posted
If there is any group in Nigeria that cannot afford a break-up, it is the core North. Then, why can the Southern politicians and elites see that as a bargaining chip to cut them into size?
Posts: 288 | From: California | Registered: Jul 2003
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My question to that suggestion will be: for what gain?
This may be a good logic for offense maneauver, but in the end, such strategy ends up bogging down its employer in a quagmire or at best, a stalemate.
The Hausa are now beginning to understand the quagmire they bogged themselves down into, because their endeavor into the south has only succeeded in taking away from them, everything they hold dear:
1.)Their focused and previously cohesive sense of purpose, 2.)Their sense of self worth, 3.)Their sense of intactness in political, cultural and religious relevance,
Furthermore, Aremu, one of our Southern elites has busied himself pursuing this strategy against them using the Middle belters and Christian North, as well as building a slow but steady fire of animousity between the Husa/Fulani and the Kanuri, thereby aquiring for the Yoruba future quagmires and reverberations. This is not to even mention the one he has unleashed internally amongst Igbo with such personalities as Ubah and Offor and other sundry agents including traditional chiefs.
I just believe that the time for ploys; offensives and counteroffensives is gone, even though those who have always played it against Igbo will beg to differ.
I really harbor no ill will toward Hausa and Yoruba for their failings in doggedly pursuing this strategy, however,only an honest and sincere understanding that we cannot continue to coexist in shortsightedness and pain under a forced union will do us any good.
The denial of this bitter fact and the attempt at one-upmanship of any sort under our current "One Nigeria" forced union has kept and will continue to keep that part of the Black world in the reversal into the stone ages whose consistent pace of backward progress we continue to manifest furiously.
___________________ YA CAIN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN :) Posts: 1182 | From: TEXAS | Registered: Oct 2001
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Sir, I am just a little worried by your approach. Why would you imagine that the North cannot afford a break-up if it came to the worst? Is it because they have absolutely no government presence, no federal infrastructures, no reliable roads, no oil refineries, no agricultural sector, no international airports for its business men, or no federally supported tertiary institutions? Or is the reverse condition the case there?
Or is there somewhere in your calculation where you figure that they(the North) might as of the moment look better on paper but that the reserves of oil would inevitably run out at some point and then the result would be that the nation would be thrown in dire straits? Or perhaps, that they couldn’t come up with locally thought-out economic recovery procedures when the rubber really meets the road?
Nigeria remains the way it is, in my little opinion, because of a few powerful selfish interests who are interested in its resources and who are prepared to do anything to maintain the stranglehold they have on its resources. Each part of Nigeria’s geo-political zones is amply blessed with natural, agricultural and potential human resources that if applied judiciously, could make it the envy of many nations. However, the hoodlums in power would not want Nigerians to see this so they are prepared to employ divide et impera techniques to keep them grumbling, coming for to their tables for crumbs.
Since dividing the country would mean that each side now gets to elect the really qualified as leaders thus eliminating the tentacles of the current truculently avaricious politicians from the collective national wealth, these marauding band of looters would do anything possible to forestall that possibility. Splitting Nigeria into its rightful component nations does not necessarily have to come through war, but if these colluding conspirators in power peddle that grim and disheartening possibility long enough, they could very well discourage people from ever thinking of separation.
And so guess what? These thieves would continue to steal to enrich themselves. The difference is that in the North and the Southwest, these rogues could sometimes build a thing or two for their people. In the Southeast however, these rogues do not seem to be perturbed about the most graphic and disheartening plight of their people. Are they all thieves? Unequivocally! But, some, it would appear still have a tincture of concern for their respective peoples while others are not concerned come hell or high-water!
Are the Southern politicians/elites going to cut the Northern politicians/elites down to size by making one allegation or the other? Hardly. There isn’t that uniformity of purpose amongst Nigeria’s Southerners to begin with. Are the so called Southern ‘elites’/politicians more likely to negotiate deals with fellow Northern politicians to the detriment of ALL? Most likely.
But if we really want to split this country PEACEFULLY, I think it is time that we began to make the common Nigerian realize that such a venture would not prove to be the last straw that broke the camel back of Penury and Wretchedness! It is time that we re-educated ourselves to realize that such a venture would empower the people to choose worthy representatives. This is hardly time for the Igbo/Eastern minorities or the Yoruba/Western minorities to begin a destructive self-appointed glorification at the expense of the North! What that achieves is that, backed by the fallacies of the Northern Oligarchy, the common Northerner who might be ill-equipped to realize his/her full potential, might buy into the idea that a separation would automatically mean untold hardships for him and unimaginable bliss for the Southerner. If that is allowed to become the pervading sentiment of the North, then southern elites desirous of a change can only have themselves to blame for they would have sown the wind and must consequently reap the whirlwind!
It is time that Southerners stopped telling themselves or the Northerners, that the North would become a desert in the event of a separation. It is self-defeating. Before these grim scenarios that we are sometimes wont to evoke about the future of a single North becomes ossified in the minds of Northerners, it would be immensely profitable if contrasts could be drawn to show that a BIAFRA, an AREWA or an O’ODUA republic could in fact be infinitely more desirable than this present hell-inspired contrivance.
quote: It is time that Southerners stopped telling themselves or the Northerners, that the North would become a desert in the event of a separation. It is self-defeating. Before these grim scenarios that we are sometimes wont to evoke about the future of a single North becomes ossified in the minds of Northerners, it would be immensely profitable if contrasts could be drawn to show that a BIAFRA, an AREWA or an O’ODUA republic could in fact be infinitely more desirable than this present hell-inspired contrivance.
Anaedo,
Well put. Such a contrast was very articulately and intelectually laid out in another thread by Rufukuku, whose application of cold hard numbers eloquently drove his point home, thereby denying any naysayer the opportunity to introduce cynical emotional outbursts as a distraction.
In Rufukukus example though, Northerners are somewhat but not wholely made out to be on the losing end (i.e using oil as the only mineral resource to measure viability by).
I understand perfectly though, Rufukuku's conscious use of oil(just going by the fact that if he had cosen to breakdown other resources he would have been just as thorough), in that this singular blessing which has since been turned into a veritable curse to compound the previous curse of amalgamation by Britain, needs to be employed as a guage for comparison (every and any time we discuss the potentials of each zone as an autonomous entity) since we have as a misguided group of people chosen to elevate its supposed value and worth to the status of almighty and all-in-all, a very unfortunate choice which seems to belie every self deception and insincere postulation emanating contortedly from the lips of the peddlers of the so-called "One-Nigeria" idea.
posted
Now that people have finally come down to the nuts and bolts of the iminent desolution of the forced union, can a seasoned economist on the board take a look at the resources available to BiafraNigerian regions and show us the advantages of Biafra, Arewa and Oduduwa as seperate, independent republics. We already know there are no benefits in nigeria, particularly for the Igbo who cannot accumplish the goal of getting African economy growing under incompetent nigerian governments. rufukuku has already done this analysis from crude oil perspective, but a complete treatment of the subject will facilitate discusion and help people see the benefits of seperation quicker.
___________________ achieve Biafra and show the difference Posts: 642 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Nov 2002
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posted
This "cut them into size" talk is nonsense. We have been to war and gave our lives to cut to size the rebels that tried to atomize our beloved nation. We can now only be amused by this sort of idle talk about cutting into size.
Posts: 20 | From: Kano | Registered: May 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Omar: This "cut them into size" talk is nonsense. We have been to war and gave our lives to cut to size the rebels that tried to atomize our beloved nation. We can now only be amused by this sort of idle talk about cutting into size.
Omar,
Welcome to this thread my friend. I think I understand your raging emotions precisely. Unfortunately your expressed amusement and labelling of our patriots as rebels only demonstrates your frustration at being forced to discuss cogent issues.
I guess "one mans rebel, is another mans patriot", or "one mans patriot is another mans vandal" or even yet, "one mans Northern Solidarity is another mans Southern oppression", and "one mans Southern solidarity is another mans National divisiveness" so in this wise; one mans beloved nation is another mans accursed contraption" all depending on where you stand.
For that reason go ahead and offer any opinions you choose, or block your ears and blindfold your eyes from having to contemplate the controversial wording of the title of this thread. Again, that will be well understood.
___________________ YA CAIN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN :) Posts: 1182 | From: TEXAS | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
Fellows, I am no economists, but judging from the make-up of the peoples from the three geo-political zones of present Nigeria, namely, Igbos in the east, Yorubas in the west and Hausa/Fulani in the north, my forecast of how the economies will look like are thus:
* The East (Biafra Republic): Despite the abundance of oil-wells, she is likely to model her economy in the fashion of the state of Isreal and Germany and other developed countries that depend more on technology than mineral-resouces to build their economies. Look forward to seeing made in Biafra automobiles, wears, electronics, etc. It will just be an expansion of the present made-in-Onitsha and made-in-Aba good represent in present Nigeria.
* The West (Oduduwa Republic): Though they are likely to produce paper-tiger proffessors more than any African country, the likeliness of their country's economy making (judging from present Nigeria) any scientific breakthrough or advancement is remote. So expect to get a typical African country made up of 'educated people' but hardly making any impact on the world scene, science-wise. Their economy will likely be modelled after those of Republic of Benin which imports everything, from tooth-paste to second-hand automobiles. They might even have to import 'experts' from abroad to teach them how to refine the few oil they will produce from minority areas of the Niger Delta and present Ondo State.
* The North (Arewa Republic): Though some might think that because this area is less blessed with oil and other natural resouces for that reason they may become the poorest at seperation, my take is that the north may turn out to be probably one of the richest country in Africa! The reason why the Northerners in present Nigeria seem to be 'lazy' as some have reasoned is because they have been at the corridor of power(sometimes undeservedly) for too long, hence they look at government to even feed them their meals. But at seperation, the likeliness that the Northerners will show the good farmers they are will surprise everyone.
The country's economy after seperation will take the shape of a mixture of Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, the former produces most of her food needs, while the latter generates most of its income from tourism. Besides, most foreign visitors will feel more safe travelling to the north because of its relative crime-safe environment, just as they do in present Nigeria.
Final analysis: Biafra Republic will be technology-based economically. Oduduwa will be import-oriented economically, while Arewa Republic wil be agriculture/tourism based economically. So take your pick among the three proposed countries which you think will fit more into the countries of the 21st century.
Posts: 997 | From: Germany | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
According to the statistical information provided on many countries by tripod.com, this is the economic overview they presented about Nigeria:
quote: The oil-rich Nigerian economy, long hobbled by political instability, corruption, and poor macroeconomic management, is undergoing substantial economic reform under the new civilian administration. Nigeria's former military rulers failed to diversify the economy away from overdependence on the capital-intensive oil sector, which provides 20% of GDP, 95% of foreign exchange earnings, and about 65% of budgetary revenues. The largely subsistence agricultural sector has failed to keep up with rapid population growth, and Nigeria, once a large net exporter of food, now must import food. Following the signing of an IMF stand-by agreement in August 2000, Nigeria received a debt-restructuring deal from the Paris Club and a $1 billion loan from the IMF, both contingent on economic reforms. Increases in foreign investment and oil production combined with high world oil prices should push growth over 4% in 2001-02
One of the reasons for Nigeria’s current economic stagnation or regression seems to stem from the fact that all other portions of the economy, other natural resources and the agricultural sector have been largely ignored in a frantic rush to and desperate embrace of Oil. It would appear that indeed, this Black gold had turned out to be a curse in our case rather than a blessing. Haud ignota loquor--we are conversant with these and sundry related facts.
Most discussions about the Nigerian economy somehow have Oil at its center. The burden of this topic, in my mind, is to explore Nigeria’s other natural resources (bearing in mind their attendant geographical spread) and its once viable agricultural sector.
Oil is a non-replenishable natural resource so if hypothetically, Nigerians woke up tomorrow and discovered that the Oil wells are empty and that the offshore deposits of commercially exploitable crude oil have been drained to the last drop, what would the Nigerian government do next? Perhaps only then would some Nigerians (read political opportunists) seriously consider the question of resource control, economic diversification or rather the much-discussed Sovereign National conference.
But it is imperative that we begin to consider how to strengthen local economies in a well-established autonomous setting, if not for our collective national good at the moment, to be a life saver if the ultimate scenario painted above were to suddenly materialize.
Against this backdrop, what happened to other natural resources that Nigeria is reputed to have namely tin, columbite, coal, tin ore, limestone, lead, natural gas and zinc? What happened to agriculture vis-à-vis the rubber, cocoa, palms, cotton and other cash crops we once had? What about local agricultural production to sustain the masses? Remember, Nigeria had an unbelievable 8650 sq km of irrigated land by 1995 estimates. Whatever happened to Nigeria’s livestock and why are we importing food now?
In what TANGIBLE way is the Federal government sponsoring agriculture? In what way are the state governments encouraging locally thought-out economic practices? In what way is the Federal government helping out to check the most appalling destruction visited on South-southern/South-Eastern lands by devious Oil companies? What is going on concerning propping up our dying local industries—the coal industry, the textile industry, the steel industry? What about developing the others that are lying dormant?
Folks, the questions are endless. Perchance, only when most Nigerians begin to see that the absence of Oil does not have to mean that Nigerians will become economically impotent would they really give this issue the commensurate level of attention. At the heart of Nigeria’s continuing forced union lies the uncomfortable realization that as of the moment, Nigerians/Nigerian government may have chosen to resign themselves to the notion of collecting handouts generated by Oil. This irrational and quasi-total dependence on Oil while other economic areas lie dormant represents a grave and imminent danger and must be addressed...Res ipsa loquitur!
Rick, can we focus on this as a means by which if successfully realized, future discussions on an inevitable separation would cease to assume negative aura nor engender revulsions from some sections of the polity?
One will be quick to forgive you if only you had stopped at the above self-affirming statement, but NO, you will not be outdone in the business of sowing seeds of misinformation.
quote:but judging from the make-up of the peoples from the three geo-political zones of present Nigeria, namely, Igbos in the east, Yorubas in the west and Hausa/Fulani in the north, my forecast of how the economies will look like are thus:...Nwa Aro
When did you become an authority in deciphering the genetic make-up of the peoples from the 3 geopolitical zones of present day Nigeria? Pray tell us, what yardsticks and statistics are you employing in your analysis?
quote:The East (Biafra Republic): Despite the abundance of oil-wells, she is likely to model her economy in the fashion of the state of Isreal and Germany and other developed countries that depend more on technology than mineral-resouces to build their economies. Look forward to seeing made in Biafra automobiles, wears, electronics, etc. It will just be an expansion of the present made-in-Onitsha and made-in-Aba good represent in present Nigeria.
Fantastic!.I kinda expected this trend but frankly speaking, even you outdid yourself with the triumphalism in the tone and verbiage of the analysis. Bravo
quote:The West (Oduduwa Republic): Though they are likely to produce paper-tiger proffessors more than any African country, the likeliness of their country's economy making (judging from present Nigeria) any scientific breakthrough or advancement is remote. So expect to get a typical African country made up of 'educated people' but hardly making any impact on the world scene, science-wise. Their economy will likely be modelled after those of Republic of Benin which imports everything, from tooth-paste to second-hand automobiles. They might even have to import 'experts' from abroad to teach them how to refine the few oil they will produce from minority areas of the Niger Delta and present Ondo State.
It is a tad disappointing that you even concede to 'Oduduwa' the capacity to 'manufacture' Professors..albeit paper tigers. Objectivity in Analysis demands and imposes a strict odecay ofway onductcay (code of conduct) on analysts in that it tries to discourage off-handed, hegemonic, and malicious tendencies. The above analysis of yours is coached in such a language that it will not be far-fetched to refer to it as a product of a malicious mind with intent to impugn and mischaracterize your subject.
quote:The North (Arewa Republic): Though some might think that because this area is less blessed with oil and other natural resouces for that reason they may become the poorest at seperation, my take is that the north may turn out to be probably one of the richest country in Africa! The reason why the Northerners in present Nigeria seem to be 'lazy' as some have reasoned is because they have been at the corridor of power(sometimes undeservedly) for too long, hence they look at government to even feed them their meals. But at seperation, the likeliness that the Northerners will show the good farmers they are will surprise everyone.
The country's economy after seperation will take the shape of a mixture of Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, the former produces most of her food needs, while the latter generates most of its income from tourism. Besides, most foreign visitors will feel more safe travelling to the north because of its relative crime-safe environment, just as they do in present Nigeria.
The only surprise from the above is the uncharacteristic display of charity, humility and appreciation for any good in things non-Ibo. Your decision to include the Arewa angle in order to confer some legitimacy or so to speak a modicum of respectability on your analysis is understood. You literally spoke your mind with respect to the Yorubas and any other analysis is merely an appendage, as it were, an afterthought. All in all, on a scale of 1 through 10, your analysis managed a score of 1.6 for EFFORT.
posted
Quote: -------------------------------------------------- "The only surprise from the above is the uncharacteristic display of charity, humility and appreciation for any good in things non-Ibo. Your decision to include the Arewa angle in order to confer some legitimacy or so to speak a modicum of respectability on your analysis is understood."---Addy --------------------------------------------------
Do a little research and you will see that I have in many occassions shown "charity" to things and people non-Igbo. So you dont need to be "surprised," because I wrote things AS THEY ARE and not how Addy or anyone want them to be or to be said. When I made my above post, i based it purely on the things wesee and know of the three ethnic groups I used in my analysis. To wit, you can agree with me that most of the goods (like shoes, wears, etc) used in not only Nigeria but most parts of west and central Africa are either produced in Aba or Onitsha and if it is produced in say Lagos, if you dig harder, you will discover that it has the footprint (abi na handprint) of the Igbos. THAT IS FACT.
Point B: Take it or leave it, the fact is that most of the food Nigerians and to some extend some other west African countries import from Nigeria comes from the northern part of Nigeria It is also not disputable that as at present, the northern part of Nigeria is the most safest place, free from the political assasinations and other crimes that has engulfed most of southern Nigeria. THAT IS FACT.
Point C: It is on record that even though Yorubas has more paper qualification among Nigerians, trith is that there's no scientific breakthrough or anything that has been credited to the so-called 'educated people' to have PRODUCED, not even such sundary things as bed-room slippas. THAT IS FACT.
-------------------------------------------------- "You literally spoke your mind with respect to the Yorubas and any other analysis is merely an appendage, as it were, an afterthought. All in all, on a scale of 1 through 10, your analysis managed a score of 1.6 for EFFORT."---Addy. --------------------------------------------------
In any case, thanks for even being charitable to award me a point. Truth as they say is bitter but sometimes we have to swallow our pride and give credit to whom it is due. Despite all their shortcomings as a race, me believe that the Northerners have been given less credit than they deserve in Nigeria. And most of this has come from the PROPAGANDA that has come from the Yoruba propaganda-machine, namely, the Yoruba print and electronic media. However, with the coming of the Yorubas into power since 1999, it has occured to most Nigerians that the problem with the present Nigeria is not ONLY the "Northern Oligargy" as the Yorubas have made us believe. That was the BITTER TRUTH I did hightlight in my above mail.
Posts: 997 | From: Germany | Registered: Mar 2001
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has busied himself pursuing this strategy against them using the Middle belters and Christian North, as well as building a slow but steady fire of animousity between the Husa/Fulani and the Kanuri, thereby aquiring for the Yoruba future quagmires and reverberations. This is not to even mention the one he has unleashed internally amongst Igbo with such personalities as Ubah and Offor and other sundry agents including traditional chiefs.![[Frown]](frown.gif)
