IGBOZURUOKE FORUM

First published by Boniface Alanwoko on September 9, 2009 
This is an improved version of this article that first appeared in the Daily Sun newspaper on September 9, 2009.

It has become difficult for one to understand the Igbo mentality any longer. The Igbo fought an excruciating war against the Federal Government of Nigeria between 1967 and 1970.

The hostility which cost monumental loss of lives and other resources started with what one un-reflective Nigerian army officer ‘termed “police action,” which will only take a few days to accomplish.’ However, as the battle enters a few months, it became apparent that the war was going to be arduous and costly on both sides.

The Igbo and their few allies on the Biafra side fought gallantly, that if they had had the wherewithal to prosecute the war, the result would have been different. A condition which acted as a major factor in crippling the Igbo machine was the total blockade which the federal side was able to sustain. The blockade debarred the Biafra side from obtaining the required means to prosecute the war and maintain their population.

As a result, necessary ingredients required to oil the Biafra war machine were unavailable, while the non-availability of means to feed and maintain it teeming population caused the untimely deaths of many young and old, mostly, by the Kwashiorkor disease which stemmed from the non-intake of salt and nourishing meals.

In 1970, the war ended with the three famous letters of R: Reconciliation, Reintegration and Reconstruction. Whether this proclamation by the federal side was a genuine intent on reconciliation and reintegration, or a mere gimmick to garner international applause is still left for the Igbo and other discerning people to judge.

Naturally, any war, except a few must produce a victor or the vanquished. The civil war was no different; it ended in favour of the Nigerian side. However, a loser, that has what it takes can easily overcome most “losers’” related impediments, after a while and carry on to even become a force to be reckoned with, provided the person or group, tries to put their house in order first. Unfortunately, this is where Ndi Igbo have derailed and caused themselves the misfortunes that have continued to bedevil them since the war ended.

Curiously, one wonders why Ndi Igbo have not deem it necessary since 1970, to take stock of what happened, how the war was prosecuted , what were the main causes of losing the war, and what is the best way—not just any way—forward.
It is unbelievable and disquieting that a people considered as intelligent and resourceful would ignore such a platform that has seen others in similar situation survive and even surpass all expectations after a devastating war just like the one we fought.

There must be some secretes that some people are still keeping and wouldn’t want us to have knowledge of. Would an inquiry through an Igbo conference, throw up unimaginable insights into what some of us considered as acts that were inimical and committed during the war which are no small measures contributed to why we were less successful? One can go on and on to conjure why the Igbo have forgotten or refused to avail themselves of this potentially life saver—to look at their past in other to forge ahead. However, one thing is certain; we must conduct an inquiry into Biafra, for the following reasons:

Ndi Igbo need a factual account of all that happened; besides, proper and adequate information of the war are long overdue for Ndi Igbo to acquire. Most Igbo born during the war and those after would gladly avail themselves of this historical record to live a more experienced and better life. Furthermore, the Igbo adage that says: “A quick intervention prevents unforeseen circumstance,” must be taken seriously as the Biafra war veterans and those who are in position to narrate events that took place are dying due to old age and neglect. Still cogent is the fact that the war ended in 1970, enough time had elapsed to allow tempers to cool on both sides. Similarly, Ndi Igbo could be said, to have recovered sufficiently to conduct such a sensitive and necessary enquiry.

Biafran soldiers in action during the war

Something that had remained indelible on my mind happened in January1970, as we were returning from Afor-Ajuala, in Mbaise, to rejoin “One Nigeria.” Two young ragged Biafra army officers who had seen many battles, still armed and at the verge of becoming Nigerians once again, suddenly halted a few poles to the first major roadblock manned by the federal troops at Eke-Uvuru, now, Orie-Mbaise—suddenly in anguish—the two warriors remained transfixed just for a while, bid us farewells; sauntered down a nearby bush, and before some of the older men with us could fathom what was the matter, loud shots enveloped us.

This attracted the soldiers at the roadblock who charged down the scene. The two young Biafra army officers, as it seemed, preferred to die rather than being called Nigerians again.

That was the level most Igbo and their like identified with the aspiration called Biafra. Surprisingly, the Nigerian army officer, at the head of those who rushed in, realizing what had happened, knelt down, overcame with grief; he rose and along with his compatriots, released volumes of farewell shots into the air as a last honour. He then asked if we were in position to properly bury the dead officers or else he would ensure that himself. The point I am making here is that if a Nigerian army officer at the time of hostility could found it appropriate to ensure that a soldier who fought and died must be given a befitting honour and conducive resting place; what have we, the Igbo, whose kith and kin who died trying to stand up against the injustice, annihilation and disgrace that a murderous Nigerian side was meting against the Igbo done?

Have we made any attempt to identify their various undignified resting places, rebury them and venerate them, even if it were posthumous? We have shamelessly forgotten even to account for our dead heroes. Had the federal side, not taken hold of Nzeogwu’s body and gave it a decent resting place, perhaps it would still be lying restlessly in one obscured grave today. Thus, the enquiry will also allow us to identify Biafra fallen heroes with a view to properly giving them a befitting burial.

Most importantly, we have thousands of wounded and demoralized Biafra soldiers all over the place; some of them languishing at Oji-River Camp, Enugu State. As of now, we seem to have criminally condemned this unfortunate group to their fate. The inquiry will lead to identifying them, understanding their plights and proffer ways to console and assist those still strong, while the offspring or relations of those debilitated could be empowered to take appropriate care of them. After all, it was during their engagements to defend the Igbo that they sustained those injuries.

Malnourished kwashiorkor children in Biafra

  Furthermore, discernable and patriotic Ndi Igbo should commence the reconciliation of those individuals, groups and countries who are non-Igbo but made equal sacrifices for the enthronement of Biafra, to strengthen the Igbo character of recognizing and appreciating compatriots and benefactors. Though the Igbo were and still the spirit behind Biafra, they were not alone in the quest for that project. Hundreds of Ogoni and others in today’s South-South zone fought and died along with their Igbo compatriots, especially in the fierce Okpala-Sector (warfront), where I witnessed the conflict.

In the same vein, other individuals, groups and countries that appreciated our aspirations and contributed towards the realization of the Biafra venture must equally be reconciled to the good Igbo posture. To achieve this, the Igbo should create a commission that will assemble some reputable Ndi Igbo to commence this programme. This group will have to visit these people and countries to appreciate them and sort for their permanent comradeship.

I am of the opinion that for Ndi Igbo to actualize their potential, they must find a way to bringing their minority brother and sisters now known as the South-South zone to their side. Though they as a group betrayed us during and after the conflicts, the long term aspirations of Ndi Igbo necessitate this posture. You don’t ignore a recalcitrant neighbor, when you know your enemies could lob stones into your compound from his obi, the Igbo always say. You either find a way to defeat him or you make him be on your side. Their proximity to us, our cultural affinity and intertwined economic potentialities make it imperative the Igbo must deploy all skills and diplomacy to make them see us as their brothers and confidants.

The Republic of Haiti that is hugely populated by freed Igbo slaves from the Caribbean was the first country outside Africa to recognize the state of Biafra. Gabon, under Omar Bongo, not only identified with our aspiration but ensured that Biafra children who were hit by the Kwashiorkor disease were airlifted to Gabon and made to survive. Cour de voure, Tanzania and a few others equally identified with us and helped in their different ways.

Without the Catholic Church, half of the Igbo that survived the war would have been wiped out. The greatest benefactor the Igbo had during the dreadful days of the battles was the Catholic Church. They did not only feed the hungry and cured the sick, they provided other essentials, they even went as far as encouraging and running skeletal education and other learning programmes amid enemy’s fires and bombardments, just to ensure Igbo talented youth in those grim days remain abreast with what was happening in the academic world and also to get gist of current issues. The monumental Catholic Church support to Ndi Igbo during the war made the vindictive Nigerian side to victimize some Irish priests, who were not allowed back to the country immediately after the war. There was also the Red Cross.

When will Ndi Igbo show gratitude to these institutions and countries? A selected heavy weight of Ndi Igbo should have since visited any of the popes that existed since 1970 to thank him and the Catholic Church on behalf of Ndi Igbo. The same should have been extended to the Republic of Haiti and others. By now a people that survived an apocalyptic intention of an enemy should have sought and appreciated those who helped them to avoid catastrophy. Why haven’t Ndi Igbo embarked on such simulated visits to offer thanks and use the opportunity to court more friendship with these like minds for future exigency? I wonder!

Even among our antagonists, there are those we should be grudgingly grateful to. In my opinion, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who was our main antagonist, seemed more of being a myopic actor than a villain as far as Ndi Igbo and the war was concerned. To a large extent, Gen Gowon doesn’t strike me like a morbid fellow, who was baying for Igbo blood at all cost. It is my opinion, that all he wanted, was to keep Nigeria as one and win the war by whatever means.  For example, if the Igbo were to contend with the likes of Muritala Mohammed, UsmanKatsina, Chief Obafemi Awolowo or even Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, immediately after the war, the plight of the Igbo would have being calamitous. After the war ended, Gen Gowon accepted Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s advice not to shut down the University of Nigeria, Nsukka UNN, as insisted by Chief Awolowo.

That plan, if it had succeeded was aimed as a masterstroke; to further devalue the Igbo academically. There were others like Shagari on the Nigerian side. Ndi Igbo should take cognizance of them and treat them accordingly. On the other hand, there were those in the forefront to humiliate and exterminate the Igbo. For example, while the USSR, (Russia) criminally and insensitively provided Nigeria with those noisy and murderous war planes, their comrades in villainy, Egypt, provided the personnel who drove the planes that harassed, strafed and killed both Biafra soldiers and civilians. What about the foxy British, who never like the Igbo, and there is no doubt, their meddlesomeness after the first military coup in 1996, helped in muddling things for the Igbo. In this case, like the Igbo would say: While a man may crave to enjoy the warmth of a log fire due to extreme cool, he must avoid sitting close to those who once severed his finger in the same scenario. The Igbo must be wise and know which shoulder would support their aching head.

Finally, this enquiry is inevitable, as it would enable Ndi Igbo, not only to take stock of all that happened in the war and use the lessons to plan for the future, but would equally afford them the opportunity to involve templates that could form basis to ascertain the characters of Igbo patriots during the war. Ascertaining these patriots or their offspring is of immense importance to the survival of the Igbo nation, because, when the chips are down, the patriots will answer the calls of umunna, while the traitor would hanker to the needs of ndi iroh. The ailment of covetousness cannot be cured by appeasement. Thus, Ndi Igbo, shouldl know those to call and elect as their representatives and leaders; and jettisoning the current indulgence of choosing their leaders on those who can shout most and dish out more money during elections. Due to this transgression, Igbo renegades who betrayed Ndi Igbo during Biafra are currently being enthroned as our representatives and leaders. Consequently, they have become willing tools in the hands of Igbo traducers who engage them to destabilize and downgrade the Igbo when it suits them.