In the aiming for a better world and seeking change; the mantra ‘‘change begins with us” is one we should have in our mind. It is in this nature of making the world a better place, that the late Mandela when he was alive, resolved to end the racial discrimination against non-Whites in South-Africa. The racial segregation made it difficult for non-Whites to get the type of quality access to basic amenities, which other Whites were having at ease. Coupled with this occurrence, was the inhumane treatment non-whites were experiencing. This series of development spanned from 1948 until the 1990s.
A similar development is ongoing in the western part of Africa, Nigeria. This is happening between the Northern dominated elite political class of the federal government and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This polarizing issue has been ongoing and got escalated during the Nigerian Civil War of 1967-1970. During which at this time the IPOB, formerly known as Biafra was agitating to be excluded from the Nigerian government. This is to allow them to become an independent country. As common with wars, the unrest led to lots of lives dying, and some others declared missing, while some others having devastating effects on their bodies. Not to mention the economic downturn experienced. The hardest hit was in the southeastern part of Nigeria, domiciled by the Igbo’s.
As the years went by, even after the truce post-civil war, a deep level of mistrust has been existing between the IPOB and the Northern elite class of the Nigerian government. This has been repeated and confirmed over time in the appointment and recruitment of jobs over the years. A deliberate, and yet subtle way of denying the Igbo’s job roles and responsibilities in sensitive positions such as finances, judiciary, and security-sensitive positions; as well as in the disbursement of funds across the nation. The southeastern part of Nigeria as the domiciled area were the Igbo’s are living have been denied certain infrastructures even when sufficient data has proven that much-needed funds when channeled appropriately will in no doubt improve the socio-economic life of the Igbos. Also, to this menace, the federal government has overtime accused the IPOB as a terrorist group even when it is so evident that they have never for once been seen with arms and ammunition, neither a cutlass nor a spear.
If the uneasy feeling between these parties keeps on going, the animosity can extend into a genocidal war or an improved reoccurrence of the civil war. Therefore it is pertinent that resolutions be made to stop this skirmish that has been on the play for a long while.
One way to resolve this problem is through dialogue. That is the coming together of this differing opinionated group to talk. Listening as a part of this measure will be employed by the other group and be enforced by a neutral party. It is in this process that the misgivings each party has over the other will be looked at and dealt with were necessary.
In dealing with conflict, compromise is very important. This can be achieved by permitting the IPOB to become a country on their own since this is a part of some of their agitations. However, it has been observed over time that pulling out of a region from a country has always been a herculean task. As evidenced by South Sudan from Sudan, Catalonia from Spain and the recent Brexit - withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. The debacles are so complex and sometimes begin to become devastating as obvious with south Sudan, were various fights have been springing up with several agitations. The Nigeria government can decide to change the narrative of segregation posited by IPOB; especially, by ensuring that subsequent appointments and choice positions are given to the Igbo’s. This development has to be intentional, consistent and made running for a minimum of ten years or as the agreement may be. As a compromise, other parts of Nigeria would have to understand this is vital to calm the nursing animosity. After this, a new system will be implemented were an adequate system of representing all Nigerians (Igbo’s inclusive) efficiently will be followed judiciously.
As a means of ensuring peace, the Nigerian government has to listen to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), dialogue and make sheer steps inclusive of compromising in a bid to ensure that no form of discrimination is ever pointed at. In doing so, “we must do this not because we love each other, but because we need one another.”

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https://www.independent.ng/rising-drift-between-northern-elites-and-ipob/