Firstly, thanks for your rejoinders.

Ojukwu mba, I will never, I repeat will never be able to‘ also distinguish between Ukpabi Asika "the man," vs. Ukpabi Asika, the "traitor/Administrator" of the so-called East Central State. That much, I know. He will continue to remain what he is.

I must confess I have not had time to read ‘the Oba of EgbeOmoOduduwa.com’. Pardon my ignorance, what is that? I have a feeling it is the other Board <bg>.

My posting was triggered mostly from Satchmo's experience. He felt misunderstood by his siblings, and was sorry they called him 'Uncle Tom'. I suppose Rudolf feels misunderstood. I would like to think, what separates most of us is 'Strategy', as the 'Principle' can never be compromised for any core Igbo-man.

Ojukwu wrote: 'Take your own position, defend it, and refrain from playing headmaster or lecturer to us'. If you can recall, that was what I did not like about Mr. Aluko, when we discussed Awo. So, please I hope you are not accusing me of playing 'headmaster'. Or 'Lecturer' I have much respect for my people; all I said was a relaying of what I heard while in the States. You can also be sure, that I did some defending.

Therefore, I'd rather you regard that statement as how some people perceive this board, nothing more or less.

ICO, you wrote: 'could it be the Igbo nation in the Diaspora lacked leadership as well? Or could it be the Diaspora Igbo do not care anymore?'

I think is both. They are dying in the US not because of Stockfish, but because of their priorities. Competitions on my house is bigger than yours, my cars is bigger than yours syndrome. Title worshiping was not interesting to notice. Women spending fortune on lace dresses etc. This is a fact in Houston.

I must admit, I noticed a will to give donation for different projects in Igboland, but the rate they collapse was freighting. While we were in the Nkechi's kitchen, there was an Obituary of a sudden demise of one our sibling at his place of work. Ambrose was there.

You hear that people are doing double shifts etc.

Anyway, let's leave it at that.

Easy brother man Osetutu. You wrote, '… and then he cannot be rebuked or put in place when required'.
I am sorry if I left the impression that he is beyond rebuke. I honestly don't know what to think of posting the private Forum dialogues in this open forum. There is this grey area called freedom of speech. Like I have said earlier, it is the strategy that is different. I can speak well of Rudolf, but I cannot defend him if he is reckless.

Nwokeoma: The '[y]ou folks…' was a mistake. I hope I am forgiven for that lapse in my choice of word.
We all try to be good ambassadors of the Igbo cause. The website is our stage, we are all players, our characters says much. Therefore, I want to say, not as a headmaster, but as nwanna, if you want to be an ambassador, be a good one.

Crucify Rudolf, if he is reckless; correct him the way you all deem fit, as long we all remember where we are coming from.

Talk about Nkechi's kitchen. First, I must admit that it never occured to me you were a concerned Biafra until I met you. Too, I must admit how disappointed you were as the much talked about eatery was patronized by a set of people who had no clue, perhaps did not care about anything to do with Nigeria politics. Nothing to do, as well, with Igbo causes.

It's quite clear I was not a regular to Nkechi's Kitchen. "The House" as the so-called members addressed themselves, not to be perturbed with politics, saw how the Igbo enlightened supposedly expected to effect change only to be way behind schedule and ignorant. What you saw was a typical scenario of the Igbo in the shores of America.

Nkechi's Kitchen has nothing to write home about. I had invited you to see things for yourself, how lost we've been. I mean, think about it, it was either you are a lawyer, a business man who owns a clinic or you are "akpuruka" by nature. Such were the patrons.

How about when you introduced yourself as a Biafran? They came to your case asserting a true Igbo must have a mansion back home. No wonder "Okporoko" is killing Igbo men in Houston. Does it mean their women counterparts are not eating the "okporoko?"

But the Nkechi's Kitchen if it may interest you, is run by Eke Idemili. Sometime last year a disgruntled "akpuruka" by nature walked in on the popular Friday and opened fire. The victim was hospitalized and Nkechi's kitchen was closed indefinitely only to be opened when the victim admitted nothing went wrong.

"It is important that any Igbo who shows up here make his views clear. Take your own position, defend it, and refrain from playing headmaster or lecturer to us. We are not in the mood." --- Ojukwu.

Nkem:
The fact of the matter is that most BiafraNigerians know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about Nigeriaworld or BiafraNigeriaWorld. I go out all the time. What I see is that most people have NEVER heard of Nigeriaworld.

The good news is that those who do not know about these boards are also the same people that are completely irrelevant when it comes to doing something to bring about change. So, it should not worry you that some people are ignorant of MASSOB, BiafraNigeriaWorld, or Nigeriaworld.

P/S:
What do you make of the demise of EgbeOmoOduduwa.com following the visit there by Eke Idemili?

May be that is why Rudolf wants to meet all the members of this forum. Since he operates on a severely limited budget as a 'calumnist' for EgbeOmoOduduwa.com and he cannot afford to travel to meet BiafraNigeriaWorld members, he invites them to Boston at every opportunity. Once you meet him, you will stop looking at his writing critically and you will cloud your thoughts with his looks and the nice person ("core Igbo") he was when you met him. He has done that to Amanda and Emela. I suspect that it will not work or it will not last on Nkem. If meeting these people is what it takes to change our minds about their work, why don't we just fold up and send letters of apology to Awolowo (posthumously), OO, Aluko, Enahoro, Danjuma, ebe, Olatunde, and all the other Igbo-haters? I am sure that dead or alive, we shall meet all these people sooner or later.

What happened in the past when Rudolf received praises for his writing? Did he plead not to be judged by those writings?

I am glad you and your family made it back to Denmark safely. As for my Brother Ambrose I am still not speaking to him, Because I am still mad at him. Well Brother Nkem unfortunately there are two groups of Igbos. Those who think that America is the bed of roses they have always dreamed of and since they can take few thousands of dollars home exchange it and enslave the whole village all is well so why rock the boat.

Those type you will never see at any Igbo gathering or community fund raising. I have been active in my community and Igbo organizations here, It sometimes break my heart of the number of Igbos here that doesn't have a clue or joining Organizations. yet tomorrow when this group drop dead their relatives start calling those same Igbo organizations to help in raising money to send their corps home.

Then you have some group of Igbos who you didn't have the opportunity to meet due to your time constraint. This are the type of Igbos you will see always answering the call. Unfornately those numbers are not growing as it should. Due to people feeling comfortable, since their own family is taken care of who cares. Like Ambrose said unfortunately you may not find this group of Igbos at Nkechi Kitchen. And due to Los Angeles Metro area is so spread out, there are so many of us you will not find at Nkechi kitchen. I can safely say to you that I have lived in Southern California/Los Angeles Metro for 11 years, and I have never been to Nkechi kitchen.

And there was Martin Luther King. Good Man.

They both wanted emancipation.

But Martin was the intelligent one. Simply cos he had the wisdom to listen. His decisions were not solely based on emotion and passion. It was based on reality.

X was full of it! They both died. One was wacked (maybe) by his people.

Martin though wacked was wacked by the enemy.

I can't believe that Rudolf is being "wacked" by his people. But I trust Rudolf. He can't be wacked. They can rumble, but they will never wack Rudolf.

But this is my fear! If they will wack one of theirs, what hope do the Deltans, A/Ibom and other minorities have with the Igbos?

This is a fear that must be dispelled. Can it?

That egbe.com message board ain't working for you to post your soccer results doesn't mean you should walk in here and type a few lines of rubbish and expect people to waste electrons and bandwidth on you.

please, meet Yvette at the less serious thread. Thank you.

[ 05, 2001: Message edited by: Emela ]

Rudolf is not fighting for us so don't compare him with MALCOM X. RUDOLF WIL BE WACKED BY HIS EGBEOMODUDUWA masters when they are done using him, just like Saro wiwa and his followers were wacked by their Northern Masters.

Rudolf is a Chameleon, I used to respect him but that is history. One time I read one of his articles about Uwazuruike and Okwukwu meeting at New Jersey or Boston, I can't remember. He talked about Okwukwu saying that the minorities should allign with the Igbos and the Igbos should also try to get closer to them. I THOUGHT THIS MAN WAS WORTH IT. He doesn't need to scream anout Biafra 'cause we have enough people to do it but he shouldn't try to discourage us from our struggle.

Sam your people shall be well with us. THE iGBOS HAVE ALWAYS HAD A cordial relationship with their calabar neighbors. That's why when u go to Arochukwu and Ajali (Ujari) u'll find Igbos with Efik surnames. My mom is an example. Sam how safe are u Ndeltans with eachother. Ijaw, Itskiri, Urhobo war. Kalabari at war with their neighbors. THE iGBOS ARE NOT YOUR ENEMIES.

U should be glad that we don't favor
any person because of his ethnicity. U all are our brothers and MASSOB is not only Igbo. The way I'll trat an Igbo sabo is the way I'll treat a non Igbo sabo. Such attititudes can make a nation safer with less ethnic hatred. By the way your people will deal with anti Bifarns in thier mist. The majority are not like u.

The Igbos and Calabar people always take cue from Aba and Onitsha when there's crisis.
Ex. Aba women's riot which spread to Calabar and Opobo.
Aba 2000 riot.

I got these to shove down your throat. I posted the them before in this forum.

Odili
Senior Advocate
Member # 149
Member Rated:

posted July 17, 2001 11:48 AM

Southern Minorities, Ndigbo Embrace Selves
Vanguard (Lagos)
Paul Odili
Lagos
Today in the Eastern Region, old wisdom is giving way to the realities of the politics of the present between the Southern minorities, (the South-South) and the core South East states otherwise known as the Igbo states.

Before the current move towards rapprochement between them, the nation of Southern minorities would rather they did political business with their partners across the Niger River than have any political relationship with the Igbos whom they feared and distrusted.

Since the Eyo debacle of 1952, when the then Premier of Eastern Region, Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, caused him to be removed as the premier of the region, a political blunder it turned out, a feeling of political alienation had since pervaded the minority region leading to political revolt and subsequent disengagement from taking unified position as it effected the two nations. Indeed, the indifference at one point and sabotage of the secessionist struggle of the Igbos were all products of these political processes.

The suspicion and strained relationship did not end at the end the civil war (1967-1970). During the Second Republic the Southern minorities gave the predominant Igbo NPP the short shrift, as it voted massively for the Northern controlled NPN. The animosity was like a submarine war-fare, each side knowing that the other was close but pretending not to recognize the real strategic importance of working together due to what were clearly political prejudices and stereotypes of the past. But all pretences apart, there is a current realization that both sides need each other to bolster their political influences.

At the first meeting of the Southern leaders forum held in Umuahia, Abia State in January, 2001, the imperatives of the greater regional cooperation was stressed. Floated by some leaders of the South- East, and led by Chief Matthew Mbu, the group on 14 February held its second meeting at Uyo, Akwa Ibom. This had the participation of leading politicians like Dr Chuba Okadigbo, Senator Ike Nwachukwu, former CGS in the Babangida administration, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe and many others. The Deputy Governor, Obong Chris Ekpeyong stood for the Governor and gave insight into the political mood of the South. In his brief paper he gave at the occasion, he said "the bond between the people of Akwa Ibom state and the Igbo nation is long, sacred and ancient. Historians posit that when our forefathers left Usak Edet in the Camerouns about 800 B.C on the last stage of their migratory journey from the nation of Israel, they settled in Ibom in Arochukwu."

Obong Ekpeyong further averred that " definitively, we and the Igbo nation in general and Arochuwku in particular share ancestral links that geo-political and socio administrative politics and differences cannot break or mar." He was not done as he persistently maintained that it was the wise thing to do to seek better understanding rather than searching for alliances elsewhere that will not yield much. The convener of the meeting, Chief Matthew Mbu, former Foreign Minister, conceded that things have not always been cordial between the two sides, a characterization he deplores, but in his words: " Whatever has a beginning must have an end. If (referring to those that attended) they were not convinced as to the sense of our mission, of reconciling the Eastern states, to let the leaders work together, pull together thereby occupying some responsible positions in a Nigerian political agenda, for the well-being of their people, to have a share of their natural resources abound in their own states, within a United South East," there would not have been such dignified presence of eminent politicians.

The urgency of this alliance can be traced to the Federal Government's court action over the off shore/on shore dichotomy. For many of the people of Akwa Ibom, it came as a shock and proved finally that standing on their own would not help them to secure better economic self -determination and to stave off further marginalisation of their people. The whole episode can be described as: "the scales have finally fallen of their eyes". Deputy Governor Ekpenyong put it even more succinctly: "It is time for the South-South and the South- East to forge a common agenda and optimize their co-operation."

Ikpatt
I hope Ikaptt, the Igbo hater has heard this.

Odili
Senior Advocate
Member # 149
Member Rated:

posted July 17, 2001 12:00 PM

We Must Reconcile South-South, South-East - Mbu
Vanguard (Lagos)
INTERVIEW
Lagos
Chief Matthew Mbu was in a every happy mood on the 14th of February, after presiding over a successful summit of South East Leaders Council that he leads.

The gathering had the presence of men like Senator Ike Nwachukwu, Senator Chuba Okadigbo, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe and several other political heavy weights. The Deputy Governor of the state, Obong Chris Ekpeyong, who stood in for the governor Obong Atta delivered a rousing speech in which he called for closer ties between the South-South and the South-East. For a group that came into being only last January, Chief Mattew Mbu was obviously overwhelmed by the presence of so many people across the broad spectrum of the South-East. He says that since the January meeting, he has had tremendous messages of goodwill, encouraging him to continue. Though in this interview, he is also aware that many other group might perceive him as a rival, but apparently to dispel any such perception he says that they are not out to antagonize anybody.

Excerpts:

Suddenly, there is a rapprochement between the Southern minorities and the core Igbo states, it does seem like political grandstanding, considering years of suspicions and unfriendly relationship that you've had in the past?

Whatever has a beginning must have an end. The people you saw today in attendance at this meeting are very responsible people. If you listened to my address, some of them I referred to as their majesties, their Royal Highnesses, excellencies and distinguished senators, you name them, they were all here. Those are not the people that you can play with. If they were not convinced as to the sense of our mission, of reconciling the Eastern states, to let the leaders work together, pull together, thereby occupying some responsible position in a Nigerian political agenda, for the well being of their people, to have a share of their natural resources that abound their own states, within a United South-East and a United Nigeria they wouldn't have come.

By going together, we command attention in the political agenda of Nigeria, we won't beg and that is exactly what this council is all about. We are not plotting against anybody; if anything, we are working to promote the self interest of Eastern Nigeria, and give them a Southward position in the political agenda of Nigeria.

A cynic might say that you have worked tirelessly for a united Nigeria, had promoted a Nigerian cause, suddenly you are found championing a sectional cause. What has happened?

It is that patriotic zeal of nationalism that makes me work so hard to bring harmony in my own native state, the Eastern region of Nigeria, the region of my birth. If we are not in harmony and the rest of Nigeria are in harmony, we owe ourselves the responsibility to put our house in order and that is part of it, that we must be seen to love each other. We must be seen to appreciate as taboo such labels of majority and minority. That must not be seen against in the lexicon of Council of Eastern States. We must have respect for individual right, every member in terms of the quality.

How should this group be defined, a socio-cultural group or a political group?

You define it as a forum of Eastern leaders, the Council of Eastern States, simple. We discuss political issues that touch and concern the well-being of Eastern Nigeria. If tomorrow, we are charged to seek political association with any group in Nigeria that sympathizes, that shares our feeling, well of course we will be happy to discuss with them. We are not organizing ourselves to antagonize any particular individual. We are, first of all, putting our house in order, and we are willing to talk.

There are many political associations championing different causes and agenda, sometimes the tendency is to look at it as a kind of show, let us organize and be noticed. Do you get that feeling that you might be confined to that description?

I think it will be an insult on some of us for wanting to be noticed. To be noticed? I have been noticed since I was 23, nobody has beaten my record as a young minister. At 23, I was an ambassador for Nigeria, so what position have I not held in Nigeria? Seriously, I would like to write a glorious chapter, a chapter of harmony. As the saying goes, charity begins at home. Let there be peace in the South East, let the East be seen to work in one direction to promote the best interest of Eastern Nigeria.

You have heard of the U50 group, the New Integration Group that has been saying that the old men are part of our problem, with due respect to yourself, you are in one of the old men; what is your response to this position?

Where on earth have you ever heard that formula, that the formula for good governance is based on age? Where have you read it? Not Plato, not Aristotle, you read Wick and Phillips in the British constitution, tell me on which book did you read that? I think it is absolute nonsense if I may say so. There is no such thing in political theory, that the best governments have been run at a certain age and no more. No. Just like James Quiggy Aggrey said, when he was asked how can the problem of racism in the United States America be settled, he put forward a beautiful formula and said "how do you play a piano, if you are a pianist?" you know piano has a black and white key. He says "when you play only the black keys, what you produce is some music, I play only the white keys, what you produce are some keys." He then said to produce harmony, the black and white keys must be played. I am not a farmer, I am not an animal farmer, but the best cattle are the Argentina cattle known as the cross-breed. So, if Nigerians really want the best for Nigeria, you cannot dispense with men of experience. Some of us have been in the scene for long, most of the young men who clamour so much for position all think of one thing, the fast lane and nothing else and they crash in no time.

What you need is to have some good experienced men, who know the onions. As the saying goes, the old broom knows the whole corner. The young ones may sweep well, but they may not know the whole corner, use the breed that is old and use the young breed that is enterprising, the future belongs to them. They have a lot to learn from the old ones. They can't do it alone.

You had the distinction of being a minister at the age of 23, and what they are advocating is the same opportunity you had to be given to them?

There is nothing wrong with that, it is a matter of opportunity, you have to take it. But don't say that you have to prescribe the age, after this age, nobody is good enough to serve. You will be talking rubbish, it is not true. I didn't give myself that destiny. I say to my own children, don't expect that you may have a record like mine, but that does not mean that I was the best, it so happened at that particular time. My children never had that chance, my son is in the senate, who answers the same name like myself, he did not start at 23.

Give us your thoughts on the on shore/off shore dichotomy controversy?

My reaction is that no matter what the court may say, no matter how we look at it, the issue of oil off shore/on shore is political. They will be resolved politically. If we are in any way in difficulty let us sort it out. How other nations with similar arrangement control their resources? America is a case in point. America has coastal states that have resources, how do they share it? This is what we, as lawyers, should study and bring out a formula that will tell the Federal Government, 'the constitution we are practicing that is so similar to America's, this is the practice there. We so loved that constitution that we abandoned the British parliamentary system, which we were brought up with. Why don't we find a solution to what they do there?.

Can you give us the example of how it is done in America, you just cited the example of the states on the coastal plain, how is it shared out?

I will keep my comments on this as a lawyer because the case is in court. All I will tell you that under the auspices of the Nigerian Society of International Law, I did a paper some years ago on Nigeria and the continental shelf. And I warned that if care is not taken, Nigeria and Cameroun will go to war over Bakassi. That was what happened. We are still having problem with Bakassi. I did a paper and I told them the consequences of what was purported to be an agreement entered into between General Gowon as Head of State and Ahidjo of Cameroun, as Head of State.

The case in point now is in a way different...

Using the continental shelf is an example of on shore/off shore. Need I tell you more? But the case is in court. I would have told you what you can do with the on shore/off shore, and the rights under international law, they are clearly well defined. So, let our lawyers do some work.

What has been the response of other ethnic groups to this initiative, and within the entire South East, what signals have you been receiving?

The signals that I have had since the first meeting in Umuahia two months ago were ones of tremendous support and encouragement. I have been inundated with letters, telephone calls. Messages have come urging me to carry on, to move forward, this is great, we've been waiting for this. Look at the attendance today, every unit came. Bayelsa was fully represented. Rivers fully represented, even kings came out from these areas. Not to talk of our host, the speech made by the deputy governor was great. The Igbos were simply overwhelmed. So, if anything, it augurs very well for Eastern leaders to have a forum to speak. I don't know yet what the reactions of other groups will be. When we start talking, we will report how they react. But for the moment we are concerned with putting our house in order.

When is the next meeting coming up?

I will work it out with my secretary in council and get a date that is convenient.

Odili
Senior Advocate
Member # 149
Member Rated:

posted July 17, 2001 12:15 PM

Eastern Leaders Insist On Resource Controls, 2003 Presidency
Lagos
Wednesday, February 14, 2001, the newly created platform known as the Council of Eastern States (CES) held the second of its "sneak" meetings, this time in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

It was a follow-up to the first one held in December, 2000 in Umuahia, the Abia state capital. In both instances, there was no prior media hype. The people of Umuahia and Uyo just woke up on the meeting days to notice an intimidating presence of sleek cars and eminent personalities drawn from all the known divides of the former Eastern region.

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Architect Victor Attah, had enthusiastically volunteered to host the Uyo meeting after the Umuahia confab. In fact, the meeting was put off from the 8th to the 14th of February to enable him return from England, where he had gone to provide the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Ime Okopido, the moral support in the lecture he delivered at the Oxford University. The organizers of the Uyo meet had hinted that a local organizing committee was already on ground to receive their counterparts from Lagos. Logistics, such as hotel accommodation and transport, had already been secured. So, what then, was going on? Why the loud silence?

It was discovered late in the night that everything was on course. The governor, who had returned from Lagos the evening, gave the go ahead for the state officials to swing into action at about 7.00 p.m. Between that time and the 11.00 am Wednesday, scheduled time for the commencement of the meeting, events went at a very fast pace. The dignitaries descended on Uyo like a plague of locusts from all corners of the East, Delta State, Lagos and Abuja.

The governor had travelled again on one of his "resource control" crusades. So, he left his deputy, Engineer Chris Ekpenyong, to represent him when the top personalities came on a courtesy visit to the Government House. The executive council chamber was full. Among those present during the call were former Senate Presidents, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo and Chief Evan Enwerem, Senator Ike Nwachukwu, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, Justice Eze Ozobu, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo chairman, the convener, Dr. Matthew Mbu, deputy convener, the retired Commodore Okoh. E. Ukiwe, former Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Akpan Isemin, Chief Margaret Ekpo, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, retired Air Vice- Marshal Nsikak Eduok, Dr. Sylvester Ugoh, Architect Ekong Etuk, Dr. Demas Nwoko from Delta State, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, And Bishop Benjamin Nwankiti.

Others, including those who joined later on, included the meeting's chief host, Ntisong B. Umoren, Barrister (Miss) Ime Essien Udom, Chief Archibong Omon, Barrister Mike Okoye, Dr. Festus Opubor, two representatives of the doyen of Ijaw politics, Chief Harold Dappa Biriye, former governor Ogbonnaya Onu, retired General Philip Effiong, former Culture and Tourism Minister in the Obasanjo cabinet, Chief Tonye Graham-Douglas, Senator Onyeka Okorafor, retired Justice Kalu Anya, Mr. Emeka Ugwuoju, Chief Obasi Ubah, aba-based industrialist, Chief Obewu Ukegbu, Prince Otisi J.N. Kalu, a former Director of the NYSC, retired Major General Edet Akpan, Barrister Etend Okoi Obuli, Architect Ekong Etuk, Prof. Roland Anyanwu, former Governor Donald Etiebet, Chief Effiong Ononokpono, and a host of others.

These were the people who braved the acute fuel scarcity to make it to the meeting in the Land of Promise, also described as "the international headquarters of hospitality"!

The deputy governor, Ekpenyong, said he was overwhelmed by the presence of the high and mighty whose shoes he said he was not qualified to unlace. But he left his guests with a whelming speech. Everyone wanted to go away with a copy of it for their his personal file. It was a speech the said two important things: The Igbos and the Ibibio/Efik people are of the same stock. Hear him: "The bond between the people of Akwa Ibom State and the Igbo nation is long, sacred and ancient. Historians posit that when our forefathers left Usak Edet in the Cameroons in 8,000 (AD?) on the last stage of their migratory journey from the nation of Israel, they settled at Ibom in Arochukwu. From Ibom the migratory pilgrims spread to this land that would later be christened Akwa Ibom, the Land of Promise. Definitely, we and the Igbo nation in general and Arochukwu in particular share ancestral links that geo-political and socio-administrative politics and differences cannot break or mar."

The second wing of his address centered on the current fad of resource control, of which Akwa Ibom is a profound agitator. The state also has the added burden of arguing forcefully with the federal authorities over the issue of crude oil wealth located onshore and offshore. While Akwa Ibom maintains that both the water and land and the wealth within, make up the state, the federal side says the water and the oil wealth in it belong to the federal government. The deputy governor called for Igbo support in Akwa Ibom's two-pronged crusade: "Today we are reminded of our fraternal links and we enlist the support of our Igbo brothers to fight (these injustices) to a just and equitable conclusion... today, I say let this call go out to our friends and foes alike that we in the South South and our brothers in the South East are minded to work together, walk together and fight together. Let our friends rejoice and let our foes tremble because all the devils in hell would not be able to withstand the fiery momentum of our collective faith and determination."

Back at the grand Ibom Hall, the venue of the meeting, a big banner announced: "Seek ye first recourse control and everything shall be added." Resource control was, therefore, an issue that the writers of the communiqué had to accommodate comfortably or the meet I would not have achieved any purpose for the Akwa Ibom people in particular, the oil-bearing states of Nigeria in general and the Eastern part of Niger at large. Dr. Dibia Amechi, who read the message from Dappa Biriye, pointed out that Dr. Biriye was "happy" about President Olusegun Obasanjo's suit against resource control at the Supreme Court, an action he shied away from when the Northern states decided to forcefully embrace the unconstitutional aspects of Sharia. Biriye was also "happy" to know that it is Chief Bola Ige, as the Attorney General of the Federation, who is advising Obasanjo on this and leading the federal government's team against the oil bearing states of the South-South and South-East. According to the old politician, it shows barefaced double standards. Was it not Ige who, as the governor of old Oyo State, propounded the Igbeti Formula, which justified resource control? He wondered what has happened to make Ige the foremost antagonist of resource control.

In his keynote address, Dr. Mbu said since the Umuahia meetings, he had received a number of calls from the people of the East and their friends origin for a continuation of these meetings of unity, which would eventually place the region in its appropriate position in the Nigerian scheme of things. He wanted the forum to begin thinking out issues of broad development in infrastructure, the economy and social integration. With regard to social integration, he called for the abolition of the majority/minority dichotomy.

During the business session, John Etuk from Akwa Ibom State actually said the concept of minorities does not exist anymore since the states everybody asked for have been granted them. Nobody has the fear that someone from Anambra would come to Akwa Ibom to tell them how to run their affairs. He asked the South-South and South-East, which made up the new Eastern region, to ask for the zoning of the presidency to that area. "When it comes to us we shall sit down as brothers and decide which particular area should produce the president", he said, amidst loud applause. Barrister Ime Udom, the chairperson of Association of Akwa Ibom Female Lawyers, (who described herself as a repented Igbo hater) asked for a programme to reorganize the mind set of the people away from old prejudices. She suggested that the new style of cohabitation should be built on the platforms of respect, sincerity and equality, the absence of which, she observed, led to the failure of the Biafra project, the marginalization of the region and its inability to produce the President of Nigeria. Chief Archibong Omon from Calabar harped on the same topic of confidence building between the Igbos and their neighbours.

A foremost Zikist, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, proposed a four-point demand. He called on Igbos to join their neighbours in the East to ensure that the resource control agitation succeeds, as they would not only benefit from it in that they have the natural resources; they would benefit, as traders, from greater custom. He also called for the presidency to be zoned to the East come 2003. He said the East should support the call for a national conference that would not be tampered with by the authorities. And finally, he urged the meeting to issue a warning that the army and police slaughter of "our boys" in the East should cease forthwith, whether they are MASSOB, Bakassi, Egbesu or MOSOP, as this would no longer be tolerated.

To say that a lot has gone on during my few weeks of absence, will be a gross understatement. I have been away and out of the continent for a vacation (if you can call it that). However, it's great to be back in your fold, once again.

I've read, howbeit hurriedly, all that you have contributed on this infamous thread started by Rudolph; and I found them remarkable.

However, I'd like to make some things clear regarding some people's perceived notion that I'm handicapped from criticising Rudolph ever since I met him in person. I hate to be in defense, especially, when the issues of Rudolph Okonkwo, Orji Kalu, and other Igbo saboteurs comes up. I've always deemed it important to assess and analyze whatever I do or say, from time to time.

For me, the bottom line is that any Igbo who is not for Biafra Actualization is a traitor and a threat to the survival and continuity to the Igbo race. Simply put, if you're not for us (Biafra), you are against us. If you are against us as the enemy within, then you are more deadly than the Nigerians, and should be treated as "SOS". Seriously, the Gods/Deities of Biafraland are angry and restless. As such they won't hesitate to act swiftly on defilers when invoked, properly.
This is the era of Biafra Republic actualization. It is mystically ordained, and as such, no humam can stop it. The signs are there for those with discerning minds.

Therefore, in the light of this; and considering this callous thread and the flagrant responses given by Rudolph on it, it is glaringly apparent that Rudolph is anti-Biafra and Biafra Actualization.
Fortunately, all the things I could have said and illustrated against him has been said and done by every caring and staunch Biafran on this board. They have collectively yielded results which have become publicly apparent for all to see. For that, I'm very proud of you, and very much so indebted to you all.

From the link in one of Ohafia’s posts in this thread, I saw that Rudolf had been reading posts by Tunde Onabanjo at EgbeOmoOduduwa.com, where Onabanjo chastised those Igbos (such as Emmanuel Onuegbe) who selfishly undermine their Igboness so that they would be accepted as “good Nigerians.” Onabanjo’s posts must have ticked Rudolf off, especially since Onabanjo was going to BiafraNigeria, and you were already gone from BiafraNigeriaWorld, on vacation. Rudolf used the opportunity to attack.