To live or die again for Biafra: Which way Ndi Igbo?
And so here is my advice for all those who want to be shot while protesting for Biafra.
I know you are brave and some of us are cowards. But please don’t die. We have shed enough blood for Biafra. Live for Biafra, don’t die for it.
Maybe we are not talented in certain things like fights, wars,politics and protests. I suggest we reflect a bit and learn what works for others. In 1929 Igbo’s showed their bravery (“ogu ndem”Aba women’s riot of 1929): Igbos showed love for country and championed fight for independence: Igbos showed wisdom and bravery by setting banks, newspapers, introduced American university system : all of which I presume, rivaled the colonial interests set them on edge against British interests.
Igbo’s sought to secede from the marriage that Britain joined together and somehow believed that United nations and other British allies will pitch against Britain to support Biafra. All this show of bravery has consistently produced the same result and its the opposite of what we desire!
Igbos need more unity, the kind we saw during the Lagos gubernatorial elections. Igbos need more emotional intelligence and diplomatic lobbying of sister ethnic and international community and less confrontation. No country will interfere with Sovereignty of Nigeria unless somehow Britain initiates it. But even Britain need a superior argument not clamor for self-government.
Other ethnic groups seem to benefit from Igbo predictability, disunity and vulnerability. This is because Igbos have not asked for the legitimate things such as : abolishing state of origin in employment/promotion; preference policies such as quota systems that don’t expire; reintegration policies that will attract non-Igbos to invest in Igbo land. Igbos are yet to demand for the implementation of the 3R policy, especially the rehabilitation part. Mere passage of time isn’t sufficient therapy for untreated childhood trauma and starvation.
Igbo disunity today is an expected outcome of a war fought with starvation. So we should be making the argument that Nigeria should effect and implement the 3R which it promised the world , United Nations and Igbos in particular. Once again, live and don’t die for Biafra.
