₦airaland Forum

sulad82i:
Ezeuche kinda looks at things from a mini perspective. No wonder u were voted for that much

Mini perspective, because I am giving credit to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala?

We all know I was voted for, but I am not going to say the reason. . .

becomrich5:
all the books i read shows kwara state and the borgu, during the treaty with the Yorubas, Ilorin was alway mentioned, this is the first time, I see this map. all the treaty and even the one sign in berlin shows, kwara and kogi where never part of the north.

Even in this map, you can see, Yorubaland , up to bayelsa state were part of Benin republic.

That's a lie. I never heard of Oyo defeating Great Benin in battle.

Ileke-IdI:
How many threads have been created since the original one?
Are we a nation of whiners?

Come again?

Kobojunkie:
What the heck is an Ibo lens?

An IGBO lens is self-explanatory. Means I am looking out for the best interest of my people.

Katsumoto:
Is the UK not a developed nation? See the attached about UKs loan from the IMF in 1976.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cabinetpapers/themes/imf-crisis.htm

You see I did not mention the UK. lol

That was an exception to the rule.

Katsumoto:
Greece went to the IMF and the EU. The UK went to the IMF in 1975. Russia, although a member of the G8, still has debts with the IMF. There are many developed nations that have gone to the IMF. If Greece, Ireland, and Portugal default on their soverign debt, as predicted by most analysts, they would all go to the IMF.

I actually meant developing nations; I will correct it. Generally, most nations go to the IMF if they are unable to either service their soverign debt or if they are unable to borrow from the capital markets.

Do you have proof my friend? And I would not consider Russia as a developed nation. It is not considered part of the 1st World, but a member as the 2nd World in which all the former Soviet nations used to be a part of. Greece is not as developed as people think, nor is Portugal. They are not considered periphery countries, but they are definitely not considered 1st World.

Only Ireland has risen to the rank as developed when it was classified as a Celtic Tiger.

Katsumoto:
You are correct but many identify you with ethnocentrism because you have been putting down other groups such as the Ijaw, Yoruba, Ngwa etc. OnlyTruth equally falls in the ethnocentrism camp because he is constantly disparaging other groups and constantly staing Igbo superiority over others.

I believe we should not feel guilty to identify with our tribes and their concommitant cultures, values, morals, etc. Can a Hausa man be a proud Yoruba man? No; he can only be a proud Hausa man.

I may have mocked some groups in the past, when my group was attacked, indeed that was not right. However, after I toned that and attacked the leaders, people took that as an assault on their ethnic group. Case in point, my issue with Awolowo. I do not have a favorable opinion of Awolowo, but many of you Awoist took that as an attack on your people. There is a problem when you see people as the epitome of your ethnic group.

And I was only using anecdotal evidence. I do not consider my group superior to others. I have said time and time against that I respect the culture Yoruba and I am fan of your history and artwork. Don't see how I can be an ethnocentrist  with such views. I even said I was admired by the fervour of Uthman dan Fodio as he created the Sokoto Caliphate. He was a leader who turned a backwards tribe into a powerhouse in West Africa.

Concerning the Ngwa, they are not an ethnic group, it is a fellow Igbo clan. There are clan rivalries that exist, so I would not consider them a separate ethnic group, because we are the same people. My clan used to be bitter enemies with the Ngwa, that is why I may have said some disparaging remarks. You still hear people saying that you cannot marry from that clan, because of such and such happened in the past.

Never have I said Igbos are superior to anyone. If you proof have back that I said that, please show me. I would be a fool to think my people are better than another people. It is un-Igbo to think that way, due to our egalitarian nature.

I am a proud Igbo man. Nothing more and nothing less. And I look through Igbo lens, because that is how I was raised, as an Igbo.

And he is also mistaken that the Kanuri, who do not really have any love for the Fulani or Hausa see themselves as one either. Remember it was the Kanuri who gave Uthman dan Fodio the stiffest resistance to the Fulani jihad and prevented them from penetrating the Kanem-Bornu Empire.

Katsumoto:
It is ludicrous to allude that most developed nations that had their debt written off at the same time had finance ministers who previously worked for the IMF/WB. I will try to find an article from the Economist from a few years ago where the credit was given to campaigners who lobbied for third world debt to be written off.

You do know that most developed nations do not go to the World Bank or IMF for funding?  I have never heard of the U.S. or the European nations after the post-war rebuilding of the Western European powers that have went to the World Bank for loans.

Even tiny Greece did not go to the World Bank for the loan, but the European Union.

afam4eva:
What most Nigerians think Tribalism means is actually what Ethnocentrism means. Being a tribalist is not bad. It does not mean you hate other tribes.

And that is the crux of a matter. I think Dapobear was the first to bring that up in the other discussion. There is nothing with being considered a tribalist. The problem arises when you feel that your ethnic group is superior than another. I see nothing wrong with looking through a tribal lens as it pertains to Nigerian politics.

Katsumoto:
If Nigeria's debt had ballooned to £4 trillion, would you have blamed Okonjo-Iweala?

It depends who was responsible for the ballooning debt. Knowing Nigerian politicians, it is hard for them to follow their financial advisors, so if she spoke out against the reckless spending, then I would not blame her. However, if she didn't, I would blame her as well.

Tribalism - trib·al·ism

n.
1. The organization, culture, or beliefs of a tribe.
2. A strong feeling of identity with and loyalty to one's tribe or group.

Ethnocentrism - eth·no·cen·trism

n.
1. Belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group.
1. Overriding concern with race.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

It would seem that ethnocentrism is worse than tribalism according to the dictionary. People on NL have been using the words the wrong way.

Katsumoto:
Is it only developing nations that have debts or is it only developing nations that have executives on the boards of the IMF and the World Bank that have their debts forgiven? Nigeria's debts were forgiven at a time when campaigners such as Bono, Sean Penn, and others lobbied developed nations to forgive third world debt. Did all third world countries, that had part or all of their debt, have executives on the board of the IMF or World Bank?

Nigeria was able to have its debt completely written off because it had increased its foreign reserves due to the high price of oil and OBJ's management style. If the head did not save the money, Nigeria would not have paid off completely the remainder of the debt. Every debate must not start and end on an ethnic tone.

I respect you as an intellect, there is no denying that, but I have to disagree with you. No, it isn't only developing nations that have debt. Look at how much the US is owing China, but the fact in the matter is, the World Bank and IMF is controlled by Western nations. Since, they contribute the most money to these international institutions, they have a lot of power within these organizations.

Remember, that many developing countries had some of their debt forgiven, but they still owed a lot of money to these institutions. Under the stewardship of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who knew the inner workings of the World Bank, she was able to help Nigeria in ways, other developing nations did not have connections. I can get on another discussion about the World Bank in how these debts are unjust, but that is up for another discussion.

I see you like to leave Dr. Okonjo-Iweala contribution to lowering our debt. That is my problem. OBJ had nothing to do with it. He just had talented people on his staff. And I will not give him any credit. All credit goes to those who are in the trenches, not the supervisor. You understand where I am coming from? My statement has no ethnic undertone. I would have said the same thing if the finance minister was Yoruba or Hausa.

jason12345:
through out my say in nigeria, i only met 1 ijaw person and from him i can tell they are good people. but the edwin of a guy wants to kill GJ politically.

Ijaws are good people indeed. However, they have a warlike tendency, which I respect very much which reminds me of my Igbo clan. They will not allow anyone push them around. It doesn't matter if you are from a larger group. This is something I can respect.

afam4eva:
Correct me if u'm wrong. The Ijaw population in the Niger Delta is not as much as the Igbos in the Delta. The Ijaws make too much noise that's why it seems like they're larger than other ethnic groups in Nigeria. Infact i've come across more Ibibios than Ijaws.

Ibibio population is just as confused as the Igbo population in the Delta. I can attest to that. Ibibio is only larger if you include the Annang and Efik. However, these groups hate each other with a passion, so unity cannot happen.

Katsumoto:
I suppose the president of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, can get America's creditors to forgive America's debt; also, Dominic Strauss-Kahn can use his position as president of the IMF to get French creditors to forgive its debt.

You are comparing apples with oranges. Neither of these gentlemen that you have mentioned come from developing nations do they? She used her contacts and expertise in the field to help get our debt forgiven. Anyone who denies this must crucial fact is a fool.

jason12345:
you really need to stop looking at things ethnically

Who said I was looking at it through an ethnic standpoint? I looking through an economic standpoint. It was just a matter of fact that it was an Igbo woman who helped get our debt forgiven. That is it.

bk.babe97y:
Uber Tribalist, Can U please answer the question I posed to u!!!

I know you are enjoying the results of that fake poll.  

bk.babe97y:
To the OnlyTruths and the other liars on here, I ask:

DOES THIS MEAN YALL GONNA DISOBEY OJUKWU'S INSTRUCTIONS THAT YOU VOTE FOR IBB!?!?

Listen clearly boy. . . We Igbos have no king. That is why we vote for anyone whom we choose. In our entire history, no one dictated to us what to do.

alj harem:

u see what happens when a minority becomes the president

We have had plenty of minority presidents in the form of the Fulani people. Were you complaining then?

Katsumoto:
You have started chatting nonsense again. Do you care to tell us how she did it? Under OBJ's stewardship, Nigeria had part of its debt forgiven by the Paris club while guarantees were made by the government to repay what was outstanding. Can the finance minister or treasury secretary (in the US) act without the president's authority?

If it wasn't for her influence and background, those things that you explained would not have happened. Don't you understand. Having such a qualified finance minister who is known in the world of finance is a net plus for us. She was the former Vice-president and corporate secretary of the World Bank for goodness sake.

Lalateeza:
ezeuche, how old are you? You are still a kid coz this is not necessary. Are you that lazy?

First, let me ask you this question. Who the hell are you? Sorry, for the hostility in my query, but I want to know.

This great man desserves more credit for what he did in the East. Not only for Igbos, but Ijaws, Ogoni, Ekoi, Ibibio among others. He lived a selfless life and while the Yorubas can give praise to Awolowo for what he did for them, we the people of the East should be singing praises for Dr. Michael Okpara.

alj harem:
obj removed the debt, between 2007 tp 2010 of yaradua and jonathan we are in serious debt again

OBJ didn't do anything. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was the person who removed our debt. Without her, our debt would have  actually increased.

Heroes of Ndigbo: Michael Iheonukara Okpara


Michael Iheonukara Okpara, GCON (December 1920-December 17, 1984) was a political leader and Premier of Eastern Nigeria during the First Republic, from 1959–1966.

The Michael Okpara Federal University of Agriculture is named after him, as was the Michael Okpara College of Agriculture in Imo State, since renamed the Imo State Polytechnic.
About Me:Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara was the leader of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons and Premier of Eastern Nigeria (comprising nine out of Nigeria's thirty-six states) during the First Republic (from 1959–1966). He, alongside President Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is considered one of the greatest leaders Nigeria has ever produced.
Although Dr. Okpara was one of the politicians detained soon after the military coup of January, 1966, he and Chief Dennis Osadebay of the Mid-West were the only Regional Premiers who survived the army revolt of January, 1966, in which two other premiers were killed.

An Igbo from Umuegwu, Afugiri, Ohuhu, Umuahia, in the present day Abia State of Nigeria (Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, Nigeria's first military ruler, also hailed from Umuahia), Dr. Okpara was at 46 the Nigeria’s youngest Premier. The son of a laborer, he was born in December of 1920. After attending mission schools, he went to the Uzuakoli Methodist College, where he won a scholarship to study medicine at the then Yaba Higher College, Lagos. Completing his medical studies at the Nigerian School of Medicine, Dr. Okpara worked briefly as a government medical officer before setting up a private practice in Umuahia.

While carrying on his practice, Dr. Okpara showed great interest in the Zikist Movement (named after Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe), the militant wing of Dr. Azikiwe's NCNC, which brought the independence struggle to a head in the late forties. After the shooting of rioting workers at the Enugu coal mines in 1949, Dr. Okpara was one of the members of the Zikist Movement arrested by the government for allegedly inciting the workers to riot. He was later released. Following the granting of internal self-rule by Britain, Dr. Okpara was elected into the Eastern Nigerian House of Assembly in 1952 on the NCNC platform. Between 1952 and 1959 - when he took over from Dr. Azikiwe as Premier of the East - he held various Cabinet positions in Eastern Nigeria, ranging from the Minister of Health to that of Agriculture and Production.

When in 1953 NCNC legislators in the Eastern Nigerian House of Assembly and the Central Government in Lagos revolted against the party leadership, Dr. Okpara was among party loyalists who joined forces with Dr. Azikiwe. It was not until November, 1960, when Dr. Azikiwe finally left active politics to become Nigeria's first African Governor-General, that Dr. Okpara was elected leader of the NCNC. Very forceful and outspoken, Dr. Okpara was uncompromising on vital national issues. This in 1963 led to a severe strain in relations between his party and the ruling Northern Peoples' Congress of the late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Nigeria’s first Prime Minister), with which the NCNC formed the country's first post-independence Government.

A strong advocate of what he termed “pragmatic socialism,” Dr. Okpara reasoned that Nigeria’s salvation hinged on agricultural revolution. To this end, he acquired and managed a large farm in his hometown; thus inspiring many Eastern Nigerian leaders to take up interest in farming. Apart from revolutionizing Agriculture in Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Okpara has to his credit the industrialization of such notable Nigerian cities as Enugu (Eastern Nigeria’s government seat), Port Harcourt, Calabar, Aba and his hometown of Umuahia. He also championed the educational and infrastructural development of Eastern Nigeria. Successive Eastern Nigerian leaders (governors of Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Ebonyi, Imo, Bayelsa and Enugu states) have yet to build upon the selfless leadership and accomplishments of Dr. Okpara.

Dr. Micheal Okpara did not build or own a house of his own, either at Umuegwu, his village, or anywhere else in Nigeria when he was in government. When the Biafra-Nigeria Civil War ended, he went on exile to the Republic of Ireland. Before his return in 1979, the Igbo people chipped in to build him a single storey house in Umuegwu.
Dr. Okpara died on December the 17th, 1984. For the selfless service he rendered Nigeria, the Michael Okpara Way, in Abuja – Nigeria’s capital city – is named after him. So are the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, The Okpara Square in Enugu, to name just a few.
Dr. Okpara received the award of GCON (Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger), the Nigeria's highest honor, in 1964, in recognition of his services to his nation.

http://igbozurume.org/Michael_Iheonukara_Okpara.html

Dede1:
@OP

I can not believe my eye seeing the caption of this post or what triggered it. Reasons that crossed mind where either the poster is ignorant of the precursor of Nigeria/Biafra war or oblivious of the brutality of the civil war.

If the so-called leaders of Nigeria do not strive to avoid attritional civil war by making sure that the resources of Nigeria are spread equitably, war is inevitable.

Gbam!

No one looks for war, but in times of peace we prepare for war and in times of war, we prepare for PEACE.

Na2day,

Johnny Mad Dog is a good movie.

MzDarksin,

You underestimate Nigerians. I am pretty sure you could find Nigerians in that war zone during that period. You even have Nigerians in Somalia of all places. One thing I can say about Nigerians is that we are a fearless people. I forgot to add that there are Nigerians in the Congo.

jason12345:
you have to learn to respect other people's leaders! i know you wouldn't like it when they start insulting ojukwu.

Learn history. . .

Murtala Mohammed was a muderous monster responsible for the MASSACRE at ASABA! Did you know the Delta Igbo lost 2/3 of their ENTIRE population?

That is like asking the Jews to respect Hitler, because he was a German leader. Or the Shi'a or Kurds to respect Saddam Hussein, because he was a Sunni leader. Pure RUBBISH!

ICE Case Studies - The Biafran War

1. Abstract

Nigeria is a federation of states which are segragated by 3 major ethnic groups: the Ibo, Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba. The eastern region is dominated by the Ibo, the west by the Yoruba and the north by the Hausa/Fulani. These 3 major ethnic groups were brought together via European efforts to divide Africa among themselves. Mounting ethnic tension between these groups caused the Biafrans - the Ibos and other minority ethnic groups - in the south-eastern region to fight for their independence from the federation only 6 years after Nigeria gained its independence from British rule. The Hausa/Fulani refused to grant the Biafrans their independence in order to maintain access to oil reserves in the southern Niger Delta. Oil was first discovered in the Niger delta in 1958, and quickly took over Nigeria's economy. The low sulphur content of Nigerian oil stimulated great international demand, therefore the northerners would not allow Biafra to seceed from the federation. The Biafran war, 1967-1970, resulted in 100,000 military casualties. However, between 500,000 and 2 million Biafran civilians died from starvation during the war.

2. Description

The war began with ethnic rivalry in the armed forces. After the military coup in January 1966, in which Tafawa Balewa's government was overthrown by junior Ibo officers, Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, an Ibo, was the appointed head of government by ministers that survived the January 1966 coup. Anti-Ibo riots followed with traditionalist Muslim attacks on Ibo people residing in the north, in September of 1967, which resulted in a massacre; 30,000 deaths and massive Ibo flight of over 1 million, from the north to the east. Easterners, who had previously supported the idea of a united Nigeria, now opposed it based on fear of safety outside the eastern region. [/b]The Federal Military Governement (FMG) made peace offerings and invited military governor of the eastern region, Lieutenant-Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu to peace talks in Lagos, (the former capital located in the west), but Ojukwu rejected them.

In January, 1968, Ojukwu finally met with Gowon, some other regional leaders and police on neutral territory - Aburi, Ghana under the protection and mediation of the Ghana's military government. The agreement reached at this conference was that a loose confederation of the regions might solve Nigeria's ethnic problems. This agreement was violently opposed by civil servants in Lagos. [b]Awolowo, the leader of the western region demanded the removal of all northern troops in the west, and threatened to leave the federation if the east did so first. The FMG subsequently removed northern troops from the west; "and issued a decree resurrecting the idea of a confederation discussed at Aburi." Ojukwu and the other eastern leaders rejected it, by voting in May to secede from Nigeria. The mid-western region, the present location of Nigeria's capital - Abuja - announced that it would remain neutral in the event of a civil war.

On May 30, 1967 Ojukwu formally announced that Biafra would be an independent Republic. [b]He stated that Nigerian government's inability to protect the lives of easterners and its collaboration in genocide forced the Ibo to seceed from the federation.[/b]

In July army combat units were dispatched to the east, but were met with rebel troops. Biafrans retaliated by taking control of strategic points in the mid-western region. The FMG reacted by sending large numbers of the armed forces to fight in a full-scale civil war. The FMG regained control of the mid-west and the delta region, and terminated Biafra access to the sea by the end of 1967, yet, they were unable to penetrate the Ibo heartland - resulting in a stalemate.

[b]Outnumbered and outgunned, the rebel troops had the advantage of excellent leadership and morale. [/b]However, the FMG invaded Owerri, an oil rich area of the Niger delta, in 1968 and increased their army to 250,000 men. The Biafran rebels liberated Owerri. However, but a new federal offensive in the south forced the rebels into submission.

Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Gowon proclaimed a state of emergency and announced plans for abolition of the regions and the redivision of the country into twelve states. This effort was recognized as a concession to the eastern region that removed northern domination, and as a strategic move, which won over eastern minorities and deprived the rebellious Ibo heartland of its control over the oil fields and access to the sea. The division of Nigeria into 12 states took effect in April 1968 and the East Central State, formerly Biafra, was reintegrated into Nigeria after the cease-fire in January of 1970.

FOREIGN INFLUENCE

U.S. and European relief organizations, private groups and religious groups came to the assistance of the Biafrans in response to Biafran propaganda stressing the genocide of the Ibo. Airlifts brought food, medical supplies and arms to the war zones during the nights. Most of Biafra's military supplies were acquired through unofficial assistance by France via the franco-phone colonies, in the international arms market. Britain, on the other hand gave diplomatic support and limited military aid to the FMG. The former Soviet Union was a significant source of arms for the FMG. [b]Biafra was formally recognized by Tanzania, Zambia, Gabon, South Africa and Ivory Coast. Most African countries did not recognize Biafra to spite South Africa. [/b]The U.S. placed sanctions on exports of military goods to both the Biafrans and the FMG.

3. Duration

1967-1970
4. Location

AFICA => WEST AFRICA => NIGERIA

Most of the war took place in the Niger delta, thus, oil production ceased during the civil war. However, battles were fought in other areas of the country.

5. Actors

The Federal Military Government (FMG) consisting mostly of Muslims from the Northern region
Biafran rebel troops led by military governor, Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
Lieutenant Colonel (later Major General) Yakubu "Jack" Gowon.

http://www1.american.edu/ted/ice/biafra.htm

Murtala Mohammed, another murderous beast!

Like I said, I do not know who to support. If I had my way, I would only support Pat Utomi, but since he has no chance in this country, I want my vote to count.