“The only way we can honour their memory is not to re-open the old wounds, but to resolve that never again will our people's blood be spilled by their own people in order to harness the diversity of our people and make our union more perfect,”- Fashola

This Day News

By Olawale Olaleye

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has blamed the Federal Government for the controversies that have trailed Professor Chinua Achebe’s new literary work, There Was a Country, stating that it had failed in its crucial duty as a repository of information, data, records and archives, since historical records are indispensable tools for policy development.
Fashola, who was the keynote speaker at the 2012 Achebe Colloquium on Africa,held at Brown University, Providence in Rhode Island, the United States of Amercia, last Friday said if the Federal Government had lived up to its billing in this area, it would have been in a position to confirm or disapprove of some of the facts in Achebe’s personal account with a degree of authority.
Fashola said wherever people’s personal view may lie, “certainly the discourse would have been richer, less acrimonious and not predestined for tension if institutional national archiving and information disclosure was responsibly discharged by the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Fashola, who said the controversies dogging the book almost forced him to decline the invitation, added: “More importantly, this was a generational disagreement between the principal parties of the events that took place when I was barely four years old.
“As I said, the management of the national archives and the publication of what really happened at that time will certainly help to ensure that nobody creates his own facts.
“Beyond that, my own generation has moved on. We see our country differently. It also seems to me that many years after the conflict, that some of the principal actors in the conflict such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Yoruba leader, and Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu had decided to move on.”
Fashola pleaded that the debate should be dispensed with for the sake of those who died in the civil war.
“The only way we can honour their memory is not to re-open the old wounds, but to resolve that never again will our people's blood be spilled by their own people in order to harness the diversity of our people and make our union more perfect,” he said.
The Lagos State governor, who discussed the topic: “The Role of Statecraft in the African Renaissance amidst Regime Change and Ethno-Religious Insurgency – A West African Case Study”, said although democracy as a representative system of government was most ideal, it is presently under threat because of globalisation - a function of advancement in age and time.
He explained that despite having survived many ages - from the Agrarian Age to the Industrial as well as its merger with other philosophies like capitalism and later to the age of information technology before berthing at globalisation – democracy was now seriously under threat.
“There is yet to be a better form of organising the affairs of a multitude of men than a representative democracy. My worry is whether an idea conceived by men can last forever.
“Democracy faces, perhaps, its biggest threat yet by the effects of technology and globalisation, both which test the limits of freedom,” he said.
Continuing, Fashola noted that “one might wonder for example, why the people of the Western economies with all their infrastructure and progress, which are many miles ahead of what you will find in many parts of Africa, are still agitating for a better life
“The question therefore is this: In the light of the progress being witnessed in many parts of democratising West Africa, is democracy theanswer or the missing link tounlocking the vast opportunities in West Africa?
“In spite of democratic structures in Mali and with only a few months to the general election, a few people still ganged up to seize power, with an official statement that they wanted to change things.
“The question on everyone's lips was: Why not wait for the general election that wasso close; to effect the changeby the ballot? The answer may be long in coming.”.....
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/fashola-blames-fg-for-controversy-over-achebe-8217-s-civil-war-memoir/133117/

Fashola had better kept quite on this issue because it is highly INSENSITIVE and PROVOCATIVE to suggest that we should sweep under the carpet the genocidal actions of principal actors of the Nigerian civil war.

Fashola utter some disgusting and reprehensible statements some time.

He carries his omoluabi too far out to the edge of foolishness.

We need a more Yoruba centric governor. We dont want a governor that sponsors ceremony for Ojukwu burial or memorial: dont want a governor that opens public square for BZM to declare and promote and fly Biafran flag on a land they are hostile to: dont want a governor that honors a man who is. unrepentant and unremorseful about dishonoring Awolowo.

Achebe declined a national honor from FG and has published a book dismissing efforts by Nigeria to reunite the warring sides, so what scholarship is Fashola projecting when he blames and condemns FG for Achebes irresponsibility? This man is nursing Presidency and is throwing us under the bus to woo sentiments in East.

Eko Ile come defend your foolish governor. Which kin nonsense be dis....is this the new vogue of scholarship?

Demdem: I think this advise is best directed at Achebe himself. I wonder what he wants to acheive with such.

he has already succeded in his achievement.what matters is to move forward and forget about the past.

READ ABOUT BUHARI'S PERFORMANCE AS HEAD OF STATE, PETROLEUM MINISTER AND PTF CHAIRMAN.


F all these thread meant to distract from the real issues we face in Nigeria!!!!

Negro_Ntns: Fashola utter some disgusting and reprehensible statements some time.

He carries his omoluabi too far out to the edge of foolishness.

We need a more Yoruba centric governor. We dont want a governor that sponsors ceremony for Ojukwu burial or memorial: dont want a governor that opens public square for BZM to declare and promote and fly Biafran flag on a land they are hostile to: dont want a governor that honors a man who is. unrepentant and unremorseful about dishonoring Awolowo.

Achebe declined a national honor from FG and has published a book dismissing efforts by Nigeria to reunite the warring sides, so what scholarship is Fashola projecting when he blames and condemns FG for Achebes irresponsibility? This man is nursing Presidency and is throwing us under the bus to woo sentiments in East.

Eko Ile come defend your foolish governor. Which kin nonsense be dis....is this the new vogue of scholarship?

Why not go pick a form in the next election so that your dreams will come true.

0lumide: READ ABOUT BUHARI'S PERFORMANCE AS HEAD OF STATE, PETROLEUM MINISTER AND PTF CHAIRMAN.


F all these thread meant to distract from the real issues we face in Nigeria!!!!

What has this got to do with the thread.

Negro_Ntns: Fashola utter some disgusting and reprehensible statements some time.

He carries his omoluabi too far out to the edge of foolishness.

We need a more Yoruba centric governor. We dont want a governor that sponsors ceremony for Ojukwu burial or memorial: dont want a governor that opens public square for BZM to declare and promote and fly Biafran flag on a land they are hostile to: dont want a governor that honors a man who is. unrepentant and unremorseful about dishonoring Awolowo.

Achebe declined a national honor from FG and has published a book dismissing efforts by Nigeria to reunite the warring sides, so what scholarship is Fashola projecting when he blames and condemns FG for Achebes irresponsibility? This man is nursing Presidency and is throwing us under the bus to woo sentiments in East.

Eko Ile come defend your foolish governor. Which kin nonsense be dis....is this the new vogue of scholarship?

I seriously hope he's not playing a Mr. Nice on this issue. Anything that has to do with the civil war must be blamed entirely on those that declared secession, even if it means saying it to their face.

Sincere 9gerian: Fashola had better kept quite on this issue because it is highly INSENSITIVE and PROVOCATIVE to suggest that we should sweep under the carpet the genocidal actions of principal actors of the Nigerian civil war.

and aside shoutin on Nairaland What have you done to make the biafra dream come true?

Akshow: and aside shoutin on Nairaland What have you done to make the biafra dream come true?

It's not about making the Biafran dream come true. Its about admitting the genocide that took place during the war and showing remorse that over 2million women and children were killed because oil money.

Fashola speaks as though the wound has healed.No! It is still sore.
It is worse when people like Fashola try to window dress the truth as if they have some moral authority to do so.
Fashola should not ask a slapped child not to cry as a panacea, he should ask the abuser what the child did to merit such thousand slaps.

In America,after their civil war, they carefully collected data from all sides of the country to make their history balance.They didn't demonize the south of their country and deny infrastructural development on the excuse they were the rebel side as Nigeria is doing. They equally developed Georgia,Tennessee,Texas,Louisiana,Arkansas,Florida,Mississippi,Nevada, etc to become truly part of the United States. In Nigeria, Awolowo tried to impoverish Igbos and did everything in his power to make sure their region was impoverished and Igbo was not re-integrated into Nigeria which they were forced to be part of. Now,if Achebe writes that fact in his book it becomes a problem?

And pretenders like Fashola will talk their nonsense as if they truly are pan-Nigerian at heart. We all know the truth and it is a waste of time denying it to people who know it.

Sincere 9gerian:
It's not about making the Biafran dream come true. Its about admitting the genocide that took place during the war and showing remorse that over 2million women and children were killed because oil money.

You lot are funny. Quick take:

Genocide admission by who? FG..Yorubas and Hausas?

Remorse by who? FG..Yorubas and Hausas?

It sometimes difficult to really understand what EXACTLY you guys want....

Very comforting to know that the new breed of Yoruba leaders are more nationalistic and are Bridge builders
This includes the likes of Tinubu, Obj, Wole and now Fashola.

Awo was a great leader but was at best politically divisive both nationally and even in Yorubaland.
The sooner Yorubas accepts this, the better, afterall he is human and not God.

It is not uncommon to open the pages of Newspapers and see Ikemba and the Great Zik continiously being critisised by Igbos.
Even though they are still revered and respected.

It is not uncommon to see Igbos acknowledge the successes of Yorubas as a race.
But in Yorubaland it is different.

The more moderate voices are like Fashola and Soyinka are being gagged while extreme right wing Yoruba Awoists are allowed to represent the voice of all Yorubas.
I think they end up portraying the Yorubas as Igbo haters and creating all this bad blood.

For an ethnic group like the Yorubas, I think this is a shame !

Sincere 9gerian:
It's not about making the Biafran dream come true. Its about admitting the genocide that took place during the war and showing remorse that over 2million women and children were killed because oil money.

Who will admit it?

berem: he has already succeded in his achievement.what matters is to move forward and forget about the past.

Achebe has obviously not moved forward and he hasn't forgotten the past.

Sincere 9gerian:
It's not about making the Biafran dream come true. Its about admitting the genocide that took place during the war and showing remorse that over 2million women and children were killed because oil money.

And if not for some rogues that decided to go to war knowing fully well that they can suceed, will millions die in vain?

Sincere 9gerian: Fashola had better kept quite on this issue because it is highly INSENSITIVE and PROVOCATIVE to suggest that we should sweep under the carpet the genocidal actions of principal actors of the Nigerian civil war.

STOP ALL THESE UNDER-THE-ROOF RANTS AND PRESENT YOUR CASE TO THE ICC.
WE TOLD THEM,"PRESENT YOUR CASE"
THEY CAN NOT.
WHY SINGING DIRGE WHEN YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO ACT.
AWOLOWO IS INNOCENT UNTIL ICC DECLARE HIM OTHERWISE.
GO, TAKE ACTION. THAT IS MY ONLY ADVICE.
OUTSIDE THAT, THE REST WILL TANTAMOUNT TO DANCE OF SHAME.

FOR 45 YEARS, THEY CAN NOT USE THEIR SO-CALLED EDUCATION TO PRESENT A FORMIDABLE CASE TO THE ICJ-INAUGURATED BEFORE 1967.
ICC WAS INAUGURATED IN 2002, 10 YEARS AFTER, MY BRETHREN CHOSE NOTHING THAN TO KEEP TALKING MOONLIGHT TALES TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION.
APPLY THIS EDUCATION. THAT IS THE WAY FORWARD.

If Ashebe is so sure that Awo did all those things ascribed to him....he should head to the Hague. He would get justice there.

Talk is cheap.

Sincere 9gerian: Fashola had better kept quite on this issue because it is highly INSENSITIVE and PROVOCATIVE to suggest that we should sweep under the carpet the genocidal actions of principal actors of the Nigerian civil war.

Ok, don't sweep it under the carpet do whatever you want to do. Start another war if you want, please this time I need action from you guys not some armchair e-war. It all points to the fact that you don't really know what you want because we asked you to stop crying and move on you said no, take your case to ICJ/ICC (if you are scared of war and you have facts) and get justice you refused rather you prefer to remain the cry baby, pathetic to say the least. You guys want to be seen as the endangered specie in this country while wilfully choosing to be selective in the chronicle of events before,during and after the civil war which in turn has given birth to the streams of lies being passed down and was quite recently and rather unfortunately given literary credence by a man of Achebe's standing,well we know better. Lies lies and lies have characterized your cry baby syndrome. All Achebe wrote has been refuted with facts and his gift of literary guile to people like you has been placed where it belongs. Get a life.

Gov Fashola is on point, but unfortunately, the country has long passed the rubicon as it were.

The people he is addressing, are not at the stage where civilized discourse will be allowed to hold sway.Besides, many are half educated or improperly educated.

The times we are in, arent of peace.

There are just a few oasis here and there in a sea of growing unrest which is trying to take over the whole country.

One may wonder why most igbos don't respond to yoruba critics of achebe war memoir.
its just because igbos are matured men that behaves as men they are.

why are the north not responding to Great Achebes book, only very few of them responds and keep quiet.

again one may wonder why almost all yorubas both home and abroad keep has responded to Achebes book,
its just because yorubas are men that behaves like women though it is genetic in them to talk loud with little to no action.
anyway if men fought women will tell the tales.

just whine Yoruba a little and they will talk till thy kingdom come.

i must state clear here that yorubas are making enemies to themself. even here online very few northerners discuss nigeria civil war talk more of mocking the igbos as yorubas does on daily bases.

History must never be forgotten. We will review history and learn from it.

9ja voice: One may wonder why most igbos don't respond to yoruba critics of achebe war memoir.
its just because igbos are matured men that behaves as men they are.

why are the north not responding to Great Achebes book, only very few of them responds and keep quiet.

again one may wonder why almost all yorubas both home and abroad keep has responded to Achebes book,
its just because yorubas are men that behaves like women though it is genetic in them to talk loud with little to no action.
anyway if men fought women will tell the tales.

just whine Yoruba a little and they will talk till thy kingdom come.

i must state clear here that yorubas are making enemies to themself. even here online very few northerners discuss nigeria civil war talk more of mocking the igbos as yorubas does on daily bases.

Ibos are whiners. It's been over 45 years and the story is still the same tired old Biafra rantings. Yorubas are communicative because they have evolved beyond your impulsive "act first and think later" attitude.

I think Fashola should just shut his mouth if he does not know what to say. How could ask us not to mention over 2 million death in order not to re-open some wounds. Anyway, what more can we expect of one who could not extricate himself from a common thief - Tinubu!

U see! Wen u r in love wit someone and d person does not notice u, u go hay-wire. Yorubas!!! Una too love us in nairaland! Chai! We don't hav time to exchange words wit una, na una trade fair. Enjoy. We'r just readin tru.

quote author=Negro_Ntns]Fashola utter some disgusting and reprehensible statements some time.

He carries his omoluabi too far out to the edge of foolishness.

We need a more Yoruba centric governor. We dont want a governor that sponsors ceremony for Ojukwu burial or memorial: dont want a governor that opens public square for BZM to declare and promote and fly Biafran flag on a land they are hostile to: dont want a governor that honors a man who is. unrepentant and unremorseful about dishonoring Awolowo.

Achebe declined a national honor from FG and has published a book dismissing efforts by Nigeria to reunite the warring sides, so what scholarship is Fashola projecting when he blames and condemns FG for Achebes irresponsibility? This man is nursing Presidency and is throwing us under the bus to woo sentiments in East.

Eko Ile come defend your foolish governor. Which kin nonsense be dis....is this the new vogue of scholarship?[/quote] You are silly for calling Fash foolish gov. are u out of ur senses?[b][/b]

Fashola must be stupid, how there he not support Awo.

The bit about democracy and globalization is on point.

As for the rest, he seems to be pandering.