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It has been widely circulated that come April 18 the Movement For The Actualisation Of a Sovereign State Of Biafra, MASSOB, will inaugurate a government in exile to be headed by one professor Nnorom, a catholic priest based in the United States of America.It was also reported among other things that Owerri was to be the federal capital. Ordinarily this should ignite jubilation among all lovers of the Biafra dream if not for the fact that its propaganda content verges on hysteria if not the ridiculous.Only those who do not understand how the international system works would believe that over 30 heads of states and governments had accepted to honour the event.It also entangles the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr Annan to say he would attend the event.I do not intend to insinuate that the event if it will ever hold is not worthy of such attendance but that to prematurely link these people to this struggle will hinder not help the early realisation of the project.Howbeit, I do not support the move to engender a government in exile at the moment.This is a very dangerous signal that may mean the leadership of MASSOB has either begun to daydream or is getting weary of the struggle because all adepts make no pretensions that it is going to be a war of attrition.MASSOB leadership should refrain from cheapening the struggle.To every Igboman, Biafra the land of the rising sun is what Zion is to every Jew and he thinks of it with nostalgia.At the moment Biafrans are all exiles sitting by the rivers of Babylon;Nigeria requires a song from them but how can they sing in a strange land? The battle to remove the Nigerian shackle will mirrow the Isreali experience in Egypt. In other words a Moses is needed to approach Aso Rock to demand the freedom of Igbos.Such a Moses, however, would need to prove his messiahship to all Igbos wherever they may be found.Then we shall be ready to hear 'Pharoah, let my people go'. At present MAssob has continued to adopt the hit-and-run approach and the results have been coming in dribblets rather than chunks.A good number of Igbos is still unaware of MASSOB's mission let alone jump into the wagon.The sensitisation campaign is very feeble.People from Anambra-Enugu axis are still deeply pessimistic of the struggle and need to be convinced that the future is promising for a state of Biafra .It smacks of indolence that two years later no new landmark is being celebrated other than a Biafra House in US and the tepid hoisting of a flag at the United Nations.Even then MASSOB is still unconvincing that these events took place.People are still in disbelief that Biafra has attained the status of unrepresented people at the United nation or even an observer status at the General Assembly.There is yet no power broker who has voiced an open support for a state of Biafra whether within the enclave, Nigeria or internationlly.I know no friendly country will as at now give an open endorsement to an independent Biafra and it is a tall dream to demand such, the leadership of MASSOB armed with an unassailable blueprint on the imperatives and inevitability of Biafra can extract memos of understanding from individuals, groups and governments.This is one of the important milestones on the road to a new Biafra.Then with intense enlightenment campaign and diplomacy which in any case is the duty of all of us, one defiant country may just one day break the ice of silence by openly identifying with the Biafran struggle.Again MASSOB leadership should build international friendship and alliances especially with peoples undergoing similar experiences in their own countries.MASSOB can take positions on issues of national and international importance to fully accommodate its interests. By and large MASSOB is on a sacred mission the success of which will put the leadership in the history book.I believe the support for its objective is massive even if it is latent.But the present circuiting detracts from an otherwise a long and broad based effort and looks likely to provoke a meltdown on the purported date.It can even be an annihilating showdown with the defacto authorities that can consume all of us.Then there will be no Biafran in the Republic of Biafra.Please fly it as a kite.The time is not at hand.We can be patient enough to even pass on this stuggle to the next generation.
Posts: 10 | From: Lagos-Nigeria | Registered: Mar 2004
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I hope that some people abroad are not setting up others at home to be murdered. After years of so-called "Biafra Actualization," no person has emerged from abroad to openly lead the struggle. These people who are in hiding overseas now only want to come out to become "Government in Exile." Are they going to hold an election, like they do in America? Who will elect them? Many questions need to be answered; and there is too much at stake.
___________________ Freedom, Justice, Equality Posts: 16 | From: London, UK | Registered: Mar 2002
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Are we ready for this? I think we'd rather be late in realising our dream than failing. Biafra will be, yes we know that but are we ready now? The Biafrans are known for our dignity and strenght. We should not go for a thing when we are not prepared.
[ April 01, 2004, 01:47 PM: Message edited by: chi-onyeara ]
Posts: 4 | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
One question that should be asked about these so-called "Biafran leaders" in Diaspora is: Who are their followers? We should remember that in the season of Igbo efulefu, there are many people, e.g., Okadigbo, Wabara, Ekwueme, Nwachukwu, etc., who think they are "Igbo leaders," but, they have no followers.
I think that someone wants to float an idea and see how it will be received. I will reserve my comment until some hungry fool issues an announcement that he is the head of Biafran government in exile. It is a shame that the "Ibo leader" mentality has crept into the minds of those that say they are fighting for Biafra.
Posts: 365 | Registered: Mar 2001
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Here they go again. Are these not the same people who told us about a Biafran embassy in Washington DC? Where is the embassy now? The trouble with all these people is that they take what seems to be a useful idea and they turn it into a joke.
Posts: 127 | Registered: Mar 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Leo: Here they go again. Are these not the same people who told us about a Biafran embassy in Washington DC? Where is the embassy now? The trouble with all these people is that they take what seems to be a useful idea and they turn it into a joke.
Leo,
There may not be a problem. In a collective of people and groups with a common objective, there are those who spearhead action and those who are out of the loop but interested in having an input no matter how humble it may be.
The challenge for both of these camps is the following:
Those who are spearheading things, must find a way to disseminate factual information (without giving away sensitive strategy) about aspects of progress, realizing of course that not every one necessarily has to be consulted for approval before every baby step is taken, for the simple reason that it would slow down a measure of critical momentum buildup necessary to demonstrate a measure of seriousness.
Those who are out of the loop but interested in having an input in the goings on, must make a greater effort to get into the loop of activities and events planning, realizing also that if they are unable to contribute in any measure for now, their critical but contained review of trends as well as their sincereity of effort at connectivity with those in the loop, will go a long way to make up for the numerous challenges that stand as potential obstacles to what we all mutually aspire to.
It is incumbent therefore for this camp to establish for themselves (lest others be accused of manipulating them)some transparent indices for fairly accurately reviewing when we might all be being taken for a ride, than to irreverently ridicule and disparage every step without having made some sacrifice and effort, (which would be akin to throwing out the baby with the bathwater just for sport) when we could evaluate credibility for ourselves using those indices.
Please let us tread gently, we may be aiding those who wish mischief.
To the handle Godson Emerenini, I say welcome to BNW. I sure wish you had been making other input on this forum (as it appears you have been following background events more keenly than many here) that would give us all an impression of what you stand for, rather than just creating the appearance that you're are instigating unnecessary sensational scandal and alarm without having established the benefit of a basis for critical review which you now purport to make.
I speak with the greatest humility, and beg you not to misunderstand my comments.
___________________ YA CAIN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN :) Posts: 1182 | From: TEXAS | Registered: Oct 2001
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Currently, most Diaspora self help groups, be they Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Ijaw, Ibibio, Efik, Bini, Tiv, "Nigeria", Biafra, Oodua, Arewa, etc. are being rallied and nurtured by an altruistic collection of committed and motivated groups of individuals making sacrifices of time and or money to develop the awareness and involvement of their collective communities.
Sometimes these groups are automatically well organized and functional, and some other times these groups teeter for a bit before they gather their wits and gain a sure footing. Some other times opportunists set up groups, or opportunistic types infiltrate established groups and we begin to see by the signature of their actions, what each of these organizations are made of.
Because many of these groups set out to speak for the collective interest of their community, it may not be assumed at this stage of development and metamorphosis, that they are yet fully equipped to claim to accomodate all sufficiently. (ie to be able to bring everybody along just yet) This would be the reason for efforts at keeping their communities better informed and their organizations transparent to a relative degree without giving away strategy.
In the same manner, those who may not be at advantage to join these groups as founding, or active members but want to play some manner of role at stages where numbers are needed should make an effort to keep informed somehow. they are just as valued, even though they may be dormant for a time.
They must not however ridicule or sensationalize without discrete perusal, that which the burden is on them to review in a reserved manner. This is the crux of what I am saying.
I have specifically named groups other than Igbos in this example, so that the veracity of what I'm saying may be considered equally by all. I'm sure you all have village and town and religious group meetings and such, and know exactly what I am talking about (if you have belonged in any office bearing capacity whatsoever).
It is on this basis that I can dare to say that even non Igbos/Biafrans can also contribute their opinion in developing the index by which an organizations credibility may be judged before assailing their intentions blindly.
Of course this is an Igbo/Biafra friendly or accomodating forum, so mischiefmakers may also contribute, but all in all everyone, no matter your grouping would be able determine for themselves which suggestions to adopt or not.
Maybe call it the "CLAIM CREDIBILITY TEST LIST" or something.
In this wise may members of a community begin to acess and determine which group, by merit of their consistent and unwavering service to their community has proven themselves beyond flippant reproach to have the peoples true interest at heart and begin to shift away from making every group good or bad the object of unjustified alarmism and scandalization.
My suggestions herein are very general, but will sincerely benefit all equally.
___________________ YA CAIN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN :) Posts: 1182 | From: TEXAS | Registered: Oct 2001
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I read with absolute fascination the few things you have contributed to this forum so far, and permit me kindly to say: Welcome to BiafraNigeriaWorld Forum. It is my belief that we can discuss matters such as this with the full understanding that to some extent, there is a mutual, shared sense of purpose. The modalities by which we iron out our complex political realities in our collective experience called Nigeria hinges unmistakably on the sense of the urgency that patriotic “Nigerians” feel about this matter. I am also gladdened by the fact that you live, or are based, in Nigeria therefore it would be hard to minimize the harsh realities that you face on a daily basis in that geographical parlance called Nigeria—an estimation which is likely to engender a grave demeanor in you concerning the issue at hand.
Now going straight into the core of the matter you presented, my assessment of the new realities may differ slightly from yours therefore I will like to use this singular opportunity to crave your indulgence.
Nigeria is merely a geographical expression; a colonial shackle; a tool of economic manipulation; an imperialistic boogeyman erected in a moment of drunken stupor and forcefully propped up by forces which have little or no understanding of the radically different cultural (traditional and ideological) identities of the component nations that make up this most inadequate entity. The entity called Nigeria is fundamentally flawed and attracts no REAL allegiance from the vast network of people that conduct their lives in that very place. Because component ethnicities have not been allowed to maximize their potentials ( especially the Biafran subsection of this FAILED state), it stands to reason that this very identity must be allowed to die a natural death so that the cultural badges that have significance and attract some allegiance be allowed to thrive. The greatest argument here is that Nigeria can be re-negotiated. When these pockets of ethnicities that dot the Nigerian terrain are allowed to live and of their own decide to come together to co-habit or co-exist, the union that would emerge would definitely be a whole lot stronger because modalities would have been put in place to right the wrongs ( the abominations) that have been committed to perpetuate Nigeria.
That is why you hear cries for a Sovereign National Conference all the time. Clauses have to be worked into the constitution that would permit a section of this FAILED state to unilaterally secede if the expectations at this hypothetical Sovereign National Conference (SNC henceforth) are not met. Of what use is it to convene a SNC when people can already predict the outcome? Of what use would it be for representatives of these diverse ethnicities to sit around and hold endless talk sessions if in the final end, there is practically no way to they can ever agree on how the nation should be administered? Why bother holding a meeting of this tremendous significance if in the end there is no willingness to change the status quo?
Up till this point, if my assessment of you is anything to go by, you would probably be in agreement, am I right?
You probably know this already, but there have been no end to the calls for an SNC, but everything has fallen on deaf ears. This government together with their cronies and foreign collaborators CANNOT and WILL NEVER entertain any idea if it has the potential of hamstringing the cash cow called Nigeria. Without mincing words at all (on this board, I sort of have the reputation of being overly pacifistic or perhaps the better way to say it is that I try to be politically correct), the YORUBA and HAUSA oligarchies can never agree to any situation that massively slashes their disproportionate capture of economic and political capital, neither will that mad jostle to sink some teeth into the fleshiest part of the cash cow called Nigeria allow for a truly radical and selfless surrender to any design that would by and large better the economic prospects of the average Nigerian. Are these self-serving oligarchies in cahoots with elements from the other oppressed and marginalized ethnicities in Nigeria? Unmistakably. However, a distinction is in order. There are some truly mentally liberated and honest Yorubas and there are of course some Hausa-Fulanis that understand this colonial burden and want out, but as isolated and helpless masses in a one-party state of government-sanctioned terror, these people are powerless and cannot make any difference out there. These people may not be opposed to the idea of an SNC, but they are equally powerless to influence the actions of their respective ethnic cabals. The point is clear. This is not an indictment of the average Nigerian of any ethnicity; this is an indictment of the power structures, the oligarchies, the cabals to which the prospects of the doomed destiny of Nigeria has morphed into a subject that must be treated with every ounce of suspicion, unease, duplicity, denials, gerrymandering or perhaps outright violence.
From the above, it is quite clear that the gravity of this matter has become such that a radical new ideology needs to take root in Biafraland. As you rightly pointed out, the awareness levels in Nigeria amongst people from Igboland/Biafraland is pathetically low. That does not and should not become a benchmark to calibrate your stance however. After all, there were those Israelites in those days that preferred to stay in captivity. There were those that were born into captivity and they lived lives of quiet servitude totally oblivious of and nonchalant about the fact that they have a unique and different identity. What this tells us is that there is some work to be done here. A massive re-education is needed here. These people ought to be taught to disabuse themselves of the idea that they are to be eternally chained to the concept called Nigeria. My brother, outside Nigeria, where it could be argued that Nigerian expatriates and economic refugees experience a somewhat better version of democracy (no matter the imperfections), there is a degree of restlessness. There is a very serious degree of unease. That is because when they judge Nigeria by what is being reported to them from relatives that call or from the mass media, if they ARE HONEST TO THEMSELVES, they will be filled with a sense of foreboding—and that rightly so. I am reminded of the self-determination struggles of different people at different times. None of these self-determination struggles was an EVENT. It was always a PROCESS. An arduous, tortuous process. All it needs really is determination and a mindset that has BOUGHT this VISION that Biafrans preach. A state founded on lies, willful subjugation of sections of her citizenry, callous disregard for due process on the part of the leadership and planned systematic economic deprivations and strangulations of her masses to feed the bulging appetite of foreign governments HAS NO OPTION THAN TO BITE THE DUST…..all it needs really is the passage of time!
Consequently, I cannot agree that all the calls for an SNC, the dissolution of this Nigerian state, the re-negotiations of the terms of our contract (our contract being of course, the bid to remain one country), or the articles, op-ed pieces to this effect that are flooding the public space should be allowed to be stifled just because a recalcitrant ingrate currently occupies Aso rock.
In times past, people have acted against unpopular governments. I am reminded of an adage that says that “Evil thrives when good men and women do nothing.” On the basis of this truism, I think I differ from you on the issue of the legality or desirability of the actions that MASSOB purposes to undertake now. That critical time to elevate the overall global consciousness and draw their attention to the issue is NOW! All around us we see tiny groupings of people forming their own democracies and it is time again to rattle Arab, Asian and most importantly Euro-American consciousness with the what appears to be a universal policy of TURNING A BLIND EYE WHENEVER AFRICAN ISSUES are discussed. It is happened during the Nigerian civil war. It happened in Rwanda. It is happening in Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, etc.
This struggle for our freedom from the oppressive and tyrannical fiction called Nigeria does not derive its impetus from signals coming from the international community. The fight is ours and for our future generation and should not attract a commitment based solely on what other foreign people think or feel. As it is, you have enough of your fellow “Nigerians” to tackle. Their cynicisms, their bile, their unrelenting apprehension, their caricatures ought to concern us more. The New Biafra that we talk about is not likely to be secured by the force of arms therefore a greater battle exists for Biafrans if they hope to be able to influence other Nigerians out of their confirmed predilection for enunciating positions that seek to retain us in uncivil proximity.
Nonetheless, I have to add that I understand your fears, your apprehension. The problems to be tackled are huge and daunting. Igbo as a whole is not united politically by any definition of the word. The possibility of this Biafran struggle being hi-jacked by men of questionable character and intent is of great concern too. However, all these fears do not automatically foreshadow or whittle the absolute sacredness of this undertaking, nor does it detract from its inevitability. It does not handcuff this great purpose neither does it render the exercise inane or undesirable. Action has to start from somewhere and from that somewhere, the voices of Biafrans of like mind, WHO HAVE PLUGGED INTO THIS UNIQUE VISION shall assail every right thinking person and force a drastic cognizance of the non-malleability of this singular purpose—be they white, red, yellow, black or green! Yes, when the world sits up and notices this demand, action has to be taken. They may initially be unfavorable to Biafrans, but if there is a strong determination, they(Biafrans) shall ultimately prevail to rock the world.
N.B—Godson, I would have sent this to your pm box instead, but I changed only when I didn’t see what amounted to a correct affirmation of the unique urgency of this purpose. Elsewhere, one forumite tried to blackmail Igbo/Biafran clergymen by making some idiotic insinuations and got a scathing rebuke. I responded here just to make it be known plainly that the matter you have raised is of such urgency that it really cannot be ignored or whitewashed in the face of the nihilistic, irresponsible derisive commentary that have become the trademark of some of "Nigerianists" on this board—vacuous, trumpery claims to the contrary notwithstanding! I see a situation in my mind’s eye where further interactions between you and I, on this matter would happen solely in pm. Thanks and remained blessed!
Long time my good friend and brother. You have been missed and you have certainly brought life back into this new week.
You are too much! point after articulate point You spoke as if from my mind, and am sure, as if from the mind of every Biafranigerian from the Southeast of the entity "Nigeria", and in this, no detail was missed by you.
As to the following:
quote:...Without mincing words at all (on this board, I sort of have the reputation of being overly pacifistic or perhaps the better way to say it is that I try to be politically correct...
Your hallmark on this board is one of dignity, self respect, proper decorum, subtlety in strength, peaceful by impulse and of high integrity. Those who choose to hold such noble demeanor (as pacifism), be it of a handle or of any humanbeing of any race color or creed with similar characterristics as you exemplify, only do so at their own peril of foolish underestimation.
Which particular line could I specifically quote where you hit the nail on the head? There were so many that all I can do is to refer everyone to read and re-read that eloquent statement of yours.
As always, BRAVO!
___________________ YA CAIN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN :) Posts: 1182 | From: TEXAS | Registered: Oct 2001
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quote: Secession is now in the air for those who don't fare especially well under tough competitions. ~~~Umaru Ibrahim
We Biafrans are the toughfest people on earth I can gauarantee you that.
We do want to and have been asking to leave nigeria because we know that hausas and yorubas can't do anything right talkless of running a government of a nation.
You might want to go back and read the deliberation on the constitution of nigeria. It states that any country who wants to join and become part of nigeria has the right to do you, but what it failed to allow is what we Biafrans wanted incorporated into the Constitution which is to allow any part of Nigeria that wants to leave nigeria to do so.
Now tell me why you think lazy hausas and yorubas fought hard to see that the language was not made part of the constituion. Do you really believe it is because we are not tough enough to make it in nigeria?
___________________ BIAFRA MUST RISE AGAIN. LONG LIVE BIAFRA!! Posts: 1080 | From: California, USA. | Registered: Oct 2002
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When I think of the actions that Igbos and Biafrans are beginning to take out of desperate necessity (and that other "Nigerian" groups should be taking), I can only compare it to the legitimate actions needed to be taken by abused and battered brides who simply want out of an illegitimate and very, very, very bad, maliciously intended, inhumanely motivated, arrangee polygamous marriage to a most wicked Bridegroom, a marriage planned with absolute disrespect for the human dignity of the various brides in question.
THE BRIDEGROOM: This is the structure of illegitimate, deliberate, perpetually racist, disrespectful, undignified, doomed to internal strife, manipulative, oligarchy inducing tool or contraption, calculated to deliver a portion of African geography (among many similar others) to the vice grip of British (and her allies) perpetual and effortless use.
THE BRIDES: These are the various tribes and ethnic divisions and subdivisions previously existing in the geographical areas affected from eons of time, with sufficient respect for one anothers boundaries, and occassional flashpoints of inter-ethnic conflict and intra-ethnic subjugation which defined together with language, geography, and customs, the modalities for mutual co-existence; good, bad, or ugly.
To give credit to the Frederick Dealtry Lugards of this world who attempted to create from these collection of ethnic groupings, a structure to sustain and operate a viable modern state, albeit to the exploitative advantage of britain(or other European states), we all must recognize that no such endeavors on the scale of what happened during the scramble and partition had occurred, of reference on such a massive scale as to provide a good example for the administrability of such entities (given that the Americas was more susceptible to total take over). On this score, one cannot therefore dwell solely on the mal-intentions of Frederick Lugard, but rather, groups affected must recognize their empowerment to disengage from such an arrangement without permission from anyone, as Frederick Lugard got no permission to fabricate the entities from the participants in the first place.
FALSE INDEPENDENCE AND THE AFTERMATH
The mistake made during independence was to believe that an entity like "Nigeria" existed in the first place. It never did!, therefore the recipients of such "independence" did'nt know what to do with it, and what to do with themselves. A true independence would have occurred if each constituent unit had simply gotten up and walked away, and then determined what adjacent or distant neighbor with which to form more realistic and viable alliances, but the recipients of "independence" were not then sufficiently politically conscious enough to take such decisions and they were still relatively optimistic.
When Nzeogwu, thus exercised his sense of ownership of that non-existent entity, together with a collection of those he felt he could trust for secrecy and mutual outlook (Igbos and fellow southerners), he greatly underestimated the impact of such an aggressive and heavy handedly ruthless and decisive misguided action, mistaking the shell/mirage "Nigeria" (as fabricated by Lugard) for a real and tangible modern state of which he believed he was a contributing citizen, a polity already charged with mutual suspicion between involuntary component groupings, waiting like a timebomb, for a fuse to light up a cataclysmic explosion for which minor tremors had already manifested themselves in the Hausa North, in Tiv-Middle belt, in Yorubaland, in the Midwest, and in the Igbo dominated Southeast.
The total obliviousness of this existing condition, forever provided an excuse for those who for long had harbored suspicions of Igbo ascendancy and conspiracy given the overly ebulient nature of Igbos and our unique republican dispositions not easily well understood nor appreciated in our encounters with others, but for which no Igbo should ever be apologetic (as Lions ought not be apologetic of the fierceness of their growl).
The total obliviousness of this existing condition forever hung on the Igbo like an albatross, the convenient inclination by other Biafranigerians toward the belief that had the coup of January 1966 not occurred, that everything would have been excellent and a different evolution, away from a cataclysmic confrontation would have been had by all.
DEMONIZATION OF IGBOS, A PRICE FOR FALSE UNITY:
In the atmosphere of this confidence, the demonization of Igbos (and our ready susceptibility to it given our nature), and the desire to prevent Igbos from participation while holding us down at all costs and under all excuses covert and blatant, during and after the civil war, has oddly enough held "Nigerians" to a false sense of unity, while the self seeking, European annointed oligarchs continue to sustain a self serving, obsolete, nay, doomed structure (now a decomposing shell) of a bridegroom to which Lugard forcefully wedded the happless brides of that geographical expression, and through which the oligarchs believe they can continue to milk the brides (like docile cows) with the leprously decomposing fingers of "state control". Let us consider the following comments by Anaedo:
quote:...the YORUBA and HAUSA oligarchies can never agree to any situation that massively slashes their disproportionate capture of economic and political capital, neither will that mad jostle to sink some teeth into the fleshiest part of the cash cow called Nigeria allow for a truly radical and selfless surrender to any design that would by and large better the economic prospects of the average Nigerian. Are these self-serving oligarchies in cahoots with elements from the other oppressed and marginalized ethnicities in Nigeria? Unmistakably. However, a distinction is in order. There are some truly mentally liberated and honest Yorubas and there are of course some Hausa-Fulanis that understand this colonial burden and want out, but as isolated and helpless masses in a one-party state of government-sanctioned terror, these people are powerless and cannot make any difference out there. These people may not be opposed to the idea of an SNC, but they are equally powerless to influence the actions of their respective ethnic cabals. The point is clear. This is not an indictment of the average Nigerian of any ethnicity; this is an indictment of the power structures, the oligarchies, the cabals to which the prospects of the doomed destiny of Nigeria has morphed into a subject that must be treated with every ounce of suspicion, unease, duplicity, denials, gerrymandering or perhaps outright violence.
DREAM ON?
Given the above, If I can paraphrase Martin Luther kings "I have a dream speech, it would be the following:
I have a dream!
I have a dream of the day when each bride would simply get up from their colonially induced trance and walk away on their own strength from the demeaning and dehumanizing oppressions of a malicious entrapment!
I have a dream! of the day when each bride would recognize their empowerment and take their own fate into their hands to wield their human dignity and determine for themselves what constituent units and entities they wish to interact mutually as equals and on what creative modalities!
I have a dream! of the day when each bride would recognize their empowerment and take back their own humanity to creatively devise with their fellow human neighbors, and with respect to their unique characteristics, both strengths and weaknesses, what structure it would require to form lasting mutually beneficial alliances with self dignity intact, which would induce the greatest patriotic instincts to empower all members to equal outrage when the structure is threatened from any foe external or internal!
I have a dream! of the day when each bride would recognize their empowerment and hold the oppressors masterminds to accountability for their various human sufferings and calamitous inflictions over several centuries and ongoing!
I have a dream!!!
My belief is that the formation of a govt in exile could either be the fulfillment of the dream above if fought for, or the heralding of a coming meltdown as posited if ridiculed without understanding. My belief is that like the abused brides of an illegal arrangee marriage our prayers, support and well wishes should go with the moral representatives of any Bride, Arewa, Oodua, MASSOB, MOSSOP, or any other grouping who determines that enough is enough and simply gets up and walks away into the sunset from the incessant abuse.
IDEAS TO REHABILITATE THE DECOMPOSING DEAD
The weakness of SNC as an idea, is that it requires some regulator to initiate such an action, yet when we invest our dependence on that regulator, we are registering a submission to the same oppressor whose interests are in direct and maliciously violent opposition to the desired outcome.
The other approach that has been suggested by others is for the handshake accross the Niger in a southern solidarity. In this kind of arrangement there is and inherently has to be, an antagonistic stance with respect to the North who are equally victim brides to an oppressive structure about which we all complain, and as such it would be a non starter in that it would also require some measure of approval and acceptance by some manner of regulating and moderating entity which will never happen.
In the demonstrated absence of the will, using the opportunity of a democracy, to implement an environment for peaceful disengagement and reconfiguration, In the demonstrated presence of the will to bolster and invigorate a leprousy ridden decomposing corpse at the usual expense of Igbo bashing, it is hightime Igbos documented the crimes against humanity being inflicted upon them for nothing, and close ranks as an injured bride, to walk away as one of the injured, from the oppressive and undesirable bridegroom, and in this endeavor, we can expect to be told time without number by other suffering brides, that "We are not yet ready"!. We may never be, but we sure can keep trying.
OUR INESCAPABLE CHALLENGE
Our challenge then is to get involved, and do what it would take to get us readier and readier, and to keep ourselves informed of what it requires individually. Raised consciousness is one thing for sure, long range expectations instead of instant gratification is another. I would add as a third and last, the ability if not staying involved, to at least be able to determine with some measure of transparent standards (and without uninformed ridicule), the legitimacy and direction of those who claim to speak on our behalf towards achieving what ought to be universally noble goals.
___________________ YA CAIN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN :) Posts: 1182 | From: TEXAS | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
This priest that has been selected, is he a member of BLM, Ekwe Nche, or another group? Will the other Biafran groups pledge their support to him or will they select their own leaders and turn the whole thing into another chieftancy title type of deal?
Posts: 16 | From: Cali | Registered: Mar 2004
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The words highlighted above, only go to show the degree to which we instinctly act on the basis of tribe. How long can we stay in denial that each Blackman from that entity is a willing victim of a marriage to a demonic contraption?
In that coup, it was the "BENDELITE" and MIDDLE BELT's (again) and CHRISTIAN's (again) turn to share a small measure (when compared to what was done to Igbos because of "Nzeogwu's Igbo coup") of the "treatment" from those (the Oligarchy) controlling the "vessel"/"contraption"/"tool" of state. Let us consider that the trials and confrontations and crisis of ungovernability which now grip parts of the old Bendel state and the old Benue state, emmerged when IBB created states to geographically (gerrymander as referred by Anaedo) constrict and render in permanent turmoil (of economic and political competition to the death, of otherwise pragmatically co-existing neighbors) the states of origin of those he felt had been represented in the coup, as his opposition.
In otherwords, each oligarchic conqueror, being without vision has merely seen fit to replicate Frederick Lugards system to deliver reward or punishment as seen fit by such.
Shall we all remain in this age of multiple PHD's, and high educational accomplishments, hapless but opportunistic victims by virtue of silence to a system intended to dehumanize us all?
In the early days of Aremu's administration when it was fashionable, the patronizing and highly demeaning phrase; "the Igbo question" was cavalierly used freely by all, to ponder on Igbo's behalf what and what we "Ibos" could do to get back into the good graces of other "Nigerians" favor.
I personally found ironic and amusing that professor Omo Omoruyi in exile for fear of his own life (even in a "democracy"), saw fit to contemplate my political acceptability (as an Igbo) to "Nigerians" for me.
I remain grateful for his kind consideration
___________________ YA CAIN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN :) Posts: 1182 | From: TEXAS | Registered: Oct 2001
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My question here is, who is this Nnorom guy and what significant role has he played in the past for him to be worthy, declaring an exiled Biafran Republic? The tale has been all very interesting, and all very complicated. I think Godson Emerenini made a salient point, that we should be patient enough to pass this struggle to the next generation.
___________________ "When God Left the schools, the schools went to hell!"-----Justice Clarence Thomas Posts: 31 | From: Limbo | Registered: Oct 2003
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K-K-O Welcome to BNW. You posed the following valid questions:
quote:Originally posted by K-K-O: This priest that has been selected,
is he a member of BLM,
Ekwe Nche, or
another group?
Will the other Biafran groups pledge their support to him or
will they select their own leaders and turn the whole thing into another chieftancy title type of deal?
Here are some additional questions I would have:
Is there a consensus for this action among majority Biafra actualization groups?
How was the decision to action reached?
who all were responsible for researching, articulating, and vetting the draft before and what process was used to determine its accuracy?
Is there a regulating body or association that harmonizes Igbo/Biafra outlook with respect to major milestone actions by pro Igbo/Biafra organizations at least on a broad basis, and were they involved in this endeavor at all stages or at least in critical stages?
What is the pedigree of each individual Igbo/Biafra groups involved in reaching these decisions, as reviewed and outlined by any widely appointed dependable and conservative non partisan commitees using a transparent guideline of widely acceptable standards? or as existing from previous notorieties and inquisitions that have been brougt to the awareness of board members using word of mouth exposees?
some additional questions could be along these lines, and it behooves us all to ask these questions as they would enlighten all about any possible flaws being overlooked and requiring refinement while at the same time eliminating the current gap between those in the know and those outside the loop legitimately wary of being misled or misrepresented by the well meaning but potentially poorly prepared.
As stated above previously, sensitive info such as individual and organizational names could be left out, as well as sensitive strategy, where applicable, as long as issues bordering on a measure of transparency are addressed as generally as possible to instill a level of PR awareness to prevent accidental embarrassments and unnecessary underlying scandals and discoveries.
___________________ YA CAIN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN :) Posts: 1182 | From: TEXAS | Registered: Oct 2001
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It seems that the announced Republic of Biafra is news to those in Nigeria as well as the diasporans. It is unacceptable. I still believe that the best way of achieving our collective objective is to talk to each other as well as the masses, to explain to them what we want to achieve, how and when. Nothing should be done in secret. The most difficult is to gain support of the masses, to make them understand where you want to lead them. In one of the posts above, the word select was used. Anybody who wants to represent Biafra in exile must be elected. Anything short of that is pure manipulation. Do not help them propagate falsehood.
___________________ 1) Everything you can imagine is real->Picasso
2) They taught you the praises of their God, and these hosannas, when tuned into your sorrows, gave you the hope of a better world to come-->Patrice Lumumba Posts: 379 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Thanks again for your kind words. I have been under the weather lately. Allergies, allergies, allergies!
Thanks for your input in this thread. In your second post with the title The Polygamous Bridegroom and the Brides, you went a step further in deconstructing the fallacious doctrines or perspectives that has bound many people for years.
The concluding part of that piece re-focused this discussion and I quote:
quote: Our challenge then is to get involved, and do what it would take to get us readier and readier, and to keep ourselves informed of what it requires individually. Raised consciousness is one thing for sure, lon
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