I wrote this about a year ago today back when I was still a pacifist and it has truly aged well. I envision that Victory is nigh.
The event of and the buildup to the 2023 general election will greatly strengthen our cause beyond comprehension. Compliments of the season. God bless us all.
The following write-up is in no way intended to incite violence, tribalism or provoke any group(s). This is in-line with the UN charter (1945) Article 1 Chapter 1 in support of self-determination by any people and the UDHR Article 19 which accords every human being with the freedom of speech and expression.
MISCONCEPTIONS ON BIAFRA
“A warrior is not defined by his strength or skill but the conviction to die for a cause.”
The poorly represented populace of the South-East have as a consensus expressed, through various means their deep desire to seek a nationality beyond the status quo. I also, boldly reaffirm my commitment to the actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra; God willing in my lifetime.
In light of current events, and on behalf of my fellow comrades I want to use this post to admonish and dismiss misconceptions raised on the issue of Biafra which I hope will bridge the understanding for all parties. My views outlined below may not be popular with my fellow Biafrans nevertheless it holds the innate and progressive truth.
Here listed below:
1. Secession doesn’t translate to War in any Language:
Secession is neither a declaration of war or threat. It is just another step in the process of conflict resolution. Any group that tries to demonize with imaginary blood is either a parasite or trouble maker which no one wishes to admit.
Biafrans don’t possess destructive tendencies, any violent outburst is only a natural response to the apparent chokehold by the government on opined throats of freedom seekers. If I were to be a westerner I would tag this a “black-man clause” because the westerners and asians alike who we borrowed modern civilization from have provided successful cases of secession experiments yet some of us choose to be blind.
Fortunately, in our case we have a softer dispute. Unlike the Israel-Palestine, Sudan or Arab conflicts, our dispute at this stage doesn’t stem from land ownership conflict, resource tussle, etc. All that is involved euphemistically speaking can be likened to a change of governments, change of sovereignty, names, flags etc. Nothing fundamentally sophisticated, so why has the Federal Government of Nigeria chosen to shed the blood of numerous innocent Biafrans if it hasn't been hijacked by private interest?
2. The South-South is completely Dispensable
I still want to believe that BIAFRA is not an Igbo exclusive project hence I earlier avoided generalizing Biafrans as Igbos, now diversity and individuality has knocked and we have to answer. I have an Igbo Father, an Urhobo Mother. I was born and brought up in Anambra State. Aside paternal relation, I identify strictly as Igbo due to affinity.
The South-South has long been synonymous to Igbos until recently, when Identity politics became a criteria for political representation in Nigeria which is justifiable in the context of the prevalent nepotic culture. Mutual grounds hasn’t mitigated the widening divide in any way.
We have witnessed biological twins break ties talk less of loose ethnic groups with stints of bad blood in-between. It won’t come as a shock if tomorrow a section of Southeast seeks out of the Biafran Plan.
It has become a paradoxical joke that the Igbos who seek freedom from Nigeria have themselves become unity beggars. I won’t agree, we are not and will never be beggars. We were not the ones who claimed abandoned properties in the aftermath of the war. Left with 20 pounds, did we succumb to their impoverishing intent? No. Blessed with natural, human and capital resources we are not left bare, fortunately our “oil” has not become our only bragging right in Nigeria and beyond.
Why then should we begin to belittle ourselves now, even to the extent of exchanging insults with these groups, how convincing can our insult be? Will we then become what we fight against? I charge every Igbo to take rejection as a motivation to outperform objectives and expectations, let their denigration revert to praise as was with our bounce back from the war.
To our South-South brethren don’t let the Nigerian Model confine your understanding of governance. Switzerland is a country of at least 7 major ethnic groups (Including groups of Italian, German and French extractions), each represented by a president (7 equal presidents forming the Federal Executive Council) unlike a single president whose loyalty might be ambiguous.
Just a peek of what a true federal state means for equal representation. Humans are intelligent enough to negotiate. Ya Gazie. “Better a familiar devil than a strange angel”.
3. Landlocked not Brain Locked.
“The worst defeat is that of the Mind”
Once again, I point to the Swiss Model. Switzerland is a completely landlocked country in Europe. 22 times smaller than Nigeria and is resource poor. Yet, Switzerland is the world’s largest commodities trading hub. It controls 35%, 60%, 50% of Global Oil, Metals and Sugar & Cereals trade respectively. How is this possible?
Excluding gold, the commodities most of which not sourced from Europe, never physically enter Switzerland but are transported directly from producing country, processing and entrepot down to final consumer by Swiss companies and their foreign subsidiaries.
In 19th century, the Rothschild family established the first international banking network in Europe. They executed international transactions for royals and merchants without moving physical coins.
They achieved this by each brother establishing a branch of the bank in major economic hubs in Europe thus when a transfer is made, the recipient branch records in ledger that his brother’s branch owes him an amount, when convenient, they settle accounts and transport coins to the net positive branch thus reducing transport cost and security risk on each possible transaction. This established their influence in Europe and saved them from highway robberies and non-credible partners.
Bringing this back home, God willing, Biafra will not be limited by coastline. That narrative should be squashed in the mind of every naysayer. Statistically, it would take a miracle for a landlocked nation to become an economic hit nevertheless, such odds are similar to our chances of recovery back in 1971 when only 20 Naira was reimbursed to account holding Biafrans. This occurred shortly before the indigenization policy where Biafrans were tactically excluded when the rest of Nigeria exclusively scooped up the wealth which Biafrans played a significant role in building . Your expectations are yours not ours.
We have looked inwards enough, I believe it is time to look outwards. If we can be threatened close to home by neighbors, then it’s time to forge alliances and networks far from home. The market is now globalized and broad and we are up to the task.
God willing it, lack of opportunities and marginalisation in Nigeria pushed Biafrans out and gave us a considerable large diaspora community from Nigeria in the world and largest in Africa. We have a wide distribution of our compatriots around the world right from the hinterlands of Africa to developed economies. A good proportion of which are entrepreneurs rather than domestic workers that have enough capital base to make an impact.
Africa is the last frontier. Let’s grow with it. Let’s discard our notorious characteristics, becoming better guests and build on our already established foundational networks by consolidating our wealth for greater impact. A single Axe Head is more effective than a thousand cutlery knives.
Slowly, we’ll have to liquidate, drain and divest our wealth held in Nigeria. Then and only will our elite be independent of the government’s persecutive pressure. Subsequently, political interests will align with the masses then freedom is definitely near.
BIAFRA is not a Mission of Hate, Rancor or Supremacy
We are humans too with flesh and blood. No true Biafran can claim supremacy over any tribe, group or entity. We can’t claim Biafra will eventually become a heaven on earth rather it will be easier to bend our own government to our will, such attempt in Nigeria will be seen as an imperialist move.
We also can’t claim to be infallible, perfect or saints. In the past, we made mistakes and miscalculations, which we will be wrong not to admit. Critics say we are the architects of our misfortune, yes we concede but note, the last you should expect is to remain on the ground for people to mock and scorn us. If you feel offended, on behalf of my compatriots I and other well-meaning Biafrans apologize. The bitter atmosphere is only reflective of the times, desperation and anxiety gets the better of most.
Fellow Biafrans, every step forward should be corrective and calculative in every sense of the word. We are not separating because we hate Fulani, Muslims or any other group, presidency denial or any secondary interest.
We shouldn’t misinterpret the struggle because tomorrow Buhari will leave office, an Igbo can be foisted as Head of State. What next? Rather we choose to secede for the sole sake of Autonomy. We should be able forge our own path and to decide our fate without consulting or patronizing anyone. That is the only way to actualize our maximum potentials.
Let’s prioritize our freedom over miniscule benefits Nigeria might seem to offer. Look around you today, do you sense hope or despair?
Inflation in all sectors especially Food sector, Ardent Corruption, Astronomical Foreign Debt, Negligence and Apathy, Insecurity, Victimization of our People, Marginalization, and widespread Secessionist sentiments.
Does that picture to you as a budding nation bound to thrive or a Worn-Out Contraption rigged to blow.
Our Commitment needs to be deeper and our Efforts higher. Salvation is near. If we relent in times of persecution our faith is small. God Wills It and It shall be.
UDO to the Biafran Family Worldwide !!!
I have long repented from the last paragraphs with a newer understanding that Force begets Force. We are not dealing with civilized men rather they are violent Oppressors that must be treated accordingly.
you have spoken well but for one thing...Igbos are not landlocked... get that. The whole of rivers state is owned by Igbos and 90% are Igbos...Igweocha is the Igbo name for portharcourt....from Ikwerre, Opobo...even in bayelsa we have igbos called nembe etc.. 85% of Delta is Igbo...u see. Igbos are not landlocked however Biafra is not an Igbo thing. Biafra just as u stated correctly, is made up of different ethnic groups...We have Calabar, Urhobo, Ijaw, Itshekiri.
We all will work together as brothers to make Biafra great.
Just like MNK always say, Biafra will come through a referendum... no one would be forced to join....you either vote to come in or out, but note that everyone has only 1 vote...meaning 1 man cannot decide for everybody.
The way I love Biafra ehnn I can't just explain....Biafra is our promise land. We will be the greatest country in Africa.
Emmajn1: you have spoken well but for one thing...Igbos are not landlocked... get that. The whole of rivers state is owned by Igbos and 90% are Igbos...Igweocha is the Igbo name for portharcourt....from Ikwerre, Opobo...even in bayelsa we have igbos called nembe etc.. 85% of Delta is Igbo...u see. Igbos are not landlocked however Biafra is not an Igbo thing. Biafra just as u stated correctly, is made up of different ethnic groups...We have Calabar, Urhobo, Ijaw, Itshekiri.
We all will work together as brothers to make Biafra great.
Just like MNK always say, Biafra will come through a referendum... no one would be forced to join....you either vote to come in or out, but note that everyone has only 1 vote...meaning 1 man cannot decide for everybody.
The way I love Biafra ehnn I can't just explain....Biafra is our promise land. We will be the greatest country in Africa.
Emmajn1: which attach by force? u read waiting I write so.
I read it very well
Is this not it?
Emmajn1: you have spoken well but for one thing...Igbos are not landlocked... get that. The whole of rivers state is owned by Igbos and 90% are Igbos...Igweocha is the Igbo name for portharcourt....from Ikwerre, Opobo...even in bayelsa we have igbos called nembe etc.. 85% of Delta is Igbo...u see. Igbos are not landlocked however Biafra is not an Igbo thing. Biafra just as u stated correctly, is made up of different ethnic groups...We have Calabar, Urhobo, Ijaw, Itshekiri.
We all will work together as brothers to make Biafra great.
Just like MNK always say, Biafra will come through a referendum... no one would be forced to join....you either vote to come in or out, but note that everyone has only 1 vote...meaning 1 man cannot decide for everybody.
The way I love Biafra ehnn I can't just explain....Biafra is our promise land. We will be the greatest country in Africa.
Emmajn1: you have spoken well but for one thing...Igbos are not landlocked... get that. The whole of rivers state is owned by Igbos and 90% are Igbos...Igweocha is the Igbo name for portharcourt....from Ikwerre, Opobo...even in bayelsa we have igbos called nembe etc.. 85% of Delta is Igbo...u see. Igbos are not landlocked however Biafra is not an Igbo thing. Biafra just as u stated correctly, is made up of different ethnic groups...We have Calabar, Urhobo, Ijaw, Itshekiri.
We all will work together as brothers to make Biafra great.
Just like MNK always say, Biafra will come through a referendum... no one would be forced to join....you either vote to come in or out, but note that everyone has only 1 vote...meaning 1 man cannot decide for everybody.
The way I love Biafra ehnn I can't just explain....Biafra is our promise land. We will be the greatest country in Africa.
Go & look for work, your parents will not feed you forever. Nonsense Illusionist.
Emmajn1: you have spoken well but for one thing...Igbos are not landlocked... get that. The whole of rivers state is owned by Igbos and 90% are Igbos...Igweocha is the Igbo name for portharcourt....from Ikwerre, Opobo...even in bayelsa we have igbos called nembe etc.. 85% of Delta is Igbo...u see. Igbos are not landlocked however Biafra is not an Igbo thing. Biafra just as u stated correctly, is made up of different ethnic groups...We have Calabar, Urhobo, Ijaw, Itshekiri.
We all will work together as brothers to make Biafra great.
Just like MNK always say, Biafra will come through a referendum... no one would be forced to join....you either vote to come in or out, but note that everyone has only 1 vote...meaning 1 man cannot decide for everybody.
The way I love Biafra ehnn I can't just explain....Biafra is our promise land. We will be the greatest country in Africa.
Other countries are working on building their nations. Una still dey argue about tribes in Nigeria. By the way biafra ceases to exist, know this and know peace.
Work on bettering yourself and helping your family to do well, that is the only way forward, your nation will be better for it.
Let your word be your bond, don’t say one thing one day then turn around and switch mouth because you think we will forget and not hold you onto account. Igbos made promises to Nigeria after the civil war ended, uphold your promises and let peace rain in Nigeria, stop distracting the government with your bullshit.
1...we are not biafra. We have never been biafra and will never be... Buafra is just a name we gave to our former slaves called Iboes just like british called her former slaves nigeria..
We Ijaws also called our Iboes slaves biafra, so why generalizing the name again? British sent Flora Shaw to give her slaves name, nigeria.........same way Ijaws sent Frank opigo to give her ibo slaves biafra... Know this and have peace...
2... Ijaw Republic will be the next giant of africa... So don't underestimate the Ijaw Republic...
3....apart from we Ijaws other tribes in the niger delta don't want to be in same country with the tribal supremacy ipob and greed for oil ibos...
4....yes, ibous are tribal supremacist.. Ipob directly said that every biafrans are ibos... Kanu said it...
Kanu said every tribe originated from ibo.... I know the tribal supremacist ibos will not see this.....
No sane human will want to share same country with tribalistic ibos...
kingawothefirst: Other countries are working on building their nations. Una still dey argue about tribes in Nigeria. By the way biafra ceases to exist, know this and know peace.
Work on bettering yourself and helping your family to do well, that is the only way forward, your nation will be better for it.
Let your word be your bond, don’t say one thing one day then turn around and switch mouth because you think we will forget and not hold you onto account. Igbos made promises to Nigeria after the civil war ended, uphold your promises and let peace rain in Nigeria, stop distracting the government with your bullshit.
It is a conscious contradiction to say Igbos should better themselves and in the same vein ask them to remain in Nigeria.
Nigeria is a dead promise, dead hope, false claim, a total sham and fraud. You either flee a sinking ship or perish with it.
Stop using Nigeria as an excuse to not better yourself, what kind of daft mentality is that. Poor inconsequential people cannot enact change. Only influential people can. Know this and know peace. Stop using Nigeria as an excuse, work on yourself.
Next year we will have a new president, life will go on but you? You will still have to wake up everyday and live with yourself whether Nigeria breaks up or not.
[quote author=Thoh post=108974569]1...we are not biafra. We have never been biafra and will never be... Buafra is just a name we gave to our former slaves called Iboes just like british called her former slaves nigeria..
We Ijaws also called our Iboes slaves biafra, so why generalizing the name again? British sent Flora Shaw to give her slaves name, nigeria.........same way Ijaws sent Frank opigo to give her ibo slaves biafra... Know this and have peace...
2... Ijaw Republic will be the next giant of africa... So don't underestimate the Ijaw Republic...
3....apart from we Ijaws other tribes in the niger delta don't want to be in same country with the tribal supremacy ipob and greed for oil ibos...
4....yes, ibous are tribal supremacist.. Ipob directly said that every biafrans are ibos... Kanu said it...
Kanu said every tribe originated from ibo.... I know the tribal supremacist ibos will not see this.....
No sane human will want to share same country with tribalistic ibos...ii Ii 5...biafra is landlocked and barren....[/quotei]
Ijaw republic our home. God bless the Ijaw republic.
kingawothefirst: Other countries are working on building their nations. Una still dey argue about tribes in Nigeria. By the way biafra ceases to exist, know this and know peace.
Work on bettering yourself and helping your family to do well, that is the only way forward, your nation will be better for it.
Let your word be your bond, don’t say one thing one day then turn around and switch mouth because you think we will forget and not hold you onto account. Igbos made promises to Nigeria after the civil war ended, uphold your promises and let peace rain in Nigeria, stop distracting the government with your bullshit.
chigator2: I wrote this about a year ago today back when I was still a pacifist and it has truly aged well. I envision that Victory is nigh.
The event of and the buildup to the 2023 general election will greatly strengthen our cause beyond comprehension. Compliments of the season. God bless us all.
I have long repented from the last paragraphs with a newer understanding that Force begets Force. We are not dealing with civilized men rather they are violent Oppressors that must be treated accordingly.
Stop using Nigeria as an excuse to not better yourself, what kind of daft mentality is that. Poor inconsequential people cannot enact change. Only influential people can. Know this and know peace. Stop using Nigeria as an excuse, work on yourself.
Next year we will have a new president, life will go on but you? You will still have to wake up everyday and live with yourself whether Nigeria breaks up or not.
Igbos have been bettering themselves even before Yoruba found a name for themselves.
If we didn't better ourselves we won't have outnumbered Indigenes in the colonial civil service.
If we didn't better ourselves, where Awo wished to place us would have been our limit.
But look at us now, without a President, we are not begging Yoruba for food. Rather we are buying you out. It's a wonder.
Leaving Nigeria is progress on a different dimension. 2D to 3D, incomparable.
Stop using Nigeria as an excuse to not better yourself, what kind of daft mentality is that. Poor inconsequential people cannot enact change. Only influential people can. Know this and know peace. Stop using Nigeria as an excuse, work on yourself.
Next year we will have a new president, life will go on but you? You will still have to wake up everyday and live with yourself whether Nigeria breaks up or not.
Why mentioning yoruba and Awo here. You can state your mind without that.
Despite all Awo and Yoruba did for you lots, your only return is hatred. I hope you stop, this is 2022 for God sake. Ungrateful lots!
Please stop this rubbish in 2022.
All this "Yoruba helped you" talk is pure fallacy.
Did Yoruba or Awo give us free money, free food or free house ? Did Yoruba or Awo keep our Abandoned properties for us ? Did Yoruba fight or die for us ? NO
Yes, we are everywhere in Yoruba land but whatever we are doing there is certainly not for Free. We pay rent, tax, levies, patronize local industries and build businesses that create Job opportunities. All these are neither free or from Yoruba Aid as you wish to put it.
We are direct contributors in the Yoruba micro- economy that is why your Leaders can tolerate us.
All this "Yoruba helped you" talk is pure fallacy.
Did Yoruba or Awo give us free money, free food or free house ? Did Yoruba or Awo keep our Abandoned properties for us ? Did Yoruba fight or die for us ? NO
Yes, we are everywhere in Yoruba land but whatever we are doing there is certainly not for Free. We pay rent, tax, levies, patronize local industries and build businesses that create Job opportunities. All these are neither free or from Yoruba Aid as you wish to put it.
We are direct contributors in the Yoruba micro- economy that is why your Leaders can tolerate us.
So wake up from that silly mentality.
Awo gave your arses Free education.
Majority of your leaders were products of the free education Awolowo provided.
Emmajn1: you have spoken well but for one thing...Igbos are not landlocked... get that. [s]The whole of rivers state is owned by Igbos and 90% are Igbos...Igweocha is the Igbo name for portharcourt....from Ikwerre, Opobo...even in bayelsa we have igbos called nembe etc.[/s]. 85% of Delta is Igbo...u see. Igbos are not landlocked however Biafra is not an Igbo thing. Biafra just as u stated correctly, is made up of different ethnic groups...We have Calabar, Urhobo, Ijaw, Itshekiri.
We all will work together as brothers to make Biafra great.
Just like MNK always say, Biafra will come through a referendum... no one would be forced to join....you either vote to come in or out, but note that everyone has only 1 vote...meaning 1 man cannot decide for everybody.
The way I love Biafra ehnn I can't just explain....Biafra is our promise land. We will be the greatest country in Africa.
The whole of Rivers State is own by igbos?oga are you ok? there are no igbos in Nembe be guide.
there are no igbos in Nembe be guide.