Photo credit: medium
The Biafra secession was declared precisely fifty years ago. Most people are aware of what led to that action.
While it lasted, the Igbo suffered so much. At the end of the day, General Ojukwu had to flee. He was possibly acting in accordance to a reggae song, ‘He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day.’
He actually lived to fight many other days. He came back to the country in the second republic. He joined the ruling National Party of Nigeria. He was able to claim his father’s property which had been seized. He even took a new wife.
But have the other Nigerians forgiven the Igbo. Do they trust them. Have the Igbo too truly forgiven other Nigerians? Do they trust them?
Why is it that no Igbo person has been head of the Nigerian state since Ironsi, who was assassinated.
OK, if we can not trust them, why are we finding it difficult to let them go their way?
Until all these questions are answered, Biafra will ever remain an albatross.
By the way, I believe if we must exist as one nation, we need to practice real federalism. Nigeria is so blessed that if we can think outside the box, no state should be going to Abuja to beg for any allocation. Every state should specialise in its area of comparative advantage.
Our rulers know that it is best for us to have a confederation. With that, every state will be controlling its resources.
Where is the Nigerian dream? The Americans have it. Where is our doggedness? The Israeli nation had to be dogged! Where is our progressive commitment? United Arab Emirates had to be progressively committed
Long live Nigeria!
053017
