For some time now, the issue of achieving a sovereign state of Biafra has taken the center stage in the political sphere of Nigeria, with agitations from different Pro- Biafra groups, calling for an independent state of Biafra. Formerly, it was MASSOB, led by Chief Ralph Uwazurike, who have since its inception called for a sovereign state of Biafra, but he was not taken serious by the Nigerian government, which saw him as an opportunist, whose interest was basically self.
History has it, that during the days of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Uwazuruike’s MASSOB, which was calling for the actualization of Biafra indeed supported the administration of Goodluck Jonathan, in contradiction to his avowed resolve, to achieve a sovereign state of Biafra. Many youths from the south east extraction, who have watched the development so far, saw Chief Uwazuruike’s MASSOB as a sale out, on their avowed vision they had in mind, for supporting him, attributing it to double standards on the leadership of MASSOB.
As if the agitations for sovereign state of Biafra was subsuming, here came Nnamdi Kanu, of the Radio Biafra fame, with his Indigenous People of Biafra faction, who used the advantage of the media as a veritable tool of propaganda, which got many people, especially the youths of the south east, and some from the south south, to believe in the course for which he is canvassing. Through the pirate radio, he was able to explain to the majority of the people within the Biafran enclave, of the need for them to break loose from the bondage, they have been subjected to, due to the amalgamation of 1914.
The happenings in the country over the years, have also helped to further project his radio propaganda as true. The neglect of Igbo’s who formed the bulk of the would be Biafrans, due to their psychological state, as people who were defeated in the Nigerian civil war, have over the years, been displayed in the sharing of the national cake. Many polices of past and present government have indeed affected trade, which the Igbo’s are noted for.
The question now is, what is Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo doing in the face of the agitations, and arrest of their son Nnamdi Kanu. What stake do they have in project of ensuring that there is peace in the region, because with out peace, there won’t be any development. What have they being doing to right the wrongs that have been melted to the Igbo nation, which has propelled the likes of Nnamdi Kanu and Uwazuruike to agitate for Biafra? Have they been sitting on the fence? Have they always negotiated for their pecuniary and selfish interest, without recourse to the dream and vision of the Igbo’s in the Nigerian nation.
From the much I know, Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo as the socio- political apex group of the Igbo’s have in the recent past failed the Igbo nation, and that is the reason, the youths have refused to listen to them. Is Ohaneze supposed to wait for a one million match, of the IPOB supporters, for them to call for a meeting on the release of Nnamdi Kanu- The Director of Radio Biafra. Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo need to be proactive and not reactive. They would have voiced for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, whom his lawyer has affirmed, that he has met the conditions of bail, pending his trial. As Ohaneze meet over the issues on ground, let them note, that for Igbo,s, to continue to remain relevant in the Nigerian nation, there is need to chart a course of progress, which will involve the Igbo’s. It is of note that the Igbo’s do not need government to do everything for them, rather than to ensure that there is good roads, and the provision of basic infrastructure, for their businesses to thrive.
As Plato stated “ There will be no end to the trouble of state, or humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world or till those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers and political power and philosophy thus come into the same hands.
Ohaneze, should as a matter of urgency douse the tension that has prevailed in the south east region, by coming out with a strong statement, that will be balanced, because as egg heads, they should be the ones directing the Igbo nation on the part of wisdom and forbearance.
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light- Plato
Leaders of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo should not be afraid of speaking the truth. It is because of the obvious marginalization of the Igbo’s which they allowed to linger, that is causing what we have today in our hands. The truth of the matter is that, those agitating for Biafra do not know the import of their agitation. They are been carried away by youthful exuberance, and is the reason, Ohaneze should ask the present administration to implement the national confab, that was recently organized by the immediate past adminsitr4ation of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, so that there would be a level playing ground. Ohaneze’s stake on the Biafran issue will go a long way at establishing peace in the region or reversing the path of peace in the region.
History has it, that during the days of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Uwazuruike’s MASSOB, which was calling for the actualization of Biafra indeed supported the administration of Goodluck Jonathan, in contradiction to his avowed resolve, to achieve a sovereign state of Biafra. Many youths from the south east extraction, who have watched the development so far, saw Chief Uwazuruike’s MASSOB as a sale out, on their avowed vision they had in mind, for supporting him, attributing it to double standards on the leadership of MASSOB.
As if the agitations for sovereign state of Biafra was subsuming, here came Nnamdi Kanu, of the Radio Biafra fame, with his Indigenous People of Biafra faction, who used the advantage of the media as a veritable tool of propaganda, which got many people, especially the youths of the south east, and some from the south south, to believe in the course for which he is canvassing. Through the pirate radio, he was able to explain to the majority of the people within the Biafran enclave, of the need for them to break loose from the bondage, they have been subjected to, due to the amalgamation of 1914.
The happenings in the country over the years, have also helped to further project his radio propaganda as true. The neglect of Igbo’s who formed the bulk of the would be Biafrans, due to their psychological state, as people who were defeated in the Nigerian civil war, have over the years, been displayed in the sharing of the national cake. Many polices of past and present government have indeed affected trade, which the Igbo’s are noted for.
The question now is, what is Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo doing in the face of the agitations, and arrest of their son Nnamdi Kanu. What stake do they have in project of ensuring that there is peace in the region, because with out peace, there won’t be any development. What have they being doing to right the wrongs that have been melted to the Igbo nation, which has propelled the likes of Nnamdi Kanu and Uwazuruike to agitate for Biafra? Have they been sitting on the fence? Have they always negotiated for their pecuniary and selfish interest, without recourse to the dream and vision of the Igbo’s in the Nigerian nation.
From the much I know, Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo as the socio- political apex group of the Igbo’s have in the recent past failed the Igbo nation, and that is the reason, the youths have refused to listen to them. Is Ohaneze supposed to wait for a one million match, of the IPOB supporters, for them to call for a meeting on the release of Nnamdi Kanu- The Director of Radio Biafra. Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo need to be proactive and not reactive. They would have voiced for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, whom his lawyer has affirmed, that he has met the conditions of bail, pending his trial. As Ohaneze meet over the issues on ground, let them note, that for Igbo,s, to continue to remain relevant in the Nigerian nation, there is need to chart a course of progress, which will involve the Igbo’s. It is of note that the Igbo’s do not need government to do everything for them, rather than to ensure that there is good roads, and the provision of basic infrastructure, for their businesses to thrive.
As Plato stated “ There will be no end to the trouble of state, or humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world or till those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers and political power and philosophy thus come into the same hands.
Ohaneze, should as a matter of urgency douse the tension that has prevailed in the south east region, by coming out with a strong statement, that will be balanced, because as egg heads, they should be the ones directing the Igbo nation on the part of wisdom and forbearance.
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light- Plato
Leaders of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo should not be afraid of speaking the truth. It is because of the obvious marginalization of the Igbo’s which they allowed to linger, that is causing what we have today in our hands. The truth of the matter is that, those agitating for Biafra do not know the import of their agitation. They are been carried away by youthful exuberance, and is the reason, Ohaneze should ask the present administration to implement the national confab, that was recently organized by the immediate past adminsitr4ation of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, so that there would be a level playing ground. Ohaneze’s stake on the Biafran issue will go a long way at establishing peace in the region or reversing the path of peace in the region.