₦airaland Forum

Biafra anniversary: Time to heal the wounds

Ejike Anyaduba

May 30th, 2020, made it 53 years since the defunct state of Biafra was born.
The birth of the young state was troubled as she was immediately absorbed in an impious war of survival with Nigeria.

For 30 months, a savage internecine warfare raged between the two armies of unequal strength and fire power.

Overwhelmed, and faced with certain defeat, Biafra surrendered unconditionally.

Five decades on the effects of the war still linger, resisting every effort at erasure. The mitigating postwar policy of the victorious Nigerian government led by Gowon, aimed at reconciling, reconstructing and rehabilitating the defunct Biafra failed to make good enough impact.

Properties seized from the Igbo who constituted the bulk of what was Biafra, especially in Rivers state, remain abandoned till date while basic infrastructure in the five Igbo states of the South east remain in decrepit condition.

This situation is not made better with the subtle, but consistent effort in turning the Igbo out of doors of certain offices in Nigeria.

To date, certain positions have been denied the Igbo. But where such positions are made available to them, (which has been few and far between) they are caused to assume a refrain of favour -- chorused by the state, its surrogate media and a few self-abusing Igbo.

Constant reference is made of such appointment with the government that effected it, singled out for unmerited praise.

Perhaps palsied by shock of the loss of the war, the intelligent among the Igbo became cagey, leaving the brash and the self-abusive compatriots to speak when silence should have sufficed. On many occasion the appointment of an Igbo to a position he is entitled to has been made to look like a favour.

Even if the appointee was most deserving or the appointment came at the verge of retirement, expressions of gratitude were still lavish.

Inspector General of Police Ogbonnaya Onovo and Comptroller General of Customs Bernard-Shaw Nwadialor were some of those whose appointments to the headship of the two organs of the government conformed to the conditions above. Neither was undeserving of the office he was appointed. Neither had enough years on the job before the appointment. Nonetheless, the appointments were celebrated by the brash and self abusive Igbo.

The appointment of Brigadier General David Ndefo as the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, between 2000 and 2001 did not go differently. This time the media upped the game of reminding the readers that appointing an Igbo to a G.O.C position was a favour to be eternally grateful.

Major General Azubike Ihejirika's appointment as the Chief of Army Staff was a tad above the ordinary run of reportage. It was advertised in the national dailies with comments of gratitude as if a mercenary was appointed.

Nigeria stands a chance of becoming a major economy in the world without her practised discriminatory treatment of a section of her people. This is because apart from their quality contributions to Nigeria, the Igbo are a major stakeholder to the development of the country. The full potential of any nation is not realized with a section of it consciously emasculated. Rather it is achieved by encouraging equality and availing each section limitless opportunities to aspire to any position.

The memories of the war should be erased permanently by consciously integrating every section of the country. Efforts must be made to eschew provocative statements capable of inflaming the state to a second conflict. It is difficult for any nation to survive two civil wars. History is yet to record that any nation became great on account of repeated internal wars.

Countries that survived civil wars were known to be stronger and close knit perhaps because they learnt as did Bertrand Russell early that "war does not determine who is right, but who is left". The lessons of war they also know are better appreciated in peace time.

Nigeria has a good chance of becoming great by leveraging on the ingenuity of the Igbo. It is fairly right to argue that the Igbo are the uniters of Nigeria. No other tribe has done as much.

Sadly, after the Biafran war, Nigeria deliberately ignored the Igbo. The ingenuity of the Biafran scientists was totally ignored. It died with the war. No government saw the wisdom in adapting the technology. The effort at having the technology developed with the formation of Project Development Institute (PRODA) Enugu, was not encouraged by lack of attention. It has since suffered neglect.

Nigeria has failed to get her acts right with a succession of leaders without vision.

The Biafran war and its attendant waste were avoidable had good reason prevailed. Avoiding a repeat should be consciously pursued. Provocative statements as well as actions should be discouraged.

The anniversary should be for reflection. It should be able to remind us of the cruelties of war and encourage us on the path of circumspection.


Ejike Anyaduba
Abatete


.

May 30th, 2020, made it 53 years since the defunct state of Biafra was born.
The birth of the young state was troubled as she was immediately absorbed in an impious war of survival with Nigeria.

Is there any reason to celebrate the birth anniversary of a still birth?

For more in-depth knowledge of the Biafra war, you can contact me. You can check my Bio for details

The was is still ongoing 53 years after it was meant to end .......when it ends we would know

It would be nice to heal the wounds except that the present generation of Igbos have had planted in theirs hearts lies and propaganda of what truly transpired during the war.

And now, those seeds have germinated into trees of hatred and deep resentment for other tribes.

And even as truths of what happened before, during and after the war keep surfacing, they have decided to stick to their own "truth".

How do you reconcile with people who spill bile against their fellow compatriots everyday?

Twitter was agog yesterday when one clueless being compared the racism of whites against black Americans with what Igbos were going through in Nigeria.

We can never replace them

We can never repay them

But we can always remember them

Never again shall the enemies prevail against us!!!!

God bless Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

ashiwaju2010:
Biafra anniversary: Time to heal the wounds

Ejike Anyaduba

May 30th, 2020, made it 53 years since the defunct state of Biafra was born.
The birth of the young state was troubled as she was immediately absorbed in an impious war of survival with Nigeria.

For 30 months, a savage internecine warfare raged between the two armies of unequal strength and fire power.

Overwhelmed, and faced with certain defeat, Biafra surrendered unconditionally.

Five decades on the effects of the war still linger, resisting every effort at erasure. The mitigating postwar policy of the victorious Nigerian government led by Gowon, aimed at reconciling, reconstructing and rehabilitating the defunct Biafra failed to make good enough impact.

Properties seized from the Igbo who constituted the bulk of what was Biafra, especially in Rivers state, remain abandoned till date while basic infrastructure in the five Igbo states of the South east remain in decrepit condition.

This situation is not made better with the subtle, but consistent effort in turning the Igbo out of doors of certain offices in Nigeria.

To date, certain positions have been denied the Igbo. But where such positions are made available to them, (which has been few and far between) they are caused to assume a refrain of favour -- chorused by the state, its surrogate media and a few self-abusing Igbo.

Constant reference is made of such appointment with the government that effected it, singled out for unmerited praise.

Perhaps palsied by shock of the loss of the war, the intelligent among the Igbo became cagey, leaving the brash and the self-abusive compatriots to speak when silence should have sufficed. On many occasion the appointment of an Igbo to a position he is entitled to has been made to look like a favour.

Even if the appointee was most deserving or the appointment came at the verge of retirement, expressions of gratitude were still lavish.

Inspector General of Police Ogbonnaya Onovo and Comptroller General of Customs Bernard-Shaw Nwadialor were some of those whose appointments to the headship of the two organs of the government conformed to the conditions above. Neither was undeserving of the office he was appointed. Neither had enough years on the job before the appointment. Nonetheless, the appointments were celebrated by the brash and self abusive Igbo.

The appointment of Brigadier General David Ndefo as the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, between 2000 and 2001 did not go differently. This time the media upped the game of reminding the readers that appointing an Igbo to a G.O.C position was a favour to be eternally grateful.

Major General Azubike Ihejirika's appointment as the Chief of Army Staff was a tad above the ordinary run of reportage. It was advertised in the national dailies with comments of gratitude as if a mercenary was appointed.

Nigeria stands a chance of becoming a major economy in the world without her practised discriminatory treatment of a section of her people. This is because apart from their quality contributions to Nigeria, the Igbo are a major stakeholder to the development of the country. The full potential of any nation is not realized with a section of it consciously emasculated. Rather it is achieved by encouraging equality and availing each section limitless opportunities to aspire to any position.

The memories of the war should be erased permanently by consciously integrating every section of the country. Efforts must be made to eschew provocative statements capable of inflaming the state to a second conflict. It is difficult for any nation to survive two civil wars. History is yet to record that any nation became great on account of repeated internal wars.

Countries that survived civil wars were known to be stronger and close knit perhaps because they learnt as did Bertrand Russell early that "war does not determine who is right, but who is left". The lessons of war they also know are better appreciated in peace time.

Nigeria has a good chance of becoming great by leveraging on the ingenuity of the Igbo. It is fairly right to argue that the Igbo are the uniters of Nigeria. No other tribe has done as much.

Sadly, after the Biafran war, Nigeria deliberately ignored the Igbo. The ingenuity of the Biafran scientists was totally ignored. It died with the war. No government saw the wisdom in adapting the technology. The effort at having the technology developed with the formation of Project Development Institute (PRODA) Enugu, was not encouraged by lack of attention. It has since suffered neglect.

Nigeria has failed to get her acts right with a succession of leaders without vision.

The Biafran war and its attendant waste were avoidable had good reason prevailed. Avoiding a repeat should be consciously pursued. Provocative statements as well as actions should be discouraged.

The anniversary should be for reflection. It should be able to remind us of the cruelties of war and encourage us on the path of circumspection.


Ejike Anyaduba
Abatete


.

Ndigbo have suffered!

There is the wisdom required of the Igbos since the lessons of the 1967-70. However, that lesson is lacking, I must say.

The rest of Nigeria is not ready to right their wrongs against the Igbos.

When nigeria wants to truly end the war and establish their much cherish 'unity', they know what to do.

Until then, let's continue to fool ourselves.

TripleOh7:
It would be nice to heal the wounds except that the present generation of Igbos have had planted in theirs hearts lies and propaganda of what truly transpired during the war.

And now, those seeds have germinated into trees of hatred and deep resentment for other tribes.

And even as truths of what happened before, during and after the war keep surfacing, they have decided to stick to their own "truth".

How do you reconcile with people who spill bile against their fellow compatriots everyday?

Twitter was agog yesterday when one clueless being compared the racism of whites against black Americans with what Igbos were going through in Nigeria.

Over 30,000 Igbos slaughtered in 1966

over 3 million Igbos killed 1967 to 1970

Remind me again why you think Igbos shouldn't have hatred?

Biafra eventual actualization will heal all the wounds. Nothing else would

Respect to this young heroes

gidgiddy:
Over 30,000 Igbos slaughtered in 1966

over 3 million Igbos killed 1967 to 1970

Remind me again why you think Igbos shouldn't have hatred?

Have hatred.

Eat hatred.

Breathe hatred.

Drink hatred.

Dream hatred

Live hatred.

That's your choice.

There are always consequences for our choices.

The political leaders of the North were slaughtered and their bodies discarded by the side of the road like common thieves and you guys started jumping up and jubilating on the streets of Kano, mocking your hosts. And you're asking why they killed you? Lol.

Over 1 million Igbos were killed in a WAR after your warlord Ojukwu boasted that Biafra would surprise the world in the coming war.

Only to realise that the mad man didn't make provisions for his people during the war and was expecting his enemies to feed them.

Keep hating, you hear.

TripleOh7:
Have hatred.

Eat hatred.

Breathe hatred.

Drink hatred.

Dream hatred

Live hatred.

That's your choice.

There are always consequences for our choices.

The political leaders of the North were slaughtered and their bodies discarded by the side of the road like common thieves and you guys started jumping up and jubilating on the streets of Kano, mocking your hosts. And you're asking why they killed you? Lol.

Over 1 million Igbos were killed in a WAR after your warlord Ojukwu boasted that Biafra would surprise the world in the coming war.

Only to realise that the mad man didn't make provisions for his people during the war and was expecting his enemies to feed them.

Keep hating, you hear.

And all this should tell that "one Nigeria" is a fraud. We should call for disintegration of Nigeria, go our separate ways, and stop giving each other headache. If we were not together, there would be nothing to fight about

gidgiddy:
And all this should tell that "one Nigeria" is a fraud. We should call for disintegration of Nigeria, go our separate ways, and stop giving each other headache. If we were not together, there would be nothing to fight about

I'm fully in support of this.

You are aware that the Yoruba nation has joined the UNPO.

And that's a good step.

Hopefully soon, Nigeria will disintegrate peacefully and we'll all go out separate ways.

AhoadaRivers:
When nigeria wants to truly end the war and establish their much cherish 'unity', they know what to do.

Until then, let's continue to fool ourselves.

we will build baby factry in aba

Bossjakande:
we will build baby factry in aba

Build more skull mining shrines in Abeokuta. It will serve the yoruba race better. As long as you keep mining your own skulls there, the world will have less yoruba idiots to deal with.

gidgiddy:
Over 30,000 Igbos slaughtered in 1966

over 3 million Igbos killed 1967 to 1970

Remind me again why you think Igbos shouldn't have hatred?

What is the source of the 3 million figure?

Why quote only Iboes.

How many Ijaw ,Efik Ibibio?

How many on the Nigerian side
Have all the hatred you like .
It is impotent and will only consume the hater

ashiwaju2010:
Biafra anniversary: Time to heal the wounds

Ejike Anyaduba

May 30th, 2020, made it 53 years since the defunct state of Biafra was born.
The birth of the young state was troubled as she was immediately absorbed in an impious war of survival with Nigeria.

For 30 months, a savage internecine warfare raged between the two armies of unequal strength and fire power.

Overwhelmed, and faced with certain defeat, Biafra surrendered unconditionally.

Five decades on the effects of the war still linger, resisting every effort at erasure. The mitigating postwar policy of the victorious Nigerian government led by Gowon, aimed at reconciling, reconstructing and rehabilitating the defunct Biafra failed to make good enough impact.

Properties seized from the Igbo who constituted the bulk of what was Biafra, especially in Rivers state, remain abandoned till date while basic infrastructure in the five Igbo states of the South east remain in decrepit condition.

This situation is not made better with the subtle, but consistent effort in turning the Igbo out of doors of certain offices in Nigeria.

To date, certain positions have been denied the Igbo. But where such positions are made available to them, (which has been few and far between) they are caused to assume a refrain of favour -- chorused by the state, its surrogate media and a few self-abusing Igbo.

Constant reference is made of such appointment with the government that effected it, singled out for unmerited praise.

Perhaps palsied by shock of the loss of the war, the intelligent among the Igbo became cagey, leaving the brash and the self-abusive compatriots to speak when silence should have sufficed. On many occasion the appointment of an Igbo to a position he is entitled to has been made to look like a favour.

Even if the appointee was most deserving or the appointment came at the verge of retirement, expressions of gratitude were still lavish.

Inspector General of Police Ogbonnaya Onovo and Comptroller General of Customs Bernard-Shaw Nwadialor were some of those whose appointments to the headship of the two organs of the government conformed to the conditions above. Neither was undeserving of the office he was appointed. Neither had enough years on the job before the appointment. Nonetheless, the appointments were celebrated by the brash and self abusive Igbo.

The appointment of Brigadier General David Ndefo as the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, between 2000 and 2001 did not go differently. This time the media upped the game of reminding the readers that appointing an Igbo to a G.O.C position was a favour to be eternally grateful.

Major General Azubike Ihejirika's appointment as the Chief of Army Staff was a tad above the ordinary run of reportage. It was advertised in the national dailies with comments of gratitude as if a mercenary was appointed.

Nigeria stands a chance of becoming a major economy in the world without her practised discriminatory treatment of a section of her people. This is because apart from their quality contributions to Nigeria, the Igbo are a major stakeholder to the development of the country. The full potential of any nation is not realized with a section of it consciously emasculated. Rather it is achieved by encouraging equality and availing each section limitless opportunities to aspire to any position.

The memories of the war should be erased permanently by consciously integrating every section of the country. Efforts must be made to eschew provocative statements capable of inflaming the state to a second conflict. It is difficult for any nation to survive two civil wars. History is yet to record that any nation became great on account of repeated internal wars.

Countries that survived civil wars were known to be stronger and close knit perhaps because they learnt as did Bertrand Russell early that "war does not determine who is right, but who is left". The lessons of war they also know are better appreciated in peace time.

Nigeria has a good chance of becoming great by leveraging on the ingenuity of the Igbo. It is fairly right to argue that the Igbo are the uniters of Nigeria. No other tribe has done as much.

Sadly, after the Biafran war, Nigeria deliberately ignored the Igbo. The ingenuity of the Biafran scientists was totally ignored. It died with the war. No government saw the wisdom in adapting the technology. The effort at having the technology developed with the formation of Project Development Institute (PRODA) Enugu, was not encouraged by lack of attention. It has since suffered neglect.

Nigeria has failed to get her acts right with a succession of leaders without vision.

The Biafran war and its attendant waste were avoidable had good reason prevailed. Avoiding a repeat should be consciously pursued. Provocative statements as well as actions should be discouraged.

The anniversary should be for reflection. It should be able to remind us of the cruelties of war and encourage us on the path of circumspection.


Ejike Anyaduba
Abatete


.

Always playing victim.

The war ended 1970

1979 an Ibo man was Vice President and Speaker House of Representatives

Biafrans destroyed part of Mid West region, killed opposition voices in the Niger Delta and bombed Lagos even before the war started.

Both sides had casualties so they should spare us from their crocodile tears. You were matched gun for gun, bullet for bullet.

Kaduna Nzeogwu.

That's the name upon which every attrocity and marginalisation is gleefully justified.

From his name one would have thought he didn't have an allegiance to any one, but no, they said we did it.

So the oldest trick in d book worked.

Give a dog a bad name and hang it.

gidgiddy:
And all this should tell that "one Nigeria" is a fraud. We should call for disintegration of Nigeria, go our separate ways, and stop giving each other headache. If we were not together, there would be nothing to fight about

I saw your thread on "Whatever they told you Igbos did, they did 10 times worse" and I must confess, that was brilliant, you took all the thoughts in my head and the words off my mouth.

Facts don't lie bro, when the give us a bad name and hang us, the facts States them at their faces.