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ENOUGH OF THIS ACTIVATION OF THE BIAFRAN DEBACLE
By Wantaregh Paul Unongo, OFR – DEPUTY LEADER OF NORTHERN ELDERS FORUM
In the recent past, we the citizens of the great and beautiful country of Nigeria have once again, been inundated and bombarded by hysterical shrieks of an unbridled, unparalleled, destructive nature, on our streets: leading up to even the shutting up of important public highways and bridges, such as the recent confusion on the famous Onitsha-Asaba Niger bridge which disrupted travel for over 11hours! Divisive, abusive demagogic rhetorics, similar to the incredulous and incredible irrationality that pervaded the country, just before the nation-state of Nigeria was plunged into the most devastating calamity – a most terrible, most painful, most destructive civil war, in which we killed and maimed almost 3 million men, women and children of Nigeria!
The then apostles of hate and destabilization, masquerading as proponents and exponents of the rise of “the Biafran sun,” in the heart of Africa, to lead the whole of Africa, pushed hapless, unsuspecting youth of Nigeria into that terrible mass slaughter!
In that mass hysteriasis of gargantuan proportions called the Nigerian Civil War, the Federalist Forces prevailed and the Secessionist Forces, were defeated.
However, the war time leader, General Yakubu Gowon, of the Federalist Forces would, throughout the war period, keep on insisting and repeating, times without end, that the Biafran Secessionists, were not enemy of the Federalists.
He probably understood the implications of the historic opportunity provided by the victory over the forces of disintegration and disunity that at the amnestice declared, he incorporated the concept that “there is no victor and no vanquished” in our civil war! We were all, VICTIMS!
Perhaps, this great advocate of ONE NIGERIA, - a viable, strong, but flexible, all inclusive Nigeria – a Federation, visualized a stronger Union, that could and would be versatile – hence his immediate launching of National Policies designed to unite and programmed to strengthen national cohesion and advancement of all the people of the nation-state of Nigeria, immediately after the cessation of hostilities!
These programmes were for sustainable unity to guarantee the indissolubility of the Nigerian-state, distilled from the excruciating suffering of the Nigerian Youth – in battle.
This was a war fought with the ferocity, the resilience and an inventiveness which would forever resist and discourage all future efforts at disintegration of the country.
The General’s launched programmes of unity were referred to, and called, the 3Rs: Reconstruction, Reconciliation and Rehabilitation.
This initiative, known as the 3Rs, was immediately to be followed by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) which has remained a visible evidence of integration to promote unity, development and patriotism across the common nation-state of Nigeria.
It is equally instructive to bear witness to further unfolding issues that tended to consolidate the unity of the nation. The Second Republic that came along after the war, restored the participatory right and dignity of the Ibos, who became routinely elected and appointed into key offices, in the presidential consolidation of 1979-1983.
Also, the Architect and leader of the Biafran secessionists, late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, in addition to his earlier surrendering posture, openly repudiated the concept of Biafra and accepted and declared in public the supremacy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He also accepted a state pardon at the instance of President Shehu Shagari.
To confirm the terminal point of the Biafran agitation, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu urged and led the Ibo people of the South East to return back into the mainstream of Nigeria.
He repeatedly aspired to elective offices under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, before his demise, including even vying for the topmost position. He did not make it, but his tribesman, Goodluck Ebele Nnamdi Azikiwe Jonathan made it to the top, as the President of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and did run this Republic for five plus, years!
Now, with all these step by step unity, encouraging acts, what does this sudden, reinvigorated passionate renewed agitation, for the realization of the state of “Biafra” mean, and what does it portend for the future of our country? This once great country of ours, which had been almost ruined by the reckless maladministration and impunity of past leaders, who were so incredibly insensitive to the plight of the ordinary people of Nigeria?
Why particularly now, so soon after inauguration of the President Mohammadu Buhari Administration – an Administration which was so very well received, locally and internationally? Its “change mantra”, appeared to be on a steady course to arrest the institutional decays in governance and government! Why did this energetic resurgence not appear under President Jonathan Administration’s watch?
Then like a thunderbolt, why this sudden hostile biafranization of the Nigerian polity, soon after the departure of an Administrations which had made itself so unpopular, that it was “popularly” voted out! Are we, the ‘leaders and misleaders’ of this country seriously contemplating leading Nigeria, once again into another costly war, the kind of which was Biafra’s? REALLY!!
Before I attempt an answer to that question, Distinguished Gentlemen of the Press, permit me to take a peep into world history relevant to our case, even though I wonder if man ever learns from history!
In nineteen seventeen (1917), the World was confronted by a Germany that sought to dominate it, espousing, a very demagogic, and a very dangerous philosophy of the superiority of the Germany race over all races. The then world rejected this phenomenon.
Germany confronted the world with a war which was fought with a tenacity and ferocity that took an incredible casualty Eleven-Million Dead! The world had hitherto, not seen this kind of casualty in the whole history of mankind. Consequently, the world termed that war, the First World War!
This World War of the Germans which killed 11 million people, came to an end in 1918, when Germany became thoroughly beaten and defeated. In history, this war also became known as “the war to end all wars”.
Incredibly and amazingly, Gentlemen of the Press, Germany did not learn a lesson from the experience of this costly war!
As the world slumbered and slept, dreaming of a glorious era, free of all wars, Germany was quietly preparing for a return match, still considering themselves to be a special specie, better than, and superior to, all races! They just had to dominate everybody else.
In 1939, Germany was ready to make war.
She officially launched Germany’s blitzkrieg – a most terrific, shockingly destructive and devastating sudden war, on an unready, unprepared, un-suspecting word! This war shocked, and shook the world to its very foundations!
Gentlemen of the Press, this second horrendous adventure, of the Germans too, became contained. The world prevailed. Germany was defeated once again, in 1945!
The World however, lost 47 million men to the war! Russia alone recorded 22 million men killed!
Gentlemen of the Press, The “Biafran” Civil War of 1967-1970 killed approximately 3 million Nigerians, including those who called themselves “Biafrans”!
Can we, in the relative comfort of our places of abode, in this beautiful Nigeria, just sit tight and do nothing about what portends us, in the event of another “Biafran” experience brought about by innocent, screaming kids, who had no experience of the First Biafra – just waiting to compute statistics of the casualties of the second Biafran encounter?
Is this what we want for our dear country? Or is this what we want for our Youth? Can we the leadership of the Youth of Nigeria, Can we the Elders of the Youth of Nigeria, not even contemplate what is likely to happen, in a second biafran encounter, which is feasible and possible, the way these unemployed Youth are being energized, organized, and then sent into the streets, deliberately? The casualty was approximately 3 Million dead! What will the casualty be today – 6 – Million – or reach perhaps, 12 Million – What – Gentlemen of the Press?
If you look at Nigeria and Nigerian politics, Gentlemen of the Press, are you not perceiving some hidden agenda bursting through!
I see even though, you may not see, a strong indication that beyond this Biafran agitation is perhaps, the underline factor of resistance, by interest groups, to the emerging approach/order, which has surfaced stubbornly, and is gradually restoring order, sanity and discipline in the old system we had.
This resistance is provoked by the feelings of dissatisfaction arising from the clear policy direction of the new leadership on issues of probity, discipline and corruption.
This clear vision or direction has compelled a new order on all legitimate activities. This “change mantra” is what beneficiaries of the old system resist and oppose, and are actively organizing the unsuspecting Youth of some sections of our society, to oppose and work against it. They want to frustrate this “change mantra”!
Unfortunately, this new order, appears to be solidly anchored on the initiative of President Muhammadu Buhari who has been acknowledged with global reception, (a reception) that has restored the lost image and glory of Nigeria. I do truly believe that this is what is earnestly at stake, Gentlemen of the Press!
Otherwise, what is this imaginary marginalization the Ibos are complaining about, when all the 5 South Eastern states representing the entire Ibo race, “biafra”, are represented in the Federal Cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari – all by only Ibo people?
Allow me to play the tribal card, just a little bit, Gentlemen of the Press.
I am a Tivman, belonging to the 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria. I come from Benue State and form almost three-quarters of the population of Benue.
I voted APC and President Muhammadu Buhari almost, 100 percent! I returned two Senators from the two Tiv Senatorial Districts to Abuja, on the platform of APC.
I threw out the PDP Governor that was Governor of Benue, and voted in, a new Governor, on the platform of APC. Yet, I am not represented in the APC Federal Cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari, despite voting massively all the way for the APC Government!
And, I am not agitating, blocking roads and the Makurdi Bridge, which is the link between the NORTH and the SOUTH, more especially, the South East!
I also have kids and children called Youth. But I have NOT sent these kids to prevent traffic plying nor entering, neither the Railway Makurdi Benue Bridge, nor Motor Vehicles Makurdi Benue Bridge! And, I am CERTAINLY NOT sending, and WILL NOT send, these young people – mere kids, into the streets, in harm’s way, to protest “marginalization” of my Tiv people!
Now, contrast this with the situation in the 5 South Eastern states – the Ibo states.
Not a single State in the Ibo South East, voted for President Muhammadu Buhari, nor gave APC majority votes!
Yet in distributing political patronage by Mr. President and the APC, the President and
APC gave the Ibo South East, a minimum of 5 Cabinet Ministerial slots, in addition to other critical appointments in public Parastatals, Boards and even in Federal Ministries, as Permanent Secretaries, etc!
What should Nigeria, APC and Mr. President do again, to appease the leadership and followership of the Ibo race, so as to avoid been charged with marginalizing the Ibo race of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, so that their Youth will not confront us, with violent, threats, of another Biafran bout?
Perhaps, the Ibo people of the South East, and the PDP, are simply insisting on the Buhari Administration continuing with what their kith and kin, Pius Anyim and President Jonathan, were doing during their tenure!
Let us just take a peep at how Goodluck Ebele Nnamdi Azikiwe Jonathan, got the correct combination, for the Youth of Ibo race, to avoid demonstration and charges of marginalization of the Ibo race, in the multiethnic Federal Republic of Nigeria: Senator Anyim Pius Anyim – Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Ngozi Okonjo Iweala – Coordinating Minister of the Economy & Minister of Finance; Chief Ojo Maduekwe – Minister of Foreign Affairs; Stella Oduah – Minister of Aviation; Deziani Alison Madueke – Minister of Petroleum Resources; Mr. Edem Duke – Culture and Tourism; Mr Osita Chidoka – In charge of Road Safety; Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu Minister of Health; Hon. Chukwuemeka Wogu – Minister of Labour; Dr. Stephen Orinse Oru – Minister of Niger Delta; Dr. Tamuno Danagogo – Minister of Sports; Professor Chinedu Nebo – Minister of Power!
Should I also give you the appointments in Boards, Parastatals, Ministries and Permanent Secretaries, Directors of Ministries, etc. so we can establish the obscene skewed numerosity and preponderance of members of the Ibo race of Nigeria? Is this what is missed, and yearned for, with the demise of the Jonathan Administration?
Gentlemen of the Press, Perhaps it is indeed these unwholesome, discriminatory, divisive, unconstitutional, unfair, unhelpful, sectional biased practices and acts, which were meticulously supervised and implemented with impunity, under President Jonathan’s watch, that appeased the great Youth of Ibo race of the multiethnic Federal Republic of Nigeria, to refuse being sponsored for agitations, for the realization of the “Sovereign State of Biafra” under the Administration of President Goodluck Jonathan!
Fourty Five years ago, with a horrendous casualty tag of over 3,000,000 DEAD, in Nigeria’s brutal war of Unity and Federalism as opposed to Confederalism, Secessionism and Immediate Breakup of our Federal Union, the fate of Biafra was sealed in that most painful war of attrition, successfully fought and waged to a finish! The FEDERALISTS prevailed. The charlatans threatening war now, do NOT KNOW what war is. We do!
We fought a most horrid, most terrible, three-year-brutal-painful war against ourselves! We do not want, EVER, to be made to fight again!
Nigeria fought to actualize and consolidate the Indissolubility of our Federal Union, 45 years ago, just like the USA fought, in a similar manner, to found the United States of America. They too paid that price, approximately 200 years ago to consolidate their kind (type) of Federalism in the United States of America, and I am sure, they too WILL NOT WANT TO HAVE another go, at a new Civil War!
What our country needs, we submit humbly, Gentlemen of the Press, is fairness, justice and equity. We need these attributes firmly (to be entrenched) in our practice and statutes.
We need a good social order, and an acceptance that penchant chronism and sectionalism, which gives unfair advantage and confer huge unearned financial and economic dividends to, “my people”, as was done with impunity, under Jonathan’s Administration, with no regards to the feelings and sensibilities of others, is not right and thoroughly condemnable!
This is what we must tackle seriously in this plural Nigeria, of multiple ethnicities, multiple religions. A leader should not flaunt such prodigious propensity for favouring only his ethnic people!
One more example, then I am done, distinguished Gentlemen of the Press, let me give you the differential discriminatory and unfair treatment of the Tiv by the Federal Government, in sorting out the gruesome military invasions in two separate host communities:
i. ODI – a little place in Bayelsa – the home state of President Goodluck Ebele Nnamdi Azikiwe Jonathan.
ii. ZAKI-BIAM – located in Benue – the home State of the TIV citizens of Nigeria
The unlawful, unwarranted, unconstitutional killings resulting from the military invasions of ODI, in Bayelsa State and Zaki-Biam, Gbeji, Katsina-Ala and other villages in Benue State, became subject of litigation.
Solicitors representing individuals and interests-groups, of the two host communities, took the Federal Government to Court for unlawful military invasion and killings of people from the two host communities.
Eventually, under President Jonathan’s watch, judgment was entered against the Federal Government that:
(i) The people of ODI, from President Jonathan’s home State, BAYELSA, be paid a compensation of N37.6 billion.
(ii) The Tiv people of Zaki-Biam, Gbeji, Katsina-Ala and four other villages, from Benue State, be paid a compensation of 41.8 Billion Naira – because more killings and more extensive destructions were inflicted upon them!
There ensued serious negotiations to settle out of court.
President Jonathan’s Administration ordered that the people of ODI from Bayelsa, President Jonathan’s home state, be paid an out-of-Court settlement sum of 15 billion.
The same Administration of President Jonathan, ordered that the Tiv people of Zaki-Biam, Gbeji, etc., from Benue State, be paid 8 Billion, as out-of-Court-settlement sum. Why?
The people of Odi suffered less casualty, less and limited structural damage and destruction, as compared to the Tiv people of Zaki-Biam, Gbeji, etc, who took horrendous casualties and very expansive destruction spread over two Local Government Areas! They who suffered much-much more, were awarded a mere 8 Billion. ODI, who suffered far far less, were awarded a whopping 15 Billion! Why?
Subsequently, President Jonathan still doing nothing about the Tiv, ordered that ODI be paid, the full sum of 15 Billion immediately! This sum was so obediently released – and released intoto - COMPLETELY, since November 2014 by President Jonathan’s ethnically biased Administration!
Is this not what the whole misconstrued and distorted clamour for “Biafra” is all about, Gentlemen of the Press?
What about the Tiv, who had far more killings and sufferings inflicted upon them, now suffering discrimination and unfair treatment, again, at the hands of the tribally jaundiced Administration of President Jonathan, he who swore to do justice to all manner of people not minding tribe?
Gentlemen of the Press, guess what: As I address you here-in Makurdi – today, the Zaki-Biam, Gbeji, etc, Tiv people of Benue State, have NOT yet been paid a single DIME – today-at the tail end of 2015! NOT EVEN ONE KOBO!
How could it be right that President Jonathan’s people of ODI with 37.6 Billion Court Award, be settled at 15 Billion; and Tiv of Zaki-Biam, Gbeji, etc., who are not President Jonathan’s people, with a Court Award of 41.8 Billion, be settled at 8 Billion; in an out of Court settlement with and, from the same Administration – and even at that, the higher judgment debt of 15 Billion is completely paid, and has been so paid since 2014, but that smaller judgment debt of 8 Billion, has NOT been paid up till now-end of 2015!
I submit humbly, Gentlemen of the Press, this must be the kind of unmerited, discriminatory preferential treatment, the advocates of the Biafranization of Nigeria, are surreptitiously calling for its re-institutioning in this plural Nigeria, of multiple tribes!
Today, Gentlemen of the Press, I feel emboldened and feel sincerely, that I have an obligation to urgently clarify an issue once and for all.
I speak proudly and address you today as the Deputy Leader of the Northern Elders Forum, an organization committed to the consolidation of the unity of the peoples of Northern Nigeria, within the context of a United Nigeria.
And in like manner, I also address you today very proudly, very publicly and very firmly as a Tiv tribesman, of Northern Nigeria, from the Middle-Belt, asserting and claiming to be the natural political leader and spokes-person, and historical custodian of the mythology, of the Tiv race of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Standing on the above, I submit most humbly, gentlemen of the press, that the current “Biafran” invigorated agitation running a mock, in our country, is totally without merit.
It is presented as a blackmailing, negotiating joker which should not be allowed to work!
It appears sponsored, and is designed to divert concentrated attention from the spirited, focused, and results-oriented campaign of the current Administration, to retrieve some of the colossal sums of money looted from our public treasury, by some of the past public office holders, as well as, some of those who had enjoyed the lavish patronage, of the Jonathan Administration, and were allowed unlimited and unmerited access to the national wealth of this country, including the shameless collection of fuel subsidy monies, without accounting for 1 litre of imported Petroleum product!
Perhaps, this is why Biafra has had to become an issue for the front burner!
Today, speaking as an elder statesman, I question and advice advocates for the renewed campaign for the actualization of “Biafra”, to re-examine critically, the reasons for which they are advocating for Biafra, an inelegant idea that generated a terrible conflict, which took so many lives, and let them soberly and rationally put these their reasons forward, for examination.
But they should desist from making inflammatory, provocative and reckless vituperations that appear on the surface reasonable, but in fact, inflame passions. We have been that way before. These demonstrators we see on the streets have NOT. They have NOT seen war, nor lived through the terrible consequences of a civil war. We have. They should not push this country into another senseless conflict that won’t solve any of our problems!
The history of Nigeria is replete with credible groups and outstanding individuals from all the tribes of this country, including the Ibos of Nigeria. This country is great! Our strength is indeed, in the multi-tribal nature of our great nation-state. And I know for example, the Fasholas, the Ogbonnaya Onus, of Nigeria, and a host of others, in Buhari’s team, will shock the world with their performance and achievements, if not derailed and diverted by tribal jingoistic diversion! They will still proudly belong to their ethnic nationalities! This is the kind of Nigeria, some of us parents, would want to leave behind for our children and posterity.
I remember with nostalgia, the differential roles played by the true Heroes of our Revolution: I remember, my role model – the Rt. Honourable Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
I remember the Sardauna of Sokoto, who made it possible for a lot of us people from the North, to go to School, in real comfort.
I remember the great Awo, father of Federalism and “Free Education”, in our country, Nigeria.
I remember many many more, men of “timber and caliber” – the “caterpillars” – all of them, great Nigerians and the complimentary roles they played, which collectively, enabled us to be where we are today.
At Eighty years young today, I cannot sit and watch the misguided young men, who did not even see the sufferings which the civil war unleashed on Nigeria to take us down that path, by condoning the inciting histrionics, they are dishing out, unchallenged.
As one of the leaders of this country, YES I want to facilitate solid unity of the nation through working tirelessly for the constructive, creative and proactive togetherness of all other ethnic nationalities of Nigeria. But I MUST still remain solidly Tiv, from the Middle-Belt, located in NORTHERN NIGERIA, geopolitically joining hands with my comrades of the SOUTH, to champion the course of a united strong nation-state of Nigeria, even in battle!
So, for the avoidance of doubt, we, the Tiv of Nigeria, remain resolute to resist, to confront and to respond appropriately, to any threat to national unity and the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which a huge disproportionate majority of our people, did shed their blood to consolidate, in the jungles of Biafra, 45 years ago!
Historically therefore, we cannot keep silent, when someone is talking about the breakup of this nation-state of Nigeria. This is tantamount to spiting on the graves of the hundreds of thousands of our young men and women who made the supreme sacrifice in that destructive most painful war of Unity, in the swamps, the creeks and the muddy trenches of Biafra!
We however believe that our country-men and country-women, need to talk to one another, genuinely, in an atmosphere of calm, about their common community of togetherness and the problems they perceive will smoothen their togetherness in the nation-state of Nigeria which they crystallized in a 3 year brutal war of attrition, that killed 3 million of their kith and kin. But this, should not be done by holding a gun over anybody’s head!
In this regard, we suggest that the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari after cleaning up, and realizing great dividends, from their efforts to make the people who carted away the national wealth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, bring back and pay back substantial portions of these astronomical sums looted, he should set up a national standard for conducting the business of government, which will enable everybody evaluate or judge, appropriate and inappropriate behavior, with reward and sanctions appropriately prescribed and clearly stated, for each category of public behavior chosen, or indulged in, by any citizen of Nigeria.
Thereafter, he should turn attention to the question of our proactive communal togetherness, by allowing the sovereign people of Nigeria to convoke a Sovereign National Conference to give to themselves a serious atmosphere to dialogue and ponder over all issues of our togetherness and communal relationships, including patronage, allocation of duties, and responsibilities, values, resources and representation, in order to maximize the engagement and liberalise our citizenship rights and obligations, thus reducing the latent areas of our constant friction, irritation, mistrust, suspicion and some justifiable agitation.
This is the birth right of the sovereign people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and they should not be denied this, the choruses of interested social friends of Jonathan, clamouring for the implementation of the ‘decisions’ reached at the handpicked and enticed-to-participate-by-money-social retreat, that they called “National Conference”, notwithstanding! These people represented no one, except Jonathan and themselves!
Wantaregh Paul Unongo, OFR
Deputy Leader, NORTHERN ELDERS FORUM
December 11th 2015

The Return Of Aesthetic And The Consciousness Of A Greater Benue In Sight.

Test they say is the ultimate step towards greatness and the ongoing progress in Benue state is a result of the test carried out by the people of Benue months ago. What we see in Makurdi town which is in motion to other parts of the state is a fulfillment of the promise of a greater Benue.
The Taskforce on Environmental Sanitation and Sustainability is a vehicle/machinery put in place by the Executive Governor of Benue State Chief Dr Samuel Ortom and is consistently greased by the Peoples Commissioner Hon Nick Wende.
A vehicle charged with the responsibility of complete transformation of the ugly sights in Benue and total eradication of the ugly practices that has brought the aesthetic value of Benue to a standstill. Behold I present to you one of the first steps towards the eradication of eyesore and actualization of the aesthetic pride of the North Central. “A Greater Benue” which is our collective vision.

Environmental Sanitation and Sustainability; The Way Forward

The current practices carried out by members of the society can lead to a permanent ruin of the environment if it isn’t curbed now. These practices include the indiscriminate dumping of refuse, bush burning and deforestation.
Those residents in Makurdi have converted major roads and drainages to refuse dumps and these practices have adverse effects on our environment.
Thankfully, the Hon Commissioner of the Benue State Ministry of Water Resources and Environment Engr. Nick Wende has set up a special programme targeted at ensuring a clean environment. The goal of this Environmental control an sustainability programme is to protect and promote human health by providing a clean environment and breaking the cycle of disease.
The practice of environmental sanitation and sustainability helps to ensure the needs of today’s population are met without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
With the efforts put in by this Environmental control an sustainability programme in ensuring a clean Benue, the state will wear a new look before long. A clean Benue is a healthy Benue and a healthy Benue is a wealthy Benue. Let’s keep our environment clean to achieve our goal of a collective vision for a new Benue.

ENOUGH OF THIS ACTIVATION OF THE BIAFRAN DEBACLE

By Wantaregh Paul Unongo, OFR – DEPUTY LEADER OF NORTHERN ELDERS FORUM

In the recent past, we the citizens of the great and beautiful country of Nigeria have once again, been inundated and bombarded by hysterical shrieks of an unbridled unparalleled destructive nature on our streets: leading up to even the shutting up of important public highways and bridges, such as the recent confusion on the famous Onitsha-Asaba Niger bridge which disrupted travel for over 11hours! Divisive, abusive demagogic rhetorics, similar to the incredulous and incredible irrationality that pervaded the country, just before the nation-state of Nigeria was plunged into the most devastating calamity – a most terrible, most painful, most distractive civil war, in which we killed and maimed almost 3 million men, women and children of Nigeria!
The then apostles of destabilization masquerading as proponents and exponents of the rise of “the Biafran sun,” in the heart of Africa to lead the whole of Africa, pushed hapless, unsuspecting youth of Nigeria into that terrible mass slaughter!
In that mass hysteriasis of gargantuan proportions called the Nigerian Civil War, the Federalist Forces prevailed and the secessionist were defeated.
However, the war time leader, General Yakubu Gowon, of the Federalist Forces would throughout the war period, kept on insisting that the Biafran Secessionists, were not enemy of the Federalists, He probably understood the implications of the historic opportunity provided by the victory over the forces of disintegration and at amnestice declared, incorporated the concept that there is “no victory and no vanquished” in our civil war. Perhaps, this great advocate of ONE NIGERIA, - viable, strong, flexible, all inclusive Federation for Nigeria visualized a stronger union, versatile hence his immediate launching of National Policies designed to unite and programmed to strengthen national cohesion and advancement of all the people of the nation-state of Nigeria immediately after the cessation of hostilities!
These programmes were for sustainable unity to guarantee the indissolubility of the Nigerian-state, distilled from the excruciating suffering of the Nigerian Youth.
This was a war fought with the ferocity and an inventiveness which will forever resist and discourage all future efforts at disintegration of the country. The general launched programmes of unite were referred to as and called the 3Rs as Reconstruction, Reconciliation and Rehabilitation.
This initiative known as the 3Rs, was immediately to be followed by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) which has remained a visible evidence of integration to promote unity, development and patriotism across the common nation-state of Nigeria.
It is equally instructive to bear witness to further unfolding issues that tended to consolidate the unity of the nation. The Second Republic that came along after the war, restored the participatory right and dignitary of the Ibos, who became elected and appointed into key offices in the presidential consolidation of 1979-1983.
Also, the Architect and leader of the Biafran secessionists, late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, in addition to his earlier surrendering posture, openly repudiated the concept of Biafra and accepted and declared in public the supremacy of the Federation Republic of Nigeria. He also accepted a state pardon at the instance of President Shehu Shagari.
To confirm the terminal point of the Biafran agitation, Chief Ojukwu led the South East to return into the mainstream of Nigeria and repeatedly aspired to elective offices under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, before his demise, including vying for the topmost position. He did not make it, but his tribesman, Goodluck Ebele Nnamdi Azikiwe Jonathan made it to the top as the President of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Now, what does this sudden, reinvigorated passionate renewed agitation for the realization of Biafra mean and what does it portend for the future of our country? This once great country that had been almost ruined by the reckless maladministration and impunity of past leaders who were so incredibly insensitive?
Why particularly so soon after inauguration of the President Mohammadu Buhari Administration – an Administration which was well received locally and international? Its “change mantra” appeared to be on a steady course to arrest the institutional decays in governance and government and why did it not appear under President Jonathan Administration? Then why this hostile sudden biafranization of the Nigerian polity? Are we seriously contemplating leading Nigeria, once again into another costly war, the kind of which was Bifra’s?
Before I attempt an answer to that question, Distinguished Gentlemen of the Press, permit me to take a peep into history, even though I wonder if man ever learns from history!
In nineteen seventeen (1917), the World was confronted by a Germany that sought to dominate it, as spousing, a very demagogic, and a very dangerous philosophy of the superiority of the Germany race over all races. The then world rejected this phenomenon.
Germany confronted the world with a war which was fought with ferocity and took an incredible casualty of elven Million Dead. The world had hitherto not seen this kind of casualty. Consequently, the world termed that war, the First World War!
This World War of the Germans which killed 11 million people, came to an end in 1918, when Germany became defeated. In history, this war also became known as “the war to end all wars”.
Incredibly and amazingly, Gentlemen of the Press, Germany did not learned a lesson from the experience of this costly war!
As the world slumbered and slept dreaming of a glorious era free of all wars, Germany was quietly preparing for return match, still considering themselves to be a special specie, better and superior than all races. They just had to dominate everybody else.
In 1939 Germany was ready to make war. She officially launched a most devastating war that shocked and shook the world to its foundations!
Gentlemen of the Press, this second adventure of the Germans, at the time, was defeated once again, in 1945.
The World however, lost 47 million men to the war! Russian alone recorded 22 million men killed.
Gentlemen of the Press, The Biafran Civil War of 1967-1970 killed approximately 3 million Nigerians including those who called themselves biafrans.
Can we, in relative comparism, afford to sit and do nothing about portend of another Biafran experience, just waiting to compute statistics of the casualties of the Nigerians in our second Biafran encounter? Is this what we want for our dear country? Or is this what we want for our youth? Can we the leadership of the Youth of Nigeria, Can we the Elders of the Youth of Nigeria, not even contemplate what is likely to happen, in a second biafran encounter, which is feasible and possible.
If you look at Nigeria and Nigerian politics, Gentlemen of the Press, you may, or may not see a strong indication that beyond this biafran agitation is perhaps, the underline factor of resistance by interest groups to the emerging order which is gradually restoring order, sanity and discipline in the old system we had.
This resistance is provoked by the feelings of dissatisfaction arising from the clear policy direction of the new leadership on issues of probity, discipline and corruption. This clear vision or direction has compelled a new order on all legitimate activities. This “change mantra” is what beneficiaries of the old system resist and oppose and are actively organizing the unsuspecting Youth of some sections of our against it or frustrate.
Unfortunately, this new order, appears to be solidly anchored on the initiative of President Muhammadu Buhari who has been acknowledged with global reception, that has been restored the lost image and glory of Nigeria. I truly believe that this is what is earnestly at stake.
Otherwise, what is the marginalization the Ibos are complaining about when all the 5 South Eastern states representing the entire Ibo race, “Biafra”, are represented in the Federal Cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari – all by only Ibo people?
Let me play the tribal card just a little, Gentlemen of the Press.
I am a Tivman, belonging to the 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria. I come from Benue State and form almost three-quarter of the population of Benue. I voted APC and President Muhammadu Buhari almost, 100 percent! I returned two Senators from the two Tiv Senatorial Districts to Abuja on the platform of APC. I threw out the PDP Governor that was Governor of Benue, and voted in a new Governor, on the platform of APC. I am not represented in Federal Cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari despite voting massively for the APC Government! Yet, I am not agitating, blocking roads and the Makurdi Bridge. I also have kids and children called Youth. But I am CERTAINLY NOT sending these kids into the streets, in harm’s way, to protest marginalization of my Tiv people! Contrast this with the situation in the 5 South Eastern states – the Ibo states.
Not a single State in the Ibo South East, voted for President Muhammadu Buhari, nor gave APC majority votes!
Yet in distributing political patronage by Mr. President and the APC, they gave the Ibo South East a minimum of 5 Cabinet Ministerial slots, in addition to other critical appointments in public parastatals, Boards and as Permanent Secretaries, etc.
What should APC and Mr. President do again to avoid been charged of marginalizing the Ibo race of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, so that their Youth will not give us threats of another Biafran bout?
Perhaps, the people of the South East and the PDP are simply insisting on the Buhari Administration continuing with what their kith and kin, Pius Anyim and the President did.
Let us just take a peep at how Goodluck Ebele Nnamdi Azikiwe Jonathan, got the correct combination, for the Youth of Ibo race, to avoid demonstration and charges of marginalization of the Ibo race of the multiethnic Federal Republic of Nigeria: Senator Anyim Pius Anyim – Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Ngozi Okonjo Iweala – Coordinating Minister of the Economy & Minister of Finance; Chief Ojo Maduekwe – Minister of Foreign Affairs; Stella Oduah – Minister of Aviation; Deziani Alison Madueke – Minister of Petroleum Resources; Mr. Edem Duke – Culture and Tourism; Mr Osita Chidoka – In charge of Road Safety; Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu Minister of Health; Hon. Chukwuemeka Wogu – Minister of Labour; Dr. Stephen Orinse Oru – Minister of Niger Delta; Dr. Tamuno Danagogo – Minister of Sports; Professor Chinedu Nebo – Minister of Power!
Should I also give you the appointments in Boards, Parastatals, and ministries and Permanent Secretaries of Ministries?
Perhaps it is what President Jonathan did, and Pius Anyim did to satisfy the great Youth of Ibo race of the Federal Republic of Nigeria so they would be contented and refuse to be sponsored for agitation for the realization of the sovereign country of Biafra which Federalist forces killed on the battle field in Nigeria’s brutal war of Unity and Federalism as opposed to Confederalism, Secessionism and immediate breakup of the Federal Union.
We fought a most terrible three-year-brutal painful war against ourselves, we do not want ever to be made to fifth again!
Nigeria fought to actualize and consolidate the Indissolubility of our Union, 45 years ago, just like the USA fought, in a similar manner, to found the United States of America. They paid that price, approximately 200 years ago to consolidate the Federalism in the United States of America.
Do I need to give more examples? No!
No, instead let me give you’re the differential treatment that took place in two similar instances:
i. Odi Massacre and
ii. The Zaki-Biam Massacre
In 1999 an unwarranted, unconstitutional killing the massive people in Odi and Zaki-Biam, Gbeji, Katsina-Ala in 2001. The judgment was passed by the Federal government that Odi should be paid N37.6 billion while Tiv people with 41.8 billion. Which the Federal Government during President Jonathan Administration, ordered that Odi should be paid 15 billion and 8 billion to the Tiv which were not paid but Odi was paid. Why are the Tiv people not been paid? Is that how the Tiv people should be treated?
Today gentlemen of the press, I speak proudly as the Deputy Leader of the Northern Elders Forum and I speak also very publicly as a Tiv tribesman of Northern Nigeria, from the Middle-Belt, claiming to be their natural political leader and spokes-person, and historical custodian of the mythology of the Tiv race and I submit that the current biafran invigorated agitation is totally without merit. It appears sponsored to divert the attention from the spirited and focused campaign of the current administration to retrieve some of the colossal sums of money looted from public treasury by some of the past public office holders as well as some those who have the patronage of the Jonathan Administration and were allowed unlimited and unmerited access to the wealth of this country including the collection of fuel subsidy monies without accounting for 1 litre of imported Petroleum product. Perhaps, this is why Biafra had to become an issue for the front burner.
Today, speaking as an elder statesman, I question and advice advocate for a renewed Biafra to re-examine the reasons for which they are advocating for Biafra which took so many lives and put the reasons forward for examination. They should desist from making inflammatory, provocative and reckless vituperations that appear and look reasonable. The history of Nigeria is replete with credible roles that have been played by the people of Northern Nigeria particularly, the Tiv in joining hands to champion a united strong Nigeria even in battle. We remain resolute to resist, confront and respond appropriately to any threat to national unity and the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which a huge majority of our people shed their blood to consolidate in the Biafra war 45 years ago! Historically, we cannot keep silent when someone is talking about the breakup of this nation-state of Nigeria. This is tantamount to spiting on the graves of the hundreds of thousands of young men and women who made the supreme sacrifice in that destructive and painful war of Unity, in the trenches of Biafra. We believe that our country men and country women need to talk to one another genuinely about their common community togetherness and problems in the nation-state of Nigeria.
In this regard, we suggest that the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari after cleaning up and realizing great dividends from their efforts to make the people who carted away the national wealth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, bring back and pay back substantial portions of these astronomical sums looted, he should set up a national standard of conducting the business of government which will enable everybody be able to judge appropriate and inappropriate behavior and the reward and punishment clearly stated for each category of public behavior.
Thereafter, he should turn to the question of our proactive communal togetherness by allowing the sovereign people of Nigeria to convoke a Sovereign National Conference to give to themselves a serious atmosphere to pounder over all issues of our communal relationships including patronage, allocation of duties and responsibilities, values, resources and representation in order to maximize the engagement to form citizenship rights and reduce the latent areas of friction, mistrust, suspicion and justifiable agitation. This is the birth right of the sovereign people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
By Wantaregh Paul Unongo, OFR – DEPUTY LEADER OF NORTHERN ELDERS FORUM