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I had the opportunity to meet a certain Mr George yesterday. He was the cab driver, who took me to see areas of interest in during a short break from my engagements. From my accent he deduced that I was African, and enquired about my origins. I explained that I was Biafran, I was pleasantly suprised when he exclaimed ' ah Igbo'. He introduced himself as Eritrean, and then we first delved into the experience of Eritreans in Ethiopia which was very similiar to the experience of Biafrans in Nigeria. He then went on to elaborate on their liberation struggle which lasted over 30 years most of the time without outside support, and how finally they won their struggle. He continuosly used made a statement which I will find very difficult to forget i.e 'A starving freeman is much better than a fully fed slave' Another aspect of their struggle which was very crucial was the fact that every Eritrean in Diaspora who was employed Voluntarily contributed $1 daily towards their liberation efforts. During the hieght of their recent war with Ethiopia over £50 million pounds was raised by Eritreans in US alone. On my part I explained our situation since 1970 and the efforts we are making towards our own Liberation, as well as problems which we are encountering. He then went into a long but very helpful lecture, on the need not to be discouraged,and the need to look up to the vietnamese who fought first the Japanese, then the French and finally the Americans but who ultimately triumphed. According to George, the key to our success lies in Education!, Education!, Education!. We should start at an early stage to inform our people about what we have suffered in Nigeria, What being Nigerian means(3rd class citizen)to us, and that our self determination is the only solution. When our trip ended I thanked him, for the Education, he insisted we exchanged nos and promised to keep in touch. I must say that MR George has re-enforced My views that despite certain actions by our pro-Nigerian Breathrens, Victory is ours.
Posts: 585 | From: London. | Registered: Mar 2001
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I'm almost in tears after reading your most inspirational story. Theirs is a story of courage, patience and faith personified.
I have always maintained that Biafrans in diaspora have a major role to play in our struggle for independence from the awusa/yoruba oligarchy. It was sad to read the write up by our brother Nnorom where he said that the correct stats as to the number of Biafrans that perished in Kaduna and possibly in other "riots" is not avilable. I feel we need to conduct our census of biafrans in ugwu awusa and elsewhere so that we can know when any of them is in harm's way.
From our vintage positions in working democracies, we can also raise awarness to the plight of our people back home. I'm sure if Tony Blair and friends knew what was going on they won't give Aremu and co the clean bill of health as they did recently.
A major plus for our present struggle is that brother Ralph is very level headed and has already out-foxed Aremu and friends in the psychology and mind game. He has sensibly refused to be cajoled into violence in spite of the unprovoked killing of some Biafrans, knowing that they are looking for an excuse to visit another genocide on our people and fool the rest of the world as usual.
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos
What an interesting piece, your title should have been, "Should Biafra Actualization borrow a Leaf from Eritrea's" After reading it, I came out with one thing, and that is...to put our small contributions where our mouth is. see BAF on how to get about it. The only difference is that we are not seeking to achieve the new Biafra through another arm struggle.
I hear you. You must fill me in on this BAF thing o. I may have to cut out on my daily lunch @ work which is not even good for my health and possibly newspaper. Biafra is a reality.
Wacko bros: With your kind permission, I'm reproducing the account in my Biafra:Is the rising sun set for ever? thread
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos
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Bro Ohafia, Please do. I hope to be able to give you more details of our discussions soon.
Posts: 585 | From: London. | Registered: Mar 2001
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Wacko: That was a very heart-warming story. Nigeria was one of the countries that never wished Eritrea well. For years the Nigerians thought that victory for Eritrea would encourage us Biafran. Today, Eritrea has freed itself from the Ethiopian disaster. It is indeed better to be a free hungry man that to be a fed slave.
Posts: 397 | Registered: May 2001
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