₦airaland Forum

Great news. Subsidy must go!
Our local economy needs a REAL shot.

Good move. Now was can face REAL ISSUES confronting us in Nigeria, not all these shadow chasing led by dubious interests.

Nature abhors vacuums. There are armed groups in the North, west and south. It is dangerous for Igboland to remain unarmed.

ShangoThor , I hear you.

Sam_Ikenna, good head.

Katsumoto, I like the new you; though I don't believe any new war would resemble the last one.

Olodostein, I was so wrong about you before. To ever think you were ndu_chucks!

Some people are already $hitting their pants. lol

Katsumoto:
If the UN and other Western governments are smart, they will encourage dialogue among the different parts of Nigeria. [/b]The current levels of anger in Nigeria is so high that any full blown conflict will make Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Congo all seem like playground disputes. [b]Those nations did not have to put up with the same sustained levels of barbarism for decades before laying into one another. I really fear for the lives of average Nigerians.

A full blown conflict will affect all Nigeria's neighbours in serious proportions.

I honestly don't think that any foreign country should do this for us. The UN should only act as arbiters. We should start NOW to do it because we Nigerians know our problems. They can come after we have crossed a certain bridge of BASIC understanding. Their job then would be to seal all the agreements to ensure they meet international ethos. We Nigerians must begin talking NOW, and I mean REAL talk, not all these politically correct pretenses by our so called leaders. Even bishops have been making more realistic statements these days than politicians.

Aigbofa:
Nah, I think he just got tired of Nigeria. He did his bit though. He is an old man and still resolute as ever. Compare him with young people on Nairaland like Onlytruth, though young but already defeated. No more fire in their bellies!

lmao!
No my friend, we have a different kind of fire, and such fire will last till the goal is attained: PEACE AND SECURITY to my children yet unborn. We shall get there.

mikeansy:
The thing is there are enough facts on ground to chronicle the kind of hatred that goes on in Nigeria! whether it is a Youth Corper murdered for doing his job, or a pregnant woman disembowed for no reason, or families who have no relatives in Government, have not benefited anything from Government but simply went to pray to God on an xmas day but got massacred. We have all the facts on Ground to ask "Why always the Igbos?"

Prophet Mohamed gets cartooned in Denmark we bear the brunt
Israel bombs Hamas strongholds in Gazza Strip we bear the brunt

In every crisis  Igbos are targeted 50:1 (if not more)
I think we have enough facts to go to the rest of the world with the question "WHY ALWAYS IGBOS".

The North/Nigeria should no longer have it both ways. One Nigeria can no longer be acceptable when it is OK to cleanse a selected group!

It seem as if Nigerians have become inured to all these senseless killings. However, each time we read about these killings, anyone with a soul would become nauseated and infuriated at how humans can execute devilish acts.
It must stop.

Katsumoto:
If after almost 100 years of belonging in the nation, one part of the nation continues to butcher its fellow citizens, then it is time to get a UN sponsored referendum to stop the madness in that nation. It appears that Nigeria can never be one nation; if the senseless killings will not stop, then Nigeria MUST be split into as many countries as the people decide.

I totally I agree with all the bolded. I want to believe that we are headed in that direction. My prayer is that the UN intervenes BEFORE all hell breaks loose in Nigeria. Meanwhile, I really think that NOW is the time for all groups in the South to start a sustained dialogue, and to rally round common goals. The bigger the demand, the more likely the UN will address it. I know they would hate chaos and over splintering of Nigeria should they have to help break it up.

houvest:
Thanks so much for this Mike. Yes Why is MASSOB not using these daily events to leverage their representations to the UN and publicly too.? Why?

Good question bros. I would really like to know why from a MASSOB member. I have never come across one here on Nairaland. I would like for them to tell us what they are really about, because I hate "space occupiers": those who would not enter heaven, but would stop others from entering by standing at the gate pretending to be entering. I hope I'm making sense.

mikeansy:
The most important action MASSOB can take right now is to launch a very publicised petition at the United Nation for a referendum on the future of Nigeria.

They should publicly question Ban Ki Moon why the UN has nothing to say about Nigeria.

A targeted genocide is going on in Nigeria and the world is pretending about it and ignoring it.
If Ban Ki Moon will not grant them audience they should ally with sympathetic charity organisation and launch a campaign questioning the UN, EU and US why they are all mute on Nigeria. A rally can be held outside UN offices in Switzerland, UK and US protesting this genocide.

The reason this protest is necessary is so that when Nigeria begins to crash the world will bear witness and we can forge the alliances we need to succeed.

So far the Narative has confused the war between Biroms and Hausas to mean Christains in general have been fighting this clear selective attacks against Igbos. It is important to highlight to the World that Igbos are in no way the aggressors and are a people under attack.

Brilliant idea Mike. That is part of why I don't understand what MASSOB has been up to. I would think that this should come soonest because of all these killings. Well done bro.

ShangoThor:
I hear you bro, they say 'Patience is a Virtue', and I respectfully heed your words. However, on the contrary, methinks that the groundwork has to be started now, [size=14pt]there is a hell of a lot of work to do[/size].



And now this is where Alj Harem normally interjects in order to cause confusion and disunity   Feel free

@First bolded,

Yes, yes and yes! That is why I would plead with you to NEVER leave Nairaland, though it has saboteurs as you rightly pointed out. Here is a meeting of Nigerians, and whatever we want in Nigeria can be initialized here.
Beaf also shares in your views, though you may not know it. He has, on countless occasion, advocated the same thing. The fuel subsidy fracas is masking a lot of other more urgent issues. That is why I don't support all these protests around it. People are being butchered in Nigeria daily, and so, I can't find time for that (whether I agree with it or not). The journey of a thousand miles begins with ONE step. We shall get there, provided we stay the course.
Post more on that idea and don't worry when flak flies around you. Most of the attackers haven't actually thought about the problem. And yes some of them are kids. So, ignore them.

@Second bolded

Ignore Alj_harem too. He is an embedded Northern interest here bent on retaining the dysfunctional system that keeps him and his group on top of the food chain. Provided no one upturns that, he is a very happy ONE NIGERIAN. That is Alj_harem summarized. History however teaches us that the status quo cannot be allowed to continue. It is either they accept a fundamental change, or they ship out of Nigeria.

ShangoThor:
[b]My biggest fear is that we have lost an opportunity to get a peaceful resolution to this issue, that of facilitating a U.N. Sponsored referendum. [/b]NL is definitely not the forum for this kind of discussion because of saboteurs. I extend my hand out to other like minded Southern Nigerians and Middle Belters that would like to form a New SECULAR Order to provide a functioning State, enabling Framework, Security and Prosperity amongst others. 


Nigeria will NEVER work because we have a System that historically evolved accidentally, mainly via Military rule, to the extent that our System does not fit any describable category (chaos); and neither is it a System that our Forebears from the various constituent parts of Nigeria negotiated as a pre-condition to attaining Independence.

The State along with its apparatus is malfunctioning because the checks and balances that are meant to be built into the System have been eroded, period.

Once again, I extend my hand out to other like minded Southern Nigerians and Middle Belters that would like to form a New SECULAR Order.

@First bolded

My brother, I don't think it is too late for a UN sponsored resolution. Even sef methinks that it may be too early. I know how the UN works. If there is no war, or a clear incipience of war, they don't usually take on such resolution.
They can also take it on if there is a STRONG demand by the local groups. Neither has happened yet, but I believe it will happen because I honestly don't see Nigeria surmounting this crisis of "born to rule" mentality by the North.
To me, that is really the only issue/problem with Nigeria.

@Second bolded

Very welcome.

houvest:
I used to be a serious pan-Nigerianist but I have come to realise that the cost of Nigeria remaining one is the blood of so many innocents especially Igbos. This is not acceptable. Now I am a preacher of let us seperate in peace rather than in pieces. THE IGBO HIGH COMMAND NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND START BEING PRO=ACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIONARY. Those men in Mubi, bread winners all, fathers all, mowed than at the prime of their life have left widows and fatherless children with an uncertain future in such a hate-filled country. Such stories get to me personally very deeply. What was their crime? Did their kinsman plot another coup and kill Saudana and other leaders this time? So what will be the excuse this time than they were by accident of birth born in Eastern Nigeria.?

I do not know whether such incidents affect others the way it affects me. As much as I am a critic of Igbos deciding to make their abode in the North even though I wonder if Mubi is a predominantly muslim enclave, I still realise that these are people that wanted to have their own state and protect themselves and determine their own destiny but thyey were dragged back by Nigeria and forced to remain there. It then behoves on the Nation that forced them back to provide them full security in any part of the Nation.

Having said that, I believe that henceforth Igbos must not be caught napping lured to a false sense of security by the promise of protection by the FG. Wherever they are, even in the south, they must be prepared. For instance, they should not hold similiar town meetings without being armed to the teeth. Even in churches. I believe that self defense is a fundamental human right and is not against God's laws so yes even in the church, Igbos must be armed. Then at the regional level, the Igbos must be prepared like the state of Israel. If Israel that is 6million strong can withstand the Arabs around them that are about 10 times more in number, why not the Igbo Nation that is over 40 million strong.

I get mad at the lack of proactive-ness of the Igbo Nation inspite of the experiences of the past. Well, Present events need to make us to wake up from our slumber and realise that the war is not over. We just had a cease-fire. Look at the vast number of Igbo brains all over the world. Many in sensitive military position, even of the super powers. I have no doubt that the Igbo Nation can easily develop nuclear capability. I know some Igbo folks in US and UK who can easily turn their inventions into military use if need be but is the Igbo Nation wholistically organising herself to use these folks in that regard. I do not mean patches of organisations like Town Unions or Trade Unions. Since it appears that Ohaneze is encumbered by her statesmanship outlook and MASSOB by her non-violence stand, Other groups geared toward Igbo defence must come on board. The Ogbunigwe group that spoke few weeks ago might be a good one but we still await what they are really made of. Meanwhile MASSOB must continue making her representations to the UN strengthening their arguments with recent events. They should also remove the issue of non-exodus in their agenda and encourage Ndigbo to start gradually selling their investments outside Igboland and invest eastwards or outside the Country or Continent and in friendly climes

At the local level, We must know our friends and enemies and strengthen our links with the SS stretch forth hands to SW and middle belt as well as Northern minority and christian peoples. We know that the whole Northern, Nigerian, African and World Muslims are not Pro- BH but when the push comes to shove, we know whom they will identify with.

At the International level, developing relations with World Powers and other strong Nations must be pursued. We should start re-opening links with our war-time allies using Ikemba's burial the way he designed it.

SELF DEFENCE IS A RIGHT NOT A PRIVILEDGE.

My brother, your message is very well thought out.
I endorse it powerfully.

Onye obula mepee anya ya o!
Nsogbu di kwa na Naijiria.

Tyche:
You are right brother, was almost decieved by alj harem. Shakes head.

Any close observer of character would never miss the FACT that Alj_harem is a northerner.
In fact, he is a typical northerner. All his games only deceive kids.

mikeansy:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/8999758/Nigerias-descent-into-holy-war.html

[size=18pt]Nigeria's descent into holy war[/size]

Among the bereaved was Steady Esiri, who rushed to the scene to find a charred corpse wearing the distinctive Sunday best dress of his pregnant wife Uche, 26.[size=14pt] Her eight-month old foetus had been torn from her womb.[/size]

"We were supposed to attend Mass together, but I was busy and planned to go the evening service instead," he said. "Then I heard a huge explosion, and when I rushed here I recognised her dress. She was a wonderful woman, a perfect housewife, now I will have to start my life again. What kind of people do this for political ends?"

The bolded is part of why a major part of me believes that Nigeria cannot be one.
The evil act of killing a pregnant woman and cutting out her foetus has become a culture of sorts in Northern Nigeria.
Igbo say that[b] ihe ojoo gbaa afo/aho/aro, oburu omenala[/b] (when an evil act endures for years, it becomes an accepted culture).
This evil act happened in 1966, it is happening again in 2012. So, in essence, it has become a culture in Northern Nigeria. If not, it would not have repeated in 2012.
It can never be an accepted culture to me as an Igbo man.
So, we have irreconcilable differences which would make it impossible for us to be one nation.

9ja_I_hail:
@EZE ONLY TRUTH I AM STILL LOOKING FORWARD TO your SECOND RESPOND TOWARDS THIS TOPIC,KINDLY PUT IT INTO CONSIDERATION WITH YOUR COUNCIL OF ELDERS. EZE IGA ADI OOOOO

I'm sorry for late reply my brother. I assure you that I and my council members are constantly discussing these things.
All of our opinions here are from people like yourself, our "owners" (ndi nwe mmadu  ).  We are simply echoing your views and proposals. That is why I provided an email address (ezendigbo_nl@hushmail.com) for direct access. I have received quite a few of similar ideas from other folks too, Igbo and non-Igbo.
The dialogue continues here though. I have a lot of respect for both[b] ShangoThor[/b] and Beaf. They both know. Take care for now bros.

I am a strong supporter of subsidy removal. Fuel subsidy is a bottomless pit of corruption which must be closed by all legal means.

However, I am equally opposed to muzzling of free speech and freedom of association. They are constitutional rights. We should always make sure that whenever the government wants to take those BASIC rights away, that they show us STRONG reasons why they should be allowed to do that. I bolded "be allowed" because it was never their (government's) right in the first place. When we lose those basic rights, we effectively become slaves, not citizens.

So, unless Chime shows (using credible security intelligence report) that Boko Haram is about to gather and kill people, he should desist from this path. Opponents of fuel subsidy removal should be allowed to march peacefully.
Like some said already, Enugu residents may not even bite. So, why kill a fly with a sledge hammer?

Here I stand. 

@Sam_Ikenna

Thanks for your compliments, and ideas for a possible solution to our problems in Nigeria, and for having the courage to make some proposals. Great minds discuss ideas as they say. Small minds don't do that.

All I would say for now, is that as things happen in Nigeria's immediate future, natural allies and peaceful cohabitants in Nigeria will come together to form new nation(s). One is not blind to the fact that southern Nigeria has been a place of relative sameness and peaceful cohabitation for the past 50 years. I'm not saying that we don't have our differences, but only a fool would think those differences insurmountable. I say that, because only the core North has demonstrated an ability and proclivity to go to war over the position of Nigeria's presidency. It happened in 1966; it is happening again.
Those alignments would happen naturally though, without anybody saying anything.

Nchara, thank you a million for making time to think for practical solutions to our problem in Nigeria.
This means that you are helping to put into practice the "onye aghala nwanne ya" message.

God bless you abundantly.

Nchara:
Ndigbo in Northern Nigeria: practical steps to regain your livelihood as you return


It is no longer news that Igbos have been massacred in the North since the spate of Boko Haram attacks.
It is no longer news that Boko Haram has asked southerners (Igbos included) to leave the North
It is no longer news that the Federal government, northern states governments, and the security agencies cannot guarantee the safety of southerners (especially of Igbos) in the North.
It is no longer news that some Igbos have since relocated out of the North
However, it is also not news that many Igbos are reluctant to leave the North due to factual claims of investments in the North and the massive dislocation of livelihood that such unplanned relocation would bring about.

Many Igbos in the North are business people and their families. Others are federal civil servants, school teachers, university lecturers and staff, bank staff (one of the Mubi Boko Haram victims was a bank manager) members of the security agencies (military and paramilitary), clergy men, students and family dependents. A small population of pr/osti/tu/tes would also be present especially in sharia non-compliant areas.  Since there are likely to be few manufacturing industries in the North, I would wager that few Igbos are employed there in this sector.
For such people who for reasons of investments are unwilling to leave, it is a matter of choice; choice because they are adult enough to take life-changing decisions.
Your return to the south will bring about life-changing circumstances especially for those who were born and raised in the North. 
Sadly, however, the same is true if you choose to remain in the North: your relationship with your Muslim neighbors will never be the same again. And if you survive now, you may not be as lucky next time.

With this background in mind, let us take a look at the endeavors you may pursue in the south (SE) to get back your life. It is definitely going to be slow and difficult, but the nature of the time requires that you start almost from the scratch, with enough patience in your survival arsenal.

Business people returning to the south:

Are you are trader merely buying and selling and you are afraid of competition from the established traders in the SE?
You can veer into other areas where competition is less stiff or you can open shop in rural areas where competition ranges from zero to less stiff.  If you open shop in Aba, Nnewi, Onitsha and other large cities, you may not make it unless you have a good business sense and an exceptional marketing strategy. There are many rural villages in Igbo land or surrounding non-Igbo areas in daily need of 100s of small goods and services.

On a second thought, you do not have to be a trader buying and selling. In Igbo land animal production has somewhat been neglected. Apart from countable commercial poultry farms scattered here and there, there are virtually no sources of meat (cow, goat, sheep, rabbit etc) for the teeming masses in Igbo land to feed on. If Nigeria separates today, how will Igbos obtain their meat? Yes, they could import these things but can the rich Igbo traders who are displaced in the North engage in some form of animal production?  How about engaging in snail farming; how about fish farming; how about bee farming for honey production? Honey is a hot cake that will easily get an export market. Animal production is less land-requiring and less drudgery than crop production (especially if compared on the basis of semi or non-mechanized agriculture). Yes, initially it will not bring the quick money that buying and selling brings, but you are assured of a continuous safety net once you begin to harvest your animals and sell them. How about mushroom farming (takes just weeks to begin to sell your products)? You can set up these things in the confines of your family backyard garden. These days, people do cat fish farming in tanks or small wells (see photo). Tap into one or more of those and with time you see your fortune change.

Like the rest of Nigeria, there are many rural or semi-urban areas in Igbo land with no potable water. So how about establishing bore holes for commercial purposes? Water for domestic use, water for services such as car washes, etc. How about establishing clothes laundry services? Agreed this is something I have not easily come across in Igbo land as most people launder their clothes themselves –using house maids/boys, family members, etc. However, a good marketer can convince rich Igbos (and there are millions of them needing convincing) on why they should not lauder their clothes themselves. Or, how about importing and selling washing machines, something Igbo traders are not into for now?
How about establishing small (corporate) security agencies to man the houses and business of the rich or the 100s of markets in Igbo land? Keep in mind that the Hausas who are the ones currently involved in security of houses and markets would have all returned to the North, leaving this billion naira enterprise for the picking.

Like other parts of Nigeria, there are many villages in the SE without adequate daily and safer (safer than Okada) transport systems to move between them and to the urban areas. How about a bus or taxi service to serve these remote villages?
Like other parts of Nigeria, there are likely some remote villages in the SE without electricity. How about setting up a commercial video center with nice Nollywood and foreign movies where you run your own generator? Okay cost of fuel has just gone up, but you’d be surprised at the patronage you get.

How about currency exchange services? Most Nigerians living abroad are Igbos, yet most if not all foreign currency changers (even in Igboland) are Hausa.

So you see, life is not only about buying and selling; there is a myriad of things you can do.

For civil servants, how about asking for transfer to safe places?  How about asking your governors to help push this? For bank staff, how about asking for staff swap? Or are there no northerners working in banks in Igbo land?

For primary and secondary school teachers, how about seeking for teaching appointments in Igbo schools? If no spot for you, how about you pooling with others to establish private schools that parents can bring their wards for extra mural lesson? Agreed you cannot do any practical science under such conditions, but you can very well do text book-grooming (theory-only studies). You can rent church buildings or village civic centers for this purpose. With time you can, working together, establish a more befitting, government-approved school.

For university lecturers, I do not believe that Igbo state universities or federal universities in Igbo land are overstaffed. There must be a spot for you somewhere.

For the students, [/b]how about applying for transfer to southern universities? If no chance due to university carrying capacity-issues, how about studying in other African countries (if you cannot afford studying in the developed countries)? It is common knowledge that Nigerian universities (all of them) rank below many other universities in Africa. Over many years, no Nigerian university makes the first 30 in any conceivable ranking methodology in Africa. So you lose nothing studying in Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Sudan Togo, Benin, Cameroun, Tanzania (most, if not all, countries with universities rated better than any in Nigeria) among others. You will be surprised that the tuition and overall cost of living are less in some of these countries than in Nigeria. Moreover, you gain some international perspective studying outside of Nigeria. You learn some useful French too, if in francophone country.

[b]For doctors and nurses, there are 100s of 1000s of sick Igbos that need your services. How about moving your equipment down south? If you were not the owner of your facility in the North, you can start off in Igbo land by setting up a small cottage health facility with the most basic of equipment to offer basic health services. You can then make you existence known to the media and to charities and NGOs anywhere in the world. You’d be surprised how CNN, FOX News MSNBC etc will carry your story and bring help to you with the understanding that you are helping humanity with almost nothing, having lost all in northern Nigeria.

For the family (your young ones), how about bringing them home? That way, you not only save their lives, but you make them to begin to learn and appreciate their own culture.

For those unemployed [/b]who for reasons best known to them must live outside Igbo land, how about obtaining visas to any other country? How about sneaking out to other countries (hopefully you don’t get caught in the process)? How about applying for asylum? Just anything to take you away from northern Nigeria?

[b]For pr/osti/tu/tes, are there no Igbo men to tango with?

For soldiers and policemen [/b]of Igbo origin, you are armed. How about watching your back and shooting your way to safety? Or you declare AWOL and return home safely.

There is an Igbo saying that life is greater than what it requires to live it. Take heed of the warnings. Sell off now that you can still do so and run away, far away, from the madness that northern Nigeria has become.

My name is [b]Onlytruth, Ndu di n'eziokwu 1 of Igboland, Eze Ndigbo Nairaland.

I powerfully endorse this message.

Duh? lol

frosbel:
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said the sectarian violence rocking the country was worse than the civil war that killed over one million people during the 1960s.

"The situation we have in our hands is even worse than the civil war that we fought," Jonathan said at a church service. "During the civil war, we knew and we could even predict where the enemy was coming from. But the challenge we have today is more complicated."

The president also said that the Nigerian government included sympathizers with Islamist terror group Boko Haram.

[size=14pt]"Some of the them are in the executive arm of government, some of them are in the parliamentary arm of government, while some of them are even in the judiciary," he said. "Some are also in the armed forces, the police and other security agencies."[/size]

The country is divided between a largely Muslim north and a mainly Christian south
Jonathan's comments came just a day after he addressed the nation in a television speech appealing to the country to accept the economic reforms he is trying to push through.

"I feel the pain that you all feel," he said in his TV address. "I know that these are not easy times. But tough choices have to be made to safeguard the economy and our collective survival as a nation."

Part of the government's controversial austerity measures is the cancellation of fuel subsidies likely to double the price of fuel. The reforms have already lead to widespread protests and trade unions have announced a general strike for Monday.

Despite being Africa's biggest oil producer, most of Nigeria's population lives in poverty. The government says the austerity measures proposed are needed for investments in infrastructure, healthcare and education.

The country's economic hardship has also added to the rift between the largely Muslim north and the predominantly Christian south. As the north is poorer, radical Islamist group Boko Haram finds it increasingly easy to recruit young men to commit bloody sectarian violence.


Boko Haram has threatened more attacks on Christians
A series of bomb attacks on churches on Christmas Day killed more than 40 people and injured dozens of others.

Despite a state of emergency and curfews in the volatile north, the situation continues to worsen. Boko Haram has repeatedly warned Christians to leave the north and has backed up its threat with more violent attacks. As Christians are fleeing south, Muslims are moving north in fear of reprisal attacks.

Ayodele Oritsejafor, president of the Christan Association of Nigeria, has also likened the current violence to the 1960s civil war and described it as "ethnic and religious cleansing."

Author: Andreas Illmer (dpa, AFP)
Editor: Ben Knight

The bolded is why this problem will not be resolved without a major national event; an event that will bring a sustainable solution.

This is serious; but then again I am not surprised.
Thank God for a day like this when the president shared the truth with the rest of us masses.

Chyz*:
Nwanne m, I understood and agree. My commend is for those like Beaf and Frosbel who want to drag Ndigbo into reprisals and death for whatever reason.

Honestly, my brother, I don't think those folks are dragging us into anything. Ndigbo are not the type to be dragged into anything they don't want to do. History teaches us that clearly. Even when we fought in 1967, we practically bundled Ojukwu into the war. He would have failed woefully if he initiated the idea. That is just who we are.
That is why I am always convinced of the justness of our cause in Nigeria. We are never the first to attack or kill innocent people, on the contrary we have been the victims most of the times. If we don't start to defend ourselves in a sustainable way in Nigeria, soon we would become favorite punch bags in Nigeria. Oburu na agwo emeghi ihe ojiri buru agwo, umu aka achiri ya n'aka. 
Onye obuna bidokwa chebe ife anyi na ife ga eje na Nigeria. That's all.

I have already said that we should stop discussing it. I will lead by example by reducing my comments on this thread.

Thank you nwanne m. 

Chyz*:
Ndi Igbo has no time going to war and we will stand against it.

Nwanne I hope you did not misunderstand my proverb of "adighi agwa ochi nti na agha esu".
It is really about taking steps to protect oneself in Nigeria. That remains the wisest thing anyone would do.
History and current events teach us that.

ndu_chucks:
^^^^ +1000

The enemy is indeed Boko Haram. But how do we fight the war declared by Boko Haram when we have an incompetent and clueless commander-in-chief - A commander-in-chief who declared a war on Nigerian citizens by the ill-timed subsidy removal? A commander-in-chief who supplies the enemy (Boko Haram) with armunition and other tools of war including the said ill-timed subsidy removal, does not deserve to lead us in this war.

If this commander-in-chief is incapable of defending Nigerians and stopping the killings, I'm afraid we are fast approaching the time to replace him.  I am so sad by the recent developments. Haba GEJ!!!! Do something for goodness sake!!!!

I am sure that the leaders of our armed forces have mapped out various scenarios of dealing with this war where all options, including a takeover, are being weighed. GEJ may very well succeed in providing the right environment for the military to return and set us back another 50years. olodo

Mai gida ndu_chucks,

What you are embarking upon is what we Igbo term ome ife oma fuchara "ife nwanyi" aja (a "do gooder" that blows sand away from a womens "you know what" ).
It is dubious, dishonest and highly laughable.
The pattern of your logic is so banal and insults the intelligence of smart Nigerians.
I know you must be laughing your @ss off over a chilled bowl of fura de nono by now.

Here is my message to you: IT AIN'T HAPPENING.

GEJ is the president of Nigeria, and so it shall remain until at least his current term is over.
You are, by implication of your message, calling for a military coup de etat.

I hope you know, that the only other options (apart from our current democracy) left for Nigeria now is either a SNC or a chaotic break-up. So, drink your fura, and pray that you don't provoke a reprisal from the South over the killings of their kith and kin in the North.

zumbigbo:
Self-protection is a fundamental right. The State has shown it has no interest in protecting our families, so we must organise and protect ourselves. Lessons from Biafra, Sierra Leone, Liberia are ominous!

Wise man.
This is not something anyone tells another.
Igbo say that adighi agwa ochi nti na agha esu! (there is no need telling a deaf man that a war has started, he still has his eyes!). Nuff said.

Negro_Ntns:
May the souls of the departed rest in peace, AMEN.


Voodoodoll, are you aware that Uwazuruike has commanded Igbos to ignore bokoharam ultimatum? He called on Igbos in the North to stay put and continue their business. Are you by this remark saying northern igbos should disobey their new Ikemba?

Since when did Uwazuruike become the new "Ikemba"?
You southerners are probably more of our problem than even aboki. That is why we must watch our backs more in the face of all these provocations. We don't know who is really behind it.

In my heart of hearts, I know (as any knowledgeable Igbo would know) that in a hypothetical war between ONLY Igbo and Hausa/Fulani, there is no way they can win. Our loss in Biafra was more as a result of southern gang up and foreign support to Hausa/Fulani led aggression against us.

We must not allow ourselves to be provoked into another war until we are ready.
Methinks that when we are ready, even aboki will not want war.

I am for fasting and prayer, but it should be for something.
What is the aim of this fasting and prayer by IYM? Is it for Nigeria? If so, do these folks know how many years people have fasted and prayed for Nigeria?
I suggest they use the period to thoroughly reflect on practical solutions to our problem in Nigeria.
God did not give us brains for nothing. He expects us to use it to figure things sometimes, even as we pray.

Johndoe100:
@igbo boy
I sympathize with those killed and injured in this lastest attack by BH. However I must point out that so far no niger deltans seem to be victims.
Also there are no ibo people in the niger delta.

My friend please take your iddiocy somewhere else. We must not be punished with your stupidity.
You can believe whatever you want, ok?
Now, run along.

Ndigbo should do two things NOW:

(1) NEVER OFFICIALLY comment on these killings

(2) Silently organize for a long war


These two steps are necessary because we are yet to FULLY know who the enemy is. We have identified some of them obviously, but there are more. To avoid a repeat of the past, we must NOW make powerful international allies.
I am a practical man. If we don't plan for a long war in Nigeria, even southerners will be tempted again to support Hausa/Fulani.
So, we should develop a new code of silence over this, and go to work.
All these talks are counter-productive. What have we not talked about in Nigeria, all of which were rejected or simply ignored because they think we are captives in our land? The call is on us the young Igbo generation to decide whether we live as free men in Nigeria or as slaves meant for the slaughter house.

Igbo jikere nu.