posted
Nigeriankind sorry but now you are going off point. That is a novice fault in logic. The issue is
quote:The Biafra-Nigeria civil war was fought because Ojukwu did not want Gowon to rule Nigeria; it had nothing to do with the desire of Igbo people to leave the country or even over injustice. The civil war had nothing to do with genocide--Daud
and you defend that by saying
quote:The war started when Ojukwu refused to accept Gowon's authority. The war ended when Ojukwu was forced into exile.- Nigeriankind
Well you see we are not talking about when the war started nor when it ended , but what caused it and what it was fought over and if it had to do with genocide or not. Do you have something relevant to that, which was the theme of Dauds statement? Apparently not. I hope you are not also an epitome of logic in the caliber of Daud. So to spell it out for you: Daud and I are arguing about WHY and not WHEN. Great logic from you going on about WHEN.
quote: The people who surrendered to Obasanjo and Gowon called Ojukwu the stubborn troublemaker who made negotiations impossible--Nigeriankind
lol, ha ha ha, so what do you expect the prisoners of war to say? If it were you in their shoes you would say something different? Haba!! You must be grasping at straws now if you are depending on such "facts" Ha ha ha, good one, good one. Jolly good.
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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Three days ago I left the Republic of Biafra with certain members of my Cabinet as a result of a decision taken by that Cabinet in the interest of our people's survival. Since my departure events have moved with such breathless speed that friends and foe alike have been left not only bewildered but confused.
It is therefore necessary for me to address these words to the international press in order to keep the records right, and in pursuit of the object of my leaving the Republic of Biafra.
It is necessary in order to understand events that have led to the drama of the past few days to look back at the origin of our conflict and conduct in this war. Biafra, once the eastern region of Nigeria, was one of three sovereignties that banded together to form the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Three of the reasons which made the sovereignties bind themselves together were:
1. Mutual protection of life and property - hence the fundamental human rights entrenched in our constitution and the arrangements made for the joint control of the police.
2. Security against external and internal threats - hence the responsibility of the central Government for defence.
3. The promotion of international trade and good relations with foreign countries - hence the assignment of exclusive responsibility to the central Government.
During the course of our first experiment in nationhood it was clear that the Federal Organization had neither the will nor the desire to maintain that unity of purpose for which the Federation was founded.
In 1966 it became clear that the central authority was unable and unwilling to fulfil the terms for which it was established. Right under her nose the people of Eastern Nigeria, now Biafrans, were subjected to such acts of barbarism, such atrocities that gave clear indication of a genocide that was to come.
The people of Biafra, in full consultation and believing that the only guarantee for security lay in the resumption of the sovereignty, mandated me to proclaim their territory the sovereign and independent Republic of Biafra, and to take up arms if need be to protect the lives and property of our people and the independence was thus proclaimed.
On July 6, 1967, the Federal forces crossed the boundaries of Biafra and attacked her defenseless populace. Our people, in the face of such aggression, had no alternative but to defend themselves as best they could. The war that ensued has continued from that day with unabated fury until today when we find that, because of certain limitations, we are no longer able to offer formal military resistance to the Nigerian aggressors.
For three years we have fought against overwhelming odds. Our conduct of the war has contrasted sharply with that of the Nigerian hordes. We were always aware of our limitation, and therefore have never discontinued out efforts for peace and a negotiated settlement.
We had relied on the conscience of the world to respect the rights of our people to self-determination and security. We have been frustrated by an international conspiracy against the interest of the African.
Yet, believing in the justice of our cause and the ultimate triumph of truth over falsehood, outnumbered and outgunned, we have grimly held back the unrelenting enemy for three grueling years with our bare hands.
Nigeria began her recent final offensive against Biafra in October 1969 after months of preparations, which included the starvation of our entire populace to such sub-human level that the movement of enemy troops through our territory became a mere formality.
For months we cried to an unsympathetic world, pointing out the danger of a total blockade and siege warfare at this stage of world civilization. In answer to that cry our people were further subjected to more deprivation by the drastic reduction of relief supplies, not only to the menfolk but to our women and children, to the aged and the very young, to the old and the infirm.
By the end of November the Biafra armed forces were no longer able to feed themselves; our civil populace were neither able to feed themselves nor the army. Yet over 30 grim days our gallant and heroic forces maintained their positions in the sheer hope of a miraculous respite.
In the first week of January, the Nigerian forces, by a fast military move, took control of the last areas from where we had any possibility of obtaining food. In quick succession demoralization set in, threatening national disintegration and bringing in its wake confusion and mass exodus.
I gathered together at Owerri during the night of January 8, 1970, those members of my Cabinet who could be contacted to review the situation. At that meeting I presented in firm and clear terms the grim hopelessness of continued formal military resistance.
I informed the Cabinet that my primary duty in the circumstances was to seek the protection of our exhausted people and to save the leadership of our heroic republic. I therefore offered to go out of Biafra myself in search of peace.
I decided personally to lead any delegation in order to give it maximum effect and to speed up matters in order to save the lives of our people and preserve the concept of Biafra. I did this knowing that whilst I live Biafra lives. If I am no more it would be only a matter of time for the noble concept to be swept into oblivion.
I chose for the delegation the following persons: Dr. M.I. Okpara, my political adviser; Mr. N.U. Akpan, my Chief Secretary; Major-General Madiebo, the commander of my army.
In the fluid and uncertain military circumstances the Cabinet considered it advisable and reasonable that families of envoys in or going abroad should be sent out. My last hours in Biafra before my departure were spent in close consultation with Major-General Philip Effiong, whom I had appointed to administer the Government in my absence, and his last request to me was to take out his family and to maintain them under my protection. I agreed.
Since the departure of the delegation from Biafra, we have remained faithful to our mandate. We have made contacts with friends and men of goodwill. We have spared no efforts to mobilize all forces in an effort to take food into Biafra on a gigantic scale. We have taken steps to alert the world to the real fears of genocide at the hands of the Nigerians.
Nigeria's continuing efforts have always been directed at domesticizing the conflict in order to apply the final solution to the Biafran problem away from the glare of an inquisitive world.
From all indications it is clear that Nigeria will not feed our people. They have said so often enough, and their past records clearly underling this fact. There is no food whatsoever in Biafra and unless food can get into Biafran mouths in the next 72 hours it will be too late.
Nigeria's insistence to control the distribution of relief is both to ensure that Biafrans get no such relief, and also to shut out outsiders who might witness and expose the enormous crimes she plans to commit against our people.
Nigeria throughout this war has distinguished herself for a lack of control over her armed forces. It is therefore most unlikely that, flushed with an intoxication of unexpected military victory, she will be able to exercise any measure of control on her forces now on the rampage.
In any case Nigeria's aim is to destroy the elite of Biafra. The only possible way of preventing such a catastrophe is by interposing between the contesting forces some neutral force to prevent a genocide that would make 1939-45 Europe a mere child's play. We have always believed in the futility of this war. We have always maintained that this war will solve no problems. If this carnage must stop, Nigerian leaders and their friends must borrow a leaf from the lessons of the last world war, where it was found that a permanent settlement could only emerge from an honourable peace.
Immediate efforts should therefore be directed towards early negotiations for peace without exacting full tribute of conquest. Only in this way can peace which the whole world desires have any chance. I therefore appeal to all governments and international organizations, countries and churches of the world, men and women of goodwill, to both out friends and enemies, in the interest of humanity to come forward to assist and protect the lives and talents of Biafra, to relieve the starvation and wasteful death now the only companion of our exhausted people.
I implore the world to rise to this desperate need, to mount all possible pressures on Nigeria to ensure that food gets to my people.
I would like to conclude this statement with a solemn declaration, emphasizing again the point I have repeatedly made in this appeal to the governments of the world to save my people from extermination. The sole motive behind Nigeria's determination to draw an iron curtain over Biafra and exclude international observers, relief agencies, journalists whom they have not carefully picked themselves, is to make sure that the atrocities they will certainly carry out in Biafra is unseen and unreported in the world press. Once they have sealed off Biafra from the gaze of mankind, I hesitate to contemplate the fate of the Biafran leadership, the trained manpower, the scientists and professionals whom they would liquidate as planned before the world can interfere. Genocide, I repeat, is not an internal affair of Nigeria, and it is the clear duty of those powers who have armed and helped Nigeria to gain victory over Biafra to step in and persuade Gowon to allow international agencies and observers to enter Biafra to feed the hungry, to heal the sick and to save a whole people from complete annihilation.
If they fail to persuade Nigeria to open her doors to these agencies then their declarations of humanitarian aid to Nigeria becomes mere propaganda. I repeat the aims of Nigeria are genocidal - the test that the contrary is the case is her willingness to admit humanitarian agencies whom Gowon has now openly declared he will exclude.
As a people we have endured as only giants endure. We have fought as heroes fight. We have dared as only gods dare. We are disillusioned by the world's insensitivity to the plight of our people. Yet because our cause is just we believe we have not lost the war, only that the battlefield has changed. We are convinced that Biafra will survive. Biafra was born out of the blood of innocents slaughtered in Nigeria during the pogroms of 1966. Biafra will ever live, not as a dream but as the crystallization of the cherished hopes of a people who see in the establishment of this territory a last hope for peace and security. Biafra cannot be destroyed be mere force of arms.
May I take this opportunity to thank all those persons and organizations that have sacrificed that we might live - that we assure them that their sacrifice will not be in vain.
Biafra lives. The struggle continues. Long live the Republic of Biafra.
______________________ (1) Statement issued through the Biafran Information agency in Geneva and reproduced verbatim in The Times, 16 January 1970.
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
Ex- British colonial master admits that mistakes were made in amalgamating North and South.
Well, when one really looks at the face and appearance of Hausa/Fulani people, they do look like their brothers and sisters in Moslem States of North Africa and the Middle East. In that sense, I'm of the view that they should join their people in the middle east or just form an islamic country of their own out of the present Nigeria.
If this is not possible, Nigeria, then, must practice true federalism, institute state police and implement resource control. These things will limit their hunger for power and domination. Sharia will die a natural death as their meagre resources will be focused on economic development.
Finally, since Britain has now come out to admit that mistakes were made in amalgamating North and South, is there any reason the mistake cannot be reversed? Just de-amalgamate. Period.
Posts: 288 | From: California | Registered: Jul 2003
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What a mess! Daud now have me thinking about this Fumi as a she and once you do that, you start to see her sexy side as Greg repeatedly dreams. Let all ye be on notice that I don't wish to share Fumi with anyone hereon and forthwith, be it; Greg, TB, Daud, AdeCONle, zuhir, let our love/hate relationship prosper without any infringements. Thank you!
This is why I think Fumi have it hot for me. First quote is from me to Daud followed by Fumi's to him.
quote:Daud:
One of the reasons I'm writing this is because I see myself as Web Ombudsman, an unofficial title I forced on myself no one has protested yet. I honestly saw no direct insult to you in particular in Ochiwar’s post of April 26, 2005 07:23 AM, you might not believe me and it’s all good but check with some neutral observers to get their input. Slow down and don’t let your hate towards me get you to the point of reacting to innocuous exchanges violently. I say this in fairness and with open mind as I expected you to continue honoring the wisdom and humor in TB's advice.
“MeBiafran & Daud:
Sheath your swords, man!” – Thompson Buraimoh, posted April 25, 2005 09:44 PM. Remember this?
When you substitute our names with Ochiwar, Greg and who else you’ll see there was no need to have unsheathed your knife (lol). Please as a mark of respect to TB, stop escalating this further. The Igbo I know do not hate Hausa, Yoruba or anyone in that country, they are however not happy and justifiable so with the injustice that permeates the place. Who wouldn’t? – MeBiafran, posted April 27, 2005 07:25 PM.
Daud:
I have to commend you for making sure that this forum does not become safe for the bad taste and murderous rhetoric and hubris of the recidivist named MeBiafran. Now that you have achieved that, I will do my best to write a little more often than I have in the past. We suffered great tyranny at another site, and that should be enough.
But, be careful not to let yourself get drawn into debates with attention-seeking newbies on this board who evidently have no grasp of the history of their own country or are unable to put things in proper context. You will find yourself becoming an unpaid teacher at BNW, which free teaching has already started in this thread. – Fumi Onodipe, posted April 27, 2005 08:05 PM
You can call me crazy but if this does not show someone who’s infatuated with the lovely me, then you got me. How ironic, of all the cats including our very own TB chasing after Fumi, I am the only guy she found desirable by affirming the known belief that OPPOSITE do attract. She’s head over heel for me and I don’t know if this is complimentary or suicide since we’re yet to meet, don’t know how good looking she is. Am I lucky or should an oracle be consulted knowing that Greg who thinks that Fumi is SEXY is applying all sorts of tricks in the book to get her attention while she increases her tempo to get me at all cost. Of all the things that can be said about this lady, she has good taste in men as you can imagine. I get better as I gracefully age so she wants a piece of me. Her unnoticed CRUSH towards me is what got me in doghouse. Every man in here should know what happens when a woman’s advances are rebuffed, all sorts of accusations are thrown at you by the same lady if she senses failure. Just look at what happened to the biblical Joseph and John the Baptist to see how she uses the same tactics on me. I am suffering the same fate these men passed through and who knows, if she keep the s.h.i.t up we might even have a non-binding one-time bang during my next visit to Maryland on one condition though. Daud must not know about it to avoid the expected jealous rage it might cause. People might ask why I think Fumi have it for me and the answer is simple. Women love WARRIORS like me, the only coward to jump into any hot battle to display his prowess. Fumi, don’t worry by the time the anxious moments subsists, somehow we may hook-up and whatever follows should remain our business since I don’t believe in kiss and tell like that.
AdeCONle:
Just for your information since you still struggle to apprehend what is written, Ochiwar did not address Daud to show support for the Honorable (lol) MeBiafran instead he took offense to Daud’s dangerous position that the Igbo deserve all the injustices meted to them and more. Here at no charge to you are reposts of Daud’s statements posted on April 27, 2005 06:42 AM which was what the polished fella affectionately known as Ochiwar was against and after.
The Biafra-Nigeria civil war... had nothing to do with the desire of Igbo people to leave the country or even over injustice. The civil war had nothing to do with genocide, or any of the other junk that you and your fellow simpletons have been brainwashed to believe.
Otherwise, why did you and your fellow Igbo people allow Philip Effiong, a non-Igbo, to speak for you about ending the war? Is Philip Effiong an Igbo man?
The truth is that you and your fellow Igbo people love Nigeria and you want to stay in it. Even your hero, Ojukwu, loves the Yoruba language more than he loves the Igbo language. Who is fooling who?
You have said that there are 40-million Igbo people. If that is true, then, the only reason that you are still in Nigeria is beacsue you love Nigeria and you want to be in it. How many people are there in East Timor? The Timorese were able to leave even when their land was occupied.
I’ll try to ignore your childish attacks towards the Venerable me especially after the realization that Fumi may have some serious affection for me after all Yoruba ladies loooooooove Igbomen, I am a living example. You just never can tell when and how this bobo fit make am thru the titi’s heart. I even let some Yoruba ladies I dated in the past in on our exchanges sometimes and guess what they usually say; (Sweet name withheld) you dey craze o! And I’ll blushingly reply; shey you know na dis wey dey turn you on about me and that one may giggle her ass off the phone or turn around and ask me when we gonna hook-up again.
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2483 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
As far as I am concerned it was a hilarious and entertaining escapade. Daud made statements for which he could muster no logical defence and ended up making a fool of himself and hiding behind a lady`s skirts(Fumi). When the heat got too much for Fumi she left the kitchen, and Adekunle attempted to spring in for her as Dauds messiah. Unfortunately, he proved to be a false messiah( charlatan) and so he ended up making an even biger fool of himself and was finaly humiliated out of the thread, just as his predecesors Daud and Fumi. Then nigeriankind tried to clean up the mess the holy trinity had made but it proved beyond redemption, he was fightinhg a lost cause as it where and so he too had to bow out in defeat. I guess the pathetic attempts by Daud and co to prove their case are a textbook example of how not to run an argument or discussion.
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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How could you embarass your friend and buddy like this? But truth to tell, I do find Fumi rather interesting, even if she does seem a little mean sometimes. I like it.
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 665 | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
C'mmon guys. Are you lonely? I'm much, much better looking than Fumi. I'm large and lovely. I'm the hottest diva in town. Why don't you come over. Yes, MeBiafran and Greg, come and try my Swedish hot oil, deep tissue body scrub and you will be glad you did. I'll take y'all one-on-one.
Say goodbye to loneliness and welcome to my exotic strip show. A PM and you are seconds away to the fantastic quickie of your life. I like big dicks.
posted
Damn. I may have to change my style for a bit of the MeBiafran if that is what the chicks dig.First Fumi and now Yvette. Looks like me Biafran and Greg are going to have their hands full for a while. Lucky Bastards.
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
LATELY, POSTS BY MEBIAFRAN (AND NOW OCHIWAR) HAVE BEEN APPEALING TO THE PRURIENT INTEREST AND THE CANAL SIDE. IT SHOULD BE NO SURPRISE THAT THOSE GENTLEMEN HAVE SOMETHING DIRTY GOING WITH THE RESIDENT STRIPPER AND WHORE, YVETTE.
LOL!
___________________ Propagate Islam Posts: 33 | Registered: May 2001
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posted
Lol! I am glad my last post appealed to your prurient interest and your carnal side. With your four wives at home I know those interests are well developed in you. But dont you think it is a hypocritical stand with you having four wives (or more) in pruda , sanctioned by your religion, and doing it all the time to be able to satisfy them all. How then can you stand to describe sex as something dirty? This is clear case of babe likes guy and they make out. How dirty is that compared to four people (or more) orgy?
___________________ Biafra is inevitable.Illegitimis nil carborundum. Posts: 760 | From: europe | Registered: Jan 2005
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My name is Mota Ogallala Tekumseh, the proud native American!
___________________ The greatest thing about America is the right to disagree with the power structure without fear of torture or death at the hands of the government Posts: 217 | From: Ogallala, Nebraska, USA | Registered: May 2003
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I have never considered any thing by you worthwhile period.
Tell me how many young boys have you performed buggery on? Eh, how about men? How about rapes of ten year old girls. Is this one of the tenets of your deceased hausa-fulani Islam.
Was not your northern brothers the same according to the satanic stanza?
Come-on, so you think you won the war. Which war? Is this the one a group of cattle herders from the Gambia conquered the hausa. What is a hausa-fulani, - rape by fulanis?
When did hausa slaves and fulani masters become British ( and allies), Russian and Americans? As islamists why don't you go down to the SE and SS, and Islamise the whole place. Like the SW. You won the war - go ahead.
Go and speak to those who know, you are merely agents for certain powers, but eventually they will change sides - they have already changed. Just time. And then you will tied-up and shown what.
How many hausa or fulanis are dieing for the true faith in Iraq.
___________________ Lagos state is where it is at. Posts: 28 | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Will the Real Ojukwu Please Stand Up!!!!!!!
Thanks to Olumide, we better understand Ojukwu's confessions at the War College regarding Ojukwu's reason for waging war on Nigeria:
quote:Originally posted by Olumide Williams: I thought this thread was for FAMOUS QUOTES, not for chasing Daud around for his attention or for dumping entire news reports.
In any case, what Ojukwu said in this report (see below) has completely verified everything Daud wrote about Ojukwu going to war to stop what Ojukwu called "Gowon's coup."
quote:Abuja—Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu said yesterday that former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon caused the Nigerian civil war (1967- 70). Chief Ojukwu who spoke at a seminar entitled, Historical Perspective of the Nigerian Civil War, Lessons for Nigeria, at the War College, Abuja said the war was triggered by Gowon's refusal to follow laid down rules and procedure in the army.
Many Nigerians and non-Nigerians blame Chief Ojukwu for causing the war after declaring a Republic of Biafra. But throwing light on the circumstances that led to the war yesterday, the former Biafran warlord said: I would be doing Nigeria wrong by failing to speak. Before you can understand the Nigerian civil war, we must go back and look at the army so as to decipher who was loyal and who was a rebel.
According to him, following the death of Maj.-Gen. Aguiyi-Ironsi through the coup de'tat, he (Ojukwu) proposed that Col. Adebayo Ogundipe should succeed him given his position in the army hierarchy. Murtala agreed with my position but Gowon repeatedly said my boys will not accept that.
I (Ojukwu) asked him who his boys were that would alter the laid down rules and procedure, and since, I was then the Commander of the Eastern Zone and as such I decided to hold forte by challenging the desires of Gowon which led to the coup de'tat.
Because of my position, which was based on principle and against Gowon, the civil war broke out. For three years Gowon was trying to get me. The war was a continuation of the coup de'tat; the war was an orchestration of his (Gowon) desire to legitimise and rationalise his (Gowon) coup de'tat.
Chief Ojukwu acknowledged making some mistakes, saying I made some mistakes as a human being, but my mistakes were less than most people's because I had a background as an administrator which put me on a better pedestal to relate with the people.
On how to move Nigeria forward, he said peace will come when we have been able to look at past with sincerity and objectivity. Government, he said must lay emphasis on reconciliation, restitution and restructuring since to forget is not possible particularly when the wounds of the civil war are still hurting.
He asked Nigerians to adopt positive attitude to nation-building and shun selfishness as there is enough for everybody in this country and anybody who say otherwise is greedy.
He dismissed the 1999 constitution as selfishly conceived, wrongly formulated and unrepresentational of the collective interest and yearning of the Nigerian people.
According to Ojukwu
quote:the war was triggered by Gowon's refusal to follow laid down rules and procedure in the army.
.... following the death of Maj.-Gen. Aguiyi-Ironsi through the coup de'tat, he (Ojukwu) proposed that Col. Adebayo Ogundipe should succeed him given his position in the army hierarchy. Murtala agreed with my position but Gowon repeatedly said my boys will not accept that.
Because of my position, which was based on principle and against Gowon, the civil war broke out. For three years Gowon was trying to get me. The war was a continuation of the coup de'tat; the war was an orchestration of his (Gowon) desire to legitimise and rationalise his (Gowon) coup de'tat.
Folks:
You heard it from the horse's mouth. Ojukwu went to war because he did not want Gowon to be head of state.
Daud:
Once again, I commend you for your deep insight.
Now Ojukwu is singing a different tune.
quote:No apology’ palaver' Ojukwu hits back at Gowon •Civil warlords ‘relive’ it again Tajudeen Sulaiman
Ojukwu, Gowon
The man, who declared Biafra and led Nigeria into a civil war, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, has described recent comments by former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) over the tragic incident as a continuation of what he called the Nigerian propaganda against Ndigbo.
Gen. Gowon had, while in Enugu in continuation of his Pray Nigeria project last weekend,told reporters that neither he nor Nigeria owed Ndigbo any apology for the war because it was they who declared secession from Nigeria.
He added that the war was fought to keep the country together,insisting that no one owed Ndigbo any apology.
But while speaking in an exclusive interview with Sunday Punch on Saturday, Ojukwu said it was time the former head of state learnt to be serious by contributing to efforts to repair the damages done during the war instead of carrying on with the war propaganda.
He said: "Like everything he has done, it is a wrong opinion. How can you say Ndigbo dragged Nigeria into a war? The war came about because of the massacre in the north of Nigeria; the massacre of Ndigbo. The war came about because of the difficulties of settling refugees within Nigeria as a result of the massacre in the north; the refugees were Ndigbo. The war became a fact because Nigerian troops moved into a certain area of Nigeria, the area they moved into was the land of Ndigbo.
"In everything, Ndigbo became victims of Nigeria. And still, so many years after, instead of really facing the truth, people are still trying to make good a propaganda which failed during the war.I mean, we might not have won the war,but damn it,our own side, our story was known all over the world. And this is why we never really seem to move forward in this country, "I've already said to my good friend, Jack, forget the past, throw it away and I'm ready to give up everything for the two of us to walk all over the country, the length and breadth, trying to focus on the repair of damages during the war; that is what we owe Nigeria. But to say, with a lot of chest-slapping, that I regret nothing, how can you say that? Under your roof, hundreds of thousands of Nigerians were killed. I think it’s about time the man became more serious."
Asked whether he did not think he owed his people an apology for taking them to the war,he said such a suggestion was tragic and ludicrous.
"Please, Nigerians, I'm sorry for shedding blood when you cut my throat.Is that what I should be doing? Come off it, if the thing were not so tragic,it would be ludicrous,the suggestion that I should be apologizing to Nigerians.The story of the massacre of Ndigbo in Nigeria will not be forgotten, not in a hurry," he said
Noting that the circumstances that led to the war still existed, he said the solution to the problem did not lie in apologies, but for Nigerians to ensure that the war never re-occurred.
"The circumstances have not disappeared, and that's my worry, and a lot of people are also worried; because we are just trying to avoid facing the facts of our existence.And that's why I still maintain that a national conference, more than anything else, is what we require."
Ojukwu declared that the on-going National Political Reforms Conference could not meet the aspiration of Nigerians because Nigerians did not choose those at the conference.
He said the popular opinion in the South-East and other parts of the country was for the country to have a regional arrangement along the lines of the six geo-political zones, instead of the former three zones, so that the power of the center would be reduced.
On the growing alliance between the South-South and the Middle Belt, Ojukwu said Ndigbo had nothing to fear.
"I think it’s normal, and it should be encouraged.If they have common interest, yes, they should come together, there's nothing for me to fear about that. In fact, it might even be good for the country.
"There are many times when our interest in the South-East co-incides with the interest of the South-West. It was for that reason that I was shouting as soon as I came back from exile, about a handshake across the Niger.It wasn't to frighten anybody ,but it was purely a realization that we have a common interest,
"As I'm talking to you now,I still think there are areas we have not explored yet.These two people really have to consider thoroughly, their future in a Nigeria, and evolve a pattern of a Nigeria they want, and together, perhaps, agree to a structure too.That is convenient, why not?"
The actual build- up to the Nigerian civil war was the first military coup of January 6, 1966.
The putsh, which was led by the Late Major J.T.U Aguiyi-Ironsi, terminated the first post-independence administration of the federation.
The then Prime Minister, Sir Tafawa Balewa, was among some key government functionaries, who were killed during the coup.
But the situation in the country soon took a more frightening dimension following a counter coup on January 29,1966, by another group of officers, who were mostly from the north.
Gen. Gowon, then a lieutenant colonel, became the new head of state. He later promulgated Decree 8 of 17 March, 1967, splitting the East into three regions.
However, on May 30,1967, Ojukwu declared the Republic of Biafra, thus precipitating the three-year civil war that claimed more than one million lives.
Ojukwu later went on exile, while his second in command under Biafra, the late Colonel Philip Effiong, handed over to federal authorities.
In a national broadcast to mark the surrender of the Biafran forces, Gowon had said: "The tragic chapter of violence is just ended. We are at the dawm of national reconciliation. Once again, we have the opportunity to build a new nation. "
quote: But while speaking in an exclusive interview with Sunday Punch on Saturday, Ojukwu said it was time the former head of state learnt to be serious by contributing to efforts to repair the damages done during the war instead of carrying on with the war propaganda. He said: "Like everything he has done, it is a wrong opinion. How can you say Ndigbo dragged Nigeria into a war? The war came about because of the massacre in the north of Nigeria; the massacre of Ndigbo. The war came about because of the difficulties of settling refugees within Nigeria as a result of the massacre in the north; the refugees were Ndigbo. The war became a fact because Nigerian troops moved into a certain area of Nigeria, the area they moved into was the land of Ndigbo. - Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu Sunday PUNCH, May 01, 2005
It amazes me when people refuse to objectively review information at their doorsteps rather they turn a blind eye to the obvious. Why not let it all hang out that is if ulterior motive is not behind the effort? Ojukwu by insisting to have a Yoruba coward (Brigadier Ogundipe) take over instead of a Lt Col. (Gowon) was to maintain discipline in the military after Danjuma and his northern cabal murdered the clueless Ironsi in cold blood, as we all know today how the military hirachy was rubbished when another Yoruba coward, Lt. General (Diya) laid flat to an Hausa Major (Mustapha). A major travesty that infested the civilian life too!
For me as an Igboman, the comment in quote below is one of my major disagreement with Ikemba who wanted to be part of the conference he’s condemning today. I see this as a major reason why good numbers of people from the north and Yoruba areas do not respect him and in the process they fail miserably to separate him from the generality of Igbo agenda. Ojukwu is not Igbo, the Igbo agenda is bigger than anyone dead or living and once our neighbors start to understand this everyone benefits. How can you turn around to denounce something you tried by all means to be part of and still expect them to respect you?
quote:Ojukwu declared that the on-going National Political Reforms Conference could not meet the aspiration of Nigerians because Nigerians did not choose those at the conference.
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2483 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged
Well, there you have it. Actually we've known it all along. Ojukwu is a yoruba man who has managed to deceive everyone about his true ethnicity. Thank you, MeBiafran, for making it clear. At least, now we understand why the terribly-fake-Oxford-accent speaking Ojukwu speaks fluent yoruba.
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