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I have been reading this thread and the other thread about Damian and Steven Nwabuza. All I know is that as long as we as Igbos are still entrapped in Nigeria, we must be our brothers' keepers. If an Igbo gives another Igbo sensitive information, it is criminal to reveal that infoemation to ndi iro anyi under any guise. I don't see any Hausa/Fulani people giving confidential information about their own people to any Igbo person. It is an abomination that an Igbo will do this. Let's call a spade a spade.
Posts: 159 | Registered: Apr 2001
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Adaeze and Olu: Well said. At least Damian Njoku has stated his case for all to see. Like a scared chicken, Steve Nwabuzor is hiding behind COLO and Nwa Aro. That is despicable. Next time Steve Nwabuzor gives any of you something to post for him, you should post it at Nigeriaworld where the yes men and women will applaud him for being a traitor.
Oh wind: You are a good fellow. But, what you don't know can hurt you.
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Now that this topic have been reopened I hope Steve Nwabueze takes this opportunity to come out and defended himself, Instead of doing it through surogates.
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Adaeze, There was no "information" relating to this case given to me which I did not reveal in my paraphrased post. Should I have printed Mr. Steve's mail un-paraphrased as he asked, would Inot be doing exactly what Mr. Steve is accused of by his accusers, i.e. releasing PRIVATE information without the consent of those who provided the informations? I did infact send a seperate letter to Steve on receipt of his defence letter with the subject "Asking for Authorization". In the said mail, I wrote in part "Let me know if it would please you if I reprint both your letters and mine before yours on the BiafraNigeria board for the reasons I stated above ( for his accusers to agree or disagree with what he said in his defence letter). As is the custom with me, I always seek permission before revealing any confidential information given to me, hence, this mail ( Asking for Authority mail)"... It was then he replied me say quote " I am NOT authorizing you to post any defence on my behalf. You are aware of the facts. You could give the facts in your own words as gleaned from my statement"...unqoute. It was from Steve's "statement" as it concerns the allegations made agaist him here that I culled my paraphrased post, ofcourse, you do not expect me to tell everything contained in Steve's PRIVATE letter not connected with this case, afterall, he had refused to grant my request to reprint his complete mail for reasons best known to him. I just respected the wish of the provider of a PRIVATE information, I would have done exactly same if you or anyone was involved.
Biafra, Amanda & Co, Now that it has come to my notice that Mr. Steve is infact a registered member of this board, I support your position that he make his defence himself. I however do not regret posting his paraphrased mail. I did it because I wanted Steve and his accusers to seek a non-confrontational way to resolve this serious but solvable matter. In all my private and public mails, I made it clear to Steve that it will be a fatal and grave mistake on his part if he decides to sue this board, I made him realise that this board is a "registered public discussion forum". I think Steve will do himself some good if he takes the opportunity provided by the Administrator's reopening of the thread to face his accusers here. Thank you all for your matured and restrained responses. I love to see us disagree sometimes, but in a civilised manner, like you have all excibited. I am proud of you all! This is my last take on this case. Lets now rivet to more serious issues facing us as a people.
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Colo, I believe that our Eastern/Biafran Siblings should and can help the suit filed by Ohaneze by providing verifiable and documented information that will help their case on Nigeria's atrocities during the war. While they await their day in court, crucial evidence are being gathered from every available and willing sources.
However, since Biafra was and is still made of multiple ethnic groups, it is mostly effective to file suits seperately. The voracious atrocities committed against each of us, can be better brought to light when presented seperately. Ndigbo will thoroughly assist each Sibling in their own suit. It bodes well for our overall award of justice and punitive compensation.
This move by Ohaneze, is but a first of many justice-seeking steps in making Nigeria atone for their genocidal holocaust on Biafra.
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Sister Amanda You don't how happy I am to read from your report on Chief Ralph's reception that MASSOB is a well balanced organization that include our minority sibblings from Biafra. Contrary to what the Ibadan - Lagos axis would like us to believe that MASSOB is an ethnic small based organization. I was estatic to read and find out that Chief Ralph top Leutnant is from Rivers,. And that MASSOB and EGBESU boys share the same philosophy of self determination and working well with MASSOB. What this means is that the rift between Igbos and our minority sibblings are narrower than we are made to believe.
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My Siblings, I was very busy during the later part of last week. When I was a bit free for some responses, I was, sadly, greeted by the sudden closure of the thread. In attempting to find out what took place in my absence, I wrote to our Administrator, to know some details, including, why such was done without my audience, as a starter (and a Member, in good standing) on his Website.
In all honesty, I didn't know that the thread was reopened (until my arrival here moments ago), since I hadn't received, read nor heard a response to my letter from Our brother, the Administrator Now that it has been reopened, I plan to dialogue with you (in my usual manner) soonest. But, right now, I must defer to my "real job." I'll be back, very soon. My apologies, in advance. Have a Good Afternoon, my Siblings!
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Brother Wind, Welcome Back! We missed your great insights! How humble of you to describe, in such terms, your masterful writings! You are a Gem! As to the answer to your question: I honestly, do not know. I can never be brother "Big Steve", even if I wanted to - to suggest what would've gone into his analysis or comparison (or lack thereof) of your writings with brother Damian's. For now, I am very content to remain brother "COLO!" But, thank you, for clearing the air, about his leaking of confidential information, for our curious and caring siblings. Once again, it's great to have you back.
Brothers and Sisters, I believe we've turned this thread into a "Big Steve" bashing thread, AGAIN. This digression has caused useful answers I was seeking, such as sister "Amanda Wekson's," brother "Wind", et al., to be swallowed up in obscurity. That is not what this thread was all about. This will be my FINAL "Big Steve" writing on this thread, so help me O' God!
I am not "Big Steve", nor Igbo. I can never know what makes this Honorable Gentleman, do what he does. I cannot speak for him, nor for ANY, except me! However, it is my humble opinion that, whatever "Big Steve" must ahve done to his Ndigbo Siblings (granted he did anything), I CANNOT justify the abuses wrapped around him by his Brothers and Sisters on the Web, especially, on this BiafraNigeriaworld. In my wonderful land, and in my beautiful language, there is an idiomatic expression that goes:
quote: Idiok Otung ye Obio, eno Eyin onmo item ke Anwa Essien, koro Obut omum Akpan-Eka Idat akan Idat
The above can be translated as: Only terrible Families and Communities advice their prodigal son in a Public arena, because there is more shame on a Lunatic's elder male sibling, than the Lunatic himself!
Brother Big Steve's errors including the public scolding of his younger but erudite sibling(s), the likes of brothers Damian, Egwuatu, IG Nwafor, et al., attempt to resolve a "Family Feud" in Court, et al., may not have been unconnected with his 60's and 70's (as well as Nigerian Professorial) up-bringing, characteristics of most of our elders at home, including the reveered Ojukwu or the late Zik. He was wrong, in all. This should not be allowed, however, to drag on forever, with some precipitations from the "inside" by those siblings, who may not like this gentleman at all, but have chosen to remain silent on the Board.
There was a time, not long ago, in our Communities, where children (like most of us, in our 20s and 30s) were seen and never heard. All we did, was to listen, attentively, to the words of our Elders, however erroneous they may have been. But, how times have changed! Our "Pound Sterlings," "Dollars," and "Doctors of Nothing," have made us so different, controlling and, obviously, impermeable now! My Siblings, let us be careful. We're NOT the first to have some enlightening education and wealth. Neither would we be the last. None of us is getting younger any time soon. The judgement we deem suitable today, may be our "Cross," as our kids continue this endless tasks of atomistic renewal. Only time will vindicate us all from this path we have chosen to pursue. In your prayers, remember the young and well-educated Okadigbo and Zik. Ours may never be to such great a comparison, but it suffices for us to remember a little history.
Like brother "NwA ARO", I do not regret being dubbed an "errand boy", by some of my beloved siblings, because I posted "Big Steve's" letter for him. I am, actually, flattered by it. I do NOT care, if he is registered here or not; he is my senior and a sibling. My successes, though very humbling and flattering, should not make me too arrogant to help ANY of you, when such situations arise. After all, brother "Big Steve" (though I have never had the opportunity to meet him, yet), seems chronologically, socially, and academically more mature than me. It is our culture to respect our elders, and I am a subscriber to most parts of it. If our Western Education and successes have blinded our usual senses, malapropically deemed "common," and deprived us of logical analyses and decorum, kindly count me as the rare exceptions to some of the rules.
How dare anyone of us (mostly in our 20s and 30s) challenge our elder brother, like "Big Steve" into a "Public" fight? Wouldn't the Igbo Nation (as a whole) be the losers? How dare we wish to force him to come and answer our acussations, right or wrong, in such a setting? Would you say that to your elder brothers, sisters, parents, other relatives, whether Biafran or Nigerian? Are your Igbo Blood-Line SUPERIOR to his? Do you know how much and irreplaceable his losses have been in the past Biafran War? Does he have a RIGHT to say "NO" to another Biafra, and still be a man? Have you ever dialogued with him? Would you not shed some tears, should you ever cared to listen to him or walked in his shoes? Do you know why a shrimp lives with a crooked back? Have you ever heard a Dove cry? Do you know why a "crab" preserves its claws?
In my wonderful "Uyo Township," not only will most of you be guilty of "abuse of your elders," some of the prices for such an insult could be so grave, indeed. I believe, I'd not be stretching it, if I dare say that brother "Big Steve" may be old enough to be a father to some of his acussers! Have we lost our respectable minds? Why do we not start by cursing out Chief Ojukwu? How about following in Okadigbo's shoes? As for me, I will, forever, respect age and history. Even in its rudiments, they often have some anecdotes to offer, which most historians, often, callously omit. Check with your living Elders to see, if I am wrong. He, who feels it, knows it, my siblings!
If my respect for a man who puts his neck out to demand accountability from OO, during "Okigwe purported Killings" (with a well-documented letter); coined the name "Obusonju", to criticize the present President and his maltreatment of the Igbos; defended most Igbo and other Eastern Minority Causes (in both Nigeriaworld and elsewhere); supports Governor Kalu's challenges of OO and his govt's marginalisation of Igbo States; became a fore-runner for some hopeful changes (with the initiation and coordination of the up-coming "Atlanta Conference"); helps, significantly, in raisng desperately needed funds for a sick Igbo child (with brother Ndigbo); made many enemies by getting into so many blood-bath-feuds with others, in Nigeriaworld, because of his unshaken support for Igbo Nation; fights, constantly, to better the lots of ALL Nigerians for permanent equality and fair-play, regardless of ethnicity - despite his very busy professional schedule and gradually advancing age; wrote and personally pleaded with another Ndigbo, brother Chuck odili, to bring back brothers Damian and Egwuatu (with yours truly, as a witness) et. al., when they were suspended; and numerous others trail-blazing challenges, are deemed sinful and "sabo." in nature, let me be found quilty as charged!
I pray that by the time any of us gets to be his age, we'd have done as much to help the lots of Ndigbo and Nigeria (Biafra or ANY course we believe in). I am very proud to call this particular saboteur, my SIBLING!
Maybe, I should be expelled from my wonderful Igbo brotherhood for such a praise. Maybe, it is a treasonable treasonable crime! Maybe, I should become an "Osu" and "Saboteur", for defending the indefensible, among my Igbo Siblings! Only time will tell. Whatever the case may be, this "Old Dog" has learnt quite a few, in his 30+ years on this earth.
See what our Savior, Jesus Christ, once said to the "KNOW ALL" Pharisees:
quote: Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the son of Man?" "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him." Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you." Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshipped him. Jesus said, "For judgement I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains." Saint John 9:35-41.
'Nuff said.
Sister Amanda, Your eloquence and wit are so transparent in your writings. Thank you for your courage, commitment and passion for Biafra. I am happy you enjoyed the verses from "Invictus." Yes, it could fit the "Biafran Struggle" so well, but how I wished we could use it for a Nigerian renewal, for our generation, and others that follow us. What a historical footprints we'd have left! Think about it. It is NOT yet too late. Trust me.
I found these your responses to my questions, on this thread, very illuminating:
quote: Colo, I believe that our Eastern/Biafran Siblings should and can help the suit filed by Ohaneze by providing verifiable and documented information that will help their case on Nigeria's atrocities during the war. While they await their day in court, crucial evidence are being gathered from every available and willing sources. However, since Biafra was and is still made of multiple ethnic groups, it is mostly effective to file suits seperately. The voracious atrocities committed against each of us, can be better brought to light when presented seperately. Ndigbo will thoroughly assist each Sibling in their own suit. It bodes well for our overall award of justice and punitive compensation.
This move by Ohaneze, is but a first of many justice-seeking steps in making Nigeria atone for their genocidal holocaust on Biafra.
I am very satisfied with those answers. Thank you, Sister. In parting, it is my hope that I would be able to make you (as well as sister "Adaeze", brothers "NWA ARO", "Damian", "Biafra", "IG Nwafor", "Egwuatu", and millions of other caring siblings), what a wonderful place a CHANGED, FAIR AND EQUITABLE Nigeria we could have, if we agree to vehemently work towards it. For, what would it be, to be in freedom, but fractionated and constantly scared? It could be as the story of the bush vs house rat The Israelis "freedom" may have provided us the life lessons, here on earth. Keep Hope Alive! Sister.
Brother NWA ORO, I thought I had answered your questions. See, if the above (to sister Amanda) makes any sense to you. As to your specific question, about what we, the Minorities are doing, brother, I haven't the slightest clue. Soon, I'd tell both you and sister Adaeze, when I can afford my next ticket to Uyo! laughs. I am, however, very satisfied with the summary sister Amanda Wekson has volunteered. Thank you.
To the Rest of My Siblings, Your questions have been read and digested. I am a bit too tired for the needed responses now. Kindly, forgive my aching pulps! Next time, should be a charm, God willing! Thanks.
I have hitherto, not participated in this palaver, since my last effort (read: the Unu Ma appeal in the NigeriaWorld), did not stop the brotherly quarrel between BigSteve on one hand, and Damian, I.G. Nwafor, Egwuatu et al. on the other hand.
Unless, I am convinced that Bigsteve is a fanatic apostle of One-Nigeria (at all cost), I will like to think the dispute here is about ‘strategy’, cos, the goal in the end is the same.
Bigsteve as the eldest, must take the initiative to end this embarrassing happening.
If I should try again, Ummuna, my advice this time around to you All is: ‘keep a cool head and a warm heart’.
Remember where you all come from.
Colo wrote:
‘Yes, it could fit the "Biafran Struggle" so well, but how I wished we could use it for a Nigerian renewal, for our generation, and others that follow us. What a historical footprints we'd have left! Think about it. It is NOT yet too late. Trust me.’
I sure do trust you Colo, but my take is, you seem to be clinging to illusion, I sincerely hope I am wrong.
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Guys! I really do think that until Steve makes a contribution, Colo and Wind's posts should be the final word in this issue. We should not digress from our stated goal of actualisation of Biafra. We may be accused of chasing rats while our house is burning. This I hope would be my final take on this issue.
Posts: 585 | From: London. | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Brother Wind, Those were some very sweet words. The feeling is mutual. Thanks!
Brother Ejiofor, I truly believe we can build a fair, united and fun-filled Nigeria! I pray that NONE has given up on this goal. The Igbos I know are NEVER quitters! "Invictus" may just be our Guide.
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