The letter written by Ambassador Rotimi to Ojo Maduekwe
(Ragtag Biafran Army) is still making waves. If the ambassador had not mentioned
the Biafran war, no one would have cared what went on between him and the
minister. For him to have made that comment shows he is not here to cater for
the interest of all Nigerians in the United States. He is here to represent some
sections of the Nigerian populace.
Since after the war that reintegerated us (the Ibos) to the Nigerian society, it
has mainly been the Yorubas that continually reminded the Ibos about their
defeat during the war.Very good examples are General Julius Akinriade, General
Oladipo Diya, and a female staffer (name forgotten) of Obasanjo democratic first
term (1999). These individuals at one point or the other have made derogatory
statements against the Igbos during their time in office reminding us we are the
defeated people whenever we demand our rights. Upon all the inter tribal
marriages especially between the Ibos and Yorubas, (my Brother is married to one
of the best Yoruba ladies on earth) and there are a lot host of others I know,
there are still a lot of Yorubas who hate the Ibos.
One thing such people should remember is that without the help of Britain, Arab
countries (especially Egypt), Russia, Nigeria would not have defeated Biafra.
These countries supplied Nigeria with arms and personnel. It was the Egyptian
and Russian pilots that bombed the Biafran civilian population in market places
and churches. Biafra fought the war on our own ingenuity. Instead of Nigeria to
tap into those ingenuities to make Nigeria great, the Ibos were subjected to
second class citizenry and to this we say HELL NO.
During the campaign of 1999, the Ibos were again reminded that they have to wait
for 100 years before they can think of ruling Nigeria as a defeated people. One
of the editors of a popular newspaper (sorry I did not keep that paper) made
that comment. Gen. Danjuma had said in 1999 that if Ekwueme wins the presidency
he (Danjuma) will go on exile. That statement reminded the fickle minded to vote
against the Ibo man. This goes to show why Buhari struck when he did (when he
toppled Shagari). He knew that Ekwueme would have succeeded Shagari since he (Shagari)
had reached his term limit in 1983. He Buhari claimed to have come in to fight
corruption but corruption quadrupled during the reigns of his successors
Babangida and Abacha.
I had earlier mentioned Biafran ingenuity. Very good examples are ::
(1). The invention of cholera vacine by professor Njoku Obi of blessed memory.
His invention was swept under the carpet by Alhaju Aminu Kano (then minister for
health). The professor had to sell the patent to America and today Nigeria,
other African countries, and some Asian countries import cholera vacine (which
was invented by this honorable Biafran). What a shame. The glory which could
have gone to Nigeria was thrown away.
(2). Next is the ogbunigwe. This war equipment was the brain child of Biafran
engineers and scientists which would have been upgraded to match the rockets and
missiles of the western world by now. Again Nigeria missed out.
(3).The next one was the Biafran built armored car nicknamed "Corporal Nwafor".
And again Nigeria missed out.
The main reason Nigeria got the help from the countries I mentioned earlier was
not the love they have for Nigeria. It was to make sure that no Black nation
rises up. When ogbunigwe was introduced into the war, the Russian foreign
minister then Alexi Kosygen went to the United Nations and said something to
effect that "the world is watching Biafra manufacture and test their weapons on
Nigeria and if care is not taken, they will one day manufacture what will
destroy the world". I may not have quoted him verbatim but this was what he
said. The main reason he said that was not that Biafra will manufacture what
will destroy the world but he reminded the oppressors and haters of black race
not to sit idle and watch a black nation rise up. This is the naked truth. This
our so called rulers refused to recognize.
If Biafra had succeeded, every black nation on earth would have been proud to
point a finger at Biafra and say "THIS IS OUR OWN".
I was a primary school student when the war ended so let no one think I do not
know what I am talking about.
Richard Chima writes from New Jersey, United States.
rich_chima@yahoo.com
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