₦airaland Forum

By Emeka Obasi
He was the man saddled with the suicidal job of meeting with the Nigerians after Biafra had lost steam. General Philip Asuquo Effiong was already a soldier the year Col. Olusegun Obasanjo was eight years old. He was commissioned before Generals Emeka Ojukwu and Yakubu Gowon.

When the chips were down, Gen. Effiong braved all odds to put the war to an end with the corollary humiliation, as Biafran Head of State. Ojukwu had joined the Grey Ghost to begin a life in exile. The erstwhile Biafran leader told his Chief of General Staff, he was travelling to Cote D’Ivoire in search of peace.

Thanks to Gen. Effiong, the war was brought to an end. This man who did so much for Biafra and Nigeria, unfortunately, has become largely forgotten by those who should celebrate him as a true hero. By bringing the crisis to an end he saved many lives and united the country once again.

Until he died on November 6, 2003, I doubt if Gen. Effiong drove more than a rickety Peugeot 505 car. Nigeria forgot him. The Army abandoned him. Gen. Ojukwu was welcomed back like a hero in 1982 and even in death, was buried like a President. His wife also became an Ambassador.
Some other Biafran soldiers would later benefit from Nigeria. Chief of Army Staff ( after Gen. Alex Madiebo), Brig. Patrick Amadi became member of the House of Representatives in 1979. Col. David Ogunewe was reabsorbed and unlike other officers, did not lose rank. His son would later become a Two-Star general. His nephew, Independence, was in the National Assembly
Emeka Omeruah emerged as governor, minister, NFF Chairman. His younger brother, Paul Ndimele Omeruo, was governor too. Ndubuisi Kanu, Alison Madueke, Robert Akonobi and Ifeanyi Aniebo were also governors. Emeka Ananaba got the job of Deputy governor, his wife Nnenne worked with INEC in Akwa Ibom. Sam Momah and Canice Umenwaliri were ministers, Juventus Ojukwu, member of the Federal House. Chris Ugokwe headed the National Population Commission.

Let us get a clearer picture. Amadi joined the Army same day as Obasanjo. Ogunewe was Obasanjo’s senior in Third Battalion Kaduna. Omeruah was close to Gen. Sani Abacha. His brother, Paul, was in Military School, Zaria with David Mark, Tunde Ogbeha and Abdul One Mohammed. Ugokwe joined the Army same day as Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Ojukwu was Aide de Camp to Gen. Hassan Katsina.
Gen. Effiong had no one to fight for him. He joined the Army on July 28, 1945, as a Private. Officers like Adeyinka Adebayo (1947), Zakariya Maimalari, Conrad Nwawo and Kuru Mohammed joined the Army after him. However, they were all commissioned ahead of Effiong who was decorated on January, 11, 1956.
Even prominent Biafran civilians later bagged enviable jobs in Nigeria. Mathew Mbu and Emma Agumah were ministers. Agumah’s son, Igho, represented Ikwerre in the Federal House. Uche Chukwumerije was also a minister as well as Professor Gordon Ezekwe. Francis Osakwe who piloted Ojukwu to Abidjan also flew Gowon to Kampala.

Gen. Effiong could have chosen to stay away from Biafra, like Cols Wellington Bassey, Emmanuel Ekpo and Admiral Akinwale Wey and Captain Nelson Soroh. He could have defected like George Kurubo. He chose Biafra bearing pain of the assassination of Major Ekamem Ibanga and Captain Ofong Ukpo Isong.

At the time of the July 29, 1966 coup, Effiong was acting Commander of First Brigade, Kaduna. When Biafra was declared, he was given the lowly job of Commander, Biafra Militia. His junior, Hilary Njoku, was appointed Army Chief. Effiong was also senior to Ojukwu. He served under the same Ojukwu who did not want to serve under Gowon.

Effiong was loyal and when it was time to take risk, he gladly accepted to bring the bloody war to a close. You can imagine being called Philip by Obasanjo, a junior, in Amichi and Gowon, another subordinate officer, in Lagos. Ojukwu could not bear the shame of surrendering to a junior Obasanjo. Effiong did it to save the country. And we should remain eternally grateful to him.

Effiong could have chosen to continue the battle thereby wasting more lives. Afterall, Ojukwu had been dismissed from the Nigeria Army on July 1, 1967. So it could have been interpreted that as the Biafran leader fled, the erstwhile Chief of General Staff decided to continue the fight.
Even when men like Justice Luis Mbanefo and Prof. Eni Njoku challenged the Nigerian government for creating East Central State without consulting the Igbo, Effiong sued for peace so that Nigeria would be one again. At that time in Lagos as they were preparing to go to Dodan Barracks to surrender formally, Obasanjo offered them the option of going back to the battle field.

Before the trip to Lagos, Effiong adorned his Biafran camouflage even when other officers chose civilian attire. First, he discussed with Maj. S.O. Tomoye and Lt.Col. Alani Akinrinade and later Obasanjo in Amichi in a meeting which fully involved Col. Joe Achuzia.

Born in Akangkang, Ibiono Ibom in Akwa Ibom State on November 25 1925, Effiong married Josephine Abbott in 1956. Their children include Rose, Mercy, Val, Charles, Junior, Francis, Philippa, Liz and Paul. Two of them, Philip(Junior) and Philippa are married to Igbo spouses.
He may be forgotten by Nigeria, but some of his soldiers will not forget. Sasa Kalu, the young school boy soldier and a member of the Corporal Nwafor Saladin crew, visited Effiong in Ikot Ekpene in September 2001, to write the preface to the book ‘ Corporal Nwafor : a true Black African story’.

This officer gentleman, Philip Effiong, First Commander of the Nigeria Army Ordnance Corps, deserves to be celebrated by all as a brave man of peace. Nigerian History will not be unkind to him even if our leaders pretend to forget his role.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/effiong-biafras-president-nigerian-hero/

Nice way to go exiting recession is not by mouthing words but by making investment like this.

ZombieTAMER:
And who has peace helped in this country

Successful people.

Why do some of our youths think that violence is the best way to go in seeking for retribution?

Good development

OZUBULU MASSACRE: THE HIDDEN TRUTH REVEALED

By Somuadila Ugwummadu

Following different versions of false news peddled by the Nigerian media and most regrettably, respected individuals, to narrate the very unfortunate incident that happened at St Philips Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu, We, in our culture has dug out the details of this event and how it deteriorated to the August 6 massacre.

Aloysius Ikegwuonu (Bishop), presently a drug baron in South Africa, was born in 1981 to the family of Chief Ikegwuonu, Amakwa Ozubulu. He grew up in a very poor home and often helped his mother who trades at Orie Akpu market, Off Ugwu Orie Bus Stop, Amakwa Ozubulu.

'Aloyee' as fondly called by his friends in his early youth stage, first came to limelight in 1999 when he became the senior prefect of Comprehensive Secondary School, C.S.S., (formerly College of Basic Studies, C.B.S.) Egbema Ozubulu; a school founded by Reverend Father Nwabaju Izuchi, a United States based Catholic priest.

Right after his secondary school studies which he finished after his May/June WASSCE examination in the year 2000, he traveled out to South Africa on March 2001 where he became a multi millionaire within his first four (4) months of his stay there.

He came back nine (9) months later (December 2001) and splashed his money around. This was the first major drug deal advert in Ozubulu, a land formerly known for the bravery of her indigenes, tranquility and high moral standards. (This seed Aloyee planted did not take time to bear fruits.)

With this, Aloyee attracted many friends to himself especially his school mates at C.S.S.. They indicated interest to serve him and do whatever he wants them to do as long as they will end up as 'successful' as he is and as quick as he made it.

There was an exodus of Ozubulu youths to South Africa between the years 2004-2007. With these many people around him, Aloyee who had adopted the name 'Bishop' in South Africa needed someone he could trust better. He went for his best friend in the aforementioned secondary school, Ginika Nwoke.

Ginika, alias Giniyee, hailed from Mbaise in Imo State; he is an orphan and the only child of his parents. He grew up with his uncle, Ite Ego (a butcher at Orie Akpu market, Ugwu Orie Ozubulu) all through his childhood and adolescent age. He gained admission to study Psychology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in the year 2001 and was living at an unpainted two storey building, a lodge for students, about 100 meters from Unizik temporary site junction. Due to pressure from Bishop, he abandoned his university education just after his 200 level. Giniyee's room mate at the University was Nonso Ewulu, alias Ajagara Igwe, who studied Political Science in the same university 2001-2005. Ajagara Igwe was also Giniyee and Bishop's classmate at C.S.S. Ozubulu.

Bishop's notorious act began with his own mother. He allegedly sacrificed his mother (who had rejected his ill wealth) to occult group. This allegation seemed more truthful when he refused to raised a stone at his mother's grave. Bishop leveled his father's home with an interlocking tiles months after his mother's death and till today, you cannot identify his mother's grave in his father's compound.

To douse this rumor, Bishop engaged in an aggressive philanthropic aid. He renovated most churches at Ozubulu (particularly St Michael's Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu) the Igwe's palace and instituted a charity foundation. He also penetrated the state government, donates to the state police and the local vigilante groups.

These events were happening so fast, Bishop was audacious, intimidating and energetic. His friends that traveled to South Africa had started complaining about him: his intimidation and oppression; killings had started; it has become the survival of the fittest, the jungle of beasts. More than six (6) people had died, all from Anambra State in some misunderstanding between Bishop's group of drug cartel and many more groups of drug cartel in South Africa. Even at this stage, no one took any information about Bishop so seriously. Life went on and on and on.

The peak of this crisis was in a clash between Bishop and his best friend, Giniyee. Bishop claimed he handed Giniyee a package (hard drug) to deliver to a buyer but ended up with some cooked up stories with the intention of duping him. Giniyee denied this, but stated that Bishop's enemy ambushed him at the point of delivery (in what seemed more like a set up) and made away with the package -a package worth hundred of millions of naira.

It got so heated that it was reported to the Igwe of Ozubulu who summoned the two with their families and pleaded for all to exercise patience till the truth be revealed. Bishop rejected Igwe's verdict and swore that "isi ga ada" (meaning that 'head must fall') within some months if his money is not remitted back to him.

Few months later, the stunning news broke out, September 2015, Ginika Nwoke was shot died in the city of South Africa, the only child, an orphan with a wife and a little girl was killed. An Igbo adage says that "ihe mee onye ara, i mara na onwere mmadu" (meaning that when something happens to a mad man, you will know he has people). Mbaise indigenes made it clear that the only thing that will suffice them is a revenge, Bishop must be killed or a total war against Bishop and his kindred.

Situation started to deteriorate; between October 2015 and March 2017, Ozubulu youths were gunned down on monthly basis in South Africa. The owner of Vacarmata (located around Michael Junction, Egbema Ozubulu) Mr Obinna Ebuzeme, Mrs Nchedo (Nkwado's wife) and many others, especially the alumni of C.S.S. have been killed.

Since then, Bishop attends occasions with over 50 security personnels, very intimidating entourage, but Mbaise indigenes had not given up. In this latest event, he came back July 2017, he is still being tracked. Investigations revealed that he was to be gunned down on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at St Philips Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu, a church he built himself, from the foundation to the roof. Mysteriously, he got the news and escaped from Amakwa at mid night (Saturday, August 5, 2017).

The killers invaded his church still assuming he was there, opened fire and killed more than a dozen people. To prove it was targeted and purposed to get at Bishop, Bishop's father ran away the church building with a bullet shot but the killers chased after him and shot him severally to ensure he dies.

OUR STAND
We should all take responsibility. Rather than caution Bishop and reject his wealth, he was celebrated and most regrettably, by churches and others. We also believe that Igwe Ozubulu should have done better. This matter tarried for too long. It does not take a lot to set up a peace committee between Ozubulu and Mbaise. With this recent massacre, the death toll on Bishop's case has risen to over 40 people from 2015 till date.

ADVICE
From report, this notorious Bishop has stepped on many toes. This particular attack might not necessarily had come from Mbaise people. Many groups are chasing after Bishop. Hence, we advice Ozubulu elders to ostracize Bishop indefinitely till this matter is resolved.

Churches, the state government and individuals should dissociate themselves from Bishop to discourage our younger generation from desperation for wealth. Any bill board with his image at Ozubulu and environs should be taken down immediately.

We also entreat Ozubulu and Mbaise elders to set up a reconciliation committee. Ginika Nwoke's family must be approached with all humility, sincerity and respect; not because we believed Ginika's testimony but because we want peace to return to Amakwa Ozubulu for the sake of the innocent ones and Igbo tribe at large.

There is no amount of killings that will bring back the dead, rather, will provoke each other towards more killings. Therefore, any other group that feels aggrieved towards Bishop's action should be directed to Igwe Ozubulu for more and more reconciliations.

CONCLUSION
If you do not believe this piece, if you are more interested in believing that Fulani herdsmen left every other church just to attack Bishop's church, we don't take your imagination out. We advice you go down to Amakwa Ozubulu and spend good time to make more investigations.

Sustained peace efforts is needed to maintain this trend. God bless Nigeria and Nigerians

Good initiative I hope my state Kogi borrow a leaf from this.

Dimwitted fool

obailala:
May God deliver us from this spirit of madness that seems to have befallen alaigbo. Of all the humans and animals that can be listened to, it is this mentally challenged dude that someone gets to rely on as source of intelligent info?...

This same dude who was about to be deported from the UK and who authoritatively claimed Theresa May was personally after him for his Biafran stance? This is the same junkie people now give audience?.. Wonderful!

These sort of things is definitely what you get when the intelligent ones arent wise enough to speak up.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu4LHnu9laE

Emeka Ani lookalike

Good one by Dangote

Surprise: Children of Rama − A Mysterious Dwarf Tribe in Malaysia!

The Igbo expression Eshi is the Sumerian expression Ensi/Esh. It means ‘Lord’ or ‘King/Chief’ in both traditions. In Igbo land the Sumerian title Esh has two variants – Eshi and Ushi. Eshi refers to the Dwarfs who were until colonial times, the bearers of the primeval culture of the Ape-men. Ushi refers to the Primeval Ape-men who were the original First People, but who are said to be no more on earth. Igbo people refer to their long-gone era as Mgbe Ndi Ushi – ‘In the Era of the Ushi’.

The Igbo Nris (Nshi) were originally a nation of dwarves with hardly any tall people among their population. All available migration myths support a nation that had dwarfs as its original population before the migrant Eri people came. The taller population came in through intermarriage with ther Eri migrants who afterwards became the kings in Igboland.

These dwarves were the Khemennu or children of Khem. The name Khem has actually survived in Ebonyi state, Igboland as the name of a series of caves where dwarves also lived. The caves are located in Afikpo and are still called Mkpuru Khem ("Caves of Khem".

In India Khem was called Hindu-Kush, Kush (Egyptian Kwush) being a cognate of Igbo Akwu-nshi ("First People/Stone Age people/Adites" − a term still in use in Igboland in reference to dwarves (Nshi).

According to the Ramayan epics o f India, Rama during his exile was crowned king of the dwarves, just as Igbo Eze Inri's were crowned by dwarves and Adamas.

The Aborigines are descendants of the ancient cavemen dwarfs who are said to have died out, but who still survive in all mythologies of the world. From time immemorial and especially in ancient Egypt, Nri/Eri kings have held on to dwarfs, wherever they can find them, knowing the magic that they embody. They were holy beings who traditionally did not mingle with ordinary humans.

The recent discovery of a indigenous dwarf tribe in the rainforests of Malaysia comes as an unexpected surprise. The bearers of the primeval culture of Apemen are still on the planet!

Source: https:///yaraohbs

ELKHALIFAISIS:
Oga bishop why you won chop boys money, I'm sorry for you since u wanna die greedy fellow, start preparing for your bury, but why them come carry their vexation put for this innocent souls who kill by swords must die by swords, Awolowo's we are storming to Lagos very soon stay clear

But you were in denial not too long ago?

Treasure1919:
No one can be as perfect as He is

But Latinos do bear the name as firstname and surname eg Jesus Gamez and Gabriel Jesus two footballers who plays for Atletico Madrid and Manchester City.

Kanu is a fraudster using the Biafran franchise to defraud his victims

Kanu was ethered in a thread that's meant to present him as a gainfully employed individual before he hijacked the struggle for secession from other conmen

omenka why did you destroy iPod reprobates with truth?

Ojukwu did it and ran away to Ivory Coast and Kanu is doing it and I don't know where he will run to when casala burst.

honourhim:
Young man go and check the quota system for University admission, also for entrance exam for unity schools.
Yes you may score 200, how many of your brothers in the university scored 200? A good number of them scored way below 200 yet they are in the University studying a course that we were admitted on 200 bench mark.
If you had scored below 200 you would ve still been given admission so stop playing tricks on what we are very much aware of pls.

The last time I checked JAMB set cut-off mark for admission at 180 in some courses and 250 or so for others.
All my siblings got far above 200 and my friends too, other graduates from the North that I met during my youth service scored above 200 so you're speaking without knowledge and blinded by hate and bigotry.

honourhim:
You reason like a fool. Igbos dont care about your oil. The issues we have with Nigeria are the injustice in our system, the imbalance in appointment and recruitment, the quota system which enables a northerner to gain admission with 60/400 in Jamb while the cut off mark for our candidates is above 200. At the end of the day the northerner graduates with just a pass and gets a Job while our own graduates with second class upper and are still looking for Job.

The imbalance in state and local government creation. The imbalance in the millitary and paramillitary employment and promotion etc. We are talking about important issues and you are here ranting about oil. Meanwhile 3 states in the South east have Oil. Stop talking like a fool.

Why do you always like to lie to yourselves about this nonexistent cut-off mark of 60/400 for Northerners, I'm a Northerner and I scored way above 200 in my UME exam. So stop making useless and baseless statements just because you've read or heard it elsewhere.

A good step in the right direction there is no substitute for peaceful resolution of conflicts.

With sustained efforts in blocking leakages and peace in the oil producing region I see this trend continuing far longer predicted by analysts. Having said this there is urgent need for government to spend wisely on building solid infrastructures that will stand the test of time.

Good kid

The black oil in the post may not necessary be crude oil, it may be black seed oil

gantic:
It's actually scary because most of the posters are young (under 30) with ready access to internet. Our youth can't be sooooo ignorant, the fear from our leadership failures is a joke compared to the fear from an ignorant youth.

It is quite baffling and irritating to say the least

gantic:
Tons of countries started contracting their visa services over a decade ago (guess UK started with VFS in india). In Nigeria - UK, all EU countries, Canada, Australia, South Africa etc etc all use visa agencies.

Reading through the posts and seeing the number of comments berating Nigeria for doing this as an isolated evil finally convince me that online commenters in Nigeria are generally ignorant and criticise because "we should always criticise Nigeria" not because the chain of thot is logical.

Oga the thing tire me most NLs are ignorant of simple facts yet ran amok thinking they know it all. I pity the future of this country

As-salaamu alaikum warahmatullah to my brothers from proposed Islamic Republic of Biafranistan. Our leaders and their followers are always out to cause upheavals and chaos just to hang on to power.

Dollyak:
I reject that accusation. I am not sure what gave you that impression? My views are simply that of a realist.

Yes you are and it's not too difficult for a keen observer to notice it. I pray you change before you get into a position where you can influence things.

This is good intervention yo ease the burden of the masses. I pray militants don't set us back

Dollyak:
This is the kind of vision nigerian leaders should be proposing. Anyways, I sincerely hope all SW leaders will start working together towards self sufficiency and development

You're too tribalistic despite your acclaimed exposure.