Dede1: You must be worse than a learner. Who gave Gowon right to divide eastern region into three states?
By virtue of his position as Head of FMG. He also had the right to defend the rights of the ibibios,people from the present day Niger Delta from Ojukwu's personal ambition "Biafra".
slimghost: Either you cant comprehend or you are a nut case! there is no propaganda in this one, we are talking FACTS here kid. Biafra may have triggered the attack on them by declaring independence, but saying that they started the attack is just plain stupidity! good day
Gowon attacked the mid west abi? Ojukwu will be roasting in hell SCUM[b][/b]
slimghost: How old are you? Please don't dabble into things you are ignorant of. The facts are there, go and do some research and reading, or are they both forbidden where you come from?
If I must inform you, I have Ojukwu's book "Because I am Involved" in my room right now. I dont blame you, the same propaganda Ojukwu and Achebe have always fed you people. I still cant comprehend that in 2013, the same propaganda they used in 1970 is still effective
ckkris: Major-General James Oluleye wrote a powerful memoir, in which you can see how and when Awolowo, Adebayo, et al, abandoned Biafra. You will also see how Brigadier Obasanjo, as Head of State, was under Colonel Shehu Yar'adua, his official subordinate. Before that, Dimka and Zamani Lekwot were leading the massacre of Ibos in Kaduna. Today they are paying and will continue to pay dearly for that decision. Lt-General TY Danjuma may enjoy all the Oil Blocks as his war booty, as the hero that killed Ironsi, but he will never write any memoirs. But the Civil War History must emerge. At least, Boko Haram, sponsored by those that controlled Brigadier Obasanjo, and assume that Nigeria is theirs to rule, are forcing issues, to throw up the facts that led to the civil war.
When Ifeajuna killed a harmless Tafawa Balewa, he killed a corrupt official, when Danjuma arrested Aguiyi Ironsi, he is the villian, east side people an double standards
Onlytruth: You have a very dark soul, and I have decided to interact as little as possible with dark souls henceforth.
So, I would say this once to you and then leave you to continue on your usual path.
History states that Ojukwu never planned nor wanted war. He went to Aburi and painstakingly negotiated a peaceful settlement (an internationally supervised Accord) to end the Nigerian crisis. Everybody, including Gowon, signed onto that Accord happily, raised glasses, hugged and all the rest, only for Gowon to return to Nigeria to trash the Accord. History also recorded that Gowon was the first to order a military action against Eastern Nigeria. All these are facts. Ojukwu never initiated any war; Gowon did.
You must be a learner. Ojukwu never wanted war but declared seccession when Gowon declared a state of emergency and created 12 states.
History also shows that Ojukwu was given a burial which even Nigerian presidents never got. His fame is all over Africa and people like Jerry Rawlings graced his funeral. His coffin was carried by GENERALS in the Nigerian army. These are FACTS.
Now, lets wait for your hero Gowon to die, and lets compare notes then.
Bye.
You must be a learner. Ojukwu never wanted war but declared seccession when Gowon created 12 states and divided the eastern region into three.
SmartTalk: Now, before you start reacting to the topic without understanding my reason for this post, a few caveats: 1. War is unnecessary. The Nigerian Civil war would have been avoided if Nigeria stuck to the terms agreed on in the Aburi Accord. 2. Biafra would rise again, but I do not think war with Nigeria would recur. Nigeria is doing a good job of destroying herself, so Biafrans only need to opt out when the madness reaches a head. Meanwhile we would just bid our time. 3. This is more of an intellectual exercise. Every country reappraise their pasts and see how they would have acted differently given the prevailing circumstance. Too many people comment with ignorance about the Civil War so encouraging this discussion makes us understand the subject more. This post is directed at those who blame the people running the Biafran effort but do not suggest what they would have done differently under similar conditions. I have concluded that if I was in the same shoes as Ojukwu, I would have done exactly the same thing. I would have seceded knowing that Nigeria was planning to invade the Eastern region after reneging on the Aburi peace agreement. This post is to discuss what extra efforts I would have made to defend the Biafran people from Nigerian Aggression.
A lot of the strategies adopted by Ojukwu were excellent given the conditions. Sun Tzu advices the general to avoid the strong part of your enemy and attack the weak. This was what Ojukwu did when he noticed the Nigerians were attacking from Nsukka and left their Eastern flank exposed. He sent a division to attack Lagos. If his subordinate had carried out the order to the letter, the outcome of the war would have been very different and Biafra would have been an independent country. But imagine Lagos was better protected, the tactics of Sun Tzu, himself, provides a template on "attacking directly to engage your enemy, attack indirectly to win". The Nigerian soldiers were pulled from the Nsukka axis and sent to protect Lagos. Encircling them, the way Sun Tzu did to the warriors from Chu, as they head for Lagos would have been a good strategy in such a scenario. This is illustrated in the Documentary below:
While Nigeria adopted genocidal tactics to break the Biafran will, this only strengthened the will of the Biafran people. The most important asset a general should have, according to Sun Tzu, is the moral authority of the people - and Ojukwu had that. Till today, the Biafran spirit cannot be extinguished. The Nigerian soldiers, on the other hand, were not as motivated. They were motivated only by lies told to them, fear of Igbo domination and hatred of the Igbo people. They were not a disciplined force. The only advantage they had over Biafrans was international support. If the Biafrans had just enough guns, the Biafrans would definitely have won the war - this is not in doubt. But given the disadvantage, the only way of winning the war for a country not getting the same financial support is to take the war to the enemy. It is a tragedy that while the Biafrans were facing threat of genocide from the Nigerian soldiers, people were going about their normal daily businesses in Lagos, Kano, and other parts of Nigeria. I do not condemn Ojukwu for letting soldiers from other parts of Nigeria go safely with a rifle while Biafran soldiers and civilians were massacred. This is a good thing and in line with the Biafran Christian ideal. Other strategies should have been adopted to disrupt normal life in the major cities of Nigeria and force the Nigerians to pressure their government to stop the war. The best way for Biafran to fight Nigeria was not through a war of attrition but through Guerrilla tactics. A few examples: 1. Spies: The use of spies is a critical advice from Sun Tzu. There were Igbo people leaving in Nigeria under false names to evade persecution by the Nigerians. Since the Igbo are the best travelled and most cosmopolitan Nigerias, they can blend in to any environment and speaking other Nigerian languages can get them access to important information. I do not know the extent to which spies were used but their use would be critical to carrying out other suggestions I have. 2. Sabotage: Bombs should be placed to destroy important facilities in the Nigerian cities. Public buildings, stadiums, etc should be bombed - not to kill people but to create unease in the society. For example, place a bomb in an important building; call the management to alert them about the bomb and your intentions to detonate it in a few minutes so they can clear the building; detonate the bomb after the building is cleared so no one is killed. The aim is not to kill people but create sufficient panic so Nigerians question the benefit of fighting Biafra when their normal way of life is threatened. This method is adopted by Basque separatists ETA. 3. Assassination: Attempts should be made at the lives of Nigerian leaders authorizing genocide in Biafra. It's okay if you don't always succeed, you only have to be lucky once, they have to be lucky all the time. This would bring the nightmare they gave Biafrans everyday to their doorsteps. 4. Money: Nigeria was given money and support by the foreign powers that wanted Nigerian oil. Finances are important, this is why Nigeria changed the currency after Biafra seceded. It was a means of economic sabotage against Biafra. Biafra should have returned the favour by introducing a flood of counterfeit nairas on the Nigerian market. This would have served the purpose of buying essential items for Biafrans while destroying the value of the naira and creating inflation in the Nigerian economy. Small denomination notes should have been counterfeited by the Biafrans and introduced to Nigeria. Beggars are the best way to distribute these notes. Biafran spies should have given many of such notes to Nigerian beggars and destitutes.
These are the few strategies I can come up with now. Do feel free to add more. Add please, so this discussion does not get derailed IGNORE TROLLS. Silence is the best answer for fools, so please prove your intelligence by not engaging foolish commenters.
These people have not learnt and will not learn. I dont blame you thou, I blame Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Emeka Ojukwu who led the first coup and the civil war respectively and ran ino exile after killing innocent and defenceless people and abandoning other officers and people they led. What do you call such people?[/b][b][/b]
SmartTalk: Now, before you start reacting to the topic without understanding my reason for this post, a few caveats: 1. War is unnecessary. The Nigerian Civil war would have been avoided if Nigeria stuck to the terms agreed on in the Aburi Accord. 2. Biafra would rise again, but I do not think war with Nigeria would recur. Nigeria is doing a good job of destroying herself, so Biafrans only need to opt out when the madness reaches a head. Meanwhile we would just bid our time. 3. This is more of an intellectual exercise. Every country reappraise their pasts and see how they would have acted differently given the prevailing circumstance. Too many people comment with ignorance about the Civil War so encouraging this discussion makes us understand the subject more. This post is directed at those who blame the people running the Biafran effort but do not suggest what they would have done differently under similar conditions. I have concluded that if I was in the same shoes as Ojukwu, I would have done exactly the same thing. I would have seceded knowing that Nigeria was planning to invade the Eastern region after reneging on the Aburi peace agreement. This post is to discuss what extra efforts I would have made to defend the Biafran people from Nigerian Aggression. These people have still not learnt and will not learn. I dont blame you thou, I blame Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Emeka Ojukwu who led the first coup and the civil war respectively and ran into exile after killing innocent and defenceless people and leaving officers & people they led into such exercise in a lurch. What word do u call such people?
A lot of the strategies adopted by Ojukwu were excellent given the conditions. Sun Tzu advices the general to avoid the strong part of your enemy and attack the weak. This was what Ojukwu did when he noticed the Nigerians were attacking from Nsukka and left their Eastern flank exposed. He sent a division to attack Lagos. If his subordinate had carried out the order to the letter, the outcome of the war would have been very different and Biafra would have been an independent country. But imagine Lagos was better protected, the tactics of Sun Tzu, himself, provides a template on "attacking directly to engage your enemy, attack indirectly to win". The Nigerian soldiers were pulled from the Nsukka axis and sent to protect Lagos. Encircling them, the way Sun Tzu did to the warriors from Chu, as they head for Lagos would have been a good strategy in such a scenario. This is illustrated in the Documentary below:
While Nigeria adopted genocidal tactics to break the Biafran will, this only strengthened the will of the Biafran people. The most important asset a general should have, according to Sun Tzu, is the moral authority of the people - and Ojukwu had that. Till today, the Biafran spirit cannot be extinguished. The Nigerian soldiers, on the other hand, were not as motivated. They were motivated only by lies told to them, fear of Igbo domination and hatred of the Igbo people. They were not a disciplined force. The only advantage they had over Biafrans was international support. If the Biafrans had just enough guns, the Biafrans would definitely have won the war - this is not in doubt. But given the disadvantage, the only way of winning the war for a country not getting the same financial support is to take the war to the enemy. It is a tragedy that while the Biafrans were facing threat of genocide from the Nigerian soldiers, people were going about their normal daily businesses in Lagos, Kano, and other parts of Nigeria. I do not condemn Ojukwu for letting soldiers from other parts of Nigeria go safely with a rifle while Biafran soldiers and civilians were massacred. This is a good thing and in line with the Biafran Christian ideal. Other strategies should have been adopted to disrupt normal life in the major cities of Nigeria and force the Nigerians to pressure their government to stop the war. The best way for Biafran to fight Nigeria was not through a war of attrition but through Guerrilla tactics. A few examples: 1. Spies: The use of spies is a critical advice from Sun Tzu. There were Igbo people leaving in Nigeria under false names to evade persecution by the Nigerians. Since the Igbo are the best travelled and most cosmopolitan Nigerias, they can blend in to any environment and speaking other Nigerian languages can get them access to important information. I do not know the extent to which spies were used but their use would be critical to carrying out other suggestions I have. 2. Sabotage: Bombs should be placed to destroy important facilities in the Nigerian cities. Public buildings, stadiums, etc should be bombed - not to kill people but to create unease in the society. For example, place a bomb in an important building; call the management to alert them about the bomb and your intentions to detonate it in a few minutes so they can clear the building; detonate the bomb after the building is cleared so no one is killed. The aim is not to kill people but create sufficient panic so Nigerians question the benefit of fighting Biafra when their normal way of life is threatened. This method is adopted by Basque separatists ETA. 3. Assassination: Attempts should be made at the lives of Nigerian leaders authorizing genocide in Biafra. It's okay if you don't always succeed, you only have to be lucky once, they have to be lucky all the time. This would bring the nightmare they gave Biafrans everyday to their doorsteps. 4. Money: Nigeria was given money and support by the foreign powers that wanted Nigerian oil. Finances are important, this is why Nigeria changed the currency after Biafra seceded. It was a means of economic sabotage against Biafra. Biafra should have returned the favour by introducing a flood of counterfeit nairas on the Nigerian market. This would have served the purpose of buying essential items for Biafrans while destroying the value of the naira and creating inflation in the Nigerian economy. Small denomination notes should have been counterfeited by the Biafrans and introduced to Nigeria. Beggars are the best way to distribute these notes. Biafran spies should have given many of such notes to Nigerian beggars and destitutes.
These are the few strategies I can come up with now. Do feel free to add more. Add please, so this discussion does not get derailed IGNORE TROLLS. Silence is the best answer for fools, so please prove your intelligence by not engaging foolish commenters.
Kindly read what Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu wrote about Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his book "Because I Am Involved" pages 159- 160.
In political terms, he would be considered an adversary of the igbos given the intense rivalry between him and Dr Nnamdi Azikwe. As a leader of the modern cast, he has left Nigeria standards which are indelible, standards beside which future aspirants to public leadership can be eternally measured. He was firm, articulate, painstaking, and uncompromising. He was, for a long time, the only Nigerian leader who enunciated principles and played down personalities. He was a brilliant political administrator and a most erudite teacher. He not only identified himself wholly with the aspirations of the Yoruba people of Nigeria but also he was able to convince the Yoruba people of Nigeria that he and only he epitomized the highest point of their political aspirations and consciousness. He was loved, he was feared but above all he belonged to the people he professed to lead. At his death I had the singular honour of proposing for him the epitaph that has endured – ‘he was the best President that Nigeria never had’.
Many have wondered what I meant by this, but I believe the statement was clear. Nigeria would have benefited from his presidency because of his inate presidential qualities. Nigeria must continually regret that he never, for many reasons, had the opportunity to serve at the presidential level. Awo was a leader of great stature. He was a leader who was eminently successful. That he did not fulfill a presidential ambition cannot detract from his leadership, and us, poor us, who were not his people, must continue, to regret that our own leaders had not led us as he did his people or achieved for us as he did for his people.
He perceived his job as leading his people and God his soul. He did a lot for them. Whenever he saw an opportunity for his people, he went for it. He had a dream for the Yorubas and was steadfast in the pursuit of that dream. He knew where he was going and took his people with him without deceit. That is why he will remain immortal in the area of his influence.
biafran soul: I've noticed the hypocritical attitude of various emergency commentators on this forum concerning the state pardon granted the governor general of the Izon nation; D. Alamieyeseigha. I'm just wondering what the noise is all about as this same gesture was also extended to Awolowo (a well reknowned traitor) with no one then raising an eyebrow. It should be on record that the president committed no constitutional breach by exercising his discretionary powers which is guaranteed by the 1999 constitution and therefore, owes no one no apology. Afterall, what is good for the goose should also be good for the gander.
Never lived in a barracks, but always passed through Myohaung Barracks on my way to school with my friends who lived in the barracks. I also attended extra mural lessons in Myohaung Barracks.The place is so unkempt, exposed soakaway, dirts everywhere. The officers apartment was clean though. Thats was the first place i smelt weed and heard about igbo (never smoked weed) when i was in SSS 1.
Yes the Federal Government should grant them amnesty, after all the FG had granted amnesty to the Niger Delta militants and they are now multi billionaires.
Biafra rep: Gowon will surely die a misrable death,for an old man to lie so blatantly,denying the pogrom and genocide before and during the war that claimed over 2 million people, which everyone knows is so sad, yet this same devil have been going about deceiving himself with the so called Nigeria prays. for showing no remorse for the defenseless children and aged,men and women he massacred in the most savage way only comparable with the holocaust, Gowon will surely occupy the hottest part of hell. the blood of those you killed are crying for vengeance and the curse will remain with you and your descendants,thank God that already in your lifetime, the same treatment you meted to others is now being done to your people in Plateau,what goes around really comes around and that is karma.even if you escape man's judgment,will you escape Gods? you are no different from Hitler and the same opprobrium being cast on him will equally be cast on you when you die. you usurped a rulership you did not merit and became a pawn in the hands of the Hausa/Fulani, you reneged on Aburi that would have made Nigeria a really great country today and plunged us into a war but in a twist of irony, the same kind of war has been brought to your door step,the evil that men do.... SMH
Wily!Wily: You know that 99.999999% Yorubas have Mental problem now, the Nigeria they hoped for is not what they are seeing, They thought Jonathan is going to allow them to Steal Government fund, when he refused to allow them access to Embezzle National Coffers, they started developing some mental disorders
You are so stupid for making that statement. I would have said all ibo people are mad but I need to respect the few reasonable people amongst the ibo people. Am sure you wake your father with a kick in his groin so i dont blame youwhen you insult other people's father, omo aje okuta ma momi. I know you are suffering from rejection and inferiority complex. Looser
Wily!Wily: You know that 99.999999% Yorubas have Mental problem now, the Nigeria they hoped for is not what they are seeing, They thought Jonathan is going to allow them to Steal Government fund, when he refused to allow them access to Embezzle National Coffers, they started developing some mental disorders
You are so stupid for making that statement. I would have said all ibo people are mad but I need to respect the few reasonable people amongst the ibo people. Am sure you wake your father with a kick in his groin, omo aje okuta ma momi. I know you are suffering from rejection and inferiority complex. Looser
Kindly read what Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu wrote about Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his book "Because I Am Involved" page 159- 160.
[b]In political terms, he would be considered an adversary of the igbos given the intense rivalry between him and Dr Nnamdi Azikwe. As a leader of the modern cast, he has left Nigeria standards which are indelible, standards beside which future aspirants to public leadership can be eternally measured. He was firm, articulate, painstaking, and uncompromising. He was, for a long time, the only Nigerian leader who enunciated principles and played down personalities. He was a brilliant political administrator and a most erudite teacher. He not only identified himself wholly with the aspirations of the Yoruba people of Nigeria but also he was able to convince the Yoruba people of Nigeria that he and only he epitomized the highest point of their political aspirations and consciousness. He was loved, he was feared but above all he belonged to the people he professed to lead. At his death I had the singular honour of proposing for him the epitaph that has endured – ‘he was the best President that Nigeria never had’.
Many have wondered what I meant by this, but I believe the statement was clear. Nigeria would have benefited from his presidency because of his inate presidential qualities. Nigeria must continually regret that he never, for many reasons, had the opportunity to serve at the presidential level. Awo was a leader of great stature. He was a leader who was eminently successful. That he did not fulfill a presidential ambition cannot detract from his leadership, and us, poor us, who were not his people, must continue, to regret that our own leaders had not led us as he did his people or achieved for us as he did for his people.
He perceived his job as leading his people and God his soul. He did a lot for them. Whenever he saw an opportunity for his people, he went for it. He had a dream for the Yorubas and was steadfast in the pursuit of that dream. He knew where he was going and took his people with him without deceit. That is why he will remain immortal in the area of his influence. [/b]
chosen04: ''In these categories of people are Maj. Nzeogwu & co who assassinated the premier Sardauna the main target of the 1966 coup. Others argue that some Christians also were killed, yes, but they were also killed by Christians too. The common denominator is that all these murderers that kill innocent people are Christians. What I am saying is that among the Christian are evil people that kill people'' ........................................................................................................................
The above is why I always know that GOWON AND AWO are not wise!...........
That's is serious indictment on them for killing fellow Christians......
Which of your leaders was wiser than AWOLOWO. nnamdi azikwe, odumegwu ojukwu, aguiyi ironsi? Kindly read Odumegwu Ojukwu's book Because I Am Involved and tell the whole world what he wrote about AWOLOWO. I rest my case.
chosen04: Its obvious that you are a lost soul, aren't you?
Didn't you see where sheikh Gumi was ranting of how fellow Christians were involved in killing fellow Christians during the BIAFRAN WAR?
If you are not a LOST SOUL you would have known that nobody is talking about tribe here but religious ranting by GUMI, who is accusing Christians of joining Muslims to kill fellow Christians. Which according to him can never happen the other way round.
You have not answered my question. Biafran war was between Christians and muslims? So christian officers like OBJ, Benjamin Adekunle and the rest should abandon their conviction and duty posts and support biafra because of Ojukwu's ambition and the inactions of ifeajuna, ironsi and the rest? YOUR SOUL IS IRREDEEMABLE. So sorry but like the way you guys were in 1966 when your kinsmen foolishly killed the northern and yoruba leaders and officers.
chosen04: ''In these categories of people are Maj. Nzeogwu & co who assassinated the premier Sardauna the main target of the 1966 coup. Others argue that some Christians also were killed, yes, but they were also killed by Christians too. The common denominator is that all these murderers that kill innocent people are Christians. What I am saying is that among the Christian are evil people that kill people'' ........................................................................................................................
The above is why I always know that GOWON AND AWO are not wise!...........
That's is serious indictment on them for killing fellow Christians......
How ignorant you are? I can deduce from ur handle that u are ibo. So the civil war was between christians and muslims? I can't believe that in 2013 some people would just not grow up and keep apportioning blames. Truth be told, Ojukwu and Ifeajuna were the major problems of the ibos. Starting wars and coups and running into exile
Politics › Re: Why Gowon Can't Write His Memoir by debetmx(m): 3:34pm On Mar 27, 2013
