FWPI Editorial: Instigations Behind Biafra Agitation

 FWPI Editorial: Instigations Behind Biafra Agitation Biafrans are people with great historical and cultural pedigree as widely recognized a...

 FWPI Editorial: Instigations Behind Biafra Agitation

Biafrans are people with great historical and cultural pedigree as widely recognized and attested to by renowned global anthropologists, colonial administrators and foreign missionaries. They are known as a people with unusual/uncommon human qualities, striving with rare dynamism, versatility and ingenuity. Since the creation of the Nigerian contraption by the British overlords, Biafrans have virtually been everything to the Nigerian state and have persistently helped in the consolidation of the entity. This has been made possible through the sweat, doggedness, blood, talent and invaluable treasure of this very unique human race.

Foremost nationalist of the Nigerian independence, Uwalaka J.N. (2003), noted that it was Igbo Biafran in the person of late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, that took the front seat for the Nigerian independence drive against the British. Even when every other individual appeared skeptical or evasive to the ideology of Nigeria. It was Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe's care and concern for all Nigerians, that formed the opinion of Chief M.C.K. Ajuluchukwu, when he stated that "late Chief Obafemi Awolowo fought for the interest of the Yorubas, late Ahmadu Bello did likewise for the North while Nnamdi Azikiwe devoted his life, time and energy, preaching and serving the overriding interest of the entire Nigerian citizens. The Nigerian independence despite Zik's devotion and efforts, power was eventually transferred to late Tafawa Balewa as the Prime Minister. 

Nnamdi Azikiwe was made to serve as a mere ceremonial President that represented the Queen of England. Yet, Biafrans keyed in, until consumed by the idea of one Nigerianism with great prices for independence and unity, paid. The prices paid rightly confirmed the statement of Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife when he bluntly described as "tree of liberty, through the blood of Aba women as well as that of Enugu coal miners, being completely watered". Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, in a statement, also asserted that "the blood of martyrs shall water the tree of liberty". The watered blood thus, came from no other tribe or people but that of Biafrans during the pre-independence Nigerian era. Before and after independence, the  tree of One-Nigeria has uninhibitedly gulped the blood of Biafrans with series of killings and deaths.

With the above sundry examples, Biafrans have really experienced unmitigated slaughter at different occasions or incidents in Nigeria. In 2014, unarmed Biafrans were gruesomely massacred at Onitsha Head Bridge by the combined armed team of the Nigerian security forces during a peaceful protest staged for the release of the arrested leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). On the 29th of May 2015, Biafrans were massively killed in Aba High School where they converged to pray, preparatory to the Annual May 30th Biafra Memorial Service. This is done in memory of Biafra fallen heros and heroines. In 2016, another wave of genocide was visited on Biafrans by the Nigerian armed forces at Afara-Ukwu, Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State. 

This mayhem was callously carried out at the family home of the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Many corpses of the slain were so terribly mutilated to avoid recognition, due to acidic substances poured on them by the Nigerian security operatives. The effect of that murderous genocide eventually claimed the lives of the parents of the IPOB leader, His Royal Majesty (HRM), late Eze Okwu-Kanu and Lolo Ugoeze S. Okwu-Kanu. The heinous activities of the grossly Fulani infested Nigerian government against innocent Biafrans, remains grievously unpardonable because such acts are inhuman. The criminal activities of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Police did not however subside as the oppression of the people persists. Massive killing and victimization yet continue in Imo State amongst others in Biafraland by both the Nigerian uniformed security personnel and Fulani killer herdsmen.

The only notable crime of Biafrans has remained their embrace of the Nigerian ideology. They believed in Nigeria so much so that it has become their greatest undoing to the extent that their benevolence, hard work and achievements are now being compensated with jealousy and bitter hatred. Their prowess and ingenuity are being misjudged for domination, their versatility has become exploitation. All these added up to the dread they have for Biafrans who are today being derided, suspected, massively killed, marginalized, molested and slavishily treated by the Nigerian state. The heroic and pioneering role in the national development are being jettisoned. Biafrans, due to their republican and industrial nature, vastly spread incomparably in numbers across Nigeria, more than any other tribe. 

They have immeasurably contributed to the economic and socio-political development of their adopted places of residence outside Biafraland. They successfully thrive against adverse conditions of life in their undaunted efforts to earn a living and further contribute to the economy and social upliftment of the areas. Biafrans have built roads to alleviate the suffering of many rural dwellers. They have engaged in bringing education closer to remotest indigenous rural dwellers, they have established communities in uninhabitable locations where people dreaded and yet, they have remained used as sacrificial lambs of appeasement by the Nigerian Fulani run government. Putting oneself in the shoes of Biafrans therefore, in the light of these gruelling exemplary narratives, it yet remains puzzling what optional or different measures could be adopted in response. Would the protagonists of  the Nigerian ideology, not seek their own freedom to definitively restore the dignity and survival of their own people? Let your conscience be the judge!

Written by Onyebuchi Eucharia

Deputy Editor-In-Chief

Family Writers Press International.

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