₦airaland Forum

herzern1:
The Sun will never rise aqain on that land.

Forqet about Biafra and focus on the success of your private life.

I don't see the Children of elites protestinq.It is the poor that is weak and vulnerable. They have been brainwashed that the actualization of Biafra will brinq success for them.

Children of Hate.

#Spits on Ojukwu and Nnamdi Kanu's qrave.

If i give you or your family USA citizenship tomorrow, won't you celebrate and pack up to leave the country as soon as possible like every other one nigerianist that claims they love Nigeria so much.

It's funny how people come online and express their fake patriotism for Nigeria but the moment they get a chance to leave the country, nobody hears from them anymore.

Ndigbo are beginning to wake up to the reality of one Nigeria and realizing that there is no place like home. Enough of investing in other people land where their hatred for you has no bounds. Let's us build with our ingenuity and unconquerable spirit.

From the evil 20 pounds policy look at what we already accomplished. Our God never sleeps

Development doesn't come from the government. It only comes from the people. The government job is to create enabling environment and that's what obiano has been doing since day 1.

For those pegging their development on government budget. Be ready to wait till eternity.

The recurrent vs capital expenditures ratio looks really good.

49:51

That's very impressive in a time of recession

Duru1:
The truth remains Nigeria will never see meaningful progress without disintegration.

If you give USA visa to the same people shouting one Nigeria, they will jump up and start celebrating. They will start packing up to leave their so called Nigeria as if it's a war zone.

The same people crying today will vote Bihari again just out of spite for igbos. Their sheer hatred blinds them during elections.

Do you remember those days people used to make fun of anambra both in education and development. It's hard to do that again today.

In few years time, I will be saying the same for ebonyi. They are quietly developing rapidly. One day, we will wake up and ebonyi will surpass most states in development.

Oh my God. I thought this great project was dead after it was first announced in 2014. This means that Enugu state attracted two major industrial investment.

1) The Enpower free trade zone which includes an two industrial zones

2) The Enugu Industrial park by Goalmark group which according to plan will be an economic city on its own within Enugu.


When these two projects are completed. Enugu will be changed forever.

blues2022:
Yes we all know that one of the first fear of every non-Igbo is domination. However, going by history Igbo have never and will never any dominate group. The Igbo nation have been known over the century to absorbed the practice and culture of their immediate non-Igbo speaking groups. Example, some part of Delta Igbo today tend to display Benin cultural influence.

There is no way ND cities will play second fiddle to South East cities based on the proposed structure. If ND cities control their resources and have almost 80% control of their political system, tell me how their cities will not be developed. If they fail to develop their cities, then the fault is theirs.

The seaport politics is a strong one. The Nigerian and Lagos politics is a case study in this scenario. If in one country with the ND, the Igbos will be patriotically forced to use the ND ports. But if in separate countries, they could look for an alternative route, and that will definitely mean a drop in revenue from particular block. This scenario could be very dynamic.

When you talk about fluidic relationship, I think that is already in existence. There have never been any case of clash or conflict between the Igbos and their closest neighbors, e.g the Eastern Ijaws, Annang, Efik or even the Ibiobios . We have co-existed for years, inter-married and done businesses together without any problem. So where is your fear stemming from.

If you want to root your argument on politics, going by what IPOB and MASSOB have been proposing, the center of the new nation will be very weak…. This simply translate to the fact that the Ijaw man will be more politically at home in his region than he will be in the center. Because he wields more power at home than when he is at the center. Though this might be very abstract for now, however, I believe that South East/South will never clash as result of political reason, from what you are inferring.
The underlying factor of mis-trust for the Igboman by other ethnic group is born out of fear. Fear that easily sold on the platter of Nigerian system of divide and rule. See the Igboman as your fellow human that is an excessive hustler then you begin to see someone to appreciate and partner with.
If there is a split, I don’t think Nollywood will be changed to Biafrawood, assuming ND becomes one with Biafra. I believe a more encompassing name will come to play. A successful movie industry is not restricted to a specific region, it’s a global thing. Good and salable movie is not done by population, but skill, knowledge and good salesmanship
.
On the aspect of technology, yes you may have the resources to catch up, but you should also understand that you play the best when featured in your natural. I see the ND people more politically natural, while the South East is naturally inclined to industry and commerce. In that case, if you try to play a catch up, it will take you time and resources. Combining both forces will benefit the regions both in the short and long run.
ND people should drop their fear of Igbo domination. Its nonexistence. From my understanding, the Igboman wants peace within his borders and the ability to explore his God given talent. Not political dominance or land-grabbing as some of you do insinuate. #myOpinion.

Once again impressive.

One central mordern port in southern Abia state can serve the whole Biafran nation just like one port in Lagos is serving the whole Nigeria. That's assuming that bonny and opobo people choose niger delta republic over Biafra.

blues2022:
One of the point that validates your post is the theory of demographic economy. A healthy educated Population is money. One of the major reason I will support the points you raised is on the population factor.
South East and South-South combined currently boast of highly educated youthful population. You can virtually find South - Eastern/Southern indigene in all most every corner of this country, especially the South Western region, with Lagos boasting the highest population.
Base on this factor, if the sister region decides to secede together, with proper planning and solid democratic principles as the underlying foundation, she will definitely turn out a global economic power house.

Success is predictable. Whatever technology prowess you see at display today in the South East is purely out of self-motivation. If there is a deliberate support by any responsible government, it will unquestionably grow into a strong industry that can compete with other industrial nations. In that case, South – South do also stand to gain in the long run in the case of technology transfer. (As you stated in your post)

An educated population breeds competition. A healthy competition equals merit and if merit is given priority, then development will naturally flow. This is what the current system lacks, which is one the major reason behind her setback. If South East/South choose to become one country, a healthy competitive economic hub will be built this part of the globe. Imagine what will the fate of cities like Port Harcourt, Warri, Asaba, Onicha, Aba, Uyo, Calabar etc. Igbos in diaspora are eager to return home and invest...... a win win situation for all.....

But the South – South region, should also bear in mind that crude oil cannot serve as the sole bedrock of a thriving economy. Igbos wants to build a nation that is purely knowledge and tech base driven. South East do also have abundant resources, but we believe that the highest resources any nation can boast of lies beneath the cranium……

I’ll love to see the region unite to form a formidable force that will initiate modern African renaissance. However, this may be far from reality, judging by what is on ground…. Should the two region decides to slot it out together or separately, trust must be given a priority….

This rejoinder is in complete support of your position. However, the need to build a solid bridge of trust between the two region is very crucial now.

Well articulated response

oloyede252:
for sure am not God but it's a fact that a divided Nigeria is a dream. that why I Don't waste energy on an impossible mission better still let find a way to be a better person.

Nigeria is already divided my friend.

You are mistaking the forced oil-based unity which is enforced by the northernized military's genocidal threat as evidence of unity.

I opened a thread recently and asked a simple question: who is willing to die for one Nigeria if Hausa-Fulani people decide to leave. The thread got more views than responses. One nigerianist like you were no where to be found.

Once again you are not GOD

Alawe:
'GALA' is #100 now

If increase of gala price is your first indicator of Nigeria's doom, then you must have woken up from coma or have been lock up in jail for a long time.

oloyede252:
nice submission from everybody.
great points but in all a divided Nigeria is a dream of a thousand years.

You are not GOD. You don't even know what will happen tomorrow in your life talkless for a country as complex as Nigeria whose unity is very fragile and oil dependent.

LordAdam:
There has been no objection to the proposed Niger Deltan republic as far as I know by any SS group (Igboid and non-Igboid).

Moreover, you should know that NDDC still comprises of representatives from Edo and Cross River states despite both states not producing oil. Niger Delta right now is beyond oil, and while I can't entirely rule out tribes having grievances, maybe even a civil war, I am very optimistic about the prospects of NDR.

There's still a lot of sensitization to do, our leaders haven't been impressive, and our youths could use a lot of pep talk. And you're right that Biafrans, Catalonias, Scots and many other non-nation states seeking independence would be able to hit the ground running faster than the NDR.

Nonetheless, I'm awed by how far we've come, considering that even before there was a Niger Delta, we already had someone fighting for resource control (Borro). This was at a time that the present day SS was divided between the Mid-West and the old Eastern region. The Ibibios, Anangs and the rest of the ethnicities in Akwa Ibom and Cross River adopted the SS identity immediately after the civil war without any coercion.

And for an agitation that came into full force, uniting all the ethnicities in the region, in the 90s, we've come a long way.

Every country had birth pains and it'd be foolish to believe NDR wouldn't have its own birth pains, should the republic materialize. The strength in our diversity is the cord that'd keep us going.

-Lord

I hope things work out. Niger delta republic and Biafra will be a natural allies and trading partners. We just need to find ways to get out from this British cage called Nigeria.

allcomage:
I HAVE HAD DEEP THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND I CAME TO A CONCLUSION THAT BIAFRA IS THE BEST MOVEMENT FOR SS PEOPLES TO EMANCIPATE THEMSELVES FROM NIGERIA.EITHER INFORM OF CONFEDERATION OR GO THEIR WAY AFTER THE TWO ZONES MIGHT HAVE COME OUT OF NIGERIA VIA BIAFRA MOVEMENT.IT WILL BE EASIER BECAUSE BIAFRA IS ALREADY ON GROUND,ACTIVE, KNOWN AND ARE MAKING IMPACT WORLDWIDE.THE SS LACK THE COHESION TO PUSH AND SUCCEED ALONE.IF THEY WORK TOGETHER SALVATION WILL SHORTER BUT IT WILL BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE IF THEY GO SOLO.NIGERIA KNOW THE POTENCY OF THE SE/SS SYNERGY BUT ARE SUBTLY DRIVING A WEDGE BETWEEN THEM BUT THE SS ARE FALLING FOR THEIR BAIT IN BELIEVING OLD UNFOUNDED TALES.BUT THE SAD THING IS, TIME IS QUITE RUNNING OUT ON SS OVER WHAT IS LEFT OF THEIR RESOURCES.IT'S A PITY.

Intelligent observation. But they (SS) have to overcome their igbophobia or put it aside to see the bigger picture. Majority of igbos see it but SS people struggle with it. Nigeria benefits from the confusion by continuing sucking oil while the division continues.

pazienza:
I beg to disagree.
This issue must be diseected. Afonjas and Arewa meaningless posts here, not withstanding.

After this stupidd thread is dragged to 100 pages, another attention seeking idiotic fool will open another one within 2 months and you guys will keep falling for this nonsense. They keep doing this because we keep giving them attention.

Ok ikwerre people we don hear. You are not Igbo.

To all wise Igbo people who know what this thread is trying to accomplish, I strongly urge you to avoid it. We have had this type of arguments a million times. It is not worth your time or energy. We have bigger fish to fry. Let those who have ears hear.

galeiiTNA:
I personally do not want non Igbo speaking tribes to be part of Biafra. Honestly they feel threatened by the sheer size of the Igbo population.

This is something that we will always have to deal with. We are not just bigger but we are found everywhere both in Nigeria and outside.

The average Igbo person don't even think of domination in anything that they do. They just want hussle and make money to survive.

If Hausa and Yorubas as large as they are still worry about the so called Igbo dominance, then imagine how the smaller groups feel.

iSlayer2:
Igbophobia has slinked into the thread.

I totally disagree. I see people openly expressing their concerns and opinions freely without any insults being thrown.

Please Ignore the trolls that try to disrupt this conversation going on.

LordAdam:
You make valid points, and certainly when the time comes for a split, I believe there'd be a lot of discourse about the merits and demerits of joining Biafra or staying on our own in the ND. Everyone will bring their opinion and in the end hopefully a referendum or body of educated and influential Niger Deltans comprehensively representing every interest in the SS will make the choice.

For the moment tho', you should know that in spite of any shortcoming, any country that wants to become developed will be able to do so.

The fact is that, no matter how well we structure Biafra for the sake of equality, the states that form the present day Niger Delta will always play second fiddle to the core SE states. The UK revolves around England. Trinidad and Tobago revolves around Trinidad. Bosnia and Herzegovina revolved around Bosnia. I could keep going.

You mentioned science, tech, and engineering as their strong suit. That is not a fact to be argued, but it doesn't mean we can't play catch-up. Especially since we have the credible tertiary institutions, the money, and a rising number of educated people. Of course, we wouldn't really get to their point, but we don't have to. And if we have to invest our money, it's easy, the NDR will have a sovereign fund. Saudi Arabia, China, Norway, UAE each have funds with Billions of dollars that they invest in tech companies from the US to Estonia and even Kenya.

The same tech hub that can be cited in Nnewi or Aba can be cited in PH or Warri.

About Nollywood, there would not be Nollywood once Nigeria splits. It'd be a competition between Lagos in Oduduwa, Abuja in the Arewa, and Enugu in the Biafra. Of course we could stay with Biafra and try to improve the quality of Ndigbowood or whatever it'd be called then, but I really don't see how that helps us. Whether we stay or not, the SE would make it top quality.

And about the seaport, we don't need to stay in the same country with them to make them use our ports more. Netherlands is a really small country but handle the chunk of the world's shipping. All we have to do in NDR is make our ports world-class and compete with the already established ports in the SW (Oduduwa). Since we already have oil money we can slash rates, invest big in our ports, increase capacities, and give the SW a run for their money, not just for the Biafra but for Arewa, the rest of West Africa and East Africa. The Igbos are capitalists, they'd do business at our ports if we give them a good deal, it doesn't matter whether we are Niger Deltans, Fulanis or even Aliens.

I know I'm sounding a little too confident or may remotely pass off as cocky. But the Igbos and many of the Ethnic groups in the SS are egotistic and from where I sit, I don't think the relationship will be as fluidic as the proposed Biafra (with SS as a part of it) will be.

And what we would actually bring are resources (oil, land, access to coastal ports...) not exactly money or talent or anything else, they've got much of those. In my opinion, I'd rather we be a Qatar (or UAE) than a Scotland.

Of course, these are my humble submissions and not representative of the entire SS region. When the time comes, we'd have a more concrete discussion in-house about the merits and demerits of a Biafra instead of a NDR (although I think that ship sailed when agitation for NDR started).

-Lord

Good points. I strongly believe that niger delta republic can be very viable and successful if the will and commitment is there amongst all groups involved. Nothing is impossible.

But can Niger deltans truly come together as one people and nation? What unites niger deltans outside of producing oil? Will cross river and akwaibom people join with ijaws and urohobos and itshekiri people? I am not trying to throw sand into your garri but I am being realistic.

If Niger deltans truly want their own nation, they need to get out there as Biafrans and Catalonias are doing and sensitize the world. You can't just wake up one day to mobilize people to form a nation. Just saying the bitter truth.

As for seaport, biafrans will develop ugbaku seaport in Southern Abia state. It is only 30 nautical miles from the sea.

zendy:
Funnily enough, the word 'Biafra' has nothing to do with Igbos. Biafra has no meaning in the Igbo language. Even Asari Dokubo said it that the word Biafra has more to do with the minorities of Southern Nigeria such as Ijaw, Ogoni, Ibibio because it was those tribes that lived along the 'Bight of Biafra' where the name comes from.

Even Asari Dokubo went on to suggest to suggest that the Biafra may have originated from the Ijaw word 'Biafulo'.

Historians generally agree that the term 'Biafra' comes from an acient empire which once covered present day Southern Cameroon and Southern Nigeria. Even old maps from hundreds of years ago have Biafra on it.

So the word 'Biafra' has never been something that had its origins in Igbo land

Good history lesson for those who care to know.

LordAdam:
If wishes were horses eh!

The name calling is often from over-ambitious SSerners who feel threatened when some elements in the SE lump SS into Biafra. Such generalizations, intentional or not, are frowned upon by non-Igboid SS groups, mostly because it's seen as the first step into something that may grow messy if left unchecked.

Cross River and Akwa Ibom were drawn into the civil war simply by association. And the old Mid-West was railroaded simply because why the hell not.

So you can pardon the excesses even though it stokes animosity that doesn't really exist. Maybe if it's possible for everyone in the SE to respect the fact that we in the SS do not see ourselves having a future in Biafra, then you can be rest assured that the name calling will cease.

But since the generalizations and the resultant name calling only arise from a small percentage of the people in either regions, I don't think you should be worked up about the name calling.

To show you that the name calling and land grabbing tags are not born out of seething hate (unlike is the case when folks from the SW and North make the same reference), it'd interest you to know that within the SS, some tribes (for example the Urhobos) call some tribes land grabbers (for example the Ijaws). Yet when push comes to shove, we all come together as one region to fight for a common cause, whether it is more recognition, increased derivation, resource control, true federalism or something else.

NDR and Biafra will undoubtedly be better neighbors than NDR and Nigeria (or Arewa or Oduduwa) should a split happen. This much every SS group knows (Igboid or non-Igboid). And it's why the release of Kanu made the list of NDA requests. We all just have to ascertain some ground rules on who and/or what constitutes Biafra (excluding SS of course).

-Lord

I wish everyone reasoned like you. Its just hard to find rational and pragmatic voices here. The level of hatred and emotional tantrums spewed towards Igbos make me lose hope. We don't have to agree on everything but we have to respect and try to understand each other.

blues2022:
Is that your.....

Just stop responding to that good for nothing. His attention seeking has no bounds.

LordAdam:
The only solidarity IPOB has received from the SS are from these Igboid groups in the SS. Which is why protests happen in Asaba and Port Harcourt.

It'd be foolish for any SS ethnic group to believe that the SS Igboid groups do not have sentiments for Biafra. After all, of all the ethnic groups in the old Mid-Western region, only the Igboid groups were killed during the Asaba massacre.

Nonetheless, the SS has fully catered to the interests of the Igboid groups in the region. So, if anything, the Igboid SS groups are spoiled for choice on who to go with. As both the NDR and Biafra would be happy to have them.

Therefore, it's hard to say for certain as I would for non-Igboid SS groups that make up 90% of SS, that the Igboid SS groups will or will not join Biafra. It's a choice they'll have to make, and I can assure you these groups have enough clout in the SS to say they want to join Biafra without fear or intimidation and such request will be honored.

And since I'm not from any of those groups, I can't speak for them.

-Lord

I agree with your points.

LordAdam:
You can not just take one person's opinion and use it as a generic opinion for a region with over 100 different ethnicities. It is not proper.

95% of the people that constitute the SS today will not join Biafra. This is not hearsay. Even SS people living in the SE do not want SS to join Biafra.

Of course we can explore history but it wouldn't do justice. I'll write a little excerpt tho'.

Four of the present SS states--Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, were under the old Eastern region that became Biafra. The other two SS states--Delta and Edo--that made up the Mid-West region were swiftly conquered by the rampaging Biafra soldiers in the beginning of the civil war.

None of the ethnic groups in the four old Biafran SS states were consulted before Ojukwu took their sons to war. Ojukwu forcefully annexed the remaining two Nigerian SS states.

So, you can't actually look at the SS with a straight face and ask us to join Biafra with those antecedents.

If the SS joins the SE, we'd have another Nigeria again where Igbos are the majority calling the shot and every other tribe gets to struggle over the crumbs.

But as I said, history doesn't exactly do justice to the reason why SS will NEVER join Biafra.

The major reason is economic reason. There is NOTHING the Igbos can add to us that we wouldn't get if we went our separate ways.

In fact, the SS brings more into any supposed union that the SE would.

The SS is at least twice the size of the SE, has more resources, has access to the coastal waters, amongst others. We have everything we need, and we already have a large number of ethnic groups with varying interests that we attend to; we can't add the volatile Igbo to that mix.

This may seem offensive, but Biafra will be a liability to the SS, because the demerits outweigh the gains (whatever they are).

How about Igbos fight for Biafra themselves. If you guys get it, then great.

If Nigeria will divide peacefully, I'm sure every SS state will have the opportunity to decide if they want Nigeria (or Oduduwa), Biafra, or Niger Delta Republic. Deep down you know the option each SS state will pick.

Burying your head in the sand in a blatant show of denial won't change it.

So, don't flip anything on the SS, we've had our taste of Biafra, and it sure as hell wasn't pretty.

-Lord

That's fine my brother as long as your south south doesn't include Igbo groups in it, you can say or do whatever you like. You have my support.

Snakeeyes08:
Bros be logical nah,u think it's easier to get biafra than resource control?moreover,which do u think 'l benefit d SS most.

None is an easy task but no wise person builds his future on depriciating resources. Have you checked the price of oil recently? Have you heard about the coming wave of electric cars? Do you think nigerian government would listen to resource control talk now that they desperately need your oil? What will be your fate in Nigeria when oil has no more value? Would federal government even listen to you anymore?

blues2022:
You are correct.... a lot have gone wrong... that is why I advocate for an only Igboid country to ensure peace.... but if there is chance for true reconciliation and understanding, I wouldn't mind if we give a hug. After all, we are all in the same shiit...

I am with you on this let's push for an Igbo only Biafra but also have an open door policy (based on mutual interest and respect) for any group that wants to join. I don't want to run from one Nigeria to another Nigeria. Everything has to be done with clear consensus and monitored by the UN.

Victorvexz:
Biafra: The social media republic. Lol. After una finish una republic talk for here, make una come face Nigerian Government for real life to get Biafra, them dey wait for una

Ok we have noticed you now move on back to your wretched life.

blues2022:
Great thread and exposing revelation. If there is a consensus I think there will be progress. This is my take on this: can the Niger Deltans suggest a name that will be encompassing to the movement?
I will love to have an only Igboid country, but with what I'm seeing, its seems the problem is not the people but online propaganda that is driving in a wedge of trust between Igbos and the Niger Deltans.

My brother look at it this way,
If you have been brainwashed for the past 40+ years by the media that igbos are your enemies and want to take over your land and oil plus your parent who you love and care about also tells you the same thing when your are growing up, how would you get rid of that mentality?

Even though igbos have lived peacefully next to these people for thousands of years, it took only few years to turn them into igbophobic elements to the point that they think igbos will do to them worse than Hausa-Fulani has done.

If Igbo were anything close to what fulanis are like, many tribes in the so called niger delta would have gone extinct even before the arrival of the white man.

@ceaz4r

But like "wenigerdeltans" also said earlier, this people have been so exploited and abused that they don't know who to trust anymore. They are an abused woman.

What if they think the driver in your example is trying to kidnap them. We igbos should also listen to their fears and take it into account when we try to reach out to them.

ceaz4r:
You are stranded at a place and its beginning to get dark and dangerous. Then someone drives along with a car and say, hop in. You say, I don't like the name (make) of your car, if you could change it, I will join you.

If I were the man in the car, I will say to you, sorry, I bothered to help.

Wow. Well said. The above illustration is the reason why so many Igbo biafrans are changing their minds towards non Igbo niger deltans and deciding to go it alone.

iSlayer2:
Okay I'm surprised. I thought this was another avenue for NigerDeltans to come and talk nonsense. But lo and behold they're mute,the ones who spoke,spoke well. Well,as regards the question of resource control that is NEVER going to happen. Concerning the name change,listening to this people I understand their position. I don't know if IPoB leadership will move for a name change: Biafra and NigerDelta for example. Majority of us Igbos honestly do not want it changed. If 3 million of your people died for a cause you'd not entertain any talk of a name change. But I think IPoB should look into it,Biafra and the Niger Delta is the closest I can come up with

Like Trinidad and Tobago which are confederate nations