₦airaland Forum

SOME days ago, I woke up to find that someone, or group had decided to change my country. It was there on Facebook; a supposed map of a new country called Biafra. I was neither consulted nor my opinion sought. I am not also aware that the Ijaws, who are my parents, our neigbours the Isokos, Itsekiris, Urhobos, Efiks, Ibibios, Orons etcetera, were consulted. Some fellow Nigerians in demonstrating their right to self-determination, decided that I do not have the right to be consulted. If I were to reincarnate and have power of choice, I would ordinarily, not decide to be a Nigerian. I would prefer to be an African, in that united continent Kwame Nkrumah prophesied, with a single government, currency, economy and citizenship. I will not trade a continent for another small enclave, while industrialised Europe has almost evolved into one entity. That will not be strategic thinking, it will be collective backwardness. The Indigenous People of Biafra on a Peaceful Protest over the Arrest of the Director of Radio Biafra yesterday along Ikwerre road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke I understand why the agitators need the Southern nationalities; they require their oil and gas resources, and access to the sea. But they are being quixotic by forcing these peoples into a map. They need to consult and persuade. But this will be difficult as the advocates of a new Biafra have not made public any known philosophy, ideology, vision, road map, socio- economic programme or policy, including on peoples and minority rights. I have read some juvenile Boko Haram Shekarau-like outbursts by the new kid on the bloc, Nnamdi Kalu of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) who vomits words like “If they don’t give us Biafra, no human being will remain alone in Nigeria by that time; we shall turn everybody into corpses; you better go and buy your coffin.” He reminds me of the quixotic ‘uprising’ by the Biafra Zionist Federation led by Benjamin Igwe Onwuka who on June 5, 2014 tried to seize the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) ostensibly to declare a Biafra Republic. Apart from these, I have seen photographs of people in camouflage doing drills in alleged preparation for war to actualise Biafra. I am not sure they know what they are doing. I was six when the civil war broke out. Until this day, I still recall the faces of my play mates like Ngozi Eze, who left for the East and never came back when their families returned. You imagine the trauma the rest of their families went through. I also, still recall the faces of my uncles; Anusi, and Wisdom Fakrogha, who went to that war, and never returned. It is not just about the massive destruction, starvation and early graves. It included injuries that never healed, scars that people carry in their hearts. Like John Pepper Clarke wrote, in his poem, The Casualties. “The casualties are not only those who are dead… The casualties are not only those who started A fire and now cannot put out. Thousands are burning that have no say in the matter…We are all casualties” I read about people on both sides, glorifying the civil war. Yes, it was a glorious war; but not for the two million who lost their lives. It was a heroic war; but not for the children taken to Gabon who never returned. War can be glamorous, but not for the dead. Not for those who become invalid, the widowed and the orphaned. For the true victims, the pain never really go away. For Kalu and his group who argue that the Igbos are a conquered people in bondage, needing to be free, I say the conquered are not necessarily those who are said to have lost the civil war forty five years ago, but those on either side who lost their lives, income, property and loved ones. The victors are not necessarily those who sing victory songs; but those who smile to the banks having made fortunes selling arms and rice, boots and aircraft, bombs and relief materials to all sides in the conflict. When during the 1962 Missile Crisis over Cuba, and American President, John .F. Kennedy was toying with the idea of going to war, then Soviet Union leader, Nikita Khrushchev wrote him, warning “I have participated in two world wars and know that war ends only when it has rolled through cities and villages, everywhere sowing death and destruction. For such is the logic of war. If people do not display wisdom, they will clash like blind moles and then, mutual annihilation will commence.” But if we want to persuade our angry compatriots to remain, we must understand why they want out. I turn to Kalu to understand him. First he claims that the operation of the Federal Character provision and development, is lopsided. In other words, Igbos are marginalised. But interestingly, most or all nationalities in the country feel the same way. He says Igbos are killed in parts of the country. Ironically, the ‘killing fields’ today are in the North East, and Middle Belt where all Nigerians are victims. He argues that Nigeria is an artificial creation. I agree fully with him; but which country is not? Even the Biafra, his group wants to create will also be an artificial one. He laments that while the soldiers on the Federal side were paid, those who fought for Biafra were not. Whatever the arguments; this appears more an administrative issue, and less a reason for secession. He pointed at corruption, mass unemployment and injustice in what he calls the “Zoological Republic of Nigeria” Doubtlessly, there is injustice; to the poor and powerless; the voiceless and the vulnerable. But the solution cannot be the balkanization of the country; rather, it is to fight these ills. Even if I am left out of Biafra as I desire, I don’t want a passport to go drink from the knowledge of Arthur Nwankwo in Enugu, visit Maxim Uzotu, ‘the god of poetry’ or share a drink with Anaele Ihuoma in Owerri. We cannot deny those who clamour for a new country, but the rest of us have the duty and right to propagate our desire for a united Nigeria, and an integrated Africa.
www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/i-dont-want-another-country/

Referendum will decide our fate


Those who despise Biafra, will remain Nigerians

why all this sermon now is too late Biafra or death

After the first few lines, I decided this story/article is a waste.

When the process begins, there will be a referendum. Now go to sleep.

"A united Nigeria and an integrated Africa" This should be our mantra and earnest agitation..

Oh my home oh my home,*singing*

If only Biafra are serious.
They can't even leave Maiduguri not to talk of Lagos

9jii:
If only Biafra are serious.
They can't even leave Maiduguri not to talk of Lagos

die if you can't stand it.

After the first few lines, I just the knew the article would be a joke. And to believe this was written by an Ijaw man? I feel sorry for Ijaw people sometimes.

Promhize:
After the first few lines, I decided this story/article is a waste.

When the process begins, there will be a referendum. Now go to sleep.

A foool is one who does not think b4 he acts! Have u tot well how u intend to implement Biafra? Do u sincerely think in ur heart that millions of ibos spread across the nation will want to abadon their investments and relocate back to d east? Is Biafra prepared to be a land locked country? Because u re in a very deep dream thinking d SS will cut out wit biafra! Am frm d ND and we know that in d invent of Biafra they(ibos) will want to make use of our seaport, by all means which might result in anoda war wit d SS! Have u tot about the possibity of war wit Nigeria? Do u knw wat it means to ve bombs landing on ur roof? Think about all these and until u provide sincere answers to these questions, stop shouting biafra!

Yoruba again.

This guy is a fool who doesn't know his history....
A man without history doesn't exist...

You said that Biafra that's IPOb didn't consult you.
My question to the writer is this...
Does Nigeria consult you

I think this is just natural, know your history and do the needful...
I wasn't consulted, but the difference there is that I have knowledge of my history.

Let's learn our history or else you won't know when you start harming yourself out of ignorance.

Again, I wasn't consulted but Biafra is my heritage and part of my history.


From a true biafran son.
Thank you.

mediachirps:
die if you can't stand it.

the man raised avery important point and instead of u to respond intelligently u resort to insults! Are ibos actually ready to relocate from other parts of d country, especially Lagos?

It's normal... We should be expecting propaganda, media out-lash, sellout, corrupt politicians, few selfish individuals or group of people or religious leaders against the large populace etc. to jeopardize our freedom and self determination as a sovereign nation.. BIAFRA. Though everyone is entitle to his/her opinion. Funny because, they fail to understand that we are wiser and inquisitive. . Nelson Mandela spent 27years in prison for fighting for freedom. Freedom is not given, it's taken and we demand a UN conducted referendum with IPOB fully involved.

NOBLEDANDY:
This guy is a fool who doesn't know his history....
A man without history doesn't exist...

You said that Biafra that's IPOb didn't consult you.
My question to the writer is this...
Does Nigeria consult you

I think this is just natural, know your history and do the needful...
I wasn't consulted, but the difference there is that I have knowledge of my history.

Let's learn our history or else you won't know when you start harming yourself out of ignorance.

Again, I wasn't consulted but Biafra is my heritage and part of my history.


From a true biafran son.
Thank you.

do u sincerely think this is a sensible response to that great question? Think again friend! I biafra ready to be landlocked? Are ibos spread nation wide ready to relocate to d SE?

ALISMILE:
do u sincerely think this is a sensible response to that great question? Think again friend! I biafra ready to be landlocked? Are ibos spread nation wide ready to relocate to d SE?

Please which great question??
And how is Biafra landlocked?
How is even the Igbo's landlocked?
There are Russians who are residing in America does that mean that there are no Russians in Russia or that Russia doesn't exist....
Why can't you reason properly...

ALISMILE:
SOME days ago, I woke up to find that someone,
or group had decided to change my country. It
was there on Facebook; a supposed map of a
new country called Biafra. I was neither
consulted nor my opinion sought. I am not also
aware that the Ijaws, who are my parents, our
neigbours the Isokos, Itsekiris, Urhobos, Efiks,
Ibibios, Orons etcetera, were consulted. Some
fellow Nigerians in demonstrating their right to
self-determination, decided that I do not have
the right to be consulted.
If I were to reincarnate and have power of
choice, I would ordinarily, not decide to be a
Nigerian. I would prefer to be an African, in that
united continent Kwame Nkrumah prophesied,
with a single government, currency, economy
and citizenship. I will not trade a continent for
another small enclave, while industrialised
Europe has almost evolved into one entity. That
will not be strategic thinking, it will be collective
backwardness.
The Indigenous People of Biafra on a Peaceful
Protest over the Arrest of the Director of Radio
Biafra yesterday along Ikwerre road in Port
Harcourt, Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke
I understand why the agitators need the
Southern nationalities; they require their oil and
gas resources, and access to the sea. But they
are being quixotic by forcing these peoples into
a map. They need to consult and persuade. But
this will be difficult as the advocates of a new
Biafra have not made public any known
philosophy, ideology, vision, road map, socio-
economic programme or policy, including on
peoples and minority rights.
I have read some juvenile Boko Haram
Shekarau-like outbursts by the new kid on the
bloc, Nnamdi Kalu of the Indigenous Peoples of
Biafra (IPOB) who vomits words like “If they
don’t give us Biafra, no human being will remain
alone in Nigeria by that time; we shall turn
everybody into corpses; you better go and buy
your coffin.” He reminds me of the quixotic
‘uprising’ by the Biafra Zionist Federation led by
Benjamin Igwe Onwuka who on June 5, 2014
tried to seize the Enugu State Broadcasting
Service (ESBS) ostensibly to declare a Biafra
Republic.
Apart from these, I have seen photographs of
people in camouflage doing drills in alleged
preparation for war to actualise Biafra. I am not
sure they know what they are doing. I was six
when the civil war broke out. Until this day, I still
recall the faces of my play mates like Ngozi Eze,
who left for the East and never came back when
their families returned. You imagine the trauma
the rest of their families went through. I also,
still recall the faces of my uncles; Anusi, and
Wisdom Fakrogha, who went to that war, and
never returned. It is not just about the massive
destruction, starvation and early graves. It
included injuries that never healed, scars that
people carry in their hearts. Like John Pepper
Clarke wrote, in his poem, The Casualties. “The
casualties are not only those who are dead… The
casualties are not only those who started A fire
and now cannot put out. Thousands are burning
that have no say in the matter…We are all
casualties”
I read about people on both sides, glorifying the
civil war. Yes, it was a glorious war; but not for
the two million who lost their lives. It was a
heroic war; but not for the children taken to
Gabon who never returned. War can be
glamorous, but not for the dead. Not for those
who become invalid, the widowed and the
orphaned. For the true victims, the pain never
really go away.
For Kalu and his group who argue that the Igbos
are a conquered people in bondage, needing to
be free, I say the conquered are not necessarily
those who are said to have lost the civil war forty
five years ago, but those on either side who lost
their lives, income, property and loved ones. The
victors are not necessarily those who sing victory
songs; but those who smile to the banks having
made fortunes selling arms and rice, boots and
aircraft, bombs and relief materials to all sides in
the conflict.
When during the 1962 Missile Crisis over Cuba,
and American President, John .F. Kennedy was
toying with the idea of going to war, then Soviet
Union leader, Nikita Khrushchev wrote him,
warning “I have participated in two world wars
and know that war ends only when it has rolled
through cities and villages, everywhere sowing
death and destruction. For such is the logic of
war. If people do not display wisdom, they will
clash like blind moles and then, mutual
annihilation will commence.”
But if we want to persuade our angry
compatriots to remain, we must understand why
they want out. I turn to Kalu to understand him.
First he claims that the operation of the Federal
Character provision and development, is
lopsided. In other words, Igbos are
marginalised. But interestingly, most or all
nationalities in the country feel the same way.
He says Igbos are killed in parts of the country.
Ironically, the ‘killing fields’ today are in the
North East, and Middle Belt where all Nigerians
are victims. He argues that Nigeria is an artificial
creation. I agree fully with him; but which
country is not? Even the Biafra, his group wants
to create will also be an artificial one. He
laments that while the soldiers on the Federal
side were paid, those who fought for Biafra were
not. Whatever the arguments; this appears more
an administrative issue, and less a reason for
secession.
He pointed at corruption, mass unemployment
and injustice in what he calls the “Zoological
Republic of Nigeria” Doubtlessly, there is
injustice; to the poor and powerless; the
voiceless and the vulnerable. But the solution
cannot be the balkanization of the country;
rather, it is to fight these ills.
Even if I am left out of Biafra as I desire, I don’t
want a passport to go drink from the knowledge
of Arthur Nwankwo in Enugu, visit Maxim Uzotu,
‘the god of poetry’ or share a drink with Anaele
Ihuoma in Owerri.
We cannot deny those who clamour for a new
country, but the rest of us have the duty and
right to propagate our desire for a united
Nigeria, and an integrated Africa.

www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/i-dont-want-another-country/

Where you consulted when they forced you into Nigeria....your first premise for rejection is flawed

Promise of presidency come 2023; sponsoring propaganda by confused stooges and slaves; threats of war, annihilation and confiscation of properties; drumming of landlocked, sea-locked, air-locked and all what not just to attempt quench the raging IPOB tsunami.

Who's deceiving who in this 21st century, even after 101 years of doing the same thing over and over again to the pleasure of these propagandists?

49cents:
Where you consulted when they forced you into Nigeria....your first premise for rejection is flawed

yes! In 1958 my pple were members of parliament that gave birth to Nigeria's independence!

NOBLEDANDY:
Please which great question??
And how is Biafra landlocked?
How is even the Igbo's landlocked?
There are Russians who are residing in America does that mean that there are no Russians in Russia or that Russia doesn't exist....
Why can't you reason properly...

yes the russians in d US live in d US as foreigners, guided by the constitution of d US! So if ibos will remain in Nig, they must be ready to adjust to a new rule under a completely deferent term, expecially in Lag which ibos own almost 30%! Now u talked about how biafrag will be landlocked? Yes, I can authoritatively tell u, being an indegene of d ND, that the last tin we want is to live as minority under the ibos! Hence, in d invent of a successful secession of d SE, d SS will see that as an opportunity to clamour for its own! And there ll be no seaport for u biafrags!

[s]

ALISMILE:
yes the russians in d US live in d US as foreigners, guided by the constitution of d US! So if ibos will remain in Nig, they must be ready to adjust to a new rule under a completely deferent term, expecially in Lag which ibos own almost 30%! Now u talked about how biafrag will be landlocked? Yes, I can authoritatively tell u, being an indegene of d ND, that the last tin we want is to live as minority under the ibos! Hence, in d invent of a successful secession of d SE, d SS will see that as an opportunity to clamour for its own! And there ll be no seaport for u biafrags!

[/s]

Rubbish

ALISMILE:
yes! In 1958 my pple were members of parliament that gave birth to Nigeria's independence!

Nigeria was formed in 1914 Northern protectorate and Southern protectorate were merged just for the business convenience of Lord Lugard's enterprise.

Learn to read wide and seek knowledge from history so that you can be well informed...

PrinceB1:
After reading this article, please ask yourself if creating a country is meant to be for economic, administrative or financial gains of a different entity? or to achieve a highly developed economy and advanced technological infrastructure to better the general standard of living of its citizens.

THE FORMATION OF SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN PROTECTORATE OF NIGERIA:
SOUTHERN PROTECTORATE - In 1862, Lagos Island annex became a colony of Britain and Mr. H.S freeman became the governor. 31 years after then, (1893), Oil river protectorate that was renamed to be the Niger Coast protectorate with Calabar as the capital. In 1890, British reporter (Flora Shaw) who later married Lord Lugard suggested that the country be named Nigeria, after the Niger River. Then in 1897, British overthrew Oba Oronkanwen of Benin, one of the last independent West African kings. All the events stated above occurred in the late 19th century, then in the 20th century, 1900, Southern Nigeria was a British protectorate in the coastal areas of modern-day Nigeria, formed in 1900 from union of the Niger Coast Protectorate with territories chartered by the Royal Niger Company below Lokoja on the Niger River.

The Lagos colony was added in 1906, and the territory was officially renamed the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria. Niger Coast, formerly Oil river protectorate was merged with the colony of Lagos and the protectorate of Lagos was named the protectorate of southern Nigeria. (Colonies were merged but not the people).

The Yoruba's and Igbo's and close to 200 other ethnic groups were of different ethnic groups, having different culture, norms, and values, but they were merged into the southern protectorate by the British in their own understanding and discretion to form the southern protectorate. It was very clear that the ethnics and values were different, yet what we hear much noise on is about the amalgamation of northern and southern protectorates.

The merging of Niger Coast and Lagos Colony was a clear merger of different culture and value, but because of the African spirit which is love and unity, it is easy for us to live and live harmoniously. This gesture of our inheritance as Africans does not stop with the Niger Coast and Lagos Colony alone, but extended to southern and northern protectorate of Nigeria. It even extend beyond that,it extend of every part of Africa as a whole. 

NORTHERN PROTECTORATE - In 1885, Niger district protectorate was under African company and Niger Delta protectorate was under Royal Niger Company which was formed in 1886. In 1900, both protectorates were added to some part of Niger territory to form the northern protectorate. Northern Nigeria was a British protectorate which lasted from 1900 until 1914 in the present country of Nigeria. The protectorate spanned 255,000 miles (410,000 km) including the pre-colonial states of the Sokoto Caliphate, the Bornu Empire, and the Kano Emirate. The first High Commissioner of the protectorate was Frederick Lugard who actively suppressed revolutions and created a system of administration built around native authorities.

On 1 January 1890, the Royal Niger Company's charter was revoked and the British took control. The Royal Niger Company was paid £865,000 and was given the rights to half of all mining revenue in a large part of the areas for 99 years in exchange for ceding the territory to the British government. Lugard was appointed the High Commissioner of the newly created Northern Nigeria Protectorate.
     In 1900, British officially took over what it named the Northern protectorate from the Royal Niger company, they originally divided the area into eleven province, which were, Bauchi, Bida, Bornu, Kabba, Kotangora, Lower Benue, Ilorin, Muri, Sokoto, Upper Berma, and Zaria. But it was later reduced 13 provinces after merging some together. Zungeru became the headquarters for the protectorate in 1902 because it was the most northerly city accessible by river transport. In 1903, 6 more province that were captured were added to make it 17 province.

Northern Nigeria Protectorate had a budget deficit; and the colonial administration sought to use the budget surpluses in Southern Nigeria to offset this deficit. They also faced unhealthy climatic conditions and lacked transportation and communication. The British needed the Railway from the North to the Coast in the interest of British business. So they had to actualize the amalgamation, not long after in 1911 the railway to Kano was completed which would enable him to ship produce without passing through Southern Nigerian territory since since under the terms of the Berlin Convention of 1885 the Niger was an international waterway.

The Order - in - Council was drawn up in November 1913 signed and came into force in January 1914. In those dispatches, Lugard said a number of things, which are at the root causes of yesterday and today's problems.

Finally In 1914, Southern Nigeria was joined with Northern Nigeria Protectorate to form the single colony of Nigeria. The unification was done for economic reasons rather than political operating in the interest of the Crown.THE ALMAGAMATION OF NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN NIGERIA

Frederick Lugard, 1st Baron Lugard, a mercenary, soldier, explorer and colonial administrator, Lord Lugard came here about 1894. Major Lugard was not originally employed by the British Government. He was employed by companies. He was first employed by East Indian Company, by the Royal East African Company and then by the Royal Niger Company. It was from the Royal Niger Company that he transferred to the British government. 

In 1897, as an imperialist Frederick Lugard formed the West African Frontier Force in the interest of the Company initially with 2,000 soldiers, about 90 percent of them were from the North mainly from the Middle belt. That was the beginning of our problems. Between 1898 and 1912, he sent a number of dispatches to London which led to the Amalgamation of 1914. 

Towards the end of his term as Governor of Hong Kong in 1911, he indicated that he would be willing to undertake the task of amalgamating the two Nigerias, he seemed the ideal choice. In 1912, Frederick Lugard returned to Nigeria as Governor of the two protectorates. His main mission was to complete the amalgamation into one colony. Although controversial in Lagos, where it was opposed by a large section of the political class and the media, the amalgamation did not arouse passion in the rest of the country. From 1914 to 1919, Frederick Lugard was made Governor General of the now combined Colonies of Nigeria.

When the amalgamation took effect, the British government sealed off the South from the North. Between 1914 and l960, for a period of 46 years, the British allowed minimum contact between the North and South because it was not in the British interest that the North be allowed to be polluted by the educated South. 

In June 1949, the North formed a political party, the northern leaders called it Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) and not Nigeria Peoples Congress. That was in accordance with the dictum and policies of Frederick Lugard. However, in 1950 when Aminu Kano formed his own party, it was called Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) not Nigerian Progressive Union. 

''All these were the basis on which we got our independence in 1960. That was what Frederick Lugard created in Nigeria, a permanent majority for the North. 

The population figure of the North was false. Infact, a British Colonial Civil Servant who was involved in falsifying the figures tried to expose it but he was never allowed to publish it. The analysis is as follows: If you look at the map of West Africa, starting from Mauritania to Cameroun and take a population of each country as you move from the coast to the Savannah, the population decreases. Or conversely, as you come from the Desert to the Coast, right from Mauritania to the Cameroun, the population increases. The only exception throughout that zone is Nigeria. Nigeria is the only zone whereby you go from coast to the North, the population increases and you come from the North to the Coast, the population decreases. Well, geographers, anthropologists and population experts, draw your conclusions. The last population census was done by computer, a computer is as good as its programmer. A computer will produce what you ask it to produce.

The amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorate in 1914 by the British colonial masters was a landmark event in the evolution of Nigeria as a sovereign entity.

    Importantly, the amalgamation of 1914 was accomplished in three phases beginning from 1900. First was the uniting of the Northern states into the Northern Protectorate in 1900. The second phase was the declaration of a Southern Protectorate from the old Niger Coast Protectorate and finally the formal merger of the Protectorates into Nigeria. 

A colony is not a sovereign state. The great Historian Michael Crowder in his article Lugard and Colonial Nigeria – Towards an Identity, posited that “By definition colonies were not sovereign states and where relations with other countries were concerned, these were conducted for them by their imperial governments. Likewise, the colonial official did not ‘represent’ his country in his colony, even when he bore a diplomatic title like that of ‘Resident’ in Northern Nigeria, but rather exercised power on its behalf over people who had lost their sovereignty.” 

Opposition to the amalgamation policy started beyond the formal pronouncement in 1914. At the forefront of this opposition was mostly emerging elites from the Southern Protectorates who had been exposed to Western education and the works of African-American nationalist like Booker Washington, Marcus Garvey among many others. These new elites used various means including local newspapers to express their opposition to perceived obnoxious colonial policies. They also formed political unions like the National Congress of British West Africa and the West African Students Association formed between 1913 and 1925 respectively. The amalgamation engendered fervent debate on its relevance and practicability to the States. Moses Ebe Ochonu in his article 1914 and Nigeria’s Existential Crisis: A Historical Perspective (2), pointed out that the elites ‘made it clear in their protest that the peoples of the North and those of the South were starkly different, had different worldviews and that any nation created out of an arbitrary union of the two territories would not function.’ 

The amalgamation was also opposed because it was perceived as an arbitrary decision taken by the authorities without the consent of the natives. The elites argued that British showed contempt by not consulting with the natives to decide whether they were interested in the merger of their territories considering the vast differences that exist between them.
    However the opposition mounted by the Southern elites suffered because of their perceived distrust and contempt for the north. It has been pointed out that the position of the elites may have garnered desired attention had they allied with some northern elements who also opposed the amalgamation. In an editorial by the Times of Nigeria, the elites were unsparing in their resentment of not only the union but also people from the north: 

“Unification was synonymous with a sellout of the South. The subjugation of Southern Nigeria by Northern Nigerian laws, Northern Nigerian land laws, Northern Nigerian Administration must be made to supersede every system in Southern Nigeria.”

The resentment was mutual though. The Northerners also felt they were being short-changed in the union arrangement. This was fiercely resisted in Lagos by some educated Africans while the other parts of the country remained lackadaisical due to the fact that many lack proper education and never knew the scope in which the amalgamation will operate and it benefits. Moses Ebe Ochonu suggested it may have been this mutual distrust that informed the British separate educational policies for both regions- while the south were exposed to the Missionaries, the North were left alone to continue with Quranic institutions.

The amalgamation was also opposed because it was perceived as an arbitrary decision taken by the authorities without the consent of the natives of the lands. The elites argued that British showed contempt by not consulting with the natives to decide whether they were interested in the merger of their territories considering the vast differences that exist between them. 

The amalgamation of southern and northern Protectorate by the British was for economic and administrative purpose, but having derived economic benefit from both protectorates in agricultural products and others cash crops like groundnut, palm oil , wheat, cocoa etc. The British authority relent on stating the expiration of this decision. The advent of coal and crude oil became dilemma for the colonialists. They schemed up hurriedly contrived document called constitution which was at best a legitimacy for further economic enslavement.

Under United Nation Charter, ''all forms of amalgamation and forceful take over of indigenous land was to expires after a hundred years''. This new slavery charter permitted colonialists to under-develop Africa through economic enslavement as the colonialists were not willing to let go of Africans state. In view of this charter which has been seen as an experiment, the duration was pecked at 100 YEARS for it workability. Therefore the Amalgamation of Nigeria contract would be void by the 1st of January 2014.

The British amalgamation of Nigeria was nothing but the culmination of years of conquest of independent kingdoms, empires and states that were then forcibly yoked together for greater exploitation. No people in the world celebrate their defeat and subsequent subjugation by a conquering colonial power. Nigeria should not be the exception as the people of the Niger Delta are tired of been slaves in a 21st century.

A World Bank unit has continued, for seven years, to list Nigeria as one of the world’s fragile states with its economy falling off the cliff. Thirteen years into the Fourth Republic, tribalism, ethnic and sectarian violence and the desperate contest for presidential power, among others, have killed over 5,000 persons, making analysts to recall the famous quip by the late premier of the defunct Northern Region, Ahmadu Bello, on the need to correct “the mistake of 1914″ and the reference to Nigeria as “a mere geographical expression” by the late premier of the defunct Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo. Nigeria, almost 100 years on, remains both a mistake and a geographical expression. 

We must accept the dreadful truth that Nigeria is composed of different peoples with diverse histories, cultures, religions, worldviews and values. 

''The British amalgamated the Administration of the North and South and not the people of the North and the South, that is one of the root causes of the problems of Nigeria and the Nigerians''. 

The consequences for Nigeria’s long-term political development of the formula Frederick Lugard chose need not concern us here except in two respects. The first is that not surprisingly Frederick Lugard’s amalgamation largely involved imposing on Southern Nigeria the administrative and judicial systems of the North. The second was that the amalgamation was only a partial one. Whereas the Colonial Office has overruled Egerton’s scheme for partial amalgamation of the two southern territories in 1906, they allowed Frederick Lugard’s scheme to go ahead. The consequences of this partial amalgamation were to haunt Nigeria for the next fifty years and many would argue that the Nigerian civil war had its roots in the form of amalgamation Frederick Lugard imposed on the country.

Lord Lugard the first Governor General who set up Nigerian nation and the founding fathers of Nigeria that fought for her independence in 1960 with the major universities, streets, public buildings, national currencies and postage stamps named in their memories did not believe in one Nigeria from the various comments made below about Nigeria:

Lord Lugard: “The North and the South are like oil and water, they will never mix.” Yet he went ahead and amalgamated them.

Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa: “The Southern people who are swamping into this region daily in such large numbers are really intruders; we don’t want them and they are not welcome here in the North. Since 1914, the British Government has been trying to make Nigeria into one country. But the people are different in every way, including religion, custom, language and aspirations… we in the North take it that Nigeria unity is only a British intention for the country they created. IT IS NOT FOR US”.

Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo: “Nigeria is only a geographical expression to which life was given by the diabolical amalgamation of 1914, that amalgamation will EVER remain the most painful injury a British Government inflicted on Southern Nigeria”.

Al-Hajji Sir Ahmadu Bello: “The new nation called Nigeria should be an estate from our great grandfather, Othman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We must use the minorities in the North as willing tools, and the south as conquered territories and never allow them to have control of their future.”

Retired General Yakubu Gowon: “Suffice it to say that putting all considerations to the test, political, economic as well as social, the basis of unity is not there.”

Nigeria is a camouflage of deceit. ....

Pls I want to ask I question

who is namdi kanus second in command, representatives of each biafran dialects and southern biafra advisers
abi he is the all in all, supreme leader, commander in chief, chief justic, special adviser and radio director/host/moderator?

xtrorse:
Promise of presidency come 2023; sponsoring propaganda by confused stooges and slaves; threats of war, annihilation and confiscation of properties; drumming of landlocked, sea-locked, air-locked and all what not just to attempt quench the raging IPOB tsunami.

Who's deceiving who in this 21st century, even after 101 years of doing the same thing over and over again to the pleasure of these propagandists?

until u re able to provide a rational response to d points u raised ursef, then u remain a dream world biafrag!

what is the problem with this south south people and their oil. no one is forcing you to join Biafra. you guyz can decide to stay with nigeria if you wish. Biafra is a blessed country we have everything we need. so you guyz should stop saying someone is forcing you to join.

ALISMILE:
A foool is one who does not think b4 he acts! Have u tot well how u intend to implement Biafra? Do u sincerely think in ur heart that millions of ibos spread across the nation will want to abadon their investments and relocate back to d east? Is Biafra prepared to be a land locked country? Because u re in a very deep dream thinking d SS will cut out wit biafra! Am frm d ND and we know that in d invent of Biafra they(ibos) will want to make use of our seaport, by all means which might result in anoda war wit d SS! Have u tot about the possibity of war wit Nigeria? Do u knw wat it means to ve bombs landing on ur roof? Think about all these and until u provide sincere answers to these questions, stop shouting biafra!

Go and sit bro! You are fu*kin coward. If you fore fathers were cowards like you, they wouldn't have fought for the abrogation of slave trade, probably by now you would have been shipped to euro as a hopeless slave. Pple fight and sometime died just to provide a better life for their born and unborn children. Coward! You fear bomb? Those soldiers fighting bokoharam in the north, are they not human beings like you. Had it been we have 80% of cowards like you in Nigeria, bokoharam would have ravage the entire landscape of Nigeria without no resistant. You bunch who can't stand and fight for something, often died for nothing.

NOBLEDANDY:
[s][/s]
Rubbish

Soooooooo after all d uproar, dis is all u ve?

wecan:
what is the problem with this south south people and their oil. no one is forcing you to join Biafra. you guyz can decide to stay with nigeria if you wish. Biafra is a blessed country we have everything we need. so you guyz should stop saying someone is forcing you to join.

yes! U guys are trying tooo hard to force us! Why rent crowd to protest in d SS as if we want it? If we want biafra then allow us champion the clamour ourselves!

wisdomguy4u:
Go and sit bro! You are fu*kin coward. If you fore fathers were cowards like you, they wouldn't have fought for the abrogation of slave trade, probably by time you would have been to shipped to euro as a hopeless slave. Pple fight and sometime died just to provide a better life for their born and unborn children. Coward! You fear bomb? Those soldiers fighting bokoharam in the north, are they not human beings like you. Had it been we have 80% of cowards like you in Nigeria, bokoharam would have ravage the entire landscape of Nigeria without no resistance. You bunch who can't stand and fight for something, often died for nothing.

ur mates re on d field in Aba protesting, u re in ur parlour in lagos sending msg as if u are brave! If ur pple re not cowards then by now we wud ve heard that 10 Nigerian soldiers have been killed. Only then we ll knw how serious u re!from my count so far at least 4 biafrags have been killed like dogs that they re, since they re in d self proclaimed Zoo.

ALISMILE:
Soooooooo after all d uproar, dis is all u ve?

Because you ain't making any sense.

ALISMILE:
until u re able to provide a rational response to d points u raised ursef, then u remain a dream world biafrag!

And what's your business in another's affairs?

It will do you good to cease drinking overdose Panadol for another's headache...

mediachirps:
die if you can't stand it.

U ll die just like Biafra n it supporters b4 for nothing.