1959 after the pre independence general election when he offered to serve under the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe as prime minister, with him as minister of finance. The NCNC (the party lead by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe) turned the offer down and preferred an alliance with the NPC under the late Saudana of Sokoto Sir Ahmadu Bello. This incident was referred to by the late Dr. M.I Okpara (former premier of the former Eastern Region in an interview in the New Nation Magazine published in 1977 by the veteran journalist Chief Gbolabo Ogunsanwo. In the interview Dr. Okpara said he will regret to the last day of his life that he did not support the alliance between the Action Group and the NCNC which could have made Dr. Azikiwe the prime minister and Chief Awolowo the minister of finance. Even before the general election of 1983 there were attempts to form an alliance between the UPN led by Chief Awolowo and NPP led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe all in an attempt to have progressive forces form an alliance against the conservative NPC. Again this attempt did not materialise due to the opposition by the Yoruba leaders in the NPP at the time. It is also interesting to recollect that at the demise of Chief Awolowo Chief Ojukwu himself remarked that “Awolowo was the best president Nigeria never had”. None of the foregoing suggests a man with hatred for the Igbos. “Yoruba leaders led by the late senator Abraham Adesanya have been working in close political collaboration with prominent Igbo leaders like Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu a former Governor of Lagos State and Admiral Ebitu Ukiwe a former Chief of general Staff and Professor Ben Nwabueze in an honest attempt to find equitable solutions to the problems of the Country. The leaders of both ethnic groups have been putting their heads together for the emergence of a progressive Nigeria in peace and unity. It is sad that instead of Professor Achebe joining in this progressive movement he has chosen to bring into the front burner the dark period of Nigeria’s history. What he stands to gain by repeating such falsehood, I cannot honestly comprehend. I believe how ever it is clear from the historical record that Awo had no Igbophobia, it is Professor Achebe that has to be cured of his Awophobia.” http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/10/achebe-needs-cure-from-awophobia-adebanjo/ 7 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by CyberG: 11:11pm On Oct 09, 2012 |
Achebe thinks he is still the ambassador to DEAD biafra, hence is senile outburst of stupidity. Hope you never step into Nigeria again until you kick the bucket. Racist ibo tribalist loser! 1 Like |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by CyberG: 11:21pm On Oct 09, 2012 |
Interesting points were raised by Chief Adebanjo and looking at some of his points punctures a LOT of the propagandized hatred of iboz towards Nigerians and to Chief Awolowo, specifically. #20. In a situation where biafra is running to its own country, it is VERY reasonable to say that ALMOST all of the money held by iboz would have been withdrawn from the bank. For example, if you are moving to another country, do you leave your money in Nigeria and move to the UK or US without a dime? Of course, MOST of the monies would have been legally withdrawn. Secondly, back in those days, there was no internet banking or databases where you can store huge amounts of data. So, with your passbook, you must show up for any withdrawal, did iboz expect to just make any claims and pronto, they get their wish because they just lost a silly war? No, the ONUS of proof is on you and those who could prove it got their money. Banks are not government run but private, so the government could not have controlled who got money and who did not. Thirdly, bear in mind that iboz are known historically to be lie, cheat, steal and do anything to beat a honest system so far as it will bring some financial reward. There is nothing that stops all the returnee iboz to make any claims to get as much money as possible. This is true and perhaps, any people would do the same in similar circumstances. Of course, #20 pounds was a much more viable in those days than now but unfortunately, a lot of lying iboz do not tell their children that with a few hundred pounds, you could buy a car in those days. In any case, Assebe is a non-entity in the general scheme of things. He will remain holed up in his teaching job and should never bother visiting Nigeria again. Nigeria has moved on but if he wants another war, we will oblige him in so much as he will lead the battle from the front, not a pretentious roving ambassador nonsense. If he can't he should shut his trap and worry about his beret with which seems to be permanently glued to his head. 3 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by ACM10: 11:30pm On Oct 09, 2012 |
Professor How did Achebe attack the Yoruba race? Is this not the same crime which Yoruba posters accused Gov. Peter Obi and Gov. Orji of committing? Hope someone explains to me how Professor Achebe displayed hatred towards Yoruba race? Telling the truth about the conduct of Awolowo during the civil war is synonymous with attacking the Yoruba race. The rest of the article contains the same old fairytales. Almost like a copy and paste work from nairaland. 4 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by Ohibenemma(m): 11:30pm On Oct 09, 2012 |
This can't be far from the truth. No one knoWs what benefit Achebe intends to derive from writing this. |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by dayokanu(m): 11:37pm On Oct 09, 2012 |
The Awophobia has now turned into senility |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by Ohibenemma(m): 11:49pm On Oct 09, 2012 |
I never knew Achebe could be so tribalistic. But what can one expect from humans nowadays. I've been privileged to read different accounts of the war, and one thing that stands out is that the Federal Govt intended to end the war as soon as possible. This would have been achieved but for the stubborness of Ojukwu, who put personal ego atop the lives of his own people. Even the account of his 2nd in command buttresses this, as he reiterated Ojukwu's refusal to surrender even when it was obvious that victory was impossible. Igbos also know of the untold hardship and air raids he visited upon the Enugu people by hiding in his bunker at Abia(Umuaihia) while claiming to be broadcasting from Radio Biafra Enugu. That aside, reading neutral accounts like those of Festus Iyayi(fiction) and Elechi Amadi would, of course, enlighten any reader more than those written by tribal sentimentalists who would want to continue playing the victim even when they aren't so innocent... My aunt still recollects the hardship visited upon my people by Biafra soldiers when they captured the mid west(thank God it was brief). 10 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by AndreUweh(m): 11:51pm On Oct 09, 2012 |
The truth and nothing but the truth. Most of this fools have not even read the book. Are you surprised that one forumite described the yoruba elders as behaving like the abokis north of them. Prof Achebe my hero, it shall be well with you. 1 Like |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by Rossikk(m): 12:24am On Oct 10, 2012 |
ACM10: If you attack Ghandi, you've attacked every Indian man living and dead. If you attack Mandela, you've made an enemy of every South African. If you attack JFK, you're in trouble with the average American. If you attack Awo........ (I'll leave you to complete the rest) 7 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by Yeske2(m): 12:55am On Oct 10, 2012 |
Rossikk:^^ If you attack Hitler, you're in trouble with the Germans? Awolowo = Hitler. 1 Like |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by Nobody: 1:01am On Oct 10, 2012 |
Rossikk: If I may ask, aren't you Igbo? Unity of Nigeria aside, in your opinion Igbos should keep mum about a part of indelible part of their history or have no right to say anything? How were Yoruba people attacked? Are you honestly, logically asking Achebe or any Igbo for that matter to hold Awolowo in high esteem knowing the role he played in the war? Do you think a member of the Yoruba intellectual elite would think differently if the tables were turned on Yorubas? Deep down inside you MUST agree with me. Sometimes reading posts here can be awe-inducing. 4 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by 9jaIhail(m): 1:01am On Oct 10, 2012 |
Rossikk: Sometimes i feel like slapping out your eyes from it's socket, how deft are you to compare awo with the likes you mentioned? I thought you are redeemable but now i totally lost hope on you. FOOLISH YERUBA PARADING HIM SELF AS IGBO JUST TO WIN ARGUMENT. 4 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by Nobody: 1:05am On Oct 10, 2012 |
The best solution for all these wahala, is for someone to write a book from an unbiased view point. Achebe was a Biafran, so it's understandable if he piled most of the negatives with the Yorubas. Unfortunately, his views are biased. I don't understand how he could name the Hitler (Ojukwu) almost blamess. 1 Like |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by 9jaIhail(m): 1:06am On Oct 10, 2012 |
nnenna.1: My dear beloved it's an insult address this bird of no destination as igbo please i fought about this throughout last night until i shut him up from parading himself as igbo. Thank you 3 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by Nobody: 1:11am On Oct 10, 2012 |
It's like an Igbo person should be self-deprecating and suppress his identity in order to espouse unity in Nigeria. I don't think it has to be so. Very sad. 5 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by Yeske2(m): 1:12am On Oct 10, 2012 |
Ileke-IdI:You could be right about Achebe speaking as an ex-Biafran but Awolowo never disproved what he just said, no? 3 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by 9jaIhail(m): 1:13am On Oct 10, 2012 |
Ileke-IdI: Are you stupiid or deft? ples choose one between stupiid or deft and tell me which one u are. Do you want to tell me that at your age you have not heard about the starvation against Biafrans in the war? You as an unbiased fellow have you asked who and who implemented the law? 2 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by ACM10: 1:15am On Oct 10, 2012 |
BTW, I'm learning for the first time that Yoruba is a race and not a tribe. 2 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by ACM10: 1:19am On Oct 10, 2012 |
The Biafra War and Why The Truth Was Blocked From Nigerians "Federal troops, killed, or stood by while mobs killed, more than 5000 Ibos in Warri, Sapele, Agbor, "New York Times, 10th January, 1968. "It’s (mass starvation) is a legitimate aspect of war, " Anthony Enahoro, Nigerian Commissioner for Information at a press conference in (New York, July 1968) "Starvation is a legitimate weapon of war, and we have every intention of using it against the rebels, "Mr Alison Ayida, Head of Nigerian Delegation, Niamey Peace Talks, Republic of Niger, July 1968) " The Igbos must be considerably reduced in number" (Lagos Policeman quoted in New York Review, 21 December, 1967) ''One word now describes the policy of the Nigerian military government towards secessionist Biafra: genocide. It is ugly and extreme but it is the only word which fits Nigeria's decision to stop the International Committee of the red Cross, and other relief agencies, from flying food to Biafra" Washington Post (editorial) July 2, 1969). ''In some areas outside the East, Igbos were killed by local people with at least the acquiescence of the federal forces, 1000 Igbo civilians perished in Benin in this way"- (Max Edward - Reporter on the ground-New York Review, 21 December 1967). ''After federal forces take over of Benin, troops killed about 500 Igbo civilians after a house-to-house search with the aid of willing locals" (Washington Morning Post, 27 September, 1967). "The greatest single massacre occurred in the Igbo town of Asaba where 700 Igbo male were lined up and shot as terrified women/children were forced to watch" (London Observer, 21 January, 1968) "Federal troops, killed, or stood by while mobs killed, more than 5000 Ibos in Wari, Sapele, Agbor" (New York Times, 10th January, 1968). "There has been genocide on the occasion of the 1966 massacres, the region between the towns of Benin and Asaba where only widows and orphans remain, federal troops having, for unknown reasons, massacred all the men" - (Paris Le Monde, 5th April, 1968). "In Calabar, federal forces shot at least 1000 and perhaps 2000 Igbos, most of them civilians" (New York Times, 18th January, 1968). "Bestialities and indignities of all kinds were visited on Biafrans in 1966. In Ikeja Barracks (Western Nigeria) Biafrans were forcibly fed on a mixture of human urine and faeces. In Northern Nigeria numerous Biafran house-wives and nursing mothers were violated before their husbands and children. Young girls were abducted from their homes, working places and schools and forced into intimate intercourse with sick, demented and leprous men'' (Mr. Eric Spiff (German War correspondence Eyewitness, 1967). "There has been genocide, for example on the occasion of the 1966 massacres , Two areas have suffered badly [from the fighting]. Firstly the region between the towns of Benin and Asaba where only widows and orphans remain, Federal troops having for unknown reasons massacred all the men. According to eyewitnesses of that massacre the Nigerian commander ordered the execution of every Ibo male over the age of ten years" (Monsignor Georges, sent down on a fact-finding mission by His holiness the Pope reporting his finding in Vatican Rome, Le Monde, French Evening newspaper, April 5, 1968). ''650 refugee camps, contained about 700,000 haggard bundles of human flotsam waiting hopelessly for a meal, outside the camps, was the reminder of an estimated four and a half to five million displaced persons, the Kwashiokor scourge, a million and half children, suffer(ed) from it during January; that put the forecast death toll at another 300,000 children, More than the pogroms of 1966, more than the war casualties, more than the terror bombings, it was the experience of watching helplessly their children waste away and die that gave birth to, a deep and unrelenting loathing. It is a feeling that will one day reap a bitter harvest unless, " (Frederick Forsyth, British writer January 21st 1969) ", I saw several hundred of Zombie-like creatures - men, women and children, lying, sitting or squatting in the midst of others who were dead. The living ones were completely reduced to skeletons and could not talk. I was seeing for the first time, kwashiorkor, Frankly, I took fright, I believe that any foreign troops from anywhere in the world occupying Ikot Ekpene or any other town in Biafra would have shown much more sympathy, "(Gen. Alex Madiebo, Ikot Ekpene, July 1968) "One word now describes the policy of the Nigerian military government towards Biafra:- genocide. It is ugly and extreme but it is the only word which fits Nigeria's decision to stop the International Committee of the red Cross, and other relief agencies, from flying food to Biafra". The Nazis had ressurrected just here as Nigerian forces, Washington Post (editorial) July 2, 1969 "The loss of life from starvation continues at more than 10,000 persons per day - over 1,000,000 lives in recent months. Without emergency measures now, the number will climb to 25,000 per day within a month - and some 2,000,000 deaths by the end of the year. The new year will only bring greater disaster to a people caught in the passion of fratricidal war, we can't allow this to continue or those responsible to go free" Senator Kennedy appeals to Americans - Sunday, November 17, 1968 ", I want to see no Red Cross, no Caritas, no World Council of Churches, no Pope, no missionary and no UN delegation. I want to prevent even one Ibo from having even one piece to eat before their capitulation. We shoot at everything that moves and when our troops march into the centre of Ibo territory, we shoot at everything even at things that do not move," (Benjamin Adekunle, Commander, 3rd Marine Commando Division, Nigerian Army to French radio reporter). The war aim and (final) solution properly speaking of the entire problem, is to discriminate against the Igbos and in their own interest. Such discrimination would include above all the detachment of those oil-rich territories in the Eastern Region, in addition, the Igbos' freedom of movement would be restricted, to prevent their renewed penetration into other parts, leaving any access to the sea to the Igbos, is quite out of the question, "(Federal Nigerian Minister speaking to E. C. Schwarzenback, Swiss Review of Africa, February 1968). "Let us go and crush them. We will pillage their property, violation their womenfolk, kill off their menfolk and leave them uselessly weeping. We will complete the pogrom of 1966" (The theme song of Radio Kaduna, government-controlled, 1967-1970). "Unfortunately this [Gowon's] enlightenment at the top level does not penetrate very deep: a Lagos police officer was quoted last month as saying that the Igbos must be considerably reduced in number" Dr Conor cruise O'Bien , 21 December 1967 New York Review. "Myself and The same UNICEF representatives went on to convey something of what lay behind this intransigence: "Among the large majority hailing from that tribe who are most vocal in inciting the complete extermination of the Igbos, I often heard remarks that all Nigeria's ills will be cured once the Igbos has been extaminated from the human map , " Dr Conor Cruise O'Bien (21 December, 1967, New York Review). - Onyema Uche.(Washington, Distric of Columbia), USA. 1 Like |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by ACM10: 1:24am On Oct 10, 2012 |
ACM10: I might not argue convincinly that the Indigenization/nationalization policy was a "deliberate conspiracy", but I can say that it is a "subtle opportunistic conspiracy". You might use "bad timing" to refer to the policy, but I choose "opportunism". Awolowo decided to kill two birds with one stone by enforcing the policy when his rival tribe was economically incapacitated. I can't say for sure that Awolowo had indigenisation policy in mind when he enacted the £20 policy. I will defend my use of "subtle opportunistic conspiracy" by starting with £20 policy. |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by Nobody: 1:25am On Oct 10, 2012 |
I see the dense Igbo clowns quoting me without proper rebuttal. As usual, showing how savage they are. |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by Nobody: 1:26am On Oct 10, 2012 |
Yeske!: Yea, because Awolowo is still alive abi? Cowards. |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by HiiiPower(m): 1:27am On Oct 10, 2012 |
I stand with this story. Ibos pick your side, yourbas pick your side. To hell with Nigeria. |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by ACM10: 1:27am On Oct 10, 2012 |
ACM10: Just like I remarked in my previous post, I'm unsure if Awolowo had indigenization policy in mind when £20 policy was enforced. Awo woke up after £20 policy to discover that the economic backbone of his rival tribe has been broken. He decided to make a kill by promulgating indigenization policy knowing fully well that it will mostly benefit his kinsmen cos he's well aware that his kinsmen has displaced their rival tribe from the apex of the economic pyramid in the country. He made the time so short so that the easterners will not recover to fully participate in the indigenisation policy. Remember that it's been 12yrs since independence, so why the mad rush to nationalize foreign companies? Why wont a provision be made for the people who are still recovering from the war to participate in the process? Can you see that the policy was "opportunistic"? Though Awolowo may/may not have the policy in mind when he set out to reduce Igbo millionaires to £20 owners, but at the end of the day, he achieved his aim of fatally weakening his rival tribe, then displacing them for good from the upper echelon of the economic pyramid. So he killed two birds with one stone. So his policy can be labelled "subtle opportunistic conspiracy". |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by HiiiPower(m): 1:29am On Oct 10, 2012 |
nnenna.1: What should Awo have done? Feed your biafran soldiers fat and supply them with weapons? None of you have said anything about why there were no abandoned properties in the West. Bunch of ungrateful tossers! |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by HiiiPower(m): 1:31am On Oct 10, 2012 |
Yorubaphobia by Ibos but they can't stop coming to us for shelter. Adebanjo said it all! Let Ibos go back to their region, we are tired of their yorubaphobia! 5 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by Yeske2(m): 1:38am On Oct 10, 2012 |
Ileke-IdI:Olodo, that was when he was still alive. So whatever Achebe is saying isn't new, already in public domain just that Achebe decided to speak up against it and you lot are busy defending 'Black Hitler' 2 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by demmy(m): 1:49am On Oct 10, 2012 |
Yeske!: You people have taken divorce from logic obviously. Either that or you're suffering from something worse. Achebe was a propagandist for Biafra. He was on Biafra Radio raining curse and expletives on Nigerians. He even went as far as saying ibos were being persecuted because they were Christians and that Nigerian muslims wanted to forcibly turn ibos into muslim. Achebe has no credibility as far as the Nigerian civil war was concern. 3 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by dayokanu(m): 2:32am On Oct 10, 2012 |
Achebe is a cripple and cant think straight 1 Like |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by ebere1712: 2:43am On Oct 10, 2012 |
Awolorat is a non-entity like his yororace. Infact he should flogged for making yoroslave race more ridiculous with kpomo free education. 2 Likes |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by demmy(m): 3:03am On Oct 10, 2012 |
ACM10: The Biafra War and Why The You still haven't explain what these quotes have to do with Awolowo. |
| Re: Achebe Needs Cure From Awophobia – Adebanjo. Picked Holes In Achebe's Accusation by Abagworo(m): 5:15am On Oct 10, 2012 |
ACM10: The Biafra War and Why The The above quotes make me cry and proud at the same time of my fore fathers for survival of our race. 5 Likes |
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