₦airaland Forum

Ibime:
Whats all this self-aggrandizing codswallop?

In summary, Negro has had his ass handed to him for daring to challenge the ubiquitous Dede1 on technical details surrounding the civil war. Negro has skirted around; and criminally avoided the points raised by Dede1 in rebuttal to his falacious and ethnically-tinted arguments. Negro is no historian and his self-proclaimed mission to "educate us" on matters around the civil war has only served to expose his own sciolism.

Ibime,

The dude is simply disingenuous. He has adamantly refused to learn. Negro_nuts and his/her ilk are on covert mission and must be watched very carefully. This mission was initiated by the western region of Nigerian government publication of 1967. The easterners must make sure that these deceptive stunts being performed by lily-hearted punks remain jokes.

[quote author=Negro_Ntns link=topic=298478.msg4256837#msg4256837 date=1248710981]Do you believe that certain elements in the FG are siphoning the national wealth into their private financial account overseas? Do you have the account numbr where the money is kept and the record by name and amount of these thefts?

C'mon. . .use common sense for a change. Overnight the civil service was transformed and Igbos were promoted above those more qualified to hold posts. Looking for evidence. . .go back to the link at the opening on page 1 and see the list. That's a microcosm of other inequities at the expense of Yorubas and Hausas.


You keep saying you, you, you. . . Afam, this is not about YOU! This is about Igbo. You happen to be a member of the group so for God's sake hush about what your crusade for one nationality and go into threads where your people are bashing others. . . if you want to save Nigeria thats where your crusade should begin.[/quote]From 1900 to 1966, Ndigbo in particular and easterners in general dominated the civil service both in the Protectorate and independent Nigeria. The sheer number of qualified Ndigbo in the government services, parastatals, police and army led to the undeniable fear of domination by Ndigbo that precipitated into the civil war. As of 1966, 87% of the entire Nigeria army officer’s cadre was made up of Ndigbo. Other than those who rose in rank or have university degree, the officers graduated from Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom. The re-echoing fact is that they were fully qualified to hold any position assigned to them.

It will be very shameful if you were refereeing to these statements cull from the first page of the link you posted: 



The shape of Ironsi's advisory team became clear as time went on. Chief among them was Francis Nwokedi, former permanent secretary in the ministry of external affairs, who had become close to him during his days in the Congo. Others were Pius Okigbo (economic adviser) and Lt. Col Patrick Anwunah who was later Chairman of the National Orientation Committee. However, most of General Ironsi's advisers were faceless civilians. The most common complaint was that, although highly qualified and distinguished, they were either all Igbos or Igbo speaking. I have no way of verifying or refuting this allegation. Knowing how other governments in Nigeria have behaved (and continue to behave), it is hard to know what to make of these observations, but they were recorded by observers across ethnic and regional boundaries.

[quote author=Negro_Ntns link=topic=298478.msg4254769#msg4254769 date=1248683274]The general Igbo people jubilated the outcome of the Jan 66 coup and were content to ride joyfully as the new elite of the country without censoring the wanton act of barbarism exhibited by a few Igbo military men.

You can not lavish on the rewards and then distance from the review. You own both. So I cant understand what is false about that or how you can call that hatred.[/quote]You are very funny indeed. It is either you are a determined thief or you lacked the skills of the trade. You and Nowa Omoigui were startled in a broad day light while stealing and still you did not stop the act but kept hauling goods that do not belong to you.

The statement you posted was posited from the ill-informed fact that Ndigbo were dancing and rejoicing to the tune of a record named “Ewu Nabe Akwa” that was allegedly waxed by famous Igbo musician named Celestine Ukwu during and after the January 15, 1966 coup. Unbeknown to the misguided errand boys, Negro_nuts and Omoigui, the aforementioned record was actually released by Ijo famous musician. Ndigbo never jubilated on hearing the killings of fellow Nigerians as wrongfully alleged.

I am disappointed in your lack of comprehensive ability because I thought you were open to correct teachings.

In fact, I am dumbfounded that many indigenes of southern Nigeria, primarily outside the Igbo ethnicity, have indulged in a shameful denial of effects of the 1966 program in northern Nigeria. Many Yoruba and members of minority ethnic groups from southern Nigeria were also massacred. There are family friends from Edo and Yoruba who lost loved ones in the pogrom and were compelled to run back to their regions as the easterners did.

However, when the easterners decided to standup against the unwarranted aggression from the northern Nigerian hoodlums, the most of the ethnic groups in southern Nigeria shamelessly capitulated. 

Since then till this day, shameless cowards are pulling all stumps to skew the history in order to justify either their inability to hit the aggressor on the nose as to spare the innocence of the young country or hide the unforgivable sell-out.

The jungle called Nigeria is doomed and I am not interested in whatever joy its continuous existence will bring.

I am amazed on reading posts from twisted individual over the mention of Biafra. The last time I checked though, nairaland is a forum made possible by Internet. Internet provides world wide public media where individuals could post any crap and receive likely response.

However, I can fathom the reason why the mention of Biafra would instigate ill-informed and venomous response from a particular ethnic group. I still do not know what the formation of independent Biafra would deprive the people of certain ethnicity in the jungle called Nigeria.

larez:
Sources please, quote your sources. The British recently unsealed a whole lot of documents regarding their involvement in colonial Nigeria. There are new facts coming out that there was in-fact a conspiracy to shut down Awolowo by the British, and Yorubas generally because they were regarded as a threat even to the British Kingdom. Yorubas were considered very advanced in their thinking and strategies and if allowed to develop unchecked would become a threat to the dominance of the Western world.

It is unfortunate that even today, certain Nigerians feel like whatever Oyinbo said back then was flawless. They fail to think of who's interest Oyinbo was working for. It is clear that the British decided to sabotage Nigeria which they have successfully done, and we can clearly now see the weapons that they used. Propaganda is a major tool of warfare, and why will Nigerians let the British to continue judging who was in-fact qualified for professorship at a time that they were carefully orchestrating a ploy to sabotage Nigeria.

Language has been linked directly to sophistication in logical clarity. Oyinbos have recently confessed that the Yoruba language is the most advanced that they encountered in sub-saharan Africa and Africa as a whole. The extensive sophistication in both vocabulary and idioms shocked Oyimbo, and is still a subject of ongoing research in different parts of the world. This is the closest Oyinbo will ever get to admitting that an African language is more sophisticated than English. You guys need to stop being pawns and start finding joy in sharing the hidden wealth of africa. It is not everything that you try use your aggressive competitive energies to kill.

In the United States, a world of cultures are celebrated in different parts. My own better pass your own, na him dey kill Africa and na de reason wey we no grow be that. Yoruba towns continue to exist in many parts of the world. This is clearly because of the fact that it is a very strong culture that mere slavery could not stifle. Nobody had to travel to these countries to start trying to force them to accept new facts and doctrines to propagate this culture. It still lacks any central body that holds it together, and yet it survives. Just accept these facts and let's move on. We will have to create a Mecca of sorts in Ile Ife to accommodate this unquenchable culture that just won't die. I don't blame Biafrans for trying to go out and steal parts of it to boost their image.

I shout shame onto you for requesting the source of the information that I have decided to share with forum public. If you are not a lazy jackass scholar, the information I put down should not have rubbed off you as a surprise or even as unknown recorded event.

I recalled that when you applauded the conjectural crap posted by one Negro_nuts, it completely ellipse your dilapidated stack of memories to request for sources. Believe me you have a colorful mind of ethnic irredentist.

I did not venture onto this forum in order to peddle a tribal products but just to uphold recorded events that took place in the jungle called Nigeria to the best of my knowledge.

I can say unequivocally that Chief Obafemi Awolowo was an average politician but great. The seemingly “greatness” attached to Awolowo’s political career was a carriage of western region Nigerian media propaganda and erroneous placement of political judgment by the British.

During the two regional elections in the western region of Nigeria, the party or parties in alliance and led by Awolowo were trounced in the polls. Baring the carpet-crossing saga, Awolowo would not have become the premier of western region of Nigeria.

Of course, the British targeted many politicians from Southern Protectorate for blackmail including yours Awolowo. Unfortunately, Awolowo was not political savvy enough to see the handwritings on the wall and lacked the political apparatus to detect unseen traps.

I would not join you in a debate over what the treacherous British thought about Yoruba language. Such nonsensical craps do not make my academic plate. If what the British thought about your low-life language is swelling your head, I had say that you can shove it.

I recalled that Europeans in general and British in particular had applauded the village Kings and Empires erected all over Africa. The morons even further insinuated that Ndigbo had not developed a structural system. The reason that informed this thought was the fact that Ndigbo ran a complex system called democracy while the European ran a monarchical system. Any system that did not have semblance to the system obtained in their domain, the European termed it undeveloped.

Today, it is funny that the same Europeans have abandoned their monarchical system of government and embraced the complex democratic system Ndigbo adopted 1000 years before the coming of Europeans to coast of Africa. Go figure!!!!

[quote author=Negro_Ntns link=topic=298478.msg4250647#msg4250647 date=1248595749]Looking at the 1959 election results it is evident that what started in the mid-50s is now manifested into a political advantage for the North. There is clarity here that the North is favored by the British, starting back to the allocation of 50 seats for their representation in Parliament, the reluctance of the Governor General to honor the unanimous agreement by Southerners to obtain independence in 1956 and his deferrence to the North's opposition for the date.

This election result was also an attempt on the part of the authorities in Lagos to buttress their bogus claim that the population density in the North is twice that in the South and thus is translated into a higher turnout and vote for NPC, although it is highly unlikely that the Northerners fully understood the electoral process or whether in fact these vote counts were not dubiously manufactured numbers. But who would be so corrupt as to do such a thing? To reach the nook and corner of the villages and the townships and cities you need contact and communication. . .media presence. How much of that resource did the North have working on its behalf? So let us talk about media coverage and public awareness.

As at 1959, radio broadcast was nationwide and there were four broadcast stations; one in Lagos and one each for the regional capitals of Ibadan, Onitsha and Kaduna. Print media was also widespread in Lagos and the regions. Television broadcast was different. In 1959 Ibadan was the only Nigeria city with TV broadcast and its programms covered the entire Yorubaland as well as boundaries beyond. Ibadan was also the first Nigerian city to have a Univeristy campus. In 1959, the city of Ibadan was the largest city in geographic area and most populous in tropical Africa. What gains could one expect out of these facts?

Meaning that in terms of public relations and social awareness through education and media coverage, Western region and particularly Action Group had the best of advantage working in its favor to reach the most eligible voters, to get the highest turn out on election day and win the election. But why did it not?

Awolowo may very well have won the count but we don't know that and may never know but we do know is that he lost the election and placed third nationwide. Not only did he lose the electoral leadership and the Prime Ministership but by coming in third he also lost the opportunity to form opposition in Parliament or secure any favorable alliances to that end. He had stepped on the wrong toes and been blacklisted ever since his outcry and agitated campaign against extending independence date past 1956. Wihout doubt Britain had a prolong interest in Nigeria. . .one that would extend past independence and self-rule. It was shrewd that the leadership of Nigeria be given. . .not elected!. . .but be given to that group which is similarly positioned as an outsider and would likely be sympathetic to the British interest for dominance and preservation.

Awolowo had already proven himself unworthy as a viable partner for a continued British interest in Nigerian affair. Azikiwe was a flip-flopper and with sufficient pressure he could fold to Awolowo and go against Britain. . .on the other hand he could also be persuaded to form a coalition against Awo. Awo could be frustrated to lower his defenses and come around on the British side. Balewa did not need any persuasion. . .he had already raised concerns many times about Southerners' indifference to the North and this had led NPC to consider very strongly the possibility of forming their own country out of Nigeria. Balewa was not ambitious for the oil in the Niger Delta, Britain was and their exit from Nigerian government would limit that interest severely if the most patriotic out of these three became the Leader. When you leave a legacy to your children you don't assign it to the prodigal child. . . you give it to the prudent one for safekeeping. Right? So why would Britain give the leadership mantle to that group of Nigerians who clearly and by all account in 1959 were the least likely to safeguard Nigerian sovereignty prudently?

This unfortunate outcome only added to the resentment and bitterness in the country. It touched every part of our social life. . .it even led to an uprising in 1962 or 63 in the University of Lagos. An occassion upon which the students and faculty considered it berating to appoint an Igbo man the VC of UnilLag and UI. Both appointments of course were not isolated incidences but rather a coordinated effort to frustrate Awo and his supporters in Yorubaland. The scheme peaked in 1963 when he was finally charged for treason and was sentenced to imprisonment. The entire Western region erupted and factions broke out of AG. It was so volatile that Balewa became fearful that Yorubas would topple the Nigerian government and destroy him. He contemplated releasing Awolowo from prison to calm the West but unfortunately he did not live long enough to achieve that.[/quote]You are either a shameless fool or irredeemable dunce. You almost got me to view you as learned individual but your useless postings, which convey your inner most state of mind, had relegated you to the true son of your treacherous forbearers.

When the first regional elections were held, NCNC and local party such as IPP that fielded candidates under the platform of the NCNC trounced the Action Group in western regional polls that comprised the then Midwestern region. However, the Yoruba elites frowned at the possibility of an Igbo man being the first premier of western region hence political arm twisting and burning of houses of opponents ensured. These actions led to the famous carpet-crossing incident among the members of IPP including the individuals such as Fani-kayode, etc.

If Herbert Marculey did not die earlier than the election date, which saw Azikiwe as the leader of NCNC, the political treachery in western region of Nigeria that gave birth to tribal political bickering in the jungle called Nigerian would have been averted. This single action by the Yoruba people, I guessed informed Azikiwe’s political amalgam throughout his approach towards Nigeria gaining of independence and beyond. It must be recalled that Pan-Igbo Union gave rise to NCNC and yet, a Yoruba man was elected leader of the party.

It is an unpardonable idiocy to insinuate that Awolowo started call for the agitation of independence of the British Protectorate that metamorphosed into the jungle called Nigeria. It is a literary crime to make such fallacy public in written easy as you have done.

The women in Aba in 1929 had started the benchmark for agitation of the Nigeria’s self-governance led by their young lawyer Jaja Wachuku who was imprisoned by the colonial masters. Also on the first vanguards of Nigerians for independent was Azikiwe whose newspaper, West African Pilot, took the fight against colonialism to the British. When the British chased Zik to Ghana in 1940s, Awolowo had not finished schooling in London talk less of being source-mouth of Nigerian independence.

Agitation for creation of more regions in the jungle called Nigeria was born out of self-centered political reasons, need for equity and the action of the northern region politicians for demanding 50% representation at the federal level. Eastern region is the smallest region in Nigeria when viewed through the land mass. NCNC started the call for more regions especially in the northern region of Nigeria where the British had extrapolated population figures based on the land mass. NCNC wanted northern region to be divided into three regions and western region to be divided into two regions to bring sense of equity to sizes of the regions. This motion by NCNC stalwarts triggered similar motion from other regions calling for division of eastern region into two.

The fight for creation of Midwestern region was spearheaded by NCNC, Otu-Edo and MSM. While NCNC leaders were fighting for creation of Midwestern region, Action Group leaders made every human effort to stop the momentum. During this process, Awolowo had to threaten Oba Akenzua II of Benin to stay clear out of politics or else.

Initially the Oba listened to that ominous advice that almost caused him his throne because of constant headache the Oba was receiving from Humphery Omo-Osagie of Otu-Edo group.

In order not to bore you with lengthy history of the agitation of Midwestern region, let me simply state the groups and individuals who were for and against creation of Midwestern region.

For Creation of Midwestern region:

Party or Groups: NCNC, MSM and few members of Otu-Edo group.

Individual Efforts: Oba Akenzua II, Obi of Agbor, Dennis Osadebe, H. Omo-Osagie, F. Okotie-Eboh, Chike Ekwuyasi, J.I.G Onyia, J.O Odigie, J. Utomi, F. Oputa-Otutu, G.I. Oviasu, D.E Y. Aghahowa, J.E. Otobo the only Action Group member who favored the creation of Midwestern region, etc.

Against Creation of Midwestern region:

Party or Groups: Action Group, UPP, few members of Otu-Edo and few Urhobo Progressive Union.

Individual Efforts: Olu of Warri, Obafemi Awolowo, S. L. Akintola, Gaius Obaseki, Anthony Enahoro, S.O. Ighodaro, Arthur Prest, etc.

It would be recalled that during the 1963 referendum for creation of Midwestern region, many NCNC political stalwarts personally went to the region to stump for the movement for the creation of the region without minding for their safety. The chief among the politicians to campaign for Midwestern region were Michael Okpara, Dennis Osadebe, G.C Mbanugo, TOS Benson, R. A. Fani-Kayode, R. A Akinyemi, K. O. Mbadiwe, Olu Akinfosile, F. Okotie-Eboh and H. Omo-Osagie.

As at this period, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was already in jail in Calabar and the only effort he put towards the creation of Midwestern region was against.


In academia, Nigeria was up and running to ellipse any progress Ghana had achieved. By 1963, Nigeria had four Universities namely ABU, Unibadan, Unilag and UNN. The VCs of the universities were two expatriates and two Nigerians. The Nigerians were Prof. Kenneth Dike and Prof. Eni Njoku of Universities of Ibadan and Lagos respectively. Please folks you must understand that in academia then, the position of tenured professorship is strictly based on academic merit. It should be recalled that when Prof Eni Njoku merited the position VC of Unilag, Dr. Obabiaku (sp) was not even a full professor at Unibadan. However, when Eni Njoku tenure was due for re-appointment for second four-year term, a Yoruba born Minister of Education who has just defected from NCNC to NNDP decided to inject tribalism to Nigerian academia by appointing Dr. Obabiaku (sp) to the post of VC of Unilag. The minister for education was no less a person than Chief Richard A. Akinjide.

Due to the shaming of the very Nigerian young academic repertoire by ethnic biased and tribal driven minister, the expatriate VC in UNN had to appeal to the government urging that Prof. Eni Njoku should replace him at UNN.

@ynuo

I raised my hat for you, pal. You have come with a clear mind with no emotional or sentimental attach.

@GAR3TH

You were so wrong and goofy in some of assertions that the need for even a moronic moderator is heightened.

@Negro_Ntns


It is either you are a drooling liar or blinded to irrepressible ethnic bias. I am very sure that you are a pathetic novice when it comes to military parlance but can not fathom the issues that make it hard for you to discern the dissimilarities between the presence of security guards at the premises of army officers and civil ministers, premiers or governors.

The regime in discussion was a civilian regime and during this era the military officers where not what they became during and after the Nigeria-Biafra civil war that ushered many years of military regimes in the jungle called Nigeria.

The premises of the premiers and ministers were heavily guarded by the men and women of Nigerian Police Force based on different chain of command from the army. In the other hand, the military officers do not get such elaborate security guard presence in their premises. During the era in discussion, the officers in command positions may get one aid-the-camp (ADC), two orderlies and a driver.

Any form of confrontation that occurred between the security guards and the coup plotters occurred at the premises of either the regional premier, ministers or regional governors. I am of the view that the overwhelming hatred you harbored for a particular ethnic group in the jungle called Nigeria would not allow you perceive the correct facts even when placed under your nose

You claimed doing a research on this subject matter but I seriously doubt it. If you did a research on any of the issues about January 15, 1966 coup, you would have, at least, realized that Quartermaster-General of the army has absolutely nothing to do with the armory.

Pal, you need serious schooling on the issues about the cradle of Nigeria.

[quote author=Negro_Ntns link=topic=298478.msg4228804#msg4228804 date=1248252196]Allow me to add just two or three more wonders to that dissapearance by Zik. . .

1. Inspite the fact that they killed Balewa and Okotie Eboh in Lagos and Akintola in Ibadan, the coup plotters declared their plot in both Lagos and Ibadan a failure. What would it take for it to be a success, how many more people were targeted and who were they?

2. At Lagos they killed three Northerners and four Middle Belt ethnics, at Ibadan they killed one Westerner, at Kaduna they killed three Northerners (one was the wife of Ahmadu Bello) and four Westerners (one was the wife of Brigadier Ademulegun). The plotters did not take any action in the Eastern region, In all, not one military or civilian person of Igbo origin or of Igbo speaking culture was killed anywhere in the country. This should raise eyebrows!

3. The Deputy Prime Minister was Zanna Dipcharima and constitutionally should have been sworn in as the succeeding Prime Minister. Instead Ironsi took over power.

4. Why did Yorubas not strike back, what was going on in Yorubaland and why was their political leader, Awolowo, in jail?

There is load of questions. . .[/quote]The Lagos and Ibadan axis of the coup was termed unsuccessful because the primary target, Gen T. Ironsi, was not apprehended as planned.

I am not surprised that you displayed a stark ignorance of the January 15, 1996 coup and military parlance by owning up to a brazen fallacy that non-Igbo person was killed during coup. The name of Lt. Col. Arthur Unegbe, who held the position of Quartermaster-General in 1966, does neither sound Yoruba nor Hausa. Base on the military structure, the Colonel manning an important command position was a legitimate target to the coup plotters.

Of course, the coup plotters did not take any action in the eastern region of Nigeria because they have serious causes and reasons for the coup which eastern region of Nigeria did not meet. The January 15, 1966 coup and the subsequent coups were not planned to touch every nook and crannies of the country.

I can not believe that a person who had advertised him/herself as a lawyer would allow him/herself to be associated with statement such “The Deputy Prime Minister was Zanna Dipcharima and constitutionally should have been sworn in as the succeeding Prime Minister. Instead Ironsi took over power”.

Pal, you should not be in this debate. Nigeria ran a parliamentary system of government prior to January 15, 1966 and the Nigerian constitution did not have provision for the office of Deputy Prime Minister. In the coalition government that resulted after 1964 elections, the senior coalition partner, in this case NPC, produced the Prime Minister while the junior partner, in this case NCNC, produced the top ranking minister who is the de facto deputy prime minister. The NCNC ranking minister was Dr. K. O. Mbadiwe who had, in several occasions, conducted executive meetings in the absence of the prime minister. Well, if the prime minister was sick or died in accident, K .O. Mbadiwe would have continued as the prime minister until the time when the coalition government produces another prime minister. If the coalition partners could not reach agreement on the position of the prime minister, the president will order the government to be dissolved another election conducted.

The above scenario played itself out after the unsuccessful January 15, 1966 coup. As usual, the northern region of Nigerian politicians had always thought the leadership of Nigeria is or remains their birth right. Instead of NPC allowing smooth transition of the government through the right protocol, thus, Dr. K. O. Mbadiwe continuing as the Prime Minister of Nigeria, NPC huddled with NNDP without the major partner in the coalition government, in this case NCNC, to present Zanna Dipcharima as the prime minister to the acting President Dr. Nwafor Orizu. Seeing the NPC's break of protocol, NCNC, AG, NEPU, UMBC and NDC huddled to present K. O. Mbadiwe as the PM to Orizu. Having noticed the impasse among the coalition partners and headache of the coup, Orizu called in the GOC of the Nigerian Army to the meetings.

I guess your question is missing the qualified recipient of the Yoruba’s strike.

The question why Awolowo was in jail should be directed to Ademola Adetokumbo; the chief justice of the federal republic of Nigeria, T. O. Elias; the attorney-general of the federal republic of Nigeria who prosecuted Awolowo,  O. Sorowumi (sp); the federal chief judge who sentenced Awolowo to jail, Akintola led western region of Nigerian government that produced all the evidences against Awolowo and the federal government of Nigeria led by Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa who indicted Awolowo on the counts of treasonable felony.

[quote author=Negro_Ntns link=topic=298478.msg4228529#msg4228529 date=1248248804]Yes, it was not an impulsive move. It preceeded Independence but 1959 was an important mile post in Nigerian history and that's why I mentioned that I will start from there and work the way up to 1966.

People have questions. Many are wondering why I would bring this up in today's climate given that the political timeline is different. Yes, the timeline is different but we are beset by the same issues that the country faced back then and as was in 1966, the country is again going through a highly tense political culture.

. . .it should not matter what ethnic group our President belongs to. . .we desire to have a person of merit to lead. So why isn't the other two major tribes confident and trustful of an Igbo leadership? What is the past relationship between these three tribes where one is in disfavor amongst the other two and that one has been kept out of Presidential seat for so long?[/quote]Are you really sincere to yourself and the citizenry of the jungle called Nigeria? You can not disapprove unification decree #34, which eliminated nepotism and sued for merits, and at the time calling for processes of selection or appointments based on merits.

The fear was instigated by the sheer and overwhelming number of qualified individuals of Igbo extractions in particular and eastern region of Nigeria in general. The Army, Police, Judiciary, Heads of Parastatals and Public Services would have been occupied by the dudes from the eastern region of Nigeria.

Like I wrote in my previous posts, the innocence of Nigeria to embark on radical change was killed in 1966 and it does not have the credibility to discuss the process of revolution. The presently constituted colonial contraption called Nigeria will never experience meritocracy.

This is another idiotic and silly idea instigated by dull mind of imitators in the jungle called Nigeria. The Marine Corps in United States of America or the Royal Marines of United Kingdom are motorized and rapid deployment infantry forces. USA Marines Corps is attached to Navy because of the birth history of the force and the ability of the Navy to handle the logistic headache involved in deployment of huge mechanized infantry divisions.

tpiah:
do 90% of the European "tribes" spend all their time fighting each other?

Or did they give it a rest.

therein lies your clue.

Yes, the tribes in Europe fought each other almost to extinction. The Franks, Saxons, Celtics, Anglo, Latin, Bavarians and more are tribes in Europe. However, they have all became nations. In Africa, instead of nations the tribes were meshed into geographical entities called countries which served the administrative convenience of the colonial masters.

This single action by the colonial masters has left Africa in perpetual circle socio-politico-economic retrogression including wars of attrition. If something is not done soon, the next round of wars in Africa will be very atrocious.

ilugunboy:
From the little i've read so far from the article, it's apparent that so many things were not mere coincidences and should never be glossed over.

Why did Zik travelled out for medical check up just before the coup and never returned until after things had cleared up a bit?. Even his personal physician came back citing exhausted allowance as reason.

It looked there was a plot within a plot in the whole exercise of Jan 1966. Many people were not aware of so much details and the real motive of the 5 Majors,

I made bold to say that the real motive was to subjugate other Nigerians by the Igbos , if not why the Unification agenda even when the Hausas were shouting Federalism and Aruba. The Unifaction would have favoured them under that present circumstances that Nigeria was.

Whatever anyone might say to the contrary, it is apparent that Igbos started it all. The fear of such a repeat of Jan 1966 is the main reason that Hausas are up till now hell-bent in controlling the army.

Without Jan 15 1966 there would not have been any July 1966 or RETURN MATCH as they called it and probably things would have been differerent in Nigeria today

Am sorry for whatever transpired during the civil war but to GOD who made me I remembered vividly that my partenal Grand father housed an entire Igbo family throughout the duration of the civil war and the grand children of these people are still living in my family compound up till this moment. So it not really an issue of hatred on my part.

Are you for real? If you believe this crap pal, you can believe anything. The president of Nigeria was away on medical check up in London and few days after he left, there was a coup. There was no way the bills of the president could not have been settled unless the regime at home refused to pay.

In this case, there was no indication whatsoever that the short-lived Ironsi’s regime refused to settle Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s medical expenses including allowances of the president’s doctors. Please be mindful that Dr. Okechukwu Ikejiani was also attached to the president’s medical team.

These pitiful and conjectural craps, willfully intended to skew the facts in order to paint January 15, 1966 coup as Igbo, will continue to haunt the jungle called Nigeria. The jungle called Nigeria will never be united and nothing will bring more joy to me than to see the disintegration of colonial contraption called Nigeria.

It seems that people tend to confuse unification decree with unitary system of government. The unification decree #34 is what we are practicing today. The public service is the same every in the federation and regional governments were not changed. The unification decree did away with the nepotism imbibed in Local Authority Government system were the Emirs and their cronies decided who will join officers cadet, civil service, head of customary courts and headmasters of the schools.

The Local Authority Government left its hand-prints on the crop of army officers from northern region of Nigeria prior to the coups of 1966. Most of the officers from the northern region, from Katsina to Gowon, qualified to be army officer or not, were the sons, brothers, nephews, cousins of the Emirs, ministers, religious leaders, heads of the Local Authorities or army officers. .

The counter coup of July 29, 1966 was rather instigated by the fear of be purged from the armed forces than the killing of the politicians. I could implicate certain personalities from northern region of Nigeria who could have been affected if the anticipated purge had taken place.

@Afam

Late Senator and Flight Lieutenant A. Nwankwo, the Air force ADC to Gen. T. A. Ironsi traveled to Ibadan with the GOC. Also present in the government house during the arrest of Ironsi and Fajuyi were Lt. Sani Bello; the army ADC to Ironsi, Lt. Umar; ADC to Fajuyi, Lt. William Wulbe commanding officer in-charge of Ironsi’s security guards, Major Danjuma PSO to Ironsi, Lt. Col. H. Njoku; commander 2nd Battalion and Lt. John Onoja Adjutant of 4th Battalion.

I would not even start a debate about Lagos in comparison with Ibadan that ones served as a regional capital city talk less of Aba. Lagos city was better developed as a capital territory of Nigeria in the 60s than any city in old eastern region of Nigeria.

Again, I deteste lack of thorough approach in any assessment of jobs and would not jump into conclusion based on ill-informed factors. The analysis made between Aba and Lagos is like comparing the computer operational skills of two students, one from Akirika in Ukwa LGA and the other from London, England.

I am one of the harshest critics of the governors from then East Central State but would not compare them to the governors outside the region.

I am not a hero worshipper and can not be fazed by media headlines. I left Lagos in the 80s, and knew that it was federal government that built MMA and its access roads. Since then till date, roads are not running riot around MMA courtesy of Lagos State government. There is no federal government presence in the entire Igbo land talk less of joint ventures between states and federal.

The fact that minister for aviation went to River State to announce the perimeter fencing of a mechanic workshop with wider roads that passes as international airport and hinted about proposed joint venture between federal and Lagos governments, people are already itching to crown a king. I had hoped that the minister has gone to River State to announce the construction of an airport the size of MMA and access roads from the airport to Aba-Port Harcourt road. My plank remains that there is no federal presence in Igbo land talk less of joint venture between federal and state governments.

This story can not be truth. If the poster is not a practicing Muslim, I would like to inquire what on earth that could compel an infidel to undertake such a love journey to Kano State. Please do not pound into my consciousness that the compelling factor is the dynamite hidden between the girl’s thighs because you could find comparable ones, if not better, on the streets of Chicago, IL.

As for the need of being able to recite Nigerian national anthem, I should say that it predicated on patriotism.

[quote author=Negro_Ntns link=topic=298478.msg4221585#msg4221585 date=1248153220]Somewhere here, someone had asked and said I gave hi fve to two people for reading the report and how would I know that other respondents have not. It's easy. . . by following the thought trail. Now, look at the regular highlight font, these are some examples of one who has not read th document in its entirety.


I like your challenge on the ethnic ratio of the officers by rank and qualification to the total population of serving officers on payroll. I have highlighted the reference in italics.


The top officer rank and command was a close reflection of the party coalition between NPC and NCNC. It had nothing to do with merits. . .even though the Igbo officers,on account of qualification, could have qualified on merit alone, still, this was not the case, politics was brought into military commands and tribal loyalty trumped every other criterias for promotion and command. In very few and a handful cases where Yorubas had excelled and were in senior ranks. . .they became targets and were marked for assassination in the plot which according to Nzeogwu was aimed at eliminating corrupted politicians. You should ask why it was only Yoruba military officers that were gunned down in the coup. . were they politicians?
The aim was to limit Yoruba's axis of control and command, both militarily and politically and force upon him a situation where he cannot move or act without first getting authority approvalfrom Igbo. It is evident everywhere in this report. . . follow the blood trail and you will see it.[/quote]I hate to call people out but pal, you are a tribal irredentist. I am quite sure you have a considerable level of comprehensive ability and probably chose to ignore it.

This is the must ludicrous crap I have read from this forum. Again, do you really understood the Nigerian army command structure prior to January 15, 1966 coup?

For example:

GOC = Gen Ironsi   (Igbo)
2ic = Brigadier Ogundipe   (Yoruba)
Chief of Naval Staff = Commodore A. Wey  (Yoruba)
Chief of Army Staff = Col R. A. Adebayo,  (Yoruba ) later Col Mohamed Kur (Fulani)
Adjutant-General = Lt. Col James Pam (Tiv)
Quartermaster-General = Lt. Col Arthur Unegbe (Igbo)

1st Brigade Commander = Brigadier S Ademulogun (Yoruba)
2ic 1st Brigade = Col A. Shodinde   (Yoruba)
1st Brigade-Major = Major O. Rotimi  (Yoruba)

2nd Brigade Commander = Brigadier Zak. Maimalari (Kanuri)
2ic 2nd Brigade = Col.  E. O. Eze (Igbo)
2nd Brigade-Major = Major E. Ifeajuna  (Igbo)

1st Battalion Commander = Lt. Col F. Fajuyi (Yoruba) later Lt. Col. David Ejoor (Urhobo)

2nd Battalion Commander = Lt. Col. H. Njoku (Igbo)

3rd Battalion Commander = Lt. Col. W. Bassey (Ibibio)

4th Battalion Commander = Lt. Col. A. Largmann (Tiv)

5th Battalion Commander = Lt. Col. E. Ojukwu (Igbo)

I would want you to point out how the political party alliance in the coalition government played a major role in the command appointments in the Nigerian army prior to January 15, 1966.

Although the Ndigbo dominated the officer’s cadre of Nigerian army, command positions never reflected such reality. Anybody who understood the military parlance would come to terms that coup plotters would, among other reasons, target officers who held command positions. 

A careful examination of the Nigerian army command structure showed it was only the 1st Brigade that exemplified the tribal tendency in Nigeria army where the commanding officer had decided to introduce ethnic bias with the help of Alhaji Ahamdu Bello, premier of northern region of Nigeria and the Defense Minister, Alhaji Inua Wada.  Of course, the commanding officer was Brigadier Samuel Ademulogun, a Yoruba.

nobilia:
DEDE1,

See the sense in what the poster is saying. Ur logic is quite flawed. Take for example, Calabar has the best road network in Nigeria, was that Federal money too?
The money that sank into lagos while it was Capital decayed with the decadence that is all over Nigeria but what we are talking about is rising from the ashes which every state has decayed into. Should Aba continue to be in ashes just to serve your logic of not being a former federal capital?
Aba is the dirtiest city in Nigeria, whose fault is it?
The money Orji Uzor Kalu stole was enough to give Aba a facelift.
Portion blame where it is deserved, give praises where it is deserved too.
Ask yourself what Abia state government is doing with their income and derivation money.
As in your comment, if fashola is a fool ruling Lagos then know that Abia state Governor is the last chief executive buncum that ever walked this earth.
No tribal sentiment. I am an Igboman and a proud one but it is quite teary that it has become the norm in black Africa for people to blame others for their failures, just as black Africa is still blaming the slave trade as cause of their failure whereas countries that were razed during world wars have become first world countries leaving their past to the past.
Keep on blaming all bird, spirits and God but never yourself, one day it will dawn on all of us that we have failed collectively.

Please do not jump into comparative analysis of any sort when the compelling factors are not on equal footings. Again, I would not leap into unnecessary and ill-informed comparisons without equity in the juxtapositions of contributing factors. I do not visit this forum primarily to discern whatever sense an individual is laboring to make. 

Also, I am not in this debate to absolve any governor from Igbo land the guilty of money squandering. It is also unfair to leap into skewed comparisons with states that had one urban city to another state with two or more competing urban cities.

Since you have adjudged that my logic is flawed, I would like you to proffer a better logic than I had put forward. However, the over-sweeping assertion you have made on the issue is none starter. For a example, you had alleged that “The money that sank into lagos while it was Capital decayed with the decadence that is all over Nigeria but what we are talking about is rising from the ashes which every state has decayed into”. By the same token, I would want the same money sank into Lagos to be sunk into Aba as a capital city of federal republic of Nigeria then we shall begin to talk of rising from the ashes. 

I sincerely believed that you are well-informed African, who indulges in the machination of self-criticisms to a fault, and it will be my wish if you could aspire to become a saving grace as governor of one the states in Igbo land.

It is a fact that school leavers are one of the major criteria to determine allocation of grants among nations. Has this modality been the case in the cesspit called Nigeria? I will not leap into a mob mentality against the governors from the East Central State because one or two cities outside this zone have good roads. I would not like to burst your bubble but the last time I checked though, Calabar has once severed as capital of the territories known today as the federal republic of Nigeria.

It is only a fool that takes virtues of vigilance for granted when surrounded by determined enemies. I am very much impressed to read about you as a very proud Igbo man.

ikeyman00:
hmmmmm

k but does that imply abia state is even worse than Afghanastan

I know that Nigerians have lost their sense of comparative analysis. However, I did not know that such traits have descended to an abysmal depth. It is asinine to draw analogy between Lagos and Abia state. The best analogy would be having Aba city served as capital city of the federal republic of Nigeria for 35 years and upgraded to Aba State then such analogy would become a source of inspiration.

Any fool given Lagos to govern, after many years of sinking great portion of Nigerian resources in the city as federal capital and a city getting grants as a state, without showing flashes of sublime brilliance is an irrepressible slowpoke.

This is a piece of joke. The so-called retired Major-General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo’s name should not be mention in the same sentence with words such as war. Is he not the same Col R. A. Adebayo who could not stand the sight of drunken northern Nigerian soldier? We are not talking about inter-village wars fought in the 1800s. Even if at that, the name Afonja speaks volumes on such endeavor.

@Poster

It is because the Hausa, Fulani, Kanuri and Nupe are detribalized, not overly aggressive, do not like money, will prostrate before the so-called minority in the jungle called Nigeria, definitely do not womanize and do not partake in the oldest known trade to human.

[quote author=oyinda. link=topic=298478.msg4215669#msg4215669 date=1248064144]dede u seem to know this nowa dude so well. why do u call him errand boy? where and when did ur debate take place?
just curious. u write articles too? i would like to read one of ur articles.[/quote]@oyinda
It will save you magnificent time and bandwidth to realize that the article posted by Negro_Ntns is, at least, more than eight years old. In fact, the article has been holistically edited due to scrutiny from certain quarters.

Afam:
Thanks for pointing that out, I didn't need to see or even read that article to know this fact but this Negro_Ntns is hell bent on spreading all manner of rubbish and yet believes he is telling the truth.

Little wonder he asked you to explain what you mean by your post after thanking you for reading the article. I guess he wants to start thinking for people too.

It is really disturbing to realize that a seemingly educated adult would expect objective people to rely completely on a Federal investigation and report concerning problems leading to a bitter war between the Federal Government and the Region that the Federal Government won. This is the most embarrassing position ever taken by someone that claims to understand facts. You fight with someone and the people get to know the facts based on what the person you fought with says and believes everything he says. Is this a basis for facts? Is this not highly subjective and biased.

Negro_Ntns, do yourself a favor and rid your soul of the hatred, do away with the lies and your insistence on having access to facts based on your own understanding and limited knowledge. When you do these things, come back here and we will have an objective and truthful debate on what may have happened in the 60's.

The killing of any innocent person is wrong regardless of the victim and the person carrying out the crime.

The 1966 coup was the very first military coup in Nigeria led by some army officers mostly from the Igbo tribe (let us forget for a minute that Igbos from the present day Delta State are usually not regarded as Igbos by non Igbos and by some of the Igbos in the area just like the Ikwerres) and a Yoruba major.

An Igbo man (the highest ranking military officer at that time) quelled the coup and imprisoned those responsible for the coup.

In a counter coup a Yoruba military officer late Col Adekunle Fajuyi who was hosting the then head of state Gen Ironsi chose to die with his commander in chief even when he was asked to leave as he was not a target.
That man late Col Adekunle Fajuyi remains the bravest and most honorable man I have read about in the Nigeria history till date.

Obviously, this man late Col Adekunle Fajuyi though a Yoruba man did not believe the lies and misinformation this Negro_Ntns is spreading here and this man was in a position to know everything this Negro_Ntns would never know no matter what he does.

Please do not join the lunatic bunch in spreading the shameful propaganda planted by the western region of Nigerian government publication of 1967 to save face for the region’s inability to stand up against aggression.

The claim of Lt. Col. F Fajuyi opting to die with Gen. Ironsi was and continues to be a blatant falsehood. I had the opportunity to talk to ADC to Ironsi, the late FLt and Senator Arthur Nwankwo, who categorically refuted such crap.

Also, in the Gowon’s biography by Eliegwu, then Lt. William Wulbe rubbished such claim in the interview he gave to Eliagwu. The Wulbe further hinted that Lt. Col. Fajuyi was indeed legitimate target because the military governor had been allegedly involved in the coup of January 15, 1966. Nobody receives options of life or death in the heat of coup d'etat

Negro_Ntns


There is no reason to pick up a debate session with person who has previously displayed a wanton ignorance in public domain. It is people such as you, who would readily claim to have been educated, are making the jungle called Nigeria look silly.

On the provocation section of this your hole-in-the-ace article; the errand boy clearly stated that the song or record titled “Ewu Nebe Akwa” was released by Celestine Ukwa, a prominent Igbo musician. Unfortunately, the jackass did not know that Ewu Nebe Akwa was released by Cardinal Rex Lawson who was Ijo

Again, be careful what you believe about Nigeria. By the way, I had to sit back watch you make fool out of yourself. Rememeber the URL script.

@Poster

I can not believe that tribal sentiments could drive seemingly intelligent individuals into a drooling ethnic irredentist. I had engaged Dr. Nowa Omoigui in a serious debate about his documentaries which spanned the length of Nigerian military history including the article titled “OPERATION AURE” as posted on this forum by Negro_Ntns.

As a matter of fact, I applauded the compilation of political and military events into documentaries by Nowa Omoigui but made him to understand that most of his write-ups were skewed in favor of Nigeria and particularly the northern region of Nigeria or outright falsehood.   

I would caution Negro_Ntns to thread softly on the Nowa Omoigui’s articles because the author is millions years away from sainthood but very much a hack writer. In addition, you are entitled to any conclusion you reached based on reading Nowa’s craps but do not join public debate relying on deliberated falsehood concocted by errand boy such as Nowa Omoigui.

Many knuckleheads in the jungle called Nigeria believed and may have sworn to the fact that Nigerian army in 1966 had only Five University Graduates (5) wearing Nigerian army uniform. I hope you will be surprised to learn that it was a gospel according to Nowa Omoigui who is Urhobo.

The articles did not list all the political parties in the first republic. There were obscure parties such as Ibadan People’s Party and Niger Delta Congress. 

There was no outright majority party in the first republic of Nigeria hence coalition government between NPC and NCNC. You might be surprise to know which parties were the coalition partners.

There was nothing such as North vs East political rivalry. It was more of political ideology than anything most people have insinuated.

Awolowo was imprisoned by British MI6, Northern Nigerian political machine of NPC and Yoruba peeps.

Kobojunkie:
I was born there @Samparian. My mother was there just until biafra was started back in the 60's. We went back in the 70's. I still have friends from there, and friends in the forces who are posted up there. I schooled with some of the kids of the then governors. At the same time, I noticed how common hausas ( those with no political connections) seemed to live the way the rest of us did.

If I may draw inference from your post, I guess the issue of 1966 pogrom in the northern region of Nigeria was not targeted against the Ndigbo alone. May I also conclude that the civil war vestiges prevented your family from returning to the northern region of Nigeria during the fighting?

I have labored to put forward the definition of a Nation or Country on this forum according to Webster. I also alluded to the high degree of propensity among Africans to imitate Europeans. Why has the issue of caving up Africa into nations of similar ethnical and cultural identity not attracted to Africans?

It is no doubt that Europe is caved up into countries or nations according to ethnicity and culture of the people. Recent examples included the exit of USSR, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia. Why should certain Nigerian peeps twisted out of human form on hearing that an ethnic group or organization is agitating for independent sovereignty out of the cesspit called Nigeria?

Can someone please inform me in no uncertain terms the reasons that formed instigation of continued nurturing of colonial contraption called Nigeria or the fear of its disintigartion?

Sometimes Becomerich displays a degree of intellect or lack thereof. I duff my hats for Yoruba peeps on matters of recorded events but the antics of one Nairaland regular called Becomerich are destroying the literally repute of this group of people.

The idea of Niger Delta was formulated by Royal Niger Company and later carved into dioceses by the Anglican Church under the auspices of Christ Missionary Society. It is asinine to mention the name of Adaka Boro as the originator of Niger Delta. When Isaac Adaka Boro was still a student, NDC has been contesting electoral seats in both Brass and River provinces. 

In fact, the so-called Niger Delta is a misnomer and does not exist. River Niger and River Benue joined at Lokoja and gave rise to River Benue-Niger. Found in the delta basin or the estuaries formed by Benue-Niger, Imo, Anambra, Orashi and Utamiri Rivers included such states as Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom and part of Delta. Also, the largest part of Delta State is situated in the delta formed by Rivers Forcados and Escravos. Both Edo and Ondo States have absolutely nothing to do with delta formed by rivers listed above.

The current Niger Delta crap was created by the cock-suckers who are bent on dying for the crude oil, had already perpetrated and fought a civil war in the jungle called Nigeria.

I tip my hat for Brigadier Ogundipe, most army officers of Yoruba extraction in 1966 and then Major Samuel Ogbemudia

I have long concluded that Becomerich is very lazy sycophant. The dude’s tendency to disseminate unfounded and wild allegations of the Ndidgbo’s maltreatment of their minority neighbors is daunting. It was only in the former eastern region of Nigeria that minorities were head of government, secretary to government, leader in house of chiefs, minister of justice and attorney-general and many other authoritative positions.

Such balanced and judicious appointments were neither found in western region nor northern region of Nigeria. It was very humiliating to Oba of Benin as his presence was not even recognized in western house of assembly during famous speech accredited to the then governor of western region, Oba Adeniji.

Ndigbo have never treated minorities in the then eastern region of Nigeria with contempt, especially the Ijo (Kalabri and Okirika). It most be noted as a fact that the great grandmothers and grandmothers of many Ijo peeps were Ndigbo. Asari Dokubo’s great grandmother and grandmother were Igbo ladies.

The so-called maltreatments of the minorities in the then eastern region of Nigeria by Ndigbo were fallacies manufactured and pounded into the consciousness of so-called minorities by the detractors of the eastern region. I hope with time, the shells will begin to fall off the eyes of the so-called minorities of former eastern region of Nigeria.

Lagos is a perfect and legitimate target to hit by any group or country in disagreement with the federal government of Nigeria. It is a display of ignorance and political naiveté by few Yoruba peeps as they labeled the alleged attack on Atlas Cove Jetty by MEND as an attack on Yoruba. What happens to other Nigerians who may nationalistically posit claim to Lagos?

I thought that the so-called new generations of Yoruba peeps have learnt their lessons from the missteps of their forebears. I guess that notion is totally wrong hence Leopards can never change their spots. The present political shenanigans that are currently unfolding in the jungle called Nigeria are perfect refresher courses to many buffoons who are domiciled in southern Nigeria that have continuously called for revolution in the jungle called Nigeria. Those southern Nigerians who have been yelling for such political action should realize that among them is a huge green snake hibernating in the green grasses of southern Nigeria.

It is politically preposterous for large cross section of Yoruba extractions to get twisted out of human form because of the alleged attack by MEND. It is pure shame that the foolish governor of Lagos state, the OPC and the entire Yoruba contingent of Nigerians would react as news media have shown lately. If the current situation develops into a shooting war, it would not be a surprise if the Yoruba peeps joined the caliphate’s columns as usual.

I am not equally surprised that the big freeloaders called Ijo leaders have felt threatened as their masters in northern Nigeria have warned them to put their hunting dogs on a secured leash. What a shameful act by the so-called Ijo leaders? The same bloody cock-suckers who thought that eating the crumbs off the dinning table were enough to sell-out in 1966. I had hoped that young shall grow reasonably.

For other jackasses from southern Nigeria, I guess a word is enough for the wise. Believe it when I say that the jungle called Nigeria will not see a day of meaningful progress as presently constituted.