₦airaland Forum

Sirheny007:
Honestly, you do not understand the great determination and strong will of the average igbo man...
If we can survive the aftermath of 1967- 16970 believe me, we will survive anything.

Moreover, think of Biafra as a consciousness, a quest for exploits and accomplishment and not just merely a geographical statement.

Sweetguy25:
You made very salient points but they aren't strong enough reasons as to why Nigeria should currently be run this way - And I mean this structure of government that generates hatred, poverty, strife, inequality, anger, insecurity and other anti-societal issues.

Honestly, This New Biafran agitation generates mixed feelings among young Igbos like me (especially educated youth) and the reason for this is the uncertainty. There is uncertainty in the Biafran project and there is greater uncertainty in the Nigerian project.

The uncertainty in the Nigerian project is highly visible. Nobody can predict the future of Nigeria even in the short term. If you meet President Osibanjo today and ask him what Nigeria will look like in the next 5 years, he can't give you a clear or accurate answer. Boko haram, militancy, widespread unemployment and poverty, persistent secessionist agitations etc... These are problems we didn't expect to happen in 1999 but they are realities now and nobody now when these problems will end. In fact, based on current realities, these problems will persist in years to come.

There is also that uncertainty about the Biafran project especially with regards to how it is being planned by its agitators. The truth is I love the idea of my ethnic people having their own country (and majority of Igbos do too) but the problems associated with secession and forming a strong viable nation generates serious thoughts against the idea.

However, I am more optimistic about a Biafran or an Igbo nation project than the current Nigerian project.

Nigeria as it is currently structured is stagnant. We have not made any progress since we gained independence 57 years ago.
- There have been no improvements in the way the different ethnic groups and tribes relate with one another.
- There have been no improvement in overall infrastructure provision to the public
- No improvement towards the economic well being of majority of the nigerian public.

We have not made any progress in 57 years, how are we going to start now?
I have taken a deep look and analysis of this country called Nigeria and I can boldly say that Nigeria does not have a bright future. I can defend my position with objective reasons and facts.

agaba77:
Op most of your arguements are based on economics. What many non-igbo nigerians do not understand is that ndi-igbo's #1 priority in life is not about making money, rather it is the freedom to pursue their God given destiny without artificial hinderance as curently obtains in Nigeria. The second issue is lack of fairness, equity and justice. Igbo culture and mindest is very strong on these issues.

These two issues is what is driving the agitation. Igbo businesses lost billions of naira by oberserving the sit at home, if its all about money they would have ignored the order.

Keep in mind that Hitler confisticated billions of dollars in jewish properties and busineses. The Jews lost everything they had worked hard to accumulate all over europe. Today some of the richest people in europe and the entire world are jewish, from Zuckerberg of facebook to Sergei Brin of google. Ndi Igbo will start from scrath if need be and still prosper greatly because its the culture and in their dna.

The solution is more autonomy to the regions so they can chart their own course and control their destiny.

Jflex07:
Shut up! I am a Niger Deltan. speak for yourself.

Raypawer:
To hell with your trash
Akwa Ibom is not and will never join igbo or biafra
Have you not heard of Niger Delta Republic

FriendNG:
Hahaha . Dino Malaye is north central leader. I used north central bcux 2 me middle belt don't exist to me.

sarahade:
I'm from delta ogbeni stop disguising yourself as one of us Biafra carry your 5 states and go thieves.

ochejoseph:
My brother you spoke brightly , if you look at my conclusion you realize that I mentioned that the current framework of the Nigerian state needs a tweaking some call it restructuring, Nigeria as a state can't continue like this, development will never happen as long as we keep our current structure, becos its all about fighting for the cake at the center which creates too much tension and enmity. But seceding has too many landmines with potentially dangerous consequences!

Sagay212:
Every body just talking trash about their region developing if Nigeria divides. If your region doesn't develop now, it will not develop when you divide. I do not just understand why people be acting stupid. All states have governors, senators, LG chairmen, councillors, etc. None of you internet warriors are bothered about the LG chairmen and councillors closest to you. You don't even bother to know them let alone ask them questions yet you believe a miracle will happen when you exit Nigeria. If Nigeria divides today, there will be extreme hatred all over between all tribes. All those making noise about their dream country developing if they exit nigeria should show us examples of how their region can develop while in Nigeria. Show us sample, let your leaders show us by developing your various states first before talking nonsense about their region turning to dubai if they get freedom.

Asari dokubo and other militants got rich and the next thing they did was to start having their investments outside of their region and even in other countries. Who is deceiving who?

realbest:
Mr Oche. I was also born and raise up in sokoto.To be precise mabera area growing up with many ethnic nationalities like Igbo,Yoruba,Idoma,Igala etc. I know rijiya ,filin sukuwa,gobirawa etc very well.I do agree with some of points and also disagree with some.To me , the genesis of all this problem start with Igbo's not respecting Hausa/Fulani strong belief to their religion.If only they realize importance of religion to these people many crisis could be averted .Rijiya,sahara,mabera,Bello way,tamaje,offa road,J Allen,Hajia Halima etc still remain cosmopolitan here in sokoto and I can bet anything these people are happy staying here.

sarahade:
What I know is Biafra should stop including Niger delta in their useless map. If we can't stay on our own we stand with Nigeria.

iiiyyyk:
your write up is fine, though u lean a bit in favour of the north that I understand.

1. U know life can not be compared to any material acquisition by man. The mere fact that the life and property of an Igboman is not and might never be secured in the North, looking at current prevailing factors. This alone completely nullifies any economic benefit Igbos get from the North.

2.U didn't Mention that Igbos pay business and property/hotel taxes in those states, which help the economy of those states.

3. if Igbos withdraw their little investments in the north, the economy of those places will feel it as well.
4. who consume most of the farm produce from the North, remember we buy them, north dont give it to us for free. if they tax our products heavily, we also tax theirs.
5. Igbos will easily build another lagos in Abia, via Imo River to atlantic,
or in cross River and Akwa Ibom whom am very sure we gladly join the Igbos...Remember we are very close to central Africa, a bigger market than Lagos_ west Africa corridor.

6. what makes nations great is not natural resources, but Human capital development and financial capital, which u agree Igbos are not doing too badly in Both.

I want a restructured Nigeria, to true fiscal federalism, or back to regional(6 federating Regions) but if Fed govt persist in status quo, am afraid, Nigeria is not sustainable. therefore Biafra becomes the next viable option for all progressive minded Igbo Nation.

I tell u the truth, Biafra will be an aggressive success with freeminded Igbomen. Rather than compare Biafra with Sudan, I think u should look at countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore. the Igboman share same spirit and mindset with people from these places ....surving against all odds

all the same welldone

Chukwu nyere gi ezigbo uburu.

1million likes.

hmbassey1960:
when u respect other so will the respect ,

agaba77:
Op most of your arguements are based on economics. What many non-igbo nigerians do not understand is that ndi-igbo's #1 priority in life is not about making money, rather it is the freedom to pursue their God given destiny without artificial hinderance as curently obtains in Nigeria. The second issue is lack of fairness, equity and justice. Igbo culture and mindest is very strong on these issues.

These two issues is what is driving the agitation. Igbo businesses lost billions of naira by oberserving the sit at home, if its all about money they would have ignored the order.

Keep in mind that Hitler confisticated billions of dollars in jewish properties and busineses. The Jews lost everything they had worked hard to accumulate all over europe. Today some of the richest people in europe and the entire world are jewish, from Zuckerberg of facebook to Sergei Brin of google. Ndi Igbo will start from scrath if need be and still prosper greatly because its the culture and in their dna.

The solution is more autonomy to the regions so they can chart their own course and control their destiny.

kingzizzy:
If after 103 years as a country and 56 years of independence, we are still looking for reasons to be together, then we should not be together.

Nigeriadondie:
Nigeria does not and has never and will never have a future not to talk of bright future.
As for Biafra, many of the problems in Nigeria would still exist in Biafra. Igbo apart from their good side as hard working, very educated and industrious are known to be quite divided. You will see another form of trablism within same tribe when u will hear some one say he is from Obowo, Arochukwu, Idemili so u re not my brother. In his book written about d civil war, Gen Alexander Madiebo(rtd) pointed some nepotistic practices which hampered d war effort.
If the igbo elite cannot serve the interest of Igbos in a divided Nigeria then would that be attainable in a "united Biafra"? What have the igbo ruling class done with the resources for d benefit of all apart from enriching themselves with no meaningful development in d east yet they cry marginalization. For example, what of thieves like T.A Orji, Nnamani, Achike Udenwa, Ohakim, all the igbo senator past and present, what did they do with d resources at their disposal but to enrich themselves. Most igbos see Biafra as one Eldorado or promised land where all their problem would evaporate away and all will be well. This I doubt cos of the greed of an average black man who doesn't believe in an egalitarian society but wants to shine alone at d expense of others so he could be "worshipped".It is one of the many reasons no black nation on earth is progressive. I start to feel it has to do with skin color. Even Uganda and Zimbabwe used to be rich nations but with d expulsion of whites and other Asians everything crumbled away.
Gabon and Equitorial Guinea with their huge oil wealth is no match with Qatar. So I fear if Biafra may not end up like South Sudan.
I agree with d video link below to support my point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0stJkUWUyM
I am Igbo and I ve lived in d east for about a decade and based my opinion on my knowledge and experiences during my stay in the east

EmeeNaka:
There are too many exaggerations in this article
1) That Igbo people are in control of 70% of commercial activities in the North. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Northerners i saw while in the North are astute businessmen. They are in control of Northern commerce. I will instead agree that Igbos commercial activities in the North are quite significant.
2) Biafra agitation is led by Igbos chiefly, but not only Igbos are in support of it and the Biafra proposed map does not make the Biafra, a landlocked state except if there are some other people preparing another Biafra.
3) Igbos business activities in the North are mutually beneficial to the Igbos and the North. The envy and Jealousy that always come with Igbo business is Nigeria are unwarranted. Every Nigerian eye is set on Igbo business. They will talk of it 20times per day always alluding to their friendliness. Every part of Nigeria is hostile to Igbo people. It's just that the people there still need what igbos offers. Igbos turn any environment they settle to viable environment and develop it unlike other Nigeria tribesmen who will not even attempt to buy land in Igboland nor even develop a free land given to them. At Ugwuoba in Enugu, a large Hectares of lands were given to Northerners to build their place. They ended up setting up a refugee camp there. They would not mould a single block to erect a building. They devastated the land.
If you give such land to Igbo man, in 3years,you will be amazed. Go to Shaki in Oyo state and see newest examples but few days back,an indigene of shaki started threatening Igbo's to leave Shaki.
4) National Integration should not be led by a single group. Many Yorubas will claim of being good host but they never claim of being good immigrants notably because if a Yoruba man want to travel, he will most likely travel outside Nigeria. A lot of Nigerians accuse igbos of being unruly but they can't go outside their homeland in Nigeria to live where there are no Igboman in the same Nigeria. Most group oppose Biafra secession by threatening to secede if Igbos go; that's a sign that the only thing keeping many groups in Nigeria is Igbo man.
5) There is nothing more to learn about Hausa Fulani North men. There is no way to please them if you're not a Muslim. The fact that Igbo man drinks a beer during Fasting is a non-issue. Making statements against is simply being unNigerian.
In Conclusion, Igbos has been more Nigerian than any groups in Nigeria. Igbos live out the true meaning of National integration which has brought them harm from those who has always touted one Nigeria but hate to see it materialized. The only thing that sections of Nigeria care about Nigeria is oil wealth. The idea of Nationhood is totally opposed by majority of Nigeria groups. The call for secession will continue unless Nigeria restructure in such a way as to promote Corporate coexistence.

PHIPEX:
The agitation has taken a dimension that's dangerous for Nigeria, if the govt keeps pretending that all is well, I can only say " there was a country". Am only surprised with supposedly educated people who think succession is tantamount to war, whenever Biafra is mentioned they respond with war threat yet foolishly tells an Igbo man to return to the East before making a demand.

At OP, great write up but Ill say the biggest mistake of Buhari was arresting Nnamdi Kalu, the govt indirectly made an unknown Nnamdi the face of Biafra. Biafra agitation was led by unemployed Massob but Kalu now has the attention of both the educated and the uneducated, that's a danger to Nigeria.

People like me are still on the fence but if Nigeria fails to restructure, they should expect bigger issues ahead. Enough of the pretence, the South East is marginalized.

agaba77:
Op most of your arguements are based on economics. What many non-igbo nigerians do not understand is that ndi-igbo's #1 priority in life is not about making money, rather it is the freedom to pursue their God given destiny without artificial hinderance as curently obtains in Nigeria. The second issue is lack of fairness, equity and justice. Igbo culture and mindest is very strong on these issues.

These two issues is what is driving the agitation. Igbo businesses lost billions of naira by oberserving the sit at home, if its all about money they would have ignored the order.

Keep in mind that Hitler confisticated billions of dollars in jewish properties and busineses. The Jews lost everything they had worked hard to accumulate all over europe. Today some of the richest people in europe and the entire world are jewish, from Zuckerberg of facebook to Sergei Brin of google. Ndi Igbo will start from scrath if need be and still prosper greatly because its the culture and in their dna.

The solution is more autonomy to the regions so they can chart their own course and control their destiny.

agaba77:
Op most of your arguements are based on economics. What many non-igbo nigerians do not understand is that ndi-igbo's #1 priority in life is not about making money, rather it is the freedom to pursue their God given destiny without artificial hinderance as curently obtains in Nigeria. The second issue is lack of fairness, equity and justice. Igbo culture and mindest is very strong on these issues.

These two issues is what is driving the agitation. Igbo businesses lost billions of naira by oberserving the sit at home, if its all about money they would have ignored the order.

Keep in mind that Hitler confisticated billions of dollars in jewish properties and busineses. The Jews lost everything they had worked hard to accumulate all over europe. Today some of the richest people in europe and the entire world are jewish, from Zuckerberg of facebook to Sergei Brin of google. Ndi Igbo will start from scrath if need be and still prosper greatly because its the culture and in their dna.

The solution is more autonomy to the regions so they can chart their own course and control their destiny.

michelz:
This one no get brain na...
People are discussing serious issue logically and you're here touting rubbish.
If they ask you what you mean by Niger delta and the states that make it up,you'll definitely start foaming in the mouth and "leaking" from where the sun doesn't shine. Mtscheew...

Nigeriadondie:
Nigeria does not and has never and will never have a future not to talk of bright future.
As for Biafra, many of the problems in Nigeria would still exist in Biafra. Igbo apart from their good side as hard working, very educated and industrious are known to be quite divided. You will see another form of trablism within same tribe when u will hear some one say he is from Obowo, Arochukwu, Idemili so u re not my brother. In his book written about d civil war, Gen Alexander Madiebo(rtd) pointed some nepotistic practices which hampered d war effort.
If the igbo elite cannot serve the interest of Igbos in a divided Nigeria then would that be attainable in a "united Biafra"? What have the igbo ruling class done with the resources for d benefit of all apart from enriching themselves with no meaningful development in d east yet they cry marginalization. Most igbos see Biafra as one Eldorado or promised land where all their problem would evaporate away and all will be well. This I doubt cos of the greed of an average black man who doesn't believe in an egalitarian society but wants to shine alone at d expense of others so he could be "worshipped".It is one of the many reasons no black nation on earth is progressive. I start to feel it has to do with skin color. Even Uganda and Zimbabwe used to be rich nations but with d expulsion of whites and other Asians everything crumbled away.
Gabon and Equitorial Guinea with their huge oil wealth is no match with Qatar. So I fear if Biafra may not end up like South Sudan.
I agree with d video link below to support my point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0stJkUWUyM
I am Igbo and I ve lived in d east for about a decade and based my opinion on my knowledge and experiences during my stay in the east

As for Biafra, many of the problems in Nigeria would still exist in Biafra.

Cardozzo:
It Shall Never be Well With Your Generations 4 Saying Nigeria Will never have a Future ...are you God .......