₦airaland Forum

For educational purpose only

This article was dated December 28, 1977 having original classification as CONFIDENTIAL, Office action: ACTION AF - Bureau of African Affairs. Tags: NI - Nigeria | PGOV - Political Affairs--Government; Internal Governmental Affairs | PINT - Political Affairs--Internal Political Affairs. Written by a westerner to SECSTATE LONDON.

1. SUMMARY. THIS CABLE IS THE IMPRESSIONISTIC REPORT OF EMBOFFS WHO HAVE RECENTLY VISITED ALL FOUR STATES IN THE OLD EASTERN REGION. ONE RETURNS FROM THE EAST WITH MANY IMPRESSION, THE STRONGEST OF WHICH IS THAT THIS AREA HAS NOT BENEFITTED AS GREATLY AS THE REST OF NIGERIA DURING THE ERA OF THE PETRONAIRA. THERE ARE ALSO GRAVE PROBLEMS FOR THE FUTURE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA. AMERICANS REMAIN QUITE POPULAR IN THE EAST AND THERE IS A CONSTANT INTEREST IN THE REOPENING OF AN AMERICAN CONSULATE, BUT ALWAYS IN "MY TOWN." END SUMMARY. 2. DURING THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, EMBOFFS HAVE TRAVELED THROUGHT THE FOUR STATES OF THE OLD EASTERN REGION--ANAMBRA, CROSS RIVER, IMO AND RIVERS. DURING THESE TRIPS WE HAVE DEVELOPED STRONG IMPRESSIONS OF THE DIFFERENCES AS WELL AS CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 LAGOS 14939 01 OF 03 281457Z THE SIMILARITIES OF THESE STATES. THIS TELEGRAM WILL PROVIDE SOME GENERAL IMPRESSIONS OF THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CLIMATE IN THE AREA. 3. POLITICAL ACTIVITY IN THE EAST. THE POLITICIANS IN THE EAST DO NOT APPEAR TO BE AS ACTIVE AS THOSE IN EITHER THE NORTH OR THE WEST. TWO REASONS WERE CONSISTENTLY CITED FOR THESE PHENOMENA: A) HAVING BEEN BURNED ONCE (ESPECIALLY THE IBOS), THERE IS LITTLE DESIRE TO RETURN TO ACTIVE POLITICS; B) HAVING RESIGNED THEMSELVES TO MAKING MONEY IN THE BUSINESS WORLD, MANY OLD AND POTENTIAL POLITICAH ) LEADERS HAVE FOUND THEY ENJOY IT AND ARE RELUCTANT TO SEEK ACTIVE POLITICAL ROLES. THESE COMMENTS NOT- WITHSTANDING, THERE ARE A FEW WELL-KNOWN EASTERNERS WHO HAVE APPEARED IN THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY (CA) SUCH AS MATTHEW T. MBU, BRIGADIER GEORGE KURUBO AND LT. COL. HILARY NJOKU. HOWEVER, WHEN THESE NAMES WERE RAISED PEOPLE DID NOT APPEAR TO SEE THEM AS LEADERS IN THE EAST, BUT RATHER AS WELL KNOWN POLITICIANS WHO HAD WON THEIR SEATS THROUGH THEIR INFLUENCE IN LOCAL AREAS. 4. WHITHER THE EAST IN THE RETURN TO CIVILIAN RULE? A DIFFICULT QUESTION TO ANSWER. THE MOST COMMON VIEW WHICH WAS EXPLICITLY STATED BY ONE IBO WAS THAT THE EAST WILL BROKER ITSELF TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER IN THE NEW POLITICAL STRUCTURE. IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, THE NORTHERNERS ARE PREFERRED TO THE YORUBAS. IN LINE WITH THIS LATTER OBSERVA- TION, IT APPEARS THAT A NUMBER OF NORTHERN POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY POLITICKING IN THE EAST, BUT THAT THE YORUBAS HAVE NOT. 5. REINTEGRATION OF THE IBOS. IN LAGOS ONE HAS THE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 LAGOS 14939 01 OF 03 281457Z IMPRESSION THAT THE IBOS HAVE BEEN QUITE SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATING THEMSELVES INTO NIGERIAN SOCIETY SINCE THE CIVIL WAR. ONE FINDS A DISTINCT BANIOSIOE IMPRESSION IN THE EAST. THERE IS A WIDESPREAD FEELING THAT THE EAST IN GENERAL AND THE IBOS IN PARTICULAR ARE STILL BEING PUNISHED FOR THEIR ROLE IN THE CIVIL WAR. IT WOULD APPEAR TO US THAT PERHAPS THOSE IBOS WHO LEFT THE EAST HAVE FAIRED BETTER AS INDIVIDUALS THAN THE IBOS WHO REMAINED AT HOME AND AS A GROUP HAVE SUFFERED FOR THE "SINS" OF THE CIVIL WAR. 6. AS A FOOTNOTE, WE SHOULD PASS ON THE VIEW OF ONE AMERICAN OBASERVER WHO LIVES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NSUKKA. HE SAYS THAT WITHIN THE INTELLECTUAL/ACADEMIC COMMUNITY THERE IS A STRONG FEELING THAT THE IBOS WHO LEFT THE EAST TO REJOIN THE FMG AND SEEK THEIR FUTURES IN THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY WERE "TRAITORS." EMBOFFS DID NOT HEAR THIS VIEW EXPRESSED ELSEWHERE. 7. ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, THE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE APPARENTLY WITNESSED THE REDUCTION OF FEDERAL TROOPS THROUGHOUT THE EAST IN IBO AND NON-IBG AREAS. REFERRED TO BY SOME AS "OCCUPATION TROOPS," THEIR ROADBLOCKS AND INSPECTIONS CONFIDENTIAL NNN CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 LAGOS 14939 02 OF 03 281528Z ACTION AF-10 INFO OCT-01 EUR-12 IO-13 ISO-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 PM-05 H-01 INR-07 L-03 NSAE-00 NSC-05 PA-01 PRS-01 SP-02 SS-15 USIA-06 ACDA-12 HA-05 AID-05 COME-00 EB-08 FRB-03 TRSE-00 XMB-02 OPIC-03 LAB-04 SIL-01 OMB-01 AGRE-00 A-01 SCS-06 CA-01 /134 W ------------------023233 281539Z /44 R 281445Z DEC 77 FM AMEMBASSY LAGOS TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5630 INFO AMEMBASSY LONDON AMCONSUL IBADAN AMCONSUL KADUNA USMISSION USUN NEW YORK C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 2 OF 3 LAGOS 14939 WERE APPARENTLY A TREMENDOUS IRRITANT TO THE CIVILIAN POLULATION. AS ONE IBO SAID TO AN EMBOFF, IF YOU HAD THE SLIGHTEST RUN-IN WITH THE SOLDIERS, THEY WOULD "BEAT THE HELL OUT OF YOU." WHILE THERE ARE STILL SOLDIERS AROUND THEY NO LONGER ACT LIKE OCCUPIERS AND THEY WERE MUCH LESS OBVIOUS THAN THEY REPORTEDLY WERE IN THE PAST. 8. STATE GOVERNMENTS. THE QUALITY OF STATE GOVERNMENTS IN THE EAST WAS QUITE CHECKERED. IMO, THE NEW IBO STATE, HAS AN IMPRESSIVE COLLECTION OF YOUNG CIVIL SERVANTS BASED IN AN ALMOST UNLIVABLE TOWN STRUGGLING TO BECOME A CITY. PERHAPS THE DIFFICULTIES OF OWERRI AND THE OPPORTUNITIES OF A NEW STATE GOVERNMENT ATTRACT MANY YOUNGER CAPABLE PEOPLE WHO SEE THEIR FUTURES BLOCKED BY OLD LINE CIVIL SERVANTS IN OTHER STATES. 9. BY CONTRAST, EMBOFFS WERE UNIMPRESSED BY THE CIVIL SERVANTS IN ANAMBRA STATE. THIS CAN BE EXPLAINED IN PART BECAUSE SO MANY OF THE CIVIL SERVANTS REMAINED WITH THE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 LAGOS 14939 02 OF 03 281528Z GOVERNMENT IN ENUGU THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD OF THE OLD EASTERN REION GOVERNMENT, THE BIAFRAN GOVERNMENT, THE CORRUPT ASIKA REGIME AND NOW THE NEW ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT. REPORTEDLY, THE OLDEST PERMANENT SECRETARY IN NIGERIA IS IN ENUGU. IN THE WORDS OF ONE OFFICIAL, THE CIVIL SERVANTS ARE OLD AND TIRED; THEY HAVE BEEN BUFFETED BY THE WINDS OF TOO MANY POLITICAL CHANGES. 10. CROSS RIVER STATE FALLS SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN WITH A NUMBER OF YOUNG ENERGETIC OFFICIALS, BUT LACKING IN DEPTH OF TALENT. ONE YOUNG IBO IN ENUGU COMMENTED THAT CROSS RIVER, UNLIKE ANAMBRA, STILL ATTRACTS QUALIFIED YOUND OFFICIALS WILE IN OTHER AREAS THEY TEND TO LOOK TOWARD, THE BUSINESS WORLD. PERHAPS CROSS RIVERS' GREATEST HANDICAP, ASIDE FROM ITS PHYSICAL ISOLATION, IS THAT IT LACKS A SUFFICIENTLY LARGE POOL OF TALENTED MANPOWER, OR MONEY, FROM WHICH TO DRAW. 11. WE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CONTACT WITH RIVERS STATE OFFICIALS TO MAKE ANY GNERAL COMMENTS. 12. FINANCE. THE STATES IN EASTERN NIGERIA, AS ALL THE STATES, ARE DEPENDENT ON THE FMG FOR THE LION'S SHARE (80-85 PERCENT) OF THEIR REVENUES. THERE IS JUSTIFIABLE CONCERN AMONG STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THAT HIS YEAR'S FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS INDICATE FUTURE AUSTERITY WITH STAGNATION, OR PERHAPS DECLINE, IN FEDERAL BUDGETARY SUPPORT. THIS IS A SPECIAL PROBLEM IN THE EAST SINCE THESE STATES HAVE NOT BENEFITTED AS MUCH FROM THE ERA OF THE PETRONAIRA AS THE REST OF NIGERIA. 13. ONE REACTION OF STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS TO THIS SITUATION WAS TO TALK OF TAPPING THE LOCAL TAX BASE. CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 LAGOS 14939 02 OF 03 281528Z WHILE POTENTIAL MAY EXIST IN THE LARGER TOWNS, THERE ARE NO TAX COLLECTION MECHANISMS IN PLACE, NOR DO THERE APPEAR TO BE PLANS FOR ANY. 14. THE FMG IS PUSHING PRIVATE BANKS TO OPEN MORE BRANCHES IN THE STATES AND POSSIBLY LEND FUNDS DIRECTLY TO THE STATES. NONETHELESS, SINCE THE STATES DEPEND ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR FINANCING, ANY BANK LOANS TO THE STATES WOULD ULTIMATELY HAVE TO BE UNDERWRITTEN BY THE FMG AND WOULD BE SIMPLY ANOTHER FEDERAL SUBSIDY. 15. ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CROSS RIVER WHICH LIVES ON THE OIL INDUSTRY, THE FINANCIAL PICUTRE DESCRIBED ABOVE HAS SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. IN THE REST OF THE STATES, ASIDE FROM THE UBIQUITOUS IBO TRADE, MOST ACTIVITY IS PETRONAIRA CONSTRUCTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SOME PRIVATE INVESTMENT BUT, GIVEN THE "TRADING MENTALITY" OF THE IBOS WHO DOMINATE THE AREA, MUCH OF THIS LOOSE CASH REMAINS UNFOCUSED FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES. 16. THERE ARE FEW INDICATIONS THAT THE STATE GOVERNMENTS HAVE THE TALENT TO ORGANIZE OR DIRECT THIS WEALTH. PRIVATE BANKS WOULD PROBABLY CONCLUDE THAT AS BAR AS INVESTMENT IS CONCERNED, THE RISKS ARE TOO GREAT. THE PARASTATAL FINANCE INSTITUTIONS, E.G., ANAMBRA'S CENTRAL INVESTMENT COMPANY, ARE PROBABLY THE BEST HOPE BUT THE TASK IS ENORMOUS SINCE IT INVOLVES NOTHING LESS THAN TRANSFORMING TRADERS INTO INVESTORS. 18. IF THERE IS TO BE INVESTMENT, THE GREATEST NEED AND POTENTIAL IS IN AGRICULTURE AND LIGHT INDUSTRY. HOWEVER, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE SECTORS IS DEPENDENT ON THE REHABILITATION OF THE EAST'S ROAD NET WHICH IS NOT A CONFIDENTIAL NNN CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 LAGOS 14939 03 OF 03 281504Z ACTION AF-10 INFO OCT-01 EUR-12 IO-13 ISO-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 PM-05 H-01 INR-07 L-03 NSAE-00 NSC-05 PA-01 PRS-01 SP-02 SS-15 USIA-06 ACDA-12 HA-05 AID-05 COME-00 EB-08 FRB-03 TRSE-00 XMB-02 OPIC-03 LAB-04 SIL-01 OMB-01 AGRE-00 A-01 SCS-06 CA-01 /134 W ------------------023061 281537Z /41 R 281445Z DEC 77 FM AMEMBASSY LAGOS TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5631 INFO AMEMBASSY LONDON AMCONSUL IBADAN AMCONSUL KADUNA USMISSION USUN NEW YORK C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 3 OF 3 LAGOS 14939 CERTAINTY GIVEN THE GOVERNMENT'S BUDGETARY PROBLEMS. THE ROADS VARY FROM POOR TO ALMOST IMPASSABLE. ALTHOUGH THIS PROBLEM IS PARTIALLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE RAVAGES OF THE CIVIL WAR, THE INADEQUACIES OF THE POST-WAR ADMINISTRATION, AT LEAST IN IBO AREAS, HAVE FURTHER COMPOUNDED THE PROBLEM WITH YEARS OF INADEQUATE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE. 18. CONCLUSION. DESPITE THE EMPHASIS ON NEW STATES AND SMALLER ETHNIC GROUPS, THE IBOS REMAINS THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THE REGION. YET AT HOME THEY ARE MUCH LESS IMPRESSIVE THAN THE IBO BUSINESSMAN AND BUREAUCRATS ONE MEETS IN OTHER PARTS OF NIGERIA. PERHAPS, LIKE THE OVERSEAS CHINESE, MUCH OF THE CREAM OF THE SOCIETY IS DRAINED OFF SEEKING CAREERS IN OTHER AREAS. IF SO, AGAIN PERHAPS LIKE THE CHINESE, MUCH OF THE HOPE FOR PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND PROGRESS WILL BE THE GRADUAL RETURN OF MONEY AND INDIVIDUALS TO THE HOMELAND TO PUSH DEVELOPMENT. 19. THE CIVIL WAR IS OVER, YET IT REMAINS IN THE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 LAGOS 14939 03 OF 03 281504Z MINDS OF MANY WITH SASUAL REFERENCES TO "THE WAR." OF COURSE IT MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. THIS FEELING IS PERHAPS SYMBOLIZED BY MAY 27TH STREET IN ENUGU. ONE OF THE MAIN STREETS, IT WAS REPORTEDLY NAMED BY OJUKWU IN 1967 BECAUSE THAT WAS THE DATE THAT THE CONSULTATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE EASTERN REGION CALLED UPON HIM TO DECLARE ITS INDEPENDENCE. IT STILL BEARS THAT NAME BECAUSE TO 4HE VICTORS IN THE WAR, IT IS THE DATE ON WHICH GOWON DECLARED THRE CREATION OF 12 STATES, SYMBOLIZING THE NEW NIGERIA, BUT SPURRING THE IBOS TO DECLARE THEIR INDEPENDENCE. 20. AMERICANS REMAIN QUITE POPLULAR IN THE AREA. EVERYONE WAS INTERESTED IN THE OPENING OF A CONSULATE, ALTHOUGH WITH FOUR STATES THE QUESTION IS NOT ONLY WHETHER BUT ALSO WHERE. EASUM CONFIDENTIAL

We clamour for Biafra, who are those that are going to be in power The younger generations or those who are already in power and do not take care of those who voted them in?? What would generate revenues for this so called Biafra How many states in the east have made a name for themselves, how will Biafra affect its citizens as a whole Its not bad to be an independent entity but what would it profit us to leave the fry pan and jump into fire Let's put things in place first before breaking out...

[s]

TruthOrSilence:
For educational purpose only

This article was dated December 28, 1977 having original classification as CONFIDENTIAL, Office action: ACTION AF - Bureau of African Affairs. Tags: NI - Nigeria | PGOV - Political Affairs--Government; Internal Governmental Affairs | PINT - Political Affairs--Internal Political Affairs. Written by a westerner to SECSTATE LONDON.

1. SUMMARY. THIS CABLE IS THE IMPRESSIONISTIC REPORT OF EMBOFFS WHO HAVE RECENTLY VISITED ALL FOUR STATES IN THE OLD EASTERN REGION. ONE RETURNS FROM THE EAST WITH MANY IMPRESSION, THE STRONGEST OF WHICH IS THAT THIS AREA HAS NOT BENEFITTED AS GREATLY AS THE REST OF NIGERIA DURING THE ERA OF THE PETRONAIRA. THERE ARE ALSO GRAVE PROBLEMS FOR THE FUTURE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA. AMERICANS REMAIN QUITE POPULAR IN THE EAST AND THERE IS A CONSTANT INTEREST IN THE REOPENING OF AN AMERICAN CONSULATE, BUT ALWAYS IN "MY TOWN." END SUMMARY. 2. DURING THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, EMBOFFS HAVE TRAVELED THROUGHT THE FOUR STATES OF THE OLD EASTERN REGION--ANAMBRA, CROSS RIVER, IMO AND RIVERS. DURING THESE TRIPS WE HAVE DEVELOPED STRONG IMPRESSIONS OF THE DIFFERENCES AS WELL AS CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 LAGOS 14939 01 OF 03 281457Z THE SIMILARITIES OF THESE STATES. THIS TELEGRAM WILL PROVIDE SOME GENERAL IMPRESSIONS OF THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CLIMATE IN THE AREA. 3. POLITICAL ACTIVITY IN THE EAST. THE POLITICIANS IN THE EAST DO NOT APPEAR TO BE AS ACTIVE AS THOSE IN EITHER THE NORTH OR THE WEST. TWO REASONS WERE CONSISTENTLY CITED FOR THESE PHENOMENA: A) HAVING BEEN BURNED ONCE (ESPECIALLY THE IBOS), THERE IS LITTLE DESIRE TO RETURN TO ACTIVE POLITICS; B) HAVING RESIGNED THEMSELVES TO MAKING MONEY IN THE BUSINESS WORLD, MANY OLD AND POTENTIAL POLITICAH ) LEADERS HAVE FOUND THEY ENJOY IT AND ARE RELUCTANT TO SEEK ACTIVE POLITICAL ROLES. THESE COMMENTS NOT- WITHSTANDING, THERE ARE A FEW WELL-KNOWN EASTERNERS WHO HAVE APPEARED IN THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY (CA) SUCH AS MATTHEW T. MBU, BRIGADIER GEORGE KURUBO AND LT. COL. HILARY NJOKU. HOWEVER, WHEN THESE NAMES WERE RAISED PEOPLE DID NOT APPEAR TO SEE THEM AS LEADERS IN THE EAST, BUT RATHER AS WELL KNOWN POLITICIANS WHO HAD WON THEIR SEATS THROUGH THEIR INFLUENCE IN LOCAL AREAS. 4. WHITHER THE EAST IN THE RETURN TO CIVILIAN RULE? A DIFFICULT QUESTION TO ANSWER. THE MOST COMMON VIEW WHICH WAS EXPLICITLY STATED BY ONE IBO WAS THAT THE EAST WILL BROKER ITSELF TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER IN THE NEW POLITICAL STRUCTURE. IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, THE NORTHERNERS ARE PREFERRED TO THE YORUBAS. IN LINE WITH THIS LATTER OBSERVA- TION, IT APPEARS THAT A NUMBER OF NORTHERN POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY POLITICKING IN THE EAST, BUT THAT THE YORUBAS HAVE NOT. 5. REINTEGRATION OF THE IBOS. IN LAGOS ONE HAS THE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 LAGOS 14939 01 OF 03 281457Z IMPRESSION THAT THE IBOS HAVE BEEN QUITE SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATING THEMSELVES INTO NIGERIAN SOCIETY SINCE THE CIVIL WAR. ONE FINDS A DISTINCT BANIOSIOE IMPRESSION IN THE EAST. THERE IS A WIDESPREAD FEELING THAT THE EAST IN GENERAL AND THE IBOS IN PARTICULAR ARE STILL BEING PUNISHED FOR THEIR ROLE IN THE CIVIL WAR. IT WOULD APPEAR TO US THAT PERHAPS THOSE IBOS WHO LEFT THE EAST HAVE FAIRED BETTER AS INDIVIDUALS THAN THE IBOS WHO REMAINED AT HOME AND AS A GROUP HAVE SUFFERED FOR THE "SINS" OF THE CIVIL WAR. 6. AS A FOOTNOTE, WE SHOULD PASS ON THE VIEW OF ONE AMERICAN OBASERVER WHO LIVES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NSUKKA. HE SAYS THAT WITHIN THE INTELLECTUAL/ACADEMIC COMMUNITY THERE IS A STRONG FEELING THAT THE IBOS WHO LEFT THE EAST TO REJOIN THE FMG AND SEEK THEIR FUTURES IN THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY WERE "TRAITORS." EMBOFFS DID NOT HEAR THIS VIEW EXPRESSED ELSEWHERE. 7. ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, THE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE APPARENTLY WITNESSED THE REDUCTION OF FEDERAL TROOPS THROUGHOUT THE EAST IN IBO AND NON-IBG AREAS. REFERRED TO BY SOME AS "OCCUPATION TROOPS," THEIR ROADBLOCKS AND INSPECTIONS CONFIDENTIAL NNN CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 LAGOS 14939 02 OF 03 281528Z ACTION AF-10 INFO OCT-01 EUR-12 IO-13 ISO-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 PM-05 H-01 INR-07 L-03 NSAE-00 NSC-05 PA-01 PRS-01 SP-02 SS-15 USIA-06 ACDA-12 HA-05 AID-05 COME-00 EB-08 FRB-03 TRSE-00 XMB-02 OPIC-03 LAB-04 SIL-01 OMB-01 AGRE-00 A-01 SCS-06 CA-01 /134 W ------------------023233 281539Z /44 R 281445Z DEC 77 FM AMEMBASSY LAGOS TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5630 INFO AMEMBASSY LONDON AMCONSUL IBADAN AMCONSUL KADUNA USMISSION USUN NEW YORK C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 2 OF 3 LAGOS 14939 WERE APPARENTLY A TREMENDOUS IRRITANT TO THE CIVILIAN POLULATION. AS ONE IBO SAID TO AN EMBOFF, IF YOU HAD THE SLIGHTEST RUN-IN WITH THE SOLDIERS, THEY WOULD "BEAT THE HELL OUT OF YOU." WHILE THERE ARE STILL SOLDIERS AROUND THEY NO LONGER ACT LIKE OCCUPIERS AND THEY WERE MUCH LESS OBVIOUS THAN THEY REPORTEDLY WERE IN THE PAST. 8. STATE GOVERNMENTS. THE QUALITY OF STATE GOVERNMENTS IN THE EAST WAS QUITE CHECKERED. IMO, THE NEW IBO STATE, HAS AN IMPRESSIVE COLLECTION OF YOUNG CIVIL SERVANTS BASED IN AN ALMOST UNLIVABLE TOWN STRUGGLING TO BECOME A CITY. PERHAPS THE DIFFICULTIES OF OWERRI AND THE OPPORTUNITIES OF A NEW STATE GOVERNMENT ATTRACT MANY YOUNGER CAPABLE PEOPLE WHO SEE THEIR FUTURES BLOCKED BY OLD LINE CIVIL SERVANTS IN OTHER STATES. 9. BY CONTRAST, EMBOFFS WERE UNIMPRESSED BY THE CIVIL SERVANTS IN ANAMBRA STATE. THIS CAN BE EXPLAINED IN PART BECAUSE SO MANY OF THE CIVIL SERVANTS REMAINED WITH THE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 LAGOS 14939 02 OF 03 281528Z GOVERNMENT IN ENUGU THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD OF THE OLD EASTERN REION GOVERNMENT, THE BIAFRAN GOVERNMENT, THE CORRUPT ASIKA REGIME AND NOW THE NEW ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT. REPORTEDLY, THE OLDEST PERMANENT SECRETARY IN NIGERIA IS IN ENUGU. IN THE WORDS OF ONE OFFICIAL, THE CIVIL SERVANTS ARE OLD AND TIRED; THEY HAVE BEEN BUFFETED BY THE WINDS OF TOO MANY POLITICAL CHANGES. 10. CROSS RIVER STATE FALLS SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN WITH A NUMBER OF YOUNG ENERGETIC OFFICIALS, BUT LACKING IN DEPTH OF TALENT. ONE YOUNG IBO IN ENUGU COMMENTED THAT CROSS RIVER, UNLIKE ANAMBRA, STILL ATTRACTS QUALIFIED YOUND OFFICIALS WILE IN OTHER AREAS THEY TEND TO LOOK TOWARD, THE BUSINESS WORLD. PERHAPS CROSS RIVERS' GREATEST HANDICAP, ASIDE FROM ITS PHYSICAL ISOLATION, IS THAT IT LACKS A SUFFICIENTLY LARGE POOL OF TALENTED MANPOWER, OR MONEY, FROM WHICH TO DRAW. 11. WE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CONTACT WITH RIVERS STATE OFFICIALS TO MAKE ANY GNERAL COMMENTS. 12. FINANCE. THE STATES IN EASTERN NIGERIA, AS ALL THE STATES, ARE DEPENDENT ON THE FMG FOR THE LION'S SHARE (80-85 PERCENT) OF THEIR REVENUES. THERE IS JUSTIFIABLE CONCERN AMONG STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THAT HIS YEAR'S FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS INDICATE FUTURE AUSTERITY WITH STAGNATION, OR PERHAPS DECLINE, IN FEDERAL BUDGETARY SUPPORT. THIS IS A SPECIAL PROBLEM IN THE EAST SINCE THESE STATES HAVE NOT BENEFITTED AS MUCH FROM THE ERA OF THE PETRONAIRA AS THE REST OF NIGERIA. 13. ONE REACTION OF STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS TO THIS SITUATION WAS TO TALK OF TAPPING THE LOCAL TAX BASE. CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 03 LAGOS 14939 02 OF 03 281528Z WHILE POTENTIAL MAY EXIST IN THE LARGER TOWNS, THERE ARE NO TAX COLLECTION MECHANISMS IN PLACE, NOR DO THERE APPEAR TO BE PLANS FOR ANY. 14. THE FMG IS PUSHING PRIVATE BANKS TO OPEN MORE BRANCHES IN THE STATES AND POSSIBLY LEND FUNDS DIRECTLY TO THE STATES. NONETHELESS, SINCE THE STATES DEPEND ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR FINANCING, ANY BANK LOANS TO THE STATES WOULD ULTIMATELY HAVE TO BE UNDERWRITTEN BY THE FMG AND WOULD BE SIMPLY ANOTHER FEDERAL SUBSIDY. 15. ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CROSS RIVER WHICH LIVES ON THE OIL INDUSTRY, THE FINANCIAL PICUTRE DESCRIBED ABOVE HAS SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. IN THE REST OF THE STATES, ASIDE FROM THE UBIQUITOUS IBO TRADE, MOST ACTIVITY IS PETRONAIRA CONSTRUCTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SOME PRIVATE INVESTMENT BUT, GIVEN THE "TRADING MENTALITY" OF THE IBOS WHO DOMINATE THE AREA, MUCH OF THIS LOOSE CASH REMAINS UNFOCUSED FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES. 16. THERE ARE FEW INDICATIONS THAT THE STATE GOVERNMENTS HAVE THE TALENT TO ORGANIZE OR DIRECT THIS WEALTH. PRIVATE BANKS WOULD PROBABLY CONCLUDE THAT AS BAR AS INVESTMENT IS CONCERNED, THE RISKS ARE TOO GREAT. THE PARASTATAL FINANCE INSTITUTIONS, E.G., ANAMBRA'S CENTRAL INVESTMENT COMPANY, ARE PROBABLY THE BEST HOPE BUT THE TASK IS ENORMOUS SINCE IT INVOLVES NOTHING LESS THAN TRANSFORMING TRADERS INTO INVESTORS. 18. IF THERE IS TO BE INVESTMENT, THE GREATEST NEED AND POTENTIAL IS IN AGRICULTURE AND LIGHT INDUSTRY. HOWEVER, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE SECTORS IS DEPENDENT ON THE REHABILITATION OF THE EAST'S ROAD NET WHICH IS NOT A CONFIDENTIAL NNN CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 01 LAGOS 14939 03 OF 03 281504Z ACTION AF-10 INFO OCT-01 EUR-12 IO-13 ISO-00 CIAE-00 DODE-00 PM-05 H-01 INR-07 L-03 NSAE-00 NSC-05 PA-01 PRS-01 SP-02 SS-15 USIA-06 ACDA-12 HA-05 AID-05 COME-00 EB-08 FRB-03 TRSE-00 XMB-02 OPIC-03 LAB-04 SIL-01 OMB-01 AGRE-00 A-01 SCS-06 CA-01 /134 W ------------------023061 281537Z /41 R 281445Z DEC 77 FM AMEMBASSY LAGOS TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5631 INFO AMEMBASSY LONDON AMCONSUL IBADAN AMCONSUL KADUNA USMISSION USUN NEW YORK C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 3 OF 3 LAGOS 14939 CERTAINTY GIVEN THE GOVERNMENT'S BUDGETARY PROBLEMS. THE ROADS VARY FROM POOR TO ALMOST IMPASSABLE. ALTHOUGH THIS PROBLEM IS PARTIALLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE RAVAGES OF THE CIVIL WAR, THE INADEQUACIES OF THE POST-WAR ADMINISTRATION, AT LEAST IN IBO AREAS, HAVE FURTHER COMPOUNDED THE PROBLEM WITH YEARS OF INADEQUATE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE. 18. CONCLUSION. DESPITE THE EMPHASIS ON NEW STATES AND SMALLER ETHNIC GROUPS, THE IBOS REMAINS THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THE REGION. YET AT HOME THEY ARE MUCH LESS IMPRESSIVE THAN THE IBO BUSINESSMAN AND BUREAUCRATS ONE MEETS IN OTHER PARTS OF NIGERIA. PERHAPS, LIKE THE OVERSEAS CHINESE, MUCH OF THE CREAM OF THE SOCIETY IS DRAINED OFF SEEKING CAREERS IN OTHER AREAS. IF SO, AGAIN PERHAPS LIKE THE CHINESE, MUCH OF THE HOPE FOR PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND PROGRESS WILL BE THE GRADUAL RETURN OF MONEY AND INDIVIDUALS TO THE HOMELAND TO PUSH DEVELOPMENT. 19. THE CIVIL WAR IS OVER, YET IT REMAINS IN THE CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02 LAGOS 14939 03 OF 03 281504Z MINDS OF MANY WITH SASUAL REFERENCES TO "THE WAR." OF COURSE IT MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. THIS FEELING IS PERHAPS SYMBOLIZED BY MAY 27TH STREET IN ENUGU. ONE OF THE MAIN STREETS, IT WAS REPORTEDLY NAMED BY OJUKWU IN 1967 BECAUSE THAT WAS THE DATE THAT THE CONSULTATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE EASTERN REGION CALLED UPON HIM TO DECLARE ITS INDEPENDENCE. IT STILL BEARS THAT NAME BECAUSE TO 4HE VICTORS IN THE WAR, IT IS THE DATE ON WHICH GOWON DECLARED THRE CREATION OF 12 STATES, SYMBOLIZING THE NEW NIGERIA, BUT SPURRING THE IBOS TO DECLARE THEIR INDEPENDENCE. 20. AMERICANS REMAIN QUITE POPLULAR IN THE AREA. EVERYONE WAS INTERESTED IN THE OPENING OF A CONSULATE, ALTHOUGH WITH FOUR STATES THE QUESTION IS NOT ONLY WHETHER BUT ALSO WHERE. EASUM CONFIDENTIAL

[/s]



Biafra is dead and buried since 1970. Nothing can bring it back. Not even Nnamdi kanu that will spend his life in jail. We yorubas will never support biafra or any form of referendum. One nigeria till death

Genea:
We clamour for Biafra, who are those that are going to be in power The younger generations or those who are already in power and do not take care of those who voted them in?? What would generate revenues for this so called Biafra How many states in the east have made a name for themselves, how will Biafra affect its citizens as a whole Its not bad to be an independent entity but what would it profit us to leave the fry pan and jump into fire Let's put things in place first before breaking out...

Let me tell you something. Britain is 5th richest country in the whole world. Despite all the economic advantages of of being part of Britain, Scotland agitated for indepedence. Do you know why? Because the Scottish people were tired of being controlled and ruled by England and wanted to administer themselves which is their right. The British Government gave them a referendum. It was during the weeks and months leading up to the referendum that the Scots realised that voting for indepedence would mean not using the Pound and that it would also mean leaving the EU. A small majority then voted to stay in Britain. Now that Britain have voted to leave the EU, the Scots have vowed to hold a second referendum if Britain drags them out of the EU. So answer your question, the main reason people agitate for indepedence is to acieve self rule. Economics follows secondary

[s]

Genea:
We clamour for Biafra, who are those that are going to be in power The younger generations or those who are already in power and do not take care of those who voted them in?? What would generate revenues for this so called Biafra How many states in the east have made a name for themselves, how will Biafra affect its citizens as a whole Its not bad to be an independent entity but what would it profit us to leave the fry pan and jump into fire Let's put things in place first before breaking out...

[/s]



Forget biafra. It will never come

[s]

kingzizzy:
Let me tell you something. Britain is 5th richest country in the whole world. Despite all the economic advantages of of being part of Britain, Scotland agitated for indepedence. Do you know why? Because the Scottish people were tired of being controlled and ruled by England and wanted to administer themselves which is their right. The British Government gave them a referendum. It was during the weeks and months leading up to the referendum that the Scots realised that voting for indepedence would mean not using the Pound and that it would also mean leaving the EU. A small majority then voted to stay in Britain. Now that Britain have voted to leave the EU, the Scots have vowed to hold a second referendum if Britain drags them out of the EU. So answer your question, the main reason people agitate for indepedence is to acieve self rule. Economics follows secondary

[/s]



Igbo's have been a huge beneficiary of one Nigeria and you won't be allowed to chicken out now that things are going south. Aguiyi ironsi an igbo man suspended regionalism for the selfish gain of himself and Ojukwu. The result is what we have today. We will never support any referendum. Forget biafra and lets build a great Nigeria

mrkayusfit:
[s][/s]



Forget biafra. It will never come

naaaah, never write off something, u cud just be shocked!!!

kingzizzy:
Let me tell you something. Britain is 5th richest country in the whole world. Despite all the economic advantages of of being part of Britain, Scotland agitated for indepedence. Do you know why? Because the Scottish people were tired of being controlled and ruled by England and wanted to administer themselves which is their right. The British Government gave them a referendum. It was during the weeks and months leading up to the referendum that the Scots realised that voting for indepedence would mean not using the Pound and that it would also mean leaving the EU. A small majority then voted to stay in Britain. Now that Britain have voted to leave the EU, the Scots have vowed to hold a second referendum if Britain drags them out of the EU. So answer your question, the main reason people agitate for indepedence is to acieve self rule. Economics follows secondary

so wah is actually ur take on the Biafra issue then.

mrkayusfit:
[s][/s]



Igbo's have been a huge beneficiary of one Nigeria and you won't be allowed to chicken out now that things are going south. Aguiyi ironsi an igbo man suspended regionalism for the selfish gain of himself and Ojukwu. The result is what we have today. We will never support any referendum. Forget biafra and lets build a great Nigeria

Mr 'one Nigeria' troll, shift your a$$ somewhere else. We are talking about self determination here. It's not a discussion for kids or someone who has the "Lord Lugard made me a Nigerian" slave mentality. Independence is for men, not boys. Instead of you to pick up a broom and look for an Emirs palace in North to sweep, you are online wasting your MB

Genea:
so wah is actually ur take on the Biafra issue then.

My take on it is that before Lord Lugard and British came, the Yoruba/Igbo/Hausa people were largely at peace with each other. Since Lord Lugard brought his message of 'one Nigeria', all three have been at each other's throats. If Britain who made us Nigerians can can allow Scotland the right to go or stay, then who are we to say that 'Nigerias unity is not negotiable'? Nigeria is long over due for renegotiation and if continue as we are, the country is most likely to implode

kingzizzy:
My take on it is that before Lord Lugard and British came, the Yoruba/Igbo/Hausa people were largely at peace with each other. Since Lord Lugard brought his message of 'one Nigeria', all three have been at each other's throats. If Britain who made us Nigerians can can allow Scotland the right to go or stay, then who are we to say that 'Nigerias unity is not negotiable'? Nigeria is long over due for renegotiation and if continue as we are, the country is most likely to implode

Good the we are both on track but let's divide only when we have our priorities right, we don't want to end up being mocked..

Genea:
Good the we are both on track but let's divide only when we have our priorities right, we don't want to end up being mocked..

Well, if you're waiting for priorities to be right in Nigeria, then you will to wait a long time. The priorities of Nigeria won't ever be right because the 3 main ethnic groups are too different religiously, culturally and ideologically to ever be united. It's like someone who is hoping to get water from stone, it may eventually happen but it will be thousands of years.

YET AT HOME THEY ARE MUCH LESS IMPRESSIVE THAN THE IBO BUSINESSMAN AND BUREAUCRATS ONE MEETS IN OTHER PARTS OF NIGERIA. PERHAPS, LIKE THE OVERSEAS CHINESE, MUCH OF THE CREAM OF THE SOCIETY IS DRAINED OFF SEEKING CAREERS IN OTHER AREAS. IF SO, AGAIN PERHAPS LIKE THE CHINESE, MUCH OF THE HOPE FOR PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND PROGRESS WILL BE THE GRADUAL RETURN OF MONEY AND INDIVIDUALS TO THE HOMELAND TO PUSH DEVELOPMENT.

Very apt observation. This is the way forward for Ndiigbo.

The FG starved our region of needed funds for development, instead they concentrated the funds and development in Lagos and North, forcing our people to migrate in mass to those places, if we must access those funds. Those who were able to migrate and access those funds became the cream of the Igbo society today, and they owe it to Igboland, the obligation of re investing those accumulated wealth back to Igboland, to uplift the living standards and general well being of those who stayed back home to rebuild our homeland that was bombed to ruins by the Egyptian fighter jet the Nigerian military.


OP. Nice thread, I am saving this in my collections. Thanks.

You are full of wisdom #Igboic. God bless you.

i am still saying it
it is time for IGBO education!
studying chinese has really helped me!
now i am into AKAGU AND NSIBIDI and hey if igbos could use nsibidi to do our thing, it will be great!
i hope to INVEST EVERYTHING I GOT IN IGBO LAND just like my anambra people are doing!
seriously, if youths can just think home (which some of us are doing now, all thanks to NL) igbo land will be better for it!
and even if we separate which MUST HAPPEN SOON, nigeria will be treated like israel is treating palestine!
i can NEVER FORGIVE THE ZOO!
PERIOD!
by the time i go to china and come back, this stupid country will see NNAMDI KANU raised to power 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000..............................
we wont stop until we get what we want!
mind you, this time we wont talk again!
NK has made the prophesies already, we are coming to FULFIL THEM!
I AM IPOB AND PROUD!

TheBiafran:
i am still saying it
it is time for IGBO education!
studying chinese has really helped me!
now i am into AKAGU AND NSIBIDI and hey if igbos could use nsibidi to do our thing, it will be great!
i hope to INVEST EVERYTHING I GOT IN IGBO LAND just like my anambra people are doing!
seriously, if youths can just think home (which some of us are doing now, all thanks to NL) igbo land will be better for it!
and even if we separate which MUST HAPPEN SOON, nigeria will be treated like israel is treating palestine!
i can NEVER FORGIVE THE ZOO!
PERIOD!
by the time i go to china and come back, this stupid country will see NNAMDI KANU raised to power 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000..............................
we wont stop until we get what we want!
mind you, this time we wont talk again!
NK has made the prophesies already, we are coming to FULFIL THEM!
I AM IPOB AND PROUD!

Hahahahahahaha SMH for kids and the internet