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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children (679 Views)
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Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by 2drajayi(m): 1:23pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
As supporters of Biafra continue to celebrate the success of their stay-at-home directive on May 30 in some states in the Southeast, a publication has surfaced on the internet showing how the former Biafran warlord, the late Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, prevented food aid from getting to thousands of starving Biafran children. According to Robert Goldstein, the foreign public relations expert Ojukwu contracted to launder Biafra’s image to the outside world, by refusing to allow food aid through the land borders, the Biafran war chief contributed to the death of thousands of starving Biafran children during the three-year Nigerian civil war. Goldstein wrote: ”It is inconceivable to me that you would stop the feeding of thousands of your countrymen (under auspicies of world organizations such as the International Red Cross, World Council of Churches and many more) via a land corridor which is the only practical way to bring in food to help at this time. It is inconceivable to me that men of good faith would try to twist world opinion in such a manner as to deceive people into believing that the starvation and hunger that is consuming ‘Biafra’ is a plot of Britain, Nigeria and others to commit genocide. ”I cannot in all conscience serve you any longer. Nor can I be a party to suppressing the fact that your starving thousands have the food, medicine and milk available to them…..it can and is ready to be delivered through international organizations to you. Only your constant refusal has stopped its delivery.” In his open letter of resignation to Ojukwu, published by Morning Post, Lagos, August 17, 1968, Goldstein stated: OPEN LETTER OF RESIGNATION TO ODUMEGWU OJUKWU FROM Robert S. Goldstein Public Relations Representative of Biafra in the United States (Published in the Morning Post, Lagos, August 17, 1968) As your Public Relation’s Representative in the United States, it is my distasteful duty to tender my resignation based on the following points: POINT 1 – In November of 1967 when we met in Umuahia, you and your Cabinet were very impressive. You told me of the woes of your little Republic, that thousands of people had died, were dying and more were prepared to die for freedom’s sake. You and your Cabinet told me you believed world opinion would help your cause if you could get your story across. You expressed the opinion that very few if any people in the United States knew of the plight of the Biafrans. You asked me to tell the world that Britain had teamed up with Russia in a conspiracy with the Federal Government of Nigeria to murder every Ibo in Biafra. You suggested I use my talents to induce the Press to write about the Biafran side of the war, as at that time all news came out of Lagos. You will recall I did not take the assignment that day but stayed on several days before deciding to take that job. To help win the peace At that time I stated to you and your cabinet that I was taking the assignment making it crystal clear I would try my best to help win the peace not the war. POINT TWO – I immediately arranged the first world Press conference in Biafra inviting the US Press as well as journalists and television people from England, France, Switzerland, Africa and other parts of the Globe. This was the first news break through. I arranged regular trips into Biafra for the world Press, helped set up stringers, etc., so that your statements and the statements of your Cabinet would be heard. At that time, I was absolutely positive you were right and your cause was a just one in the best interests of the free world and your countrymen. POINT THREE – Finally the Republic of Biafra was recognized first by Tanzania, then quickly followed by Gabon, the Ivory Coast and Zambia. Our public relations work was paying off, world opinion was starting to side with us. Peace talks were arranged at Kampala. I thought that if anyone walked away from the table it would be the Federal Government. But to my dismay it was Biafra that left the Conference. After all the fighting and killing, I knew that peace would not come easy but I could not understand leaving the Peace Conference until the last point was negotiated and the avenue explored. POINT FOUR – Then urgent telex messages were received from ‘Biafra’ telling of tens of thousands of people starving in the refugee camps, the villages, the bush country – stating if something weren’t done in the next few months over a million women, children and aged would be starved to death. I immediately contacted the Press, urgently petitioned the State Department for action on their part. Food, medicine and milk were sent to the only available ports open for immediate shipment to ‘Biafra’ via land routes through Federal and Biafra territory, under the auspices of world organizations such as the International Red Cross among others. Then came the incredible answer from ‘Biafra’ that land corridors could not be acceptable until there was a complete ceasefire, and that an airlift was the only solution to feed the starving. You then appeared before the various Heads of State and representatives of the OAU at Niamey in Niger. I fully expected you to at least accept the world help that was offered your starving throngs. However, you delayed, hoping to use these unfortunates with world sympathy on their side as a tool to further your ambition to achieve war concessions at the upcoming peace talks in Addis Ababa. Thus innocent victims continue to perish needlessly of starvation, the most agonising death that can befall any living creature. POINT FIVE – This was incredible to me. I am now convinced that I have been used by you and your cabinet to help in military adventures of your origin….using your starving hordes as hostages to negotiate a victory. If at some later date, following the issuance of this letter, you do concede to allow a mercy land corridor…would you expect me to agree to espouse before the world Press the incredible delay of your decision. What explanation could I honestly give for the needless prolongation of this horror. Inconceivable acts I pray this communication may in some small way influence you to move affirmatively, allowing the mercy land corridor to be born. It is inconceivable to me that you would stop the feeding of thousands of your countrymen (under auspicies of world organizations such as the International Red Cross, World Council of Churches and many more) via a land corridor which is the only practical way to bring in food to help at this time. It is inconceivable to me that men of good faith would try to twist world opinion in such a manner as to deceive people into believing that the starvation and hunger that is consuming ‘Biafra’ is a plot of Britain, Nigeria and others to commit genocide. POINT SIX – I cannot in all conscience serve you any longer. Nor can I be a party to suppressing the fact that your starving thousands have the food, medicine and milk available to them…..it can and is ready to be delivered through international organizations to you. Only your constant refusal has stopped its delivery. I am this date, tendering my resignation and am returning to Mr. Collins Obih of the African Continental Bank all the fees you have given me (Letter of Credit No. 354 $400,000 US.) I have sent your representative in New York a Bond in the amount of 800.000 pounds that I was holding in your behalf. I have also this date, sent the Bond of 200,000 pounds issues by the Central Bankl of Nigeria back to them for disposal. POINT SEVEN – I am now convinced that one Nigeria is the only solution to peace. I also call upon you Mr. Ojukwu to allow your starving people to be fed. Their well-being is of deep concern to me as well as other right thinking people of the world. Your acting in the utmost haste in this matter is in my opinion the first step toward any lasting peace in your country.” Robert S. Goldstein. Source:https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2017/06/01/historical-excursion-ojukwu-starved-thousands-biafran-children-death/? 1 Like |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by sunnysunny69(m): 1:24pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
[b]I cannot in all conscience serve you any longer. Nor can I be a party to suppressing the fact that your starving thousands have the food, medicine and milk available to them…..it can and is ready to be delivered through international organizations to you. Only your constant refusal has stopped its delivery.” I fully expected you to at least accept the world help that was offered your starving throngs. However, you delayed, hoping to use these unfortunates with world sympathy on their side as a tool to further your ambition to achieve war concessions at the upcoming peace talks in Addis Ababa. Thus innocent victims continue to perish needlessly of starvation, the most agonising death that can befall any living creature. Someone here is not worth celebrating, clearly a case of war crime inflicted on your own people. Don't start a war you can't win and history never celebrate soldiers that fled, its a fight to the glory end not a fight to abidjan escape route. 1 Like |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by Naijaguy12345(m): 1:26pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
Needless war, cowardly act. You sent people out to war only to fled yourself. Not worth celebrating. Rest in pieces. 5 Likes
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Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by Trut(m): 1:48pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
For Nnamdi Kanu and Biafra haters
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Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by Nobody: 1:49pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
Ojucrook is a war criminal. He should be tried even after his death 5 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by Nobody: 1:51pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
2drajayi: |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by EvilMetahuman: 1:54pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
I still don't get how someone will send people to war without provision for food and millions of zombies followed his command. 5 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by ettybaba(m): 1:59pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
Ojucrook went to a war against Nigeria and at the same time he expected Nigeria to be feeding his lazy head. The wicked and timid Ojukwcrook built a bunker with 30 escape routes. If not for Colonel Effiong who state behind when Ojukwcrook ran to a brothel in Ivory Coast ibo would have been wiped off the face of the earth. |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by kingzizzy: 2:03pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
Naijaguy12345: Needless war? So why did Nigeria come to the East to fight? |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by Babacele: 2:08pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
hmmmm.... |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by kingzizzy: 2:09pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
EvilMetahuman: Thats because you dont know anything about fighting for your freedom and dignity. In history, there are people whi have fought for their freedom with their bare hands. It is noble for one ti fight for their freedom because freedom is one of the few things in life worth dying for. I dont expect a Nigerian like you to understand. |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by Naijaguy12345(m): 2:25pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
kingzizzy:You declare a war, they had to defend . |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by kingzizzy: 2:28pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
Naijaguy12345: You need to go and learn Nigerian history well. Ojukwu declared the independence of the Eastern Region. He never declared any war. The only person who declared war was Gowon. Ojukwu only fought to defend his people |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by EvilMetahuman: 2:54pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
kingzizzy: So you declare a war for freedom, yet you expect your captors to feed you well enough to fight them? Use your head na. And did you get that freedom? You people fight with emotions instead of brain. That's why igbo lost the only single war they ever fought in their history. |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by Nobody: 3:14pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
EvilMetahuman: Evil demon.... Is it your war? Is it you command? Is it your zombie? Why not stay focused on your worthless nation called Nigeria? Igbos are fighting for freedom and God willing, we shall get it. |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by pazienza(m): 3:35pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
“Myself and the same UNICEF representatives
went on to convey something of what lay
behind this intransigence: Among the large
majority hailing from that tribe( Yoruba) who are the
most vocal in inciting the complete
extermination of the Igbos. I often heard
remarks that all Nigeria’s ills will be cured
once the Igbos have been exterminated from
the human map.” (Dr Conor Cruise O’Bien, 21
December, 1967, New York Review). 1 Like |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by kingzizzy: 3:35pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
EvilMetahuman: Of course, you fight for your freedom. Win or lose is not as important as fighting fir your right. As an Igbo man, I would rather fight for my right, and lose in the process, than be a coward and not fight at all out of fear of losing. I cant fault Ojukwu, he did what he was supposed to do. That is why his people love him. |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by pazienza(m): 3:35pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
“All is fair in war, and starvation is one of the
weapons of war. I don’t see why we should
feed our enemies fat in order for them to fight
harder”, (Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nigerian
Minister of Finance, July 28, 1969)
“Until now efforts to relieve the Biafran people
have been thwarted by the desire of the
central government to pursue total and
unconditional victory and by the fear of the Ibo
people that surrender means wholsesale
atrocities and genocide. But genocide is what
is taking place right now- and starvation is the
grim reaper. This is not the time to stand on
ceremony, or go through channels or to
observe diplomatic niceties. The destruction of
an entire people is immoral objective, even in
the most moral of wars. It can never be
condoned”, (Richard Nixon, during the
presidential campaign, September 9, 1968) 1 Like |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by pazienza(m): 3:36pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
“Its (mass starvation) is a legitimate aspect
of war (Anthony Enahoro, Nigerian
Commissioner for Information at a press
conference in New York, July 1968)
“Starvation is a weapon of war, and we have
every intention of using it against the
rebels” (Mr Alison Ayida, Head of Nigerian
delegation, Niamey Peace talks, July 1968.)
“The Igbos must be considerably reduced in
number”, Lagos Policeman quoted in New York
Review 21 December, 1967) 1 Like |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by KratosCorp: 3:41pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
This shameless distortion of history was debunked 5 years ago
najoke: |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by pazienza(m): 3:42pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
I shudder when naive Igbos speak of moving on and forging a union with Yorubas. I wonder if these Igbos that reason as such have had their brain removed. You don't forge ahead with a people who nearly exterminated your race, show no remorse for their past actions, but rather use it to threaten you and remind you of what they are capable of doing( You see this when they litter the internet with starving Biafran children) when it suits them. While at the same time trying to flip history and turn victims into aggressors and aggressors into innocents when it suits them. There is no forging ahead with such people. Building a Big fence to separate us eternally from them is the most logical decision. 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Historical Excursion: How Ojukwu Starved Thousands Of Biafran Children by intruxive(m): 4:36pm On Jun 02, 2017 |
Wow! So their coward in chief was also the cause of their genocide 1 Like |
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