Dialogues: USA Africa Dialogue Series - On the Matter of Okokon Ndem's Name Being Associated with Falsehood and/or Propaganda for his Civil War Efforts for Biafra

QUOTE

The Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, said the late Okokon Ndem handled the propaganda of Biafra to the extent that neither Nigeria nor its opponent was sure of the real situation, a development which informed the announcement by General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) "as no victor no vanquished verdict at the end of the war."

UNQUOTE

QUOTE

Okoko Ndem was a venerable servant of Biafra. As usual, pictures of such distinguished men are hard to come by. The Ngbati press flooded the Internet with pictures of that incompetent Yoruba coach, Onigbinde, and that Ndayako man who died a few days ago. But, they could not list a picture of Ndem who lived a more worthy life. I hope that all the surviving Biafra heroes like Ojukwu, Effiong, Madiebo, Achuzie, and others attend the funeral of Ndem.

- Enobong Umoren

UNQUOTE

QUOTE

Lord "Haw-Haw"

Federal nickname for Okokon Ndem, a minority easterner who nevertheless, worked as a highly effective Biafran radio propagandist. Biafran radio also used the same nickname for Mr. Ukpabi Asika, a pro-federal Igbo intellectual who was appointed on October 27, 1967 by General Gowon as Administrator of the East-Central State. The term dates back to the Second World War. 'Lord Haw-Haw' was the name British radio fans called William Joyce, an American born British man with an English mother and Irish-American father. He had nazi sympathies and worked for Goebbels as a German weekly radio broadcaster. The British hanged him for treason in 1946.

UNQUOTE

My People:

Okokon Ndem (from Ikoneto in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State) died August 2003. He distorted the reality of the war on Radio so much that even his "employer(s)" - and a generation of Biafran(ist)s are/were deceived. That was how "good" he was - a little too good, one might add.

And there you have it.

Bolaji Aluko

Shaking his head

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

http://www.igbofocus.co.uk/html/biafra_news_articles_2.html

Ojukwu Defends Nigerian Civil War
From Amby Uneze in Calabar

Ikemba Nnewi and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Grand Allia-nce (APGA), Dim Chukw-uemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu has declared that the Nigerian civil war of 1967 to 1970 was fought to make the country better and not to disintegrate it as perceived by many.

The ex-Biafra war lord, who made this statement at the weekend in Calabar at the burial of former Biafra propagandist and renowned broadcaster, late Okokon Ndem, maintained that such better idea was shared between him and Okokon Ndem for the progress of the country.

"I'm so proud to be with you today. I recognise he was a hero. The simple life of Okokon Ndem made us proud to make Nigeria better. A struggle to make Nigeria proud," he said.

Ojukwu, who drove in a convoy was accompanied by senior Igbo leaders and APGA chieftains, including the party's national chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Abia State APGA governorship candidate in Chief Onwuka Kalu and the secretary-general of Igbo National Assembly, Chief Onwuka Ukwa.

In his tribute to the late Ndem, Ojukwu said his presence at the ceremony was to appreciate the late broadcaster for his role in the Biafran war, adding "I can say no better have you to him than to abandon the Igbo Day celebration going on at Enugu to be here."

"Today is Igbo Day celebration and I abandoned the ceremony in Enugu to be by his grave side. We shall never forget, throughout the existence of life we shall remember Okokon Ndem."

"Your late father was a hero. I assure you that he has left a worthy impression on all he served. On my part, as the leader of our people, I offer modestly my salute to this fallen hero. Ndigbo will never forget him, Biafrans, most certainly will forever honour him and Nigerians as a whole, will always respect, if nothing, his exemplary professionalism," he said.

Duke, who was represented by the secretary to the state government, Johnson Ebokpo prayed God to grant the soul of late Okokon Ndem eternal peace.
TD,29/9/03.

Back

We Fought to Make Nigeria Better,
Says Ojukwu
By Bassey Inyang

Ex-Biafran leader and presidential candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu at the weekend in Calabar stated that the bloody Nigerian civil war fought between July 1967 and December 1970 was to make Nigeria better rather than diminish it in status.

Ojukwu stated that they had to do that alongside the veteran broadcaster Late Okokon Ndem because of the conviction they shared that the people deserved a better deal.

The ex-warlord spoke while paying a personal tribute to Ndem whose remains was laid to rest at the weekend in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The APGA flagbearer while describing Ndem as a hero whose like was difficult to come by said he was a respected and beloved personality.

Before a mammoth crowed which gathered at the Cultural Centre Calabar, Ojukwu declared thus: "Before you let me proclaim that he is a hero the type of which is difficult to come by. Together we embarked on a struggle to make Nigeria better not to make Nigeria less."

He stated that he had to come to Calabar at the weekend despite the fact that the Igbo cultural day was being celebrated at Enugu because of the level of esteem to which he held Ndem and the family.

The former Biafran leader emphasised that the fallen hero will never be forgotten by those he left behind.
DI, 29/9/03.

Back

QUOTE

http://messageboard.biafranigeriaworld.com/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=print_topic;f=1;t=001273

It appears Okoko Ndem is really dead, here is a powerfull requiem someone wrote for him.
--------------------------------------------------

In Praise Of Okokon Ndem
by Chinyemike Torti

At the risk of being branded a MASSOB activist, even though there is nothing shameful being labelled with that appellation, given the preponderance of closet secessionist groups like O.P.C, Egbesu, Ogoni, Bill of Rights, Kaiama Declaration, Sovereign National Conference and Resource control agitators, strutting all over the federation; Ndigbo at home and abroad must rise in unison and hats off, to the late Chief Okokon Ndem whose golden voice ventilated the very essence of our resistance against the evils of genocide, pogrom, injustice and inhumanity.

While the boys in the war fronts were keeping the federalist army busy for three years, Okokon Ndem and his colleagues on their air waves effectively projected the Biafran counterpoint to the outside world and in the process drubbed Chief Anthony Enahoro's propaganda machinery hands down, so much so, that the Uromi Chief was booed by irate foreign journalists at the 1968 Kampala peace talks when he sought to clarify an agenda on the conference theme.

Today the octogenarian is sulking and embittered after being used and dumped as a Federal Minister of Information famous for white-washing the cracks of an imperfect federation which Chief Okokon Ndem articulated 30 years ago. The Edo Chief has joined the club of camouflage secessionists with his pet project dubbed Movement for National Reformation.

Okokon Ndem with his well-modulated and posh diction reeking with the elocution of the muses, functioned as an emotional prop and invigorator of sagging spirits in the beleaguered Igbo heartland, then at the receiving end of bombs, rockets, artillery fire, starvation, kwashiorkor and all the cruel bludgeoning of warfare. Behind the microphone, the style of his delivery had character and chutzpah, which put the dread in the hearts of enemy troops. Not only did his oratory disembowel the barefaced misrepresentation of the contending sides but also gave dialectical advocacy to the structural imperfections, ills and contradictions of the Nigerian federation which later day converts like Ken Saro-Wiwa, Afenifere and June twelvers latched on.

Apart from the public relations mileage Igbos gained from his endowments, Okokon Ndem in tandem with other easterners from the Calabar-Ogoja-Rivers flank like Chief N.U Akpan, General Philips Effiong, Major Archibong, Chief Emmanuel Aguma put paid to the vicious propaganda of Igbo domination. Okokon Ndem succinctly demonstrated that if you were competent in your chosen career, any person from the so-called minorities belt could match; excel and outclass his Igbo compatriot; which was the reality on the ground.

Hundreds of riverine, Efik, Ibibio and Ogoni civil servants occupied very senior positions in the Eastern Nigerian Civil Service. The first African principal of the elite Government College Umuahia in 1958 was the Buguma chieftain, Mr. Erekosima. Chief Kogbara, an Ogoni, was the Biafran envoy to United Kingdom. Ken Saro Wiwa himself passed out from Government College Umuahia in 1956, enjoyed Nnamdi Azikiwe scholarship and to cap it, Ken was a house Captain at Fisher House. Up till this day his name Kenule Saro-Wiwa is emblazoned in the roll of honour plaque at the Umuahia Government college of which I am privileged to be an old boy.

Chief Okokon Ndem debunked, demystified the nebula of Igbo domination. After the civil war, in the face of persecution from the conquering forces who threatened to pull out his tongue, Okokon Ndem never recanted, never did a verbal somersault. May his soul reincarnate in Igboland. And therein lies the morality of immortalising him.

Canonising Okokon Ndem should herald the genesis of the process of the recognition and rehabilitation of our genuine leaders and heroes both living and dead who went beyond the call of duty to do, what they had to do in the heady days of the sixties. The list is legion, but my mind readily recalls names likes Col. Onwuatuegwu, Chief Jacob Ukeje Agwu, Sir Louis Mbanefo, Dr. Nwariaku, Chief Roy Umenyi, Col. Ogbugo Kalu, Okigbo brothers, Chief Mojekwu, Dr. Ikejiani, Comrade Chukwumerije, Achebe, Professor Kalu Ezera, Eni-Njoku, etc. Nobody and nobody would ever pour cold water on the virtues of the Nigerian civil war because the causes are still very relevant to the solutions of the national question today.

The efforts of our heroes past as the say must not be diminished otherwise we would have a situation where ethnic irredentists, Igbophobes, re-write, distort and chronicle our history from their prejudiced blinkers. In recent years, we have witnessed hack writers and columnists who were in their diapers when the guns were booming, pontificate that Igbos fought a wrong war! Their verbal assault is beginning to gnaw into the psyche and subliminal of some wet and spineless Igbos who now denigrate their roots of origin.

Okokon Ndem, is a metaphor nay epitome of the effervescent human spirit in its quest for excellence, fair play and liberty from the grips of hegemonic power relations. That was the centrepiece of the 1960 Aburi Accords, whose truncation led to the civil war. Thirty years after, the crux of the national question still revolves around the unresolved problems. You wonder why the Niger-Delta is conflagrating? The cauldron in Warri is a microcosm of the discontent nationwide. God is not mocked. You cannot sow cassava and reap cocoyam.

UNQUOTE

On Sat, Feb 2, 2013 at 4:23 PM, Ayo Ojutalayo <ayoojutalayo@yahoo.com> wrote:

Gregg / Opara-were,

Okonko Ndem's name is not "equated" with falsehood, but with propaganda. There is a difference between falsehood and propaganda. The following are not falsehood but

a few (just a few) of the propaganda to which Okonko Ndem's name are "equated".

1) biafra has a military that no force in Africa can defeat!
2) Awolowo has assured us that as soon as we secede, West will follow.

3) Nigeria is committing genocide against Igbo.
4) Nigeria has blockade biafra to cause starvation in biafra.

5) Any Igbo that crosses to the federal troops will be killed.
6) It is better to die fighting because Igbo will be killed if we surrender!
7) Yorubas are complaining that the war is lasting for too long. They will soon throw-in the towel and leave only Northerners to fight biafra. It will be easier to defeat the Northerners!
8) It is the British, the Russians and Egyptians that are helping Nigeria to have upper hand!

Note that just like blockade, propaganda is NORMAL in war. And biafra won the propaganda war, thanks to Okonko Ndem.

Ayo Ojutalayo

From: peter opara <ogbuonyeiro@yahoo.com>
To: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com; imostatecongress@yahoogroups.com; igboworldforum@yahoo.com; abiausa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2013 11:05 PM
Subject: [NIgerianWorldForum] The Great Enyi Biafra - Okonkon Ndem the Best Broadcast Journalist West Africa Has Ever Produced

Nnaa, Okokon Ndem's voice rings in my head to this day. I was yet in the village in 1967 to early 1968, when the man's voice made pieces of art work - ugly are work, deservedly so with names like British Harold Wilson, Alexei Kosygin, Shosho Gowon....njeolee okereke..whoever that quisling and a traitor was. Gentleman Okokon Ndem, was the best that ever strode the land space in Africa. Okon Ndem lived through war, and enjoyed some good peace time. Yours truly only have the great man's image plastered in my head. Wish technology was much around, and the cretins wishing to append the word lie to his name will have his picture to deal with. How could they see the face of the man who kept Gowon restless and say a word? Cowards do nothing but concoct stories about great men the likes of Okokon Ndem. Peace, perfect peace is Okokon Ndem - the great Enyi Biafra.

--- On Thu, 1/31/13, Gregg <gukaegbu@comcast.net> wrote:

From: Gregg <gukaegbu@comcast.net>
Subject: [NIgerianWorldForum] Okonkon Ndem the Best Broadcast Journalist West Africa Has Ever Produced
To: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, January 31, 2013, 12:48 PM

A lot of you are begining this tiny mission creep of trying to equate Okokon Ndem's name with falsehood. Just note that there is none like him in broadcast journalism and I doubt that there forever will be in any like him south of the Mediterrenean ever again. Push out whoever you consider your best broadcast journalist and let's compare them with Okonkon Ndem on any criteria you choose--the man will still stand heads and shoulders over your choice. As many of you roll around in the mud here everyday because there is no shame in doing so, be careful with what you do to other people's names.

*ezekwe*
--- In NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com, Adeniran Adeboye wrote:
>
>
> Igboka,
>
> If you need to contradict me with TRUTH and not the patent OKOKON
> propaganda LIES, just research and name 6 people who died as a result
> of the Wetie. Remember that 6 is the lowest among numbers great than
> 5. The readership is waiting.
>
> Adeniran Adeboye
>
>
>
> On Jan 31, 2013, at 1:51 AM, Igboka Uwadiegwu wrote:
>
> >
> > "The entire WETIE lasted from October 12 1965 to January 14, 1966
> > i.e. 15 months and 2 days. All over Western Nigeria, during that
> > period, no more than five (5) people died from the operation,
> > averaging one death every 3 months" aa
> >
> >
> > White-wash and white-wash and re-white-wash and if possible with
> > LIES only. Wettie cost only 5 lives and lasted only 15 months ????
> > How dishonest and dishonorable can some people get ? How low can
> > they descend to any gutter level just to deny reality and rewrite
> > facts of history whose victims are still very much alive. Some
> > people simply have NO honor. Some people do not know what honor means.
> >
> > Awo-fascists are degenerate liars. This same guy who just yesterday
> > claimed the absolute truth was that awo resigned because his dumb
> > free-education policy was not adopted by the FEC, sneaked back a few
> > hours later claiming awo resigned because of some multiple reasons
> > one of them being Gowon reneging on his promise to hand over power
> > to civilians ('civilians' here being a code word for...awolo-wowo).
> > And this was after this last "truth" was suggested by another awoist
> > pig. Earth worms have more honors.
> >
> > Operation wettie wasn't just a virtual name. Operation wetti-e was
> > THE barbaric INCIDENTS that engulfed the South Western region for so
> > long that the region got dubbed the "wild wild west". These savage
> > incidents indisposed the other more civilized parts of this nation
> > to no end, just as today's Boko Haram's incidents in the North.
> > What's more, these primitive incidents were so serious and lasted so
> > long they got some naive Majors trying awkwardly to halt the descent
> > to hell of this nation by carrying a revolution out.
> >
> > Till this day, wettie directly talks to every yoroba above the age
> > of 50. The trauma is still there. The pains also. No event that cost
> > even 50 lives can stay this memorable in the minds of a whole
> > nation, of a whole region and of the victims and their descendants.
> > No series of events costing only 50 lives can get a region reminding
> > people of the "wild wild west" of the lawless and untamed "medieval"
> > America. Wettie was a crime against a people. A crime engineered by
> > an abject mind belonging to an abject personality.
> >
> > Igboka
> > NB: Reading these freaks here, one would think awo, this primitive
> > man from Ukene, ogun state INVENTED the word and the very concept of
> > free education. A closer look, however, would reveal that the FIRST
> > application of the free-education concept in Nigeria wasn't by this
> > awo animal. What's more, even that free education in the western
> > region was Akintola's idea and vision that the over-ambitious
> > upstart and self-centered opportunist awo STOLE.
> >
> >
> > De : Adeniran Adeboye
> > À : NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com
> > Cc : NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com; omo oodua
> >; Yorubanation ; NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com
> > ; imostatecongress@yahoogroups.com; igboworldforum@...; Vin
> > Otuonye ; Vincent Modebelu
> >; Joe Attueyi ; worldigbocongress@yahoogroups.com
> > ; abiausa@yahoogroups.com
> > Envoyé le : Jeudi 31 janvier 2013 4h44
> > Objet : [NIgerianWorldForum] Re: ||NaijaObserver|| Nkechi do not
> > listen to Liar Yeye Leye Ige...Igbo liberated Yoruba land.... and
> > and sue Nigeria & Awo: Re: Twenty-pound policy was humanitarian: Re:
> > Kunle: Re: no sentiment it was war: Re: W orth Repeating: Why did
> > Awo institute the 20 pounds policy
> >
> >
> >
> > Dear Aburo Peter,
> >
> > Happy New Year.
> >
> > The entire WETIE lasted from October 12 1965 to January 14, 1966
> > i.e. 15 months and 2 days. All over Western Nigeria, during that
> > period, no more than five (5) people died from the operation,
> > averaging one death every 3 months. I believe that it is a stretch
> > to call that outcome a fratricide never never known before in Africa
> > and in Nigeria. I have worse examples from some other parts of
> > Nigeria before that period but it may not be politically correct to
> > bring them out now.
> >
> > I must however admit that since the Yoruba had not demonstrated such
> > civil reaction up to that point, especially between May 1962 and
> > October 11, 1965, Nigerians were taken aback.
> >
> > Adeniran Adeboye
> >
> > On Jan 30, 2013, at 6:52 PM, peter opara wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>
> >> Nkechi, do not listen to a word of inveterate liar Yeye Leye Ige.
> >>
> >> The entire Yoruba were powerless at the time in question, and worse
> >> at the time leading up to the war itself. The Yoruba had self
> >> emasculated, having engaged in a fratricide never before known in
> >> Africa and in Nigeria, in particular.
> >>
> >> Ask liar Yeye Leye Ige to explain to you what "Operation Wetie" was
> >> about. Yoruba people were setting themselves ablaze any and
> >> everywhere in Yoruba land. Imagine a people who went about and
> >> after their opponents with mouthful of kerosine or petrol, which
> >> they spat on their fellow Yoruba, and lit the match on them, and
> >> let them burn. Imagine that.
> >>
> >> On the contrary it was all cool and peaceful in the MI Okpara's
> >> east. In Port Harcourt where I lived, as an elementary school pupil
> >> then, we knew nothing but peace, Godly peace. The entire Nigeria
> >> unbeknownst to us lads, were focused on conflagrating western
> >> region where Yoruba people fed on each other.
> >>
> >> The 1966 coup d'etat, as explained by none other than one of the
> >> key participants - Major Ademoyega - was intended to save Yoruba
> >> people from themselves, and some how to supplant key Nigerian
> >> policy makers who had looked away as the west burned. Yes, the coup
> >> Yoruba people even now termed Igbo coup, was staged to save Yoruba
> >> from devouring themselves.
> >>
> >> Fast forward post coup, it was Ojukwu who demanded at Aburi, that
> >> all soldiers must return to their regions of origin. Listening to
> >> Liar Yeye Leye Ige , the dissembler, you would think Yoruba who
> >> were busy killing themselves, were in any shape to save themselves.
> >> Whossai? It was Ojukwu who used the word "Garrisoned" in relation
> >> to the preponderance of northern soldiers stationed then in the
> >> west. In Ojukwu's words - the west was "garrisoned by northern
> >> soldiers'. Ojukwu thus demanded that northern soldiers must be
> >> withdrawn from the west. And it happened. Ojukwu even made the
> >> demand relativeto his safety, when Nigeria upped their chicanery,
> >> working hard to lure Ojukwu to Benin for a meeting, where they had
> >> design only to murder him.
> >>
> >> Indeed, one of the few Godly, truthful Yoruba folks hereabouts let
> >> it be known thus - "let truth be told, it was Ojukwu that liberated
> >> the west from northern occupation". That is living history fact and
> >> truth. But liars like Yeye Leye Ige who are drunk on Awolowo's
> >> urine and bathed in Awolowo's pool of lies, will rather die than
> >> accord Ojukwu the world of kudos and honor he only deserves in that
> >> Lugard's Cage - Nigeria. But who cares? They Awoists sworn liars
> >> anyway.
> >>
> >> Even Awolowo tried to smear Ojukwu, who had nothing but charitable
> >> comments for Awolowo. Reading a pedestrian interview of Awolowo's
> >> referring to Ojukwu as "irredeemable" sealed the fact that Awolowo
> >> was, well, something else. Did you read a piece I posted here by
> >> another Yoruba, Duro Onabule on Awolowo's book, where Awolowo had
> >> not a single charitable word for Zik. The world belonged to
> >> Awolowo, the man believed; he was the wiser, and he had to rule the
> >> world. HE FAILED. The man was about power and material. And it
> >> showed. Awolowo headed UPN, his wife kept the money.
> >>
> >> On Yoruba saving themselves, which never happened, I tell you
> >> Nkechi, the likes of Bola Ige, wished Biafran soldiers could
> >> overrun the west, if only to ensure that northerners or their
> >> soldiers never hung around the west. Yes, Yoruba elites banked
> >> their hope on Igbo as their savior. That is public knowledge.
> >>
> >> Everything changed when Awolowo got called in by Gowon, gave
> >> Awolowo the word that Nigeria was his, if he helped Nigeria finish
> >> Igbo. Opportunist extraordinare, Awolowo went to work, and with his
> >> devil cousin Enahoro, they hatched the plan to starve Igbo to
> >> oblivion, among other plans they hatched.
> >>
> >> Not long before Achebe's book came out, I let out a poser, which no
> >> all knowing Yoruba cared to bite. My poser was - Why was it that
> >> barely weeks after Awolowo met Ojukwu in Enugu and showed
> >> understanding of Ojukwu's people's plight, Awolowo began designing
> >> a way to starve the same Ojukwu's people to death. The Yoruba world
> >> clammed up.Not a whimper was heard of them. Did not know there was
> >> some group called Awoists. It took an Achebe to smoke out Awoists
> >> from Awo pool of lies in which they reside. Now, we know them
> >> satanic Awoists drunk on Awolowo urine and bathed in Awolowo's pool
> >> of lies, who will deny everything about Igbo including the fact
> >> that Igbo liberated Yoruba land.
> >>
> >> --- On Wed, 1/30/13, Leye Ige wrote:
> >>
> >> From: Leye Ige
> >> Subject: Re: [NIgerianWorldForum] [talkhard] Re: [Anambra-
> >> WorldForum] Re: and sue Nigeria & Awo: Re: Twenty-pound policy was
> >> humanitarian: Re: Kunle: Re: no sentiment it was war: Re: W orth
> >> Repeating: Why did Awo institute the 20 pounds policy
> >> To: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com, "omo oodua"
>> >, "Yorubanation" , "naijaobserver"
>> >, NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com
> >> Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2013, 5:22 PM
> >>
> >>
> >> Sister Nkechi,
> >> You asked: "why didn't the FGN of put a leash on these angry
> >> soldiers or discipline them for these atrocities? "
> >> I will preface my answer with this observation. You have ALWAYS
> >> defended/excused Biafran leadership and when questions are raised,
> >> you don't respond; for example, a simple question as to HOW the
> >> kwashiorkored children came to be was NOT answered/addressed by
> >> you, you simply said you are their voice; YET, you want us to
> >> answer your questions?
> >> Having said that, I will still answer your poser--as there is
> >> NOTHING for us to hide.
> >> Since we all know these things did not happen just out of the
> >> blues--they were consequences of previous actions and in-actions,
> >> so it would make no sense to create an arbitrary boundary. Even if
> >> we agree to this arbitrary boundary, we MUST CONTEXTUALIZE, if we
> >> are serious about addressing the issues, lest it will be a
> >> situation of, as my General Afis would say, "who shot John". For
> >> every case of NBC's Ezeoke, there were many more of Adegboye's. As
> >> long as we REDUCE it to such level, we will simply be running
> >> around circles--for each one has enough to say about the other.
> >> CONTEXT, therefore matters. So, kindly come with me:
> >> (1) As the crisis developed, the Federal Government promulgated
> >> Decree 8, which included MAJOR PORTIONS of Aburi--to
> >> wit:decentralized Federal Government and Autonomous
> >> Regions(including returning soldiers to their Regions of origin).
> >> This would have INSTANTLY solved the problem.
> >> (2) This decree was nullified when Ojukwu's constituent assembly
> >> "empowered" him to declare secession as soon as practicable--
> >> REJECTING the decree's provisions. This CREATED another round of
> >> TENSIONS.
> >> (3)The Yoruba military and political leaders met and one of the
> >> items discussed was the actions of Northern soldiers in the West
> >> and the demand for all soldiers to return to their region of
> >> origin--which was an aspect of Decree 8. This was the CLINCHER to
> >> resolve the problem as the West was then the center of the eye storm.
> >> (4) It was at this meeting that Awo made the famous statement "if
> >> by any act of omission or commission......"
> >> (5) There were THREE DIFFERENT RESPONSES to this statement with a
> >> DIRECT consequence on events as they were happening, including
> >> those by "angry soldiers" (a) the North announced its acceptance
> >> and commitment to creation of states. (b) Ojukwu and Biafra used it
> >> as a propaganda tool that Awo "goaded" them into war(c) Hassan
> >> Katsina visited Generals Adeyinka Adebayo and Olufemi Olutoye to
> >> confirm that arrangements have been concluded to move Northern
> >> soldiers out of the West.
> >> Sister Nkechi, I have gone this far to situate this issue IN
> >> CONTEXT---that is Western Leaders and People were outraged at the
> >> actions of Northern soldiers and DID NOT want the West turned into
> >> a theater of war. The Federal government was in the process of
> >> resolving this issue via the agreed re-deployments and Biafra
> >> declared its intent to wage war of secession-- I am sure you can
> >> see HOW each section reacted and the impact of such reaction on
> >> developing events.
> >> It is disingenious to NOW want to ISOLATE these actions out of
> >> their CONTEXTS.
> >> Leye Ige
> >>
> >>
> >> --- On Wed, 1/30/13, aauwnycpres@... wrote:
> >>
> >> From: aauwnycpres@...
> >> Subject: Re: [NIgerianWorldForum] [talkhard] Re: [Anambra-
> >> WorldForum] Re: and sue Nigeria & Awo: Re: Twenty-pound policy was
> >> humanitarian: Re: Kunle: Re: no sentiment it was war: Re: W orth
> >> Repeating: Why did Awo institute the 20 pounds policy
> >> To: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com
> >> Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2013, 5:26 PM
> >>
> >>
> >> Pastor Joe
> >>
> >> Thank you for articulating it clearly. Prof. Adeboye thank you for
> >> illuminating the matter. Brothers Kunle and Leye, Pastor Joe's
> >> response is also for you as you appear to believe the fiction that
> >> all who ran back East first stopped at the bank to clean out their
> >> bank accounts.
> >>
> >> My question to all especially Prof Adeboye and brother Leye, why
> >> didn't the FGN of put a leash on these angry soldiers or discipline
> >> them for these atrocities?
> >>
> >> Best
> >> Nkechi
> >> aauwnycpres@...
> >> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
> >> From: "Joe Attueyi"
> >> Sender: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com
> >> Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2013 06:41:13 -0000
> >> To:
> >> ReplyTo: NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com
> >> Subject: [NIgerianWorldForum] [talkhard] Re: [Anambra-WorldForum]
> >> Re: and sue Nigeria Awo: Re: Twenty-pound policy was humanitarian:
> >> Re: Kunle: Re: no sentiment it was war: Re: W orth Repeating: Why
> >> did Awo institute the 20 pounds policy
> >>
> >>
> >> Thanks oga Adeniran for being a witness to truth. Even though your
> >> response ought to have been directed to the lie posted by Dr
> >> Idowubobo ----but I can understand why parapoism will be a
> >> hindrance to that.
> >>
> >> Unlike the lie posted by Dr Idowubobo Igbos did not leave Lagos and
> >> the west 'voluntarily'. They were being HUNTED by some vengeful
> >> angry soldiers ( in your own words, hehehe!) Some fled East. Some
> >> were sheltered by kind hearted folks like the Kunle Adegboyes of
> >> this world. Some were murdered outright like Phil Ume Ezeoke of
> >> NBC. NOBODY in any of these scenarios were in a position to first
> >> go to the bank and get their savings!
> >>
> >> Joe
> >> --- In NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com, Adeniran Adeboye wrote:
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Pastor Joe,
> >> >
> >> > If you seriously mean that question, then the answer is simply that
> >> > some angry soldiers went on a vengeful drive to punish Igbo people
> >> > anywhere they could find them. As this was not the policy of the
> >> > Federal government or any SW State government, it was not difficult
> >> > for the Yoruba to go all out to protect the Igbo on their land.
> >> > Indeed, the outcry by the Yoruba that all soldiers should be
> >> > repatriated to their regions of origin was informed by their
> >> > indignation toward having to protect a set of non-Yoruba from
> >> another
> >> > such set. A particularly frequent example was at the military
> >> > checkpoints between Ibadan and Lagos.
> >> >
> >> > Adeniran Adeboye
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On Jan 29, 2013, at 3:25 PM, Joe Attueyi wrote:
> >> >
> >> > >
> >> > > No Igbo person was persecuted in the SW and MW, they left these
> >> area
> >> > > of the country voluntary. Dr Idowubobo
> >> > >
> >> > > Kunle,
> >> > >
> >> > > I don't doubt that some igbos who were not able to cross the
> >> Niger
> >> > > before it became too late were sheltered by Yorubas in different
> >> > > cities in the west .
> >> > >
> >> > > Which then raises the question:
> >> > >
> >> > > If Idowubobo's assertion excerpted above is correct, why did they
> >> > > need sheltering?
> >> > >
> >> > > Joe
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > > --- In NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com, Kunle Adegboye wrote:
> >> > > >
> >> > > > That is Prof. China Achebe's personal experience. Some of us
> >> had
> >> > > different experiences. We sheltered several Igbo folks in our
> >> house.
> >> > > The lived among us in the middle of mortar pounding over our
> >> house
> >> > > from the Biafran side (during the invasion of Ore). If this Igbo
> >> > > hatred by the Yoruba was so pronounced, the soldiers that often
> >> > > dined at our house would have separated all the Igbo in the house
> >> > > and shot them.
> >> > > >
> >> > > > Kunle Adegboye.
> >> > > >
> >> > > > Sent from my iPad
> >> > > >
> >> > > > On Jan 28, 2013, at 4:22 PM, topcrest topcrest wrote:
> >> > > >
> >> > > > > Page 67 There was a country:
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Ã¢â€¢Å"In Lagos where we lived, soldiers were also used in
> >> > > targeted raids of certain peopleÃ¢â€¢Ë™s homes, including our
> >> own. We
> >> > > had moved from Milverton Street to Turnbull Road after my
> >> promotion
> >> > > to director of external broadcasting. fortunately for us the
> >> > > soldiers went to Milverton, our old house, to search for me.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Eventually my family and I left our Turnbull house
> >> > > Ã¢â€¢Å"Ã¢â€¢Å"Ã¢â€¢Å"Ã¢â€¢Å"Ã¢â€¢Å"Ã¢â€¢Å".We found refuge in
> >> an old
> >> > > friendÃ¢â€¢Ë™s house Frank Cawson British Council rep in
> >> > > LagosÃ¢â€¢Å"It was a very tense, anxiety-plagued period for my
> >> wife
> >> > > and me and our two children, Chinelo 5 years and Ike 2 years.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Lying hidden in Mr CawsonÃ¢â€¢Ë™s house, I still simply
> >> thought
> >> > > things had simply gotten out of hand and everything will soon be
> >> > > alright.Then suddenly I discovered that I had been operating on a
> >> > > false and perhaps naive basis all along. The soldiers located us
> >> > > after we had been hiding for about a week.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > As many of us packed our belongings to return East some of
> >> the
> >> > > people we had lived with for years, some for decades, jeered and
> >> > > said Ã¢â€¢Ë˜let them (Igbos) go; food will be cheaper in
> >> > > LagosÃ¢â€¢Ë™. That kind of experience is very powerful.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > There were more and more reports of massacres, not only in
> >> the
> >> > > North but also in the West and in Lagos.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > I arranged to smuggle my wife and children out of Lagos on a
> >> > > cargo ship from the port
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > I found it difficult to come to terms with the fact that
> >> Nigeria
> >> > > was disintegratingÃ¢â€¢Å"Ã¢â€¢Å"Ã¢â€¢Å".. so I decided to sneak
> >> back
> >> > > into Turnbull road house and return to work. People were
> >> > > disappearing right and left. There was a media report of someone
> >> > > from the senior service whose body was found the night before. At
> >> > > this time the killings had reached the peak figure of hundreds a
> >> > > week. Victor Badejo, DG NBC, saw me on the premises, stopped
> >> me, and
> >> > > said Ã¢â€¢Ë˜Life has no duplicateÃ¢â€¢Ë™!
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Phillip Ume Ezeoke , controller of education programming
> >> NBC and
> >> > > I decided it was time to travel back to the east. UmeEzeoke
> >> > > suggested we travel in a two-car convoy the next morning. I got
> >> to
> >> > > Ume EzeokeÃ¢â€¢Ë™s house the next morning very early at the
> >> agreed
> >> > > upon time and nobody was there.Unfortunately Philip Ume Ezeoke
> >> is no
> >> > > longer alive. If he were, it would be interesting to find out
> >> what
> >> > > happened...
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > From: idowu
> >> > > > > To: "talkhard@yahoogroups.com"
> >> > > > > Cc: "ugwo1@" ; "WorldForum@yahoogroups.com" ; "WorldIgboCongress@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com" ; "NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "OlaKassimMD@" ; "topcrestt@" ; "igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "Anambra-WorldForum@yahoogroups.com" ; "omoodua@yahoogroups.com
> >> "
> >> > > > > Sent: Monday, January 28, 2013 10:00 PM
> >> > > > > Subject: Re: [talkhard] Re: [Anambra-WorldForum] Re: and sue
> >> > > Nigeria & Awo: Re: Twenty-pound policy was humanitarian: Re:
> >> Kunle:
> >> > > Re: no sentiment it was war: Re: W orth Repeating: Why did Awo
> >> > > institute the 20 pounds policy
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > "You really think that a guy facing a massacre of his entire
> >> > > family was concerned about his money at a bank?"-Pa Ezeana
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Pa Ezeana:
> >> > > > > Please save us this repeated untrue mantra. No Igbo person
> >> was
> >> > > persecuted in the SW and MW, they left these area of the country
> >> > > voluntary. I repeat no typical Igbo person yesterday, today and
> >> > > tomorrow will easily path away with his/her money. They are
> >> running
> >> > > for their lives so they left their bank documents? If you believe
> >> > > this, I have a bridge to sell to you and it is Brooklyn bridge.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Pronto!!!
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Idowu
> >> > > > > "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God." --Thomas
> >> Jefferson
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > "There may be times when we are powerless to prevent
> >> injustice,
> >> > > but there must never be a time when we fail to protest." -- Elie
> >> > > Wiesel
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > http://www.bezalelskills.com
> >> > > > > http://www.ooduanation.com/
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > From: Igirigi
> >> > > > > To: "talkhard@yahoogroups.com"
> >> > > > > Cc: "talkhard@yahoogroups.com" ; "ugwo1@" ; "WorldForum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "WorldIgboCongress@yahoogroups.com" ; "NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com" ; "OlaKassimMD@" ;
> >> > > "topcrestt@" ; "igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com" ; "Anambra-WorldForum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "omoodua@yahoogroups.com"
> >> > > > > Sent: Monday, January 28, 2013 12:16 AM
> >> > > > > Subject: Re: [talkhard] Re: [Anambra-WorldForum] Re: and sue
> >> > > Nigeria & Awo: Re: Twenty-pound policy was humanitarian: Re:
> >> Kunle:
> >> > > Re: no sentiment it was war: Re: W orth Repeating: Why did Awo
> >> > > institute the 20 pounds policy
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Idowu:
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > You really think that a guy facing a massacre of his entire
> >> > > family was concerned about his money at a bank? Did it ever
> >> occur to
> >> > > you that the ones who tarried and concerned themselves with what
> >> > > money they had at the banks never made it alive to the east?
> >> Did it
> >> > > ever occur to you that some if not most of those Igbo who were
> >> > > massacred in the north had bank accounts with large balances when
> >> > > they were killed? Has any one sought to pay their heir the monies
> >> > > they purportedly abandoned in those bank accounts when they were
> >> > > massacred?
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Heck. The Igbo are survivors. The forfeited money has not
> >> been
> >> > > of any good use to anyone.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > And I am
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Ezeana Achusim
> >> > > > > Odi-Isaa
> >> > > > > Nwa Dim Orioha
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Sent from my iPhone
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > On Jan 27, 2013, at 11:56 PM, idowu wrote:
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> Pa Ezeana:
> >> > > > >> The whole gist about the currency situation was that the
> >> Igbo
> >> > > took their money from the banks while living their abode without
> >> > > anyone pursuing them. They changed their money to worthless
> >> biafran
> >> > > pounds. After the war, they want the fed government to change
> >> their
> >> > > worthless money pound for pound to Nigeria currency, which was
> >> > > rebuffed. Their next action was to claim that they left money in
> >> > > banks in SW and other states in the federation. Pa Ezeana you
> >> > > yourself know that claim is very inimical to the typical
> >> behavior of
> >> > > an Igbo person, to be separated from his money when voluntary
> >> > > leaving his current abode for a new life in a new country. Please
> >> > > you guys should tell this to the marine. Anyone that believes
> >> this
> >> > > your tale of the moonlight, I have a bridge to sell to them.
> >> The 20
> >> > > pounds which is about 500 pounds today policy was purely a
> >> stimulus
> >> > > package to put money in the hands of the masses and stimulate
> >> > > commerce in the South Eastern region.
> >> > > > >> Guys stop whining and put the shoes on the other feet, will
> >> > > Igbo be so magnanimous to other Nigerians? Based on your typical
> >> > > characteristics of me before others, the answer is NO. Stop this
> >> > > your waterpowerism and wake up and smell the coffee. If I am the
> >> > > president of Nigeria today I will call the Igbo bluff and allow
> >> you
> >> > > guys to form your landlocked country.
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> Pronto!!!
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> Idowu
> >> > > > >> "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God." --Thomas
> >> Jefferson
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> "There may be times when we are powerless to prevent
> >> injustice,
> >> > > but there must never be a time when we fail to protest." -- Elie
> >> > > Wiesel
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> http://www.bezalelskills.com
> >> > > > >> http://www.ooduanation.com/
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> From: Igirigi
> >> > > > >> To: "talkhard@yahoogroups.com"
> >> > > > >> Cc: "ugwo1@" ; "WorldForum@yahoogroups.com" ; "WorldIgboCongress@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com" ; "NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "talkhard@yahoogroups.com" ; "OlaKassimMD@" ;
> >> > > "topcrestt@" ; "igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com" ; "Anambra-WorldForum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "omoodua@yahoogroups.com"
> >> > > > >> Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2013 11:38 PM
> >> > > > >> Subject: Re: [talkhard] Re: [Anambra-WorldForum] Re: and sue
> >> > > Nigeria & Awo: Re: Twenty-pound policy was humanitarian: Re:
> >> Kunle:
> >> > > Re: no sentiment it was war: Re: W orth Repeating: Why did Awo
> >> > > institute the 20 pounds policy
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> Kunle:
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> You must conclude that the Igbo had accounts at various
> >> banks
> >> > > as they fled east. You should also conclude that they had the old
> >> > > currencies which were declared void unless exchanged for the
> >> > > replacements.
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> Now let me ask you this question. Do you think that a nation
> >> > > that cares less about the Niger bridge would entertain a court
> >> case
> >> > > by Igbo for restitution of the forfeited funds? A country that
> >> cares
> >> > > nothing about the genocide that caused so many to perish is not
> >> > > disposed to entertain a case by any Igbo for restitution of funds
> >> > > forfeited.
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> And I am
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> Ezeana Achusim
> >> > > > >> Odi-Isaa
> >> > > > >> Nwa Dim Orioha
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> Sent from my iPhone
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >> On Jan 27, 2013, at 8:01 PM, Kunle Adegboye wrote:
> >> > > > >>
> >> > > > >>>
> >> > > > >>> If Igboka is correct that Biafrans who had accounts
> >> outside of
> >> > > the East were denied their funds even after showing proof of
> >> > > ownership, how come many of those Biafrans did not sue the
> >> Federal
> >> > > Government at the time, or years later?
> >> > > > >>>
> >> > > > >>> Kunle Adegboye.
> >> > > > >>>
> >> > > > >>> Sent from my iPad
> >> > > > >>>
> >> > > > >>> On Jan 28, 2013, at 12:00 AM, "ugwo1@" wrote:
> >> > > > >>>
> >> > > > >>>> Brethren,
> >> > > > >>>> It still stinks to know that some of the moronic Yoruba
> >> boys
> >> > > are still naÃƒÂ¯ve and cannot think straight, respond with
> >> objective
> >> > > mindset without putting a lip stick to the mouth of the pig.
> >> There
> >> > > are very few Yorubas that have conscience and respect the truth
> >> and
> >> > > have exercised disappointment on the wrong part taken by their
> >> > > people who were satanic then and those evil worshipers that still
> >> > > stick to their devilish biased ignorant mindset. Say the truth
> >> and
> >> > > shame the devil simple because what Ndi Igbo went through can
> >> happen
> >> > > to any tribe in Nigeria any time any day. The war ended but was
> >> not
> >> > > finished. We stand for justice and fair play whether you like
> >> it or
> >> > > not unless the right thing is done, the sleeping dog will never
> >> > > rest. You must avoid bathroom hand shaking at all time.
> >> > > > >>>> Ka Odi.
> >> > > > >>>> Sir Ugo G.C.Umunnakwe
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> ---------- Original Message ----------
> >> > > > >>>> From: Igboka Uwadiegwu
> >> > > > >>>> To: "NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com" , "NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " , Kunle Adegboye , "talkhard@yahoogroups.com"
> >> > > > >>>> Cc: "OlaKassimMD@" , "topcrestt@" , "igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " , "Anambra-WorldForum@yahoogroups.com" , "omoodua@yahoogroups.com
> >> "
> >> > > > >>>> Subject: [Anambra-WorldForum] Re: and sue Nigeria & Awo:
> >> Re:
> >> > > Twenty-pound policy was humanitarian: Re: Kunle: Re: no
> >> sentiment it
> >> > > was war: Re: Worth Repeating: Why did Awo institute the 20 pounds
> >> > > policy
> >> > > > >>>> Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2013 23:33:33 +0000 (GMT)
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Concluded !!! You are irremediably DUMB...and CONFUSED.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Changing a currency's color is NO currency change, you
> >> > > bleeding yoroba dummy !
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> De : Ayo Ojutalayo
> >> > > > >>>> Ãƒâ€¢ : "NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com" ; Kunle
> >> Adegboye ; "NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.
> >> > > com" ; "talkhard@yahoogroups.com"
> >> > > > >>>> Cc : "OlaKassimMD@" ; "topcrestt@" ; "igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "Anambra-WorldForum@yahoogroups.com" ; "omoodua@yahoogroups.com
> >> "
> >> > > > >>>> EnvoyÃƒÂ© le : Lundi 28 janvier 2013 0h08
> >> > > > >>>> Objet : [NIgerianWorldForum] Daft Igboka, go and sue
> >> Nigeria
> >> > > & Awo: Re: Twenty-pound policy was humanitarian: Re: Kunle: Re:
> >> no
> >> > > sentiment it was war: Re: Worth Repeating: Why did Awo
> >> institute the
> >> > > 20 pounds policy
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Mumu Igboka,
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> You must be daft not to have recognized that the "old
> >> dummy"
> >> > > was talking of the country's currency before and during the war.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Nigeria changed the color of its currency during the war
> >> as
> >> > > part of war effort, not for cosmetic reason. After biafrans stole
> >> > > money from Central Bank in Enugu, Port Harcourt and Benin City to
> >> > > buy arms and ammunition, the currency's color was changed thereby
> >> > > making what was stolen and what was in biafra useless to
> >> biafrans.
> >> > > It follows that whatever any biafran had (on him or in Bank) in
> >> and
> >> > > out of biafra was as good as ordinary paper . . . . . remember
> >> the
> >> > > change was not for cosmetic reason. There is no sentiment:
> >> twenty-
> >> > > pound policy was humanitarian. If you disagree with me, go and
> >> sue
> >> > > Nigeria and or Awolowo. You may be the one Igbos have been
> >> waiting
> >> > > for.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Ayo Ojutalayo
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> From: Igboka Uwadiegwu
> >> > > > >>>> To: "NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com" ; Kunle Adegboye ; "NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > "
> >> > > > >>>> Cc: "OlaKassimMD@" ; "topcrestt@" ; "igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "Anambra-WorldForum@yahoogroups.com" ; "omoodua@yahoogroups.com
> >> "
> >> > > > >>>> Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2013 5:03 PM
> >> > > > >>>> Subject: ||NaijaObserver|| Re: Twenty-pound policy was
> >> > > humanitarian: Re: Kunle: Re: no sentiment it was war: Re: Worth
> >> > > Repeating: Why did Awo institute the 20 pounds policy
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> "The currency in which they made deposit was no more the
> >> > > currency in circulation after the war. Technically, the currency
> >> > > they deposited was ordinary paper after the war. Twenty-pounds
> >> > > policy was therefore an humanitarian gesture." ajulatayo
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Old dummy, the naira came into effect 3 years after the
> >> war.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Besides, once you deposit an amount in a bank, the paper
> >> and
> >> > > the coins become irrelevant. Only the nominal value remains...and
> >> > > the currency's convertibility, of course. And convertibility
> >> could
> >> > > be more of a political decision than an economic one. (Ex: German
> >> > > reunification and the absorption of the weaker GDR's Mark in the
> >> > > East by the FRG's own Mark in the West).
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> See, the money you deposit in a bank gets virtually
> >> converted
> >> > > into gold or into some other international reserve currency (USD,
> >> > > Euro etc..) or other assets.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> That explains why as a thief, U can drop some amount in
> >> naira
> >> > > in Nigeria and get it back in USD in America or in Yen in Japan.
> >> > > See, even if the bank where you banked your loot or those of your
> >> > > cohorts were to get burnt to ashes, you still will get your
> >> money's
> >> > > worth back in Nigeria or if you so wish in a completely new
> >> currency
> >> > > and "new" notes in another country altogether.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> That also explains why you can bank your loot in
> >> Luxembourg
> >> > > today and in some 125 years, more or less, your descendants can
> >> > > withdraw some or the totality with the accrued interests EVEN if
> >> > > that nation were to revert back to the old Luxembourgian francs.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Finally mister, do we have to believe that you are a REAL
> >> > > dunce or are you pretending to be one ?
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Igboka
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> De : Ayo Ojutalayo
> >> > > > >>>> Ãƒâ€¢ : Igboka Uwadiegwu ; Kunle Adegboye ;
> >> "NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.
> >> > > com"
> >> > > > >>>> Cc : "NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com" ; "OlaKassimMD@" ;
> >> > > "topcrestt@" ; "NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com" ; "nigerianID@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "talkhard@yahoogroups.com" ; "Raayiriga@yahoogroups.com" ; "igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "Anambra-WorldForum@yahoogroups.com" ; "omoodua@yahoogroups.com
> >> "
> >> > > > >>>> EnvoyÃƒÂ© le : Dimanche 27 janvier 2013 17h39
> >> > > > >>>> Objet : ||NaijaObserver|| Twenty-pound policy was
> >> > > humanitarian: Re: NigerianID | Kunle: Re: no sentiment it was
> >> war:
> >> > > Re: Worth Repeating: Why did Awo institute the 20 pounds policy
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Igboka,
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> If the rebel leader had agreed to African leaders' plead
> >> to
> >> > > renounce secession and embraced peaceful settlement (instead of
> >> > > fighting to finish), the issue of what would happen to the
> >> accounts
> >> > > of those in rebel held areas would have been treated
> >> differently. It
> >> > > would have been part of the "settlement agreement". Since the
> >> rebels
> >> > > were forced to surrender, they could not negotiate terms of
> >> > > surrender. The currency in which they made deposit was no more
> >> the
> >> > > currency in circulation after the war. Technically, the currency
> >> > > they deposited was ordinary paper after the war. Twenty-pounds
> >> > > policy was therefore an humanitarian gesture. This is another
> >> reason
> >> > > why Igbos should hold biafran leaders including Achebe
> >> responsible
> >> > > for their plight. The biafran leadership should have considered
> >> what
> >> > > would happen after the war before starting the war, and while the
> >> > > war was on.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Ayo Ojutalayo
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> From: Igboka Uwadiegwu
> >> > > > >>>> To: Kunle Adegboye ; "NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com"
> >> > > > >>>> Cc: "NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com" ; "OlaKassimMD@" ;
> >> > > "topcrestt@" ; "NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com" ; "nigerianID@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "talkhard@yahoogroups.com" ; "Raayiriga@yahoogroups.com" ; "igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "Anambra-WorldForum@yahoogroups.com" ; "omoodua@yahoogroups.com
> >> "
> >> > > > >>>> Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2013 4:09 AM
> >> > > > >>>> Subject: NigerianID | Kunle: Re: no sentiment it was
> >> war: Re:
> >> > > Worth Repeating: Why did Awo institute the 20 pounds policy
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Kunle,
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> There was a policy and that policy ordered a blanket 20
> >> > > pounds for every man and woman from the former Eastern region who
> >> > > had a bank account and left some money in it BEFORE the war.
> >> This is
> >> > > criminal. A massive HOLD UP. One of its kind in the history of
> >> > > mankind. And it was engineered by a mentally deranged soul of
> >> yoroba
> >> > > extraction; obafemi awolowo.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Now, the answer to your question is a categorical and an
> >> > > unflinching "yes". ONLY those who PRESENTED their account books
> >> were
> >> > > given 20 pounds even when they had 21 pounds or 20 million
> >> pounds in
> >> > > their accounts. Money wholly saved before the war and in the part
> >> > > that remained Nigeria. This has been ascertained and repeated
> >> over
> >> > > and over again. If they presented their account books and were
> >> > > illegible for these miserable 20 pounds, then their identities
> >> were
> >> > > no more in question. Why then did they have their PROVEN amount
> >> in
> >> > > the banks cut down to ONLY an arbitrary 20 pounds ? This is
> >> SICKLY.
> >> > > This is LOW. Sub-human. Retarded. Savage. This is like shooting
> >> at a
> >> > > cripple solemnly praying in a church. Only a lowlife coward
> >> will do
> >> > > this. The piggish kind of a coward. One unworthy of being a
> >> man. A
> >> > > spiritually SUB-HUMAN creature. And you wonder why Nigeria is in
> >> > > tatters 43 bleeding years after the end of that war ?
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Additionally, those who had Biafran only accounts, and
> >> they
> >> > > were many but NOT the majority because Biafra was dragged into a
> >> > > defense war earlier on into her existence, were NOT given
> >> > > ANYTHING... not a single pound.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> On what anyone, besides the spiritually rotten awolowo,
> >> > > whould have done in this given situation ? The answer is simple!
> >> > > Look at those nations who had been at war with each other or
> >> who had
> >> > > had a civil one. How did they get this simple situation tackled ?
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> 1 - Those who can present their account books are given
> >> back
> >> > > their monies WHOLLY with no question or complication required.
> >> > > > >>>> 2 - Those who cannot present their account books are asked
> >> > > for some other official identification (driver's license, school
> >> > > certificates and degrees, work identities, national identity
> >> cards,
> >> > > affidavits sworn in courts or in law chambers, witness(es) that
> >> can
> >> > > include among others but not limited to the bank workers and/or
> >> > > managers of the banks where these customers had operated their
> >> > > accounts prior to moving eastwards. (These bank workers and/or
> >> > > managers can be those still in that bank or retired or posted
> >> > > elsewhere or who simply have been laid off. Their presence or
> >> > > written materials or sworn affidavits before competent
> >> authorities
> >> > > could do).
> >> > > > >>>> 3 - A special Federal account is created where all
> >> unclaimed
> >> > > amounts are saved and the accrued interests accorded to each
> >> account
> >> > > owner. This is done so even the kids of an account owner can lay
> >> > > claim to any amount in their fathers' accounts along with the
> >> > > accruing interests any time. That's if there's no National
> >> assembly
> >> > > law setting up a time limit to have ANY money in such an account
> >> > > claimed. (Now, where did Awolowo keep ALL the amount he had
> >> > > confiscated from the former eastern Nigerians? To whom did he
> >> render
> >> > > a comprehensive account ?).
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> With honest people and in civilised societies, any
> >> > > complication put on the way of thoroughly ascertaining the REAL
> >> > > identities of account owners (to minimize possible fraud) is
> >> always
> >> > > better than stealing the sweat and life savings of MILLIONS of
> >> > > hardworking ordinary citizens. Really, awolowo belongs in the
> >> > > committee of animals NOT among human beings.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Finally, for those who had biafran only account and even
> >> > > currencies, ALL civilized nations on Earth and in history do
> >> simply
> >> > > decree a fixed exchange rate. They do this arbitrarily or after a
> >> > > careful study of the purchasing power of that currency. They then
> >> > > accord or an equal amount or a given percentage say, 10 or 20,
> >> 80%
> >> > > or whatever of the calculated value of that currency in the
> >> area it
> >> > > is/was used. (Remember, a currency may be weak BUT if legal
> >> tender
> >> > > anywhere is NEVER wholly worthless, if it can buy a loaf of
> >> bread).
> >> > > This is where and how the desire to help, if sincere, could have
> >> > > been expressed. But nobody, least of all the South-Easterners,
> >> > > demanded any help. We simply wanted our money, all of our money
> >> and
> >> > > nothing else but all of our money in Nigerian banks back. This
> >> is a
> >> > > legitimate citizen's right request. But awolowo stole them.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Igboka
> >> > > > >>>> NB: Forget not. Most who were eligible for this shitty 20
> >> > > pounds and who had all their docs with them still REFUSED to
> >> queue
> >> > > up to receive this INSULTING amount. A demeaning amount
> >> compared to
> >> > > what they know they had BANKED in Nigerian banks in Nigeria
> >> BEFORE
> >> > > the war. Many. And that will be some more illegal millions of
> >> pounds
> >> > > for the yorobas and their thieving "leader" awowolo as the
> >> > > indeginisation decree was on the way.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> De : Kunle Adegboye
> >> > > > >>>> Ãƒâ€¢ : "NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com"
> >> > > > >>>> Cc : "NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com" ; "OlaKassimMD@" ; "NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "topcrestt@" ; "NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com" ; "nigerianID@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "talkhard@yahoogroups.com" ; "Raayiriga@yahoogroups.com" ; "igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "Anambra-WorldForum@yahoogroups.com" ; "omoodua@yahoogroups.com
> >> "
> >> > > > >>>> EnvoyÃƒÂ© le : Dimanche 27 janvier 2013 5h08
> >> > > > >>>> Objet : NigerianID | Re: [NIgerianWorldForum] Ayo: Re: no
> >> > > sentiment it was war: Re: Worth Repeating: Why did Awo
> >> institute the
> >> > > 20 pounds policy
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> "HEarlier on, I said something about the war not
> >> physically
> >> > > reaching the overwhelming majority of our communities. A way of
> >> > > letting you dishonest souls know that MOST of our people's
> >> documents
> >> > > were INTACT after the war because they were kept in rural
> >> > > communities rather than in cities. And those generations of
> >> Igbo had
> >> > > a superior capacity and discipline when it came to keeping paper
> >> > > documents than we do.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> An account book is not something an average worker would
> >> toy
> >> > > with or did toy with...back then. Far as I can remember and till
> >> > > date, we are still discovering those pre-war account books in the
> >> > > personal properties of our elders as they graciously take their
> >> > > leave out of this world." - Igboka
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Igboka:
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> For those who had their bank passbooks, and their banks
> >> were
> >> > > outside the East, were they denied whatever they had in their
> >> > > accounts before the war when they came back after the war? If
> >> they
> >> > > did and were denied their funds, we all need to go to court to
> >> > > correct such injustice.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> For those whose banks were in the East, the Naira in their
> >> > > accounts was converted to the Biafran currency during the war.
> >> > > Providing even a kobo to those, you will agree, is being
> >> magnanimous
> >> > > indeed. Try to remove the anger in you at the moment and think
> >> > > objectively.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> How would YOU have handled the 20-pound policy? I do not
> >> know
> >> > > the full contents of the policy, and neither do you. But from
> >> what
> >> > > little we've read on here, what would you have done were you the
> >> > > Commissioner for Finance at that point in time?
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Thank you.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Kunle Adegboye.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Sent from my iPad
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> On Jan 26, 2013, at 9:42 PM, Igboka Uwadiegwu wrote:
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Mister Ayo,
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Seriously, are you naturally dumb or are just playing the
> >> > > dumb the fool ?
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> 1 - Nigerian soldiers never took it they were going to war
> >> > > with another country BUT with a "NATURAL" even if another part of
> >> > > Nigeria. Nigerian officials too, never recognized Biafra hence
> >> their
> >> > > continued referencing of the latter as the eastern part of
> >> Nigeria
> >> > > and anything happening there as an "internal" affair.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> 2 - The 20 pounds crime took place AFTER that bleeding
> >> war.
> >> > > And the savings that were stolen by the spiritually sick freak
> >> > > awolowo were saved by easterners BEFORE the war.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Igboka
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> NB: HEarlier on, I said something about the war not
> >> > > physically reaching the overwhelming majority of our
> >> communities. A
> >> > > way of letting you dishonest souls know that MOST of our people's
> >> > > documents were INTACT after the war because they were kept in
> >> rural
> >> > > communities rather than in cities. And those generations of
> >> Igbo had
> >> > > a superior capacity and discipline when it came to keeping paper
> >> > > documents than we do.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> An account book is not something an average worker would
> >> toy
> >> > > with or did toy with...back then. Far as I can remember and till
> >> > > date, we are still discovering those pre-war account books in the
> >> > > personal properties of our elders as they graciously take their
> >> > > leave out of this world.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Igboka
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> De : Ayo Ojutalayo
> >> > > > >>>> Ãƒâ€¢ : "NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com" ;
> >> "OlaKassimMD@" ; "NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.
> >> > > com" ; "topcrestt@" ; "NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com" ; "nigerianID@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "talkhard@yahoogroups.com" ; "Raayiriga@yahoogroups.com" ; "igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "Anambra-WorldForum@yahoogroups.com" ; "omoodua@yahoogroups.com
> >> "
> >> > > > >>>> EnvoyÃƒÂ© le : Vendredi 25 janvier 2013 20h54
> >> > > > >>>> Objet : ||NaijaObserver|| Igboka, no sentiment it was war:
> >> > > Re: Worth Repeating: Why did Awo institute the 20 pounds policy
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> "Here, a common question pops up: Were Zik in awo's
> >> position,
> >> > > would he have engineered the starvation and the 20 pounds crimes
> >> > > against any part of this nation, whatever the circumstance?
> >> > > Certainly NOT. Would Ahmadu Bello have done as awo did ?
> >> Certainly
> >> > > NOT." . . . Igboka
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Igboka,
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> No sentiment! biafra was not "part of this nation". biafra
> >> > > was a different nation that had to be brought back to Nigeria
> >> nation
> >> > > with human blood and other resources spent.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Ayo Ojutalayo
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> From: Igboka Uwadiegwu
> >> > > > >>>> To: "OlaKassimMD@" ; "NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com" ; "NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "topcrestt@" ; "NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com" ; "nigerianID@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "talkhard@yahoogroups.com" ; "Raayiriga@yahoogroups.com" ; "igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "Anambra-WorldForum@yahoogroups.com" ; "omoodua@yahoogroups.com
> >> "
> >> > > > >>>> Sent: Friday, January 25, 2013 2:32 PM
> >> > > > >>>> Subject: ||NaijaObserver|| Re: Worth Repeating: Why did
> >> Awo
> >> > > institute the 20 pounds policy
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> On the 20 pounds crime: awolowo had this to say : "Go to
> >> the
> >> > > archives, all I did was approve, I didnÃ¢â€¢Ë™t write anything
> >> more
> >> > > than that, I donÃ¢â€¢Ë™t even remember the name of any of them
> >> who
> >> > > took part."
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> How easy is it to believe a man who had instituted a
> >> > > starvation policy that claimed the young lives of 2M kids and
> >> women
> >> > > to claim he did not suggest the 20 pounds crime when the
> >> > > indegenisation policy was on the way ? Let's for a while give
> >> this
> >> > > animal the benefit of a possible uncertainty here, still he
> >> will be
> >> > > 100% guilty. How ? As an accomplice to a terrible crime. Why ?
> >> Just
> >> > > as he admitted engineering the genocidal starvation policy, he
> >> here
> >> > > admitted having APPROVED and SIGNED this 20 pounds criminal
> >> policy
> >> > > into effect.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> He claims this policy was suggested by some panel. Now,
> >> who
> >> > > set that panel up ? Who picked the members? Given his bigoted
> >> soul,
> >> > > is there any possibility that 100% of the members of this "panel"
> >> > > were his yoroba kinsmen with their eyes and minds fixated on the
> >> > > coming indegenisation decree ?
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> And this creepy soul, awolowo took this tragic crime
> >> against
> >> > > a section of this nation so lightlythat he does not remember the
> >> > > name of ANY MEMBER of this phantom panel. Remember too, since
> >> 1970,
> >> > > nobody, no intellectual, no journalist, no socio-political
> >> > > commentator has talked about this awo imagined panel and its
> >> > > eventual composition. Here this "man" is exhibiting all the
> >> traits
> >> > > of a degenerated and spiritually SICK soul.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Here, a common question pops up: Were Zik in awo's
> >> position,
> >> > > would he have engineered the starvation and the 20 pounds crimes
> >> > > against any part of this nation, whatever the circumstance?
> >> > > Certainly NOT. Would Ahmadu Bello have done as awo did ?
> >> Certainly
> >> > > NOT.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> In obafemi awolowo, we have a sick freak eaten over by a
> >> > > burning ambition so much he had to sacrifice the possibility of
> >> his
> >> > > people obtaining their eternal freedom and sovereignty from the
> >> > > nightmarish cage that Nigeria was becoming just so he can grab
> >> the
> >> > > presidency the Hausa-Fulani had promised him. A cheaper, more
> >> > > stupider monster in Nigeria, you cannot find. But then does any
> >> sane
> >> > > mind expect more from the bloody sick dog who engineered
> >> operation
> >> > > wettie on his own people ? No.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Igboka
> >> > > > >>>> NB: To answer an indirect question below. Could the war
> >> have
> >> > > been avoided ? The war was AVOIDED...with the Aburi accord. But
> >> awo
> >> > > and gowon turned around and tore that accord to shreds. And in so
> >> > > doing tore Nigeria to shreds too. The rest is now history. Till
> >> > > date, Providence is punishing Nigeria for that singular act of
> >> > > stupidity. And rabid corruption, moral and infrastructural
> >> decays,
> >> > > stunning ineptitudes, mind-boggling visionlessness and boko haram
> >> > > are carrying out this eternal punishment on the GENOCIDAL nation.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> De : "OlaKassimMD@"
> >> > > > >>>> Ãƒâ€¢ : NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com;
> >> NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.
> >> > > com; topcrestt@; NaijaPolitics@yahoogroups.com; nigerianID@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > ; talkhard@yahoogroups.com; Raayiriga@yahoogroups.com; igboworldforum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > ; Anambra-WorldForum@yahoogroups.com; omoodua@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > > >>>> EnvoyÃƒÂ© le : Vendredi 25 janvier 2013 17h18
> >> > > > >>>> Objet : NigerianID | Worth Repeating: Why did Awo
> >> institute
> >> > > the 20 pounds policy
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> While my exploratory discussion with Rev Iloh has helped
> >> me
> >> > > to put in perspective AchebeÃ¢â€¢Ë™s book, there are several
> >> angles
> >> > > to the Biafran tragedy that I believe have not been explored
> >> and I
> >> > > intend to stretch him along that line in the weeks and months
> >> ahead.
> >> > > The lesson of it all, however, is that those who talk glibly
> >> about
> >> > > wars donÃ¢â€¢Ë™t know what they are talking about. Yes, Nigeria
> >> is
> >> > > not working and there are sufficient grounds to question some
> >> of the
> >> > > assumptions on which our nationhood is predicated. But to beat
> >> war
> >> > > drums at the least provocation is a sign that we have not come to
> >> > > terms with our past and the price so many people paid; indeed
> >> that
> >> > > we have not learnt the lessons of this tragic episode in our
> >> > > history, or that we have forgotten what lessons we learnt. That
> >> > > would be an even greater tragedy for our nation.--Olusegeun
> >> Adeniyi
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Commentary:
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> And many of those who are currently beating the war
> >> drums and
> >> > > talking 'glibly' about wars were not even conceived not to
> >> mention
> >> > > born before, during and for decades after the war. It is probably
> >> > > not an exaggeration to assert that the closest some of these neo-
> >> > > Biafrans have come to war is probably on CNN or in movies.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Many of those currently clamoring for the rejuvenation of
> >> > > Biafra seem afllicted by a delusional disorder which prevents
> >> them
> >> > > from realizing that alot has changed in Nigeria since 1967. The
> >> > > genie is already out of the bottle!
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> The idea of a new Republic of Biafra with geographical
> >> > > boundaries based on those of the defunct
> >> > > > >>>> Republic of Biafra (formerly the eastern region of
> >> Nigeria),
> >> > > is almost an insult to Nigerian citizens
> >> > > > >>>> of SS origin whose states were within the geographical
> >> > > boundaries of the former eastern region.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Have the neo--Biafrans asked if these people would like to
> >> > > surrender their 'sovereignity' to the new Republic of Biafra?
> >> > > > >>>> Do these people--the Ijaws, Efiks, Urhobos etc. have any
> >> say?
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> The ever recurring debate about the role of Chief Awolowo
> >> > > before, during and immediately after the Nigerian civil war
> >> > > > >>>> is beiginning to sound like a broken record. Chief Awolowo
> >> > > and many leaders of his generation have done their
> >> > > > >>>> part and moved on. There is hardly anything we say or
> >> write
> >> > > about them that would change the essense of who they
> >> > > > >>>> were and what their accomplishments and failings were
> >> during
> >> > > their lifetimes. Like all human beings alive today these
> >> > > > >>>> leaders were not perfect human beings. Regardless of their
> >> > > remarkable achievements they also made some mistakes--some
> >> > > > >>>> major and some minor--some wilfully and others
> >> unknowingly.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> It is unrealistic to place all the blame for the
> >> declaration
> >> > > of the secession the former eastern region, the untold sufferrigs
> >> > > and loss of human lives and the policies of the FGN on the
> >> shoulders
> >> > > of Chief Awolowo. No single human could be that powerul,
> >> cunning or
> >> > > hateful of any other group or race of human beings as some of our
> >> > > Igbo brethren portray the exemplary Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Chief
> >> > > Awolow was not Adolf Hitler--even though an uninitiated reader
> >> might
> >> > > be tempted to think he was based on the one sided propaganda of
> >> many
> >> > > of our
> >> > > > >>>> neo-Bifran Igbo brethren on the Internet.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Who is/are to blame for the failure of Biafra on the
> >> > > secessionist side? Did Ikemba Ojukwu or any one of the other
> >> leaders
> >> > > of the Republic of Biafra NOT make any mistakes? Do they NOT
> >> carry
> >> > > any responsibilities either alone by themselves or shared with
> >> the
> >> > > leaders on the federal side including Gen Yakubu Gowon and Chief
> >> > > Obafemi Awolowo:
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> on whether or not
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> **the war could have been avoided
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> **more lives could have been saved if the war had ended
> >> sooner
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> **the war could have been fought in a more humane manner
> >> with
> >> > > the sparing of millions
> >> > > > >>>> of civilian lives and amelioration of the sufferings of
> >> the
> >> > > survivors?
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> **etc etc. etc.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> And before I forget where were Chef Awolowo's
> >> contemporaries
> >> > > on the secessionist side during the war?
> >> > > > >>>> Did they play any roles, either positive or negative in
> >> the
> >> > > negotiations before the declaration of Biafra,
> >> > > > >>>> during and immediatel;y after the war?
> >> > > > >>>> Do these leaders also share any of the blame for the
> >> failure
> >> > > of the Biafran dream? Or should Chief Awolowo
> >> > > > >>>> carry all the blame?
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Bye,
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Ola
> >> > > > >>>> ---- Original Message ---- From: Kunle Adegboye To:
> >> > > NIgerianWorldForum ; NaijaObserver ; topcrest topcrest ; Naija
> >> > > Politicse- Group ; nigerianid@yahoogroups.com ; talkhard ;
> >> Ra'ayi ;
> >> > > IGBO WORLD FORUM IGBO WORLD FORUM ; Anambra- World Forum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > Sent: Fri, Jan 25, 2013 9:30 am Subject: ||NaijaObserver|| Re:
> >> > > [NIgerianWorldForum] Re: Why did Awo institute the 20 pounds
> >> policy
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Igboka: Please re-read what Awo said regarding this 20-
> >> pound
> >> > > policy. For now, remove any personal bias you may have on the
> >> issue
> >> > > and if possible come up with contradicting evidence. This
> >> really is
> >> > > the first time I'm reading Awo's take on this 20-pound thing. All
> >> > > along I've simply listened to the Igbo side of the story, since
> >> that
> >> > > seemed to be the only story loud enough on these forums/fora.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Kunle Adegboye http://www.a-speedwireless.com/The Wireless
> >> > > Superstore
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> From: Igboka Uwadiegwu
> >> > > > >>>> To: "NIgerianWorldForum@yahoogroups.com" ; "NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; topcrest topcrest ; Naija Politicse- Group ; "nigerianid@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "talkhard@yahoogroups.com" ; Ra'ayi ; IGBO WORLD FORUM IGBO
> >> > > WORLD FORUM ; "Anambra- World Forum@yahoogroups.com"
> >> > > > >>>> Sent: Friday, January 25, 2013 6:29 AM
> >> > > > >>>> Subject: [NIgerianWorldForum] Re: Why did Awo institute
> >> the
> >> > > 20 pounds policy
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> The 20 pound crime was a blanket policy that did not spare
> >> > > the Igbos who had money SAVED in Nigerian banks prior to the
> >> war. So
> >> > > the argument about Biafra printing their own currency and wanting
> >> > > them changed to Nigerian currency does not hold. Many of our
> >> people
> >> > > had their Nigerian account books intact after the war. Many
> >> also had
> >> > > their account books with their Nigerian friends in what remained
> >> > > Nigeria. Still all these "Many" fell under the 20 pound policy.
> >> Are
> >> > > you getting it or is hypocrisy and dishonesty eating your soul
> >> > > away ? Igboka NB: Contrary to what anybody and I mean anybody may
> >> > > say, the war NEVER PHYSICALLY reached 80% of Igbo inner villages.
> >> > > Cities and peripheral villages were affected and produced the
> >> mass
> >> > > of the refugees BUT hardly anybody from SE inner villages
> >> became a
> >> > > refugee or left his or her village...'cept the males of age and
> >> only
> >> > > to become soldiers. Our parents and grand-parents from all SE
> >> > > villages are still alive and they can and have first hand
> >> CONFIRMED
> >> > > this. So this bullshitting excuse about ALL of our people's
> >> account
> >> > > books missing is criminal and LOW. But then, lowliness is a only
> >> > > level the evil monster awolowo is most comfortable in.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> De : "employlawone@"
> >> > > > >>>> Ãƒâ€¢ : NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com; topcrest topcrest ;
> >> > > Naija Politicse- Group ; "N Igerian World
> >> Forum@yahoogroups.com" ; "nigerianid@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; "talkhard@yahoogroups.com" ; Ra'ayi ; IGBO WORLD FORUM IGBO
> >> > > WORLD FORUM ; "Anambra- World Forum@yahoogroups.com"
> >> > > > >>>> EnvoyÃƒÂ© le : Vendredi 25 janvier 2013 13h02
> >> > > > >>>> Objet : [NIgerianWorldForum] Re: ||NaijaObserver|| Re: Why
> >> > > did Awo institute the 20 pounds policy
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> I challenge anyone to contradict this account with facts
> >> and
> >> > > figures or forever remain silent.
> >> > > > >>>> Olu/
> >> > > > >>>> Sent using BlackBerryÃ‚Â® from Orange
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> From: Adey
> >> > > > >>>> Sender: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > > >>>> Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:49:25 -0800 (PST)
> >> > > > >>>> To: topcrest topcrest ; Naija Politicse- Group ; Naija Observer@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > ; N Igerian World Forum@yahoogroups.com ;
> >> > > nigerianid@yahoogroups.com ; talkhard@yahoogroups.com ; Ra'ayi ;
> >> > > IGBO WORLD FORUM IGBO WORLD FORUM ; Anambra- World Forum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > > >>>> ReplyTo: NaijaObserver@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > > >>>> Subject: ||NaijaObserver|| Re: Why did Awo institute the
> >> 20
> >> > > pounds policy
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Twenty pounds policy -- By Pa Awo
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> ThatÃ¢â€¢Ë™s what I did, and the case of the money they
> >> said
> >> > > was not given back to them, you know during the war all the
> >> pounds
> >> > > were looted, they printed Biafran currency notes, which they
> >> > > circulated, at the close of the war some people wanted their
> >> Biafran
> >> > > notes to be exchanged for them. Of course I couldnÃ¢â€¢Ë™t do
> >> that,
> >> > > if I did that the whole country would be bankrupt. We didnÃ¢â€
> >> ¢Ë™t
> >> > > know about Biafran notes and we didnÃ¢â€¢Ë™t know on what basis
> >> they
> >> > > have printed them, so we refused the Biafran note, but I laid
> >> down
> >> > > the principle that all those who had savings in the banks on
> >> the eve
> >> > > of the declaration of the Biafran war or Biafra, will get their
> >> > > money back if they could satisfy us that they had the savings
> >> there,
> >> > > or the money there. Unfortunately, all the banksÃ¢â€¢Ë™s books
> >> had
> >> > > been burnt, and many of the people who had savings there didnÃ¢â
> >> €¢Ë™t
> >> > > have their saving books or their last statement of account, so a
> >> > > panel had to be set up.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> I didnÃ¢â€¢Ë™t take part in setting up the panel, it was
> >> done
> >> > > by the Central Bank and the pertinent officials of the ministry
> >> of
> >> > > finance, to look into the matter, and they went carefully into
> >> the
> >> > > matter, they took some months to do so, and then make some
> >> > > recommendation which I approved. Go to the archives, all I did
> >> was
> >> > > approve, I didnÃ¢â€¢Ë™t write anything more than that, I donÃ¢â€
> >> ¢Ë™t
> >> > > even remember the name of any of them who took part. So I did
> >> > > everything in this world to assist our Ibo brothers and sisters
> >> > > during and after the war.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> And anyone who goes back to look at my broadcast in August
> >> > > 1967, which dealt with post-war reconstruction would see what I
> >> said
> >> > > there.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> From: topcrest topcrest
> >> > > > >>>> To: Naija Politicse- Group ; "Naija
> >> > > Observer@yahoogroups.com" ; "N Igerian World
> >> > > Forum@yahoogroups.com" ; "nigerianid@yahoogroups.com" ; "talkhard@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > " ; Ra'ayi ; IGBO WORLD FORUM IGBO WORLD FORUM ; "Anambra-
> >> World Forum@yahoogroups.com
> >> > > "
> >> > > > >>>> Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 10:20 AM
> >> > > > >>>> Subject: NigerianID | Why did Awo institute the 20 pounds
> >> > > policy
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Ã¢â€¢Ë˜..Three, the Igbos, not just Professor Achebe and
> >> Rev
> >> > > Iloh, strongly believe that Chief Awolowo dealt them a fatal blow
> >> > > that ensured they not only lost the war but several of their
> >> people
> >> > > suffered an even bigger personal loss after the war with the
> >> federal
> >> > > government 20 Pounds policy which Chief Awolowo initiated and
> >> > > implemented.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> A lot of people wonder why after the war which Igbos had
> >> lost
> >> > > anyway Awo had to go the extra mile of denying even those of them
> >> > > with legitimate savings in Nigerian banks their money?
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> You have to situate the answer in the preparation for the
> >> > > proposed hand over of power to civilians in 1974 by Gowon.
> >> Prior to
> >> > > his imprisonment, Awo was popular in the West but not dominant
> >> > > politicallyÃ¢â€¢"especially in the Ibadan and Ondo areas and not
> >> > > liked at all the (Lagos) Yoruba elite who considered him from the
> >> > > hinterland. By 1970 things had turned around. Graduates of
> >> > > AwoÃ¢â€¢Ë™s free education policy were all over the region and of
> >> > > voting age, his imprisonment by his political enemies had made
> >> him
> >> > > popular with the masses. The only constituency remaining was the
> >> > > elite class whose children did not need free education to go to
> >> > > school.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Enter the dual economic policies of twenty pounds and
> >> > > indigenisation program. In one fell swoop he further pauperised
> >> any
> >> > > potential political challenger from the East and economically
> >> > > empowered the Yoruba elite.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Everything was set for achieving the presidency in 1974
> >> but
> >> > > man is not God. Gowon reneged. Gowon overthrown. By 1979, men
> >> that
> >> > > restarted life with 20 pounds were now competing for power and
> >> Awo
> >> > > could not find a single Northerner of stature to be his vice
> >> > > presidential candidate.
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> The moral of the story is :
> >> > > > >>>> Memories of Biafran Nightmares
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> 24 Jan 2013
> >> > > > >>>> Font Size: a / A
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> The Verdict according to Olusegun Adeniyi. Email,
> >> > > olusegun.adeniyi@
> >> > > > >>>>
> >> > > > >>>> Agu Imo has been a friend and elder brother for almost two
> >> > > decades now, so when he called about two weeks ago to say there
> >> is
> >> > > an old man he wanted me to meet, he knew I couldnÃ¢â€¢Ë™t say
> >> no to
> >> > > his request. When he mentioned the name, Rev. Moses Iloh, I was
> >> even
> >> > > more enthusiastic since the man remains one of the most respected
> >> > > Christian leaders in Nigeria today. But what Imo said next
> >> shocked
> >> > > me: Ã¢â€¢Ë›I want you to meet Rev Iloh because he is now 83 and
> >> he is
> >> > > someone with whom I am close and he has some interesting
> >> > > perspectives to share about our country. He is not getting
> >> younger
> >> > > and I donÃ¢â€¢Ë™t want him to die without telling his story
> >> and, for
> >> > > me, you are the only person who can do justice to his account.
> >> You
> >> > > know of course that Rev. Iloh was the head of Red Cross in
> >> > > BiafraÃ¢â€¢Å"Ã¢â€¢Ë‡
> >> > > > >>>> At that point, my enthusiasm wavered a bit. Biafra? That
> >> is
> >> > > one topic I told myself I would avoid and for good reasons. Ever
> >> > > since Professor Chinua Achebe published his memoir, Ã¢â€
> >> ¢Ë›There Was
> >> > > a CountryÃ¢â€¢Ë‡, I have watched as several Igbo and Yoruba
> >> > > commentators tore at one another on the Internet. Abuses, curses,
> >> > > threats and all manner of hate mongering were deployed on a daily
> >> > > basis. It all started with AchebeÃ¢â€¢Ë™s characterization of the
> >> > > late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which was then misinterpreted to be
> >> an
> >> > > assault on the Yoruba people regardless of the fact that
> >> > > AchebeÃ¢â€¢Ë™s own daughter is married to a Yorubaman.
> >> > > > >>>> Thanks to Mr Abba Kyari who regularly indulges me with
> >> gifts
> >> > > of new books, I was one of the first Nigerians to read AchebeÃ¢â
> >> €¢Ë™s
> >> > > book and I was disappointed by the undisguised bitterness the
> >> > > revered writer displayed in his clearly one-sided and Igbo-
> >> centric
> >> > > account of the civil war. But I was even more disappointed with
> >> some
> >> > > of the Yoruba respondents, who perhaps did not even read the book
> >> > > before publishing their diatribes against Achebe. Since
> >> elementary
> >> > > science teaches that actions and reactions are equal and
> >> opposite,
> >> > > it was no surprise that their Igbo counterparts would also jump
> >> into
> >> > > the fray. Even though the Biafran war was not fought between the
> >> > > Igbos and Yorubas, that is the impression any reader would get on
> >> > > the internet. For that reason, I have since told myself that I
> >> would
> >> > > not get caught in the virtual crossfire of a war that was fought,
> >> > > won and lost at a time I was not even old enough to be enrolled
> >> in
> >> > > primary school!
> >> > > > >>>> Having apparently noticed my hesitation, Imo added,
> >> > > Ã¢â€¢Ë›there is no problem Segun if you are too busy to meet the
> >> > > manÃ¢â€¢Å"Ã¢â€¢Ë‡
> >> > > > >>>> Of course I instantly said I would. What would be my
> >> excuse?
> >> > > If an Igbo man was trusting enough to believe that a Yoruba man
> >> was
> >> > > the one he could consider to listen to a Biafran story, I felt
> >> that
> >> > > I could not possibly disappoint him so I met Rev Iloh last
> >> Friday.
> >> > > And after spending just two hours with the old man, I am already
> >> > > seeing the prospect of a first biographical work, which could
> >> > > explore the human drama of the Biafran tragedy.
> >> > > > >>>> Born in Ropp, a mining village in Barkin Ladi Local
> >> > > Government in the present Plateau State on February 13, 1930 to
> >> Igbo
> >> > > parents from present day Imo State, the first language spoken by
> >> > > Iloh was Hausa, followed by English and then Igbo. The account of
> >> > > his early life, including his adoption by some American
> >> missionary
> >> > > at age 10, was not only interesting, but laid the foundation
> >> for the
> >> > > faith that would later define him. But I want to begin the story
> >> > > from his days as the president of the Jos-based Nigerian-African
> >> > > Miners Workers Union when, because a white man called one of the
> >> > > workers Ã¢â€¢Ë›monkeyÃ¢â€¢Ë‡, Iloh led a strike action; asking
> >> the
> >> > > British Queen not to come to Nigeria on an already scheduled
> >> visit
> >> > > in 1958. But as it would turn out, the same Iloh was chosen to
> >> lower
> >> > > the British Red Cross flag at NigeriaÃ¢â€¢Ë™s independence
> >> parade in
> >> > > 1960.
> >> > > > >>>> However, back in 1958, the white establishment at the
> >> > > Amalgamated Tins Company of Nigeria, which he worked for,
> >> believed
> >> > > Iloh was too dangerous for their operations and decided to
> >> offer him
> >> > > a very juicy appointment that technically promoted him into
> >> > > redundancy. He was posted to Lagos to head Inter Cotra, a
> >> shipping
> >> > > company. They added as sweetener an official residence on Ikorodu
> >> > > Road, a cook, a steward and a chauffeur-driven car. When the
> >> offer
> >> > > was made, Iloh said he initially declined because he knew the
> >> idea
> >> > > was simply to get rid of him. But his union members saw it
> >> > > differently. Ã¢â€¢Ë›Many of them said they were happy for me.
> >> > > Ã¢â€¢Ë˜Take it, you have worked hard enough, go and enjoyÃ¢â€
> >> ¢Ë™ was
> >> > > the consensus of the workersÃ¢â€¢Ë‡. In Lagos, Iloh had an
> >> office in
> >> > > Apapa with a full complement of staff, all doing nothing! The
> >> > > British certainly knew how to neutralize their enemies, and at
> >> the
> >> > > same time make a bribe seem both innocent and desirable!
> >> > > > >>>> Every morning Iloh would be driven to Apapa like the big
> >> man
> >> > > he had become but in reality the post was a sinecure. The only
> >> > > fulfillment Iloh found was his volunteer job at the International
> >> > > Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) that he had joined right from his
> >> days
> >> > > as a Mine worker in Jos. Working with then National President,
> >> Sir
> >> > > Adetokunbo Ademola, who was Chief Justice of the Federation and
> >> > > Justice Joseph Adetunji Adefarasin, the Chief Judge of Lagos, who
> >> > > headed the state chapter, Iloh took the Red Cross as his primary
> >> > > assignment. Eventually, he was invited to join the organization
> >> as a
> >> > > full-time staff, with a pay that was half what he was collecting
> >> > > from the mines job. He accepted.
> >> > > > >>>> In Lagos, Iloh followed all the uneasy developments of the
> >> > > post-independence Nigeria but after the July to September 1966
> >> > > pogrom in the North that claimed the lives of several Igbo
> >> people,
> >> > > he decided to go back to Jos. He was shocked by the devastation
> >> of
> >> > > his kinsmen, many of whom had lived all their lives in the North.
> >> > > But no killing affected him more than that of a childhood friend
> >> > > called Ã¢â€¢Ë›Boy JoeÃ¢â€¢Ë‡, who was with them in the union.
> >> At a
> >> > > special meeting of the mine workers held at his instance, Iloh
> >> asked
> >> > > them why even Ã¢â€¢Ë›Boy JoeÃ¢â€¢Ë‡ had to die before he added:
> >> > > Ã¢â€¢Ë›You mean if I was here you people would have killed me
> >> too?!
> >> > > Ã¢â€¢Ë‡
> >> > > > >>>> When Iloh returned to Lagos, he decided he would be of
> >> more
> >> > > use in the East as a Red Cross man. He saw war coming and he knew
> >> > > there was no preparation for relief measures in the East. He
> >> first
> >> > > went to meet Justice Adetokunbo Ademola to explain that he would
> >> > > want to go to Biafra, but the idea was not well received. He also
> >> > > discussed with Justice Adefarasin who also felt unpersuaded by
> >> the
> >> > > idea. Eventually, Iloh found favour with the National Secretary,
> >> > > Alhaji Saidu Mohammed, who now convinced the others. Iloh said
> >> his
> >> > > exposure at the Red Cross had made him to sense that Igbo people
> >> > > were unprepared for the calamity that was coming and he felt he
> >> > > could be of help. As he explained:Ã¢â€¢Ë›eventually both the
> >> Chief
> >> > > Justice and Justice Adefarasin allowed me to go to Biafra if I
> >> could
> >> > > get there.Ã¢â€¢Ë‡
> >> > > > >>>> Even before the federal government of Nigeria launched
> >> what
> >> > > it described as a Ã¢â€¢Ë›police actionÃ¢â€¢Ë‡ against Biafra in
> >> July
> >> > > 1967, it had become practically impossible for any Igbo man to
> >> cross
> >> > > River Niger from the Asaba end to Onitsha at the other side.
> >> > > Fortunately for Iloh, on getting to the Bridge where they were
> >> > > sending people back, he saw from distance one policeman by name
> >> Pius
> >> > > Efosa. Ã¢â€¢Ë›It was divine intervention because Efosa used to
> >> be my
> >> > > typist in Jos. He saluted me and was able to arrange my passage
> >> to
> >> > > the other side. The moment I crossed over into Onitsha, I went
> >> > > straight to the Enugu Red Cross office where as a national
> >> officer I
> >> > > took charge immediately. I knew the suffering that was coming as
> >> > > people were arriving Biafra, especially from the North with
> >> nothing.
> >> > > I knew we were going to witness tragedy but at that time, I had
> >> no
> >> > > inkling of the unprecedented human sufferings and harvest of
> >> deaths
> >> > > that was coming.Ã¢â€¢Ë‡
> >> > > > >>>> Iloh said he began his assignment with people who had no
> >> > > experience in disaster management or relief efforts. But the
> >> first
> >> > > challenge was persuading the political operators that Red Cross
> >> is a
> >> > > neutral organization whose first responsibility is to the poor
> >> and
> >> > > displaced. Some of the Biafran top people wanted to hijack some
> >> of
> >> > > the Red Cross relief materials for themselves. This was a
> >> constant
> >> > > source of friction and it took the intervention of Ojukwu for
> >> Iloh
> >> > > not to end up at the gallows, following an executive session in
> >> > > which his role was a subject of deliberation.
> >> > > > >>>> Aside the economic blockage by Nigeria, which came with
> >> > > devastating consequences, the Federal Government on June 30,
> >> 1969,
> >> > > banned night flights of food aid to Biafra. By taking effective
> >> > > charge on both sides, the Nigerian authorities stopped the Red
> >> Cross
> >> > > from coordinating relief materials to civilians. Ã¢â€¢Ë›The
> >> Nigerian
> >> > > troops did not play by fair rules or any rule at all. Even in our
> >> > > office, I mean Red Cross where we were distributing materials,
> >> > > Nigerian planes would fly low and begin to rain bombs on the
> >> people.
> >> > > I am talking of civilian targets, not soldiers. And then with
> >> > > AwolowoÃ¢â€¢Ë™s policy, come and see hunger in a manner I pray
> >> > > mankind never experiences again.Ã¢â€¢Ë‡
> >> > > > >>>> With poverty, hunger and disease ravaging the land, Iloh
> >> told
> >> > > moving stories of desperation and deprivation and how practically
> >> > > everyone in Biafra became a refugee as they ran away from bombs
> >> from
> >> > > Federal troops. He also narrated how malnourished Biafran
> >> children
> >> > > had to be taken to countries like Gabon, Ivory Coast and Guinea
> >> and
> >> > > how many in the process got lost and how many died. Ã¢â€
> >> ¢Ë›There were
> >> > > days we would bury up to about 200 children, all in one grave.
> >> You
> >> > > give a Biafran child milk and it comes straight down through his
> >> > > anus. Children were the worst hit during the war with many
> >> ravaged
> >> > > by disease and hunger.Ã¢â€¢Ë‡ Iloh, however, had kind words for
> >> the
> >> > > late Gabonese dictator, Omar Bongo, who died in 2009 as
> >> > > AfricaÃ¢â€¢Ë™s longest ruler after 41 years in office. Ã¢â€
> >> ¢Ë›When
> >> > > Omar Bongo died, I believe the Igbo people did themselves a
> >> > > disservice by not sending emissaries to pay respect. That man
> >> built
> >> > > hospitals for Biafran children, put many in school and generally
> >> > > helped us,Ã¢â€¢Ë‡ Iloh said.
> >> > > > >>>> Because of the blockade, food could only come by air so
> >> Iloh
> >> > > had to travel to several countries to solicit for food and
> >> drugs for
> >> > > the Red Cross. The cargo planes were usually provided by
> >> France, the
> >> > > only European power that declared its support for Biafra.
> >> Because of
> >> > > the series of bombings by the Federal troops, they usually flew
> >> into
> >> > > Biafra by night. Iloh recalled a particular trip where theRed
> >> Cross
> >> > > flight from Lisbon had been forced to land in Cameroun whose
> >> > > authorities insisted on searching the plane on the suspicion that
> >> > > there were some people inside. But the French pilot insisted
> >> that he
> >> > > would not allow the plane to be searched and that the Cameroonian
> >> > > authorities would have to accept his word that he was only
> >> carrying
> >> > > Red Cross relief materials. Meanwhile, inside was Iloh and the
> >> wife
> >> > > of the late Dr Pius Okigbo. With the two personages hidden
> >> under the
> >> > > seats of the plane, the argument went on for two hours that night
> >> > > but eventually the plane was let off. Ã¢â€¢Ë›Those two hours were
> >> > > like eternity but thank God that the French pilot stood his
> >> grounds
> >> > > otherwise the outcome might have been different,Ã¢â€¢Ë‡ said
> >> Iloh.
> >> > > > >>>> By the end of 1969, it was clear Biafra was at a dead end
> >> > > andOjukwu sent words to the senior people to leave. He personally
> >> > > called Iloh that he should get out. But at that point IlohÃ¢â€
> >> ¢Ë™s
> >> > > wife was pregnant so he had to stay and after the surrender, he
> >> was
> >> > > captured at Abba in Orlu district of Imo state by Federal troops
> >> > > when one Igbo officer identified and pointed him out as
> >> > > Ã¢â€¢Ë›OjukwuÃ¢â€¢Ë™s friendÃ¢â€¢Ë‡ while he was driving his
> >> wife to
> >> > > the hospital. The drama that would follow was as tragic as it was
> >> > > humiliating; but at least Iloh succeeded in getting his wife
> >> out of
> >> > > harmÃ¢â€¢Ë™s way before he was asked by the men who directed
> >> him at
> >> > > gunpoint to drive them to Ã¢â€¢Ë›KampallaÃ¢â€¢Ë‡.
> >> > > > >>>> The war was over but having been captured like many
> >> other top
> >> > > Igbo people, even though his own case was peculiar as an
> >> > > internationally recognized Red Cross official, Iloh was matched
> >> to
> >> > > Ã¢â€¢Ë›KampallaÃ¢â€¢Ë‡ by Nigerian soldiers. Kampalla turned
> >> out to
> >> > > be a military post in Port Harcourt. Ã¢â€¢Ë›I met important
> >> people in
> >> > > Biafra. Respected professionals, engineers who were being marched
> >> > > into a room. As they were walking in, one of them, without
> >> looking
> >> > > in my direction said in Igbo: Ã¢â€¢Ë˜Whatever you will do to help
> >> > > yourself please do, but donÃ¢â€¢Ë™t let them take you to where
> >> they
> >> > > are now taking us because those who went before us never returned
> >> > > and we know they are also taking us in simply to kill
> >> > > usÃ¢â€¢Ë™.Ã¢â€¢Ë‡
> >> > > > >>>> At that moment for Iloh, there was a divine intervention.
> >> > > Ã¢â€¢Ë›There was this tall lanky officer among my captors whose
> >> name
> >> > > was Dogonyaro, at least that was what I heard the officers
> >> calling
> >> > > him. As he came aggressively, I addressed him in what he would
> >> know
> >> > > was perfect Hausa, that he should allow me to go outside to talk
> >> > > with the man in the Red Cross vehicle that was parked within
> >> range.
> >> > > I guess the language I spoke threw him off guard because his
> >> > > demeanour changed immediately and from that moment, he became my
> >> > > guardian angel. After asking me a few questions, he allowed me
> >> to go
> >> > > and meet the Red Cross driver but warned that if I tried to
> >> escape,
> >> > > he would just shoot me dead. I assured him that I would not do
> >> that
> >> > > because I believed God had used him to protect me and I would not
> >> > > betray that. When I got there, I told the man to help get a
> >> message
> >> > > to Sir Adetokunbo Ademola and Justice Adefarasin that I had been
> >> > > captured.Ã¢â€¢Ë‡
> >> > > > >>>> Within 24 hours, IlohÃ¢â€¢Ë™s name was being announced
> >> on the
> >> > > radio and International Red Cross had waded in, demanding his
> >> > > release.That became the saving grace for Iloh who was eventually
> >> > > taken before a military court martial to explain why he
> >> deserted his
> >> > > job as a Red Cross official in Nigeria to cross over to Biafra.
> >> He
> >> > > replied that he took permission before he went to Biafra and at
> >> the
> >> > > end of his brief trial, he was discharged.
> >> > > > >>>> With the war over, Iloh thought he could resume his life
> >> but
> >> > > then one morning, he heard on the radio that the Administrator of
> >> > > Eastern Nigeria, Mr Ukpabi Asika, had made an edict that Moses
> >> Iloh
> >> > > should never be given any appointment in Eastern Nigeria and that
> >> > > government officials should have nothing to do with him.
> >> > > Ã¢â€¢Ë›Ukpabi Asika pronounced me a dangerous man. This was a man
> >> > > whose two children were brought to me during the war and God
> >> used me
> >> > > to save them. Ukpabi Asika, a man whose name was poison in
> >> > > Biafra,Ã¢â€¢Ë‡ Iloh said with a contempt that he could not
> >> disguise.
> >> > > > >>>> But IlohÃ¢â€¢Ë™s problem had just begun as he would
> >> recollect:
> >> > > Ã¢â€¢Ë›One morning, I was driving the small car given to me by
> >> the
> >> > > Red Cross on the street of Enugu when I was blocked by several
> >> > > police men who were in a convoy. As I argued with them, I saw the
> >> > > then Chief Justice of Eastern Nigeria, Justice Godfrey Ubaka
> >> > > Agbakoba, father of this young man, Olisa Agbakoba. This was a
> >> man I
> >> > > had known and respected from his days as a lawyer in Jos. He
> >> told me
> >> > > bluntly: Ã¢â€¢Ë˜Iloh, I have orders to take this car from you
> >> from
> >> > > the administrator.Ã¢â€¢Ë™ As I tried to argue with him, his
> >> police
> >> > > orderlies bundled me out of my car and drove away, leaving me
> >> > > stranded on the street of Enugu. And this was not even a
> >> government
> >> > > car.Ã¢â€¢Ë‡
> >> > > > >>>> If Iloh thought that was the end of his ordeal, a worse
> >> fate
> >> > > was awaiting him in Lagos. Ã¢â€¢Ë›I returned to Lagos where I
> >> thought
> >> > > I would begin life anew. The white men who ran the Mines in Jos
> >> were
> >> > > fair-minded people because they paid all my gratuities and the
> >> Red
> >> > > Cross also paid in some money for me. I had been operating an
> >> > > account with the First Bank since 1951 and during the war, I
> >> managed
> >> > > to get some money from it. But the day I arrived Lagos and went
> >> to
> >> > > the bank, my manager told me that because of a policy from
> >> Awolowo,
> >> > > I was only entitled to 20 pounds! I was dazedÃ¢â€¢Å"Ã¢â€¢Ë‡
> >> > > > >>>> For a septuagenarian father of five (and grandfather to
> >> five)
> >> > > who has undergone considerable transformation, from a unionist to
> >> > > charity worker, to a successful industrialist and then a Clergy
> >> man,
> >> > > Iloh looks very good for his age. Perhaps it is just as well
> >> for the
> >> > > accomplished sportsman who played football with the likes of
> >> Thunder
> >> > > Balogun and was for a long period President of the Nigerian
> >> Cycling
> >> > > Federation. Even though he now lives a Spartan lifestyle at his
> >> > > Ikeja, Lagos residence, spending most of his time in Christian
> >> > > counseling, Iloh is an intellectually sharp and witty old man
> >> who,
> >> > > despite varied life experiences has no hint of
> >> bitterness.However,
> >> > > from my exploratory talk with him, I can draw some conclusions.
> >> > > > >>>> One, there was no doubt that the Federal troops crossed
> >> the
> >> > > line in the conduct of their military operations during the war
> >> and
> >> > > contributed to the death of several civilians. It may not be up
> >> to
> >> > > the scale being touted but the indiscriminate bombings and the
> >> > > economic blockade accounted for the deaths of hundreds of
> >> thousands
> >> > > of people on the Biafran side. What is important here is that one
> >> > > needless death of a fellow human being is one death too many.
> >> > > Crucially, Rev IlohÃ¢â€¢Ë™s account has been corroborated by
> >> Bernard
> >> > > Kouchner, the French doctor who volunteered with the
> >> International
> >> > > Red Cross and came to Biafra. It was his experience with the Red
> >> > > Cross, attending to war casualties in Biafra, that led him to
> >> join
> >> > > others in 1971 to establish Ã¢â€¢Ë˜Medecins Sans FrontiersÃ¢â€¢Ë™
> >> > > (Doctors Without Borders).
> >> > > > >>>> Two, as a nation we have not exorcised the ghost of Biafra
> >> > > because the scars seem very deep and the old generation of Igbo
> >> are
> >> > > passing on the story of the tragedy to the coming ones. And the
> >> more
> >> > > the Nigerian Project fails to work, the more the nostalgia
> >> about a
> >> > > Ã¢â€¢Ë›Biafran EldoradoÃ¢â€¢Ë‡ that existed only within the
> >> realm of
> >> > > imagination. This is particularly significant when there
> >> remains a
> >> > > perceived feeling of continued marginalization of the Igbos in
> >> > > Nigeria which is not entirely without foundation.
> >> > > > >>>> Three, the Igbos, not just Professor Achebe and Rev Iloh,
> >> > > strongly believe that Chief Awolowo dealt them a fatal blow that
> >> > > ensured they not only lost the war but several of their people
> >> > > suffered an even bigger personal loss after the war with the
> >> federal
> >> > > government 20 Pounds policy which Chief Awolowo initiated and
> >> > > implemented.
> >> > > > >>>> Four, even from my little interactions with Iloh, it was
> >> very
> >> > > evident that the Red Cross he led was not completely neutral but
> >> > > then in his position, would I be? Of course I have several
> >> questions
> >> > > for him and we will explore all of them in details in the weeks
> >> > > ahead, but one thing I found fascinating was his reverence for
> >> > > Ojukwu. He rarely called him by name for most of the period of
> >> our
> >> > > encounter, it was Ã¢â€¢Ë›His ExcellencyÃ¢â€¢Ë‡. To him, Ojukwu
> >> was a
> >> > > great man. Ã¢â€¢Ë›The Igbos have a lot to thank Ojukwu forÃ¢â€
> >> ¢Ë‡, he
> >> > > would say as he recounted heroic stories about the late Biafran
> >> > > leader who, he argued, sacrificed everything, including personal
> >> > > comfort and family wealth for his people.
> >> > > > >>>> Five, there were also tell-tale signs of corruption even
> >> > > within Biafra. Recounting the experience of the last days (when
> >> it
> >> > > was evident that the Biafran Titanic was sinking and people were
> >> > > bailing out), Rev Iloh told of one particular night when many
> >> of the
> >> > > big shots were struggling to enter a plane at Uli airport. Ã¢â€
> >> ¢Ë›I
> >> > > will never forget that night because as these senior officials
> >> were
> >> > > struggling to enter the plane, the briefcase of one Biafran
> >> > > Permanent Secretary opened and bales of Dollar notes began to fly
> >> > > all over the place.Ã¢â€¢Ë‡
> >> > > > >>>> Six, Iloh and most members of his generation do not
> >> believe
> >> > > Yorubas did anything against them in the course of the war and do
> >> > > not hold Yoruba people responsible for what most of them
> >> consider a
> >> > > betrayal by Awolowo. They may not say so directly but the tales
> >> most
> >> > > tell of the way they were helped by one Yoruba friend or another
> >> > > when they returned to Lagos is quite revealing. That of Rev
> >> Iloh was
> >> > > not different. Besides the fact that he met his property intact
> >> and
> >> > > the help he received from friends like the late Ambassador Segun
> >> > > Olusola, Rev Iloh recalled how he became a rich man almost
> >> > > overnight. Ã¢â€¢Ë›When the federal government came up with the
> >> > > indigenisation policy, there was this company that was involved
> >> in
> >> > > installation of underground tanks for petroleum companies. I
> >> wanted
> >> > > to buy it but knew I could never raise the kind of money it was
> >> > > going for so I called a friend of mine, Dapo Gbalajobi and told
> >> him
> >> > > my predicament. He said he knew one Union Bank manager and would
> >> > > take me to him so the man could help. He took me to the bank and
> >> > > introduced me to the man who I was meeting for the first time.
> >> I was
> >> > > given forms to open an account, paid in some deposit and was
> >> > > subsequently given the money to buy the company. I had never
> >> met the
> >> > > bank manager before, he didnÃ¢â€¢Ë™t know me but just accepted
> >> me on
> >> > > the recommendation of Dapo Gbalajobi. With that I eventually
> >> became
> >> > > a very wealthy man with several engineers working for me and I
> >> had
> >> > > offices in several capital cities across the country.Ã¢â€¢Ë‡
> >> > > > >>>> Of course on account of his Christian faith, Rev Iloh has
> >> > > since given up the company and his wealth in a remarkable way
> >> that
> >> > > is a compelling story on its own.
> >> > > > >>>> While my exploratory discussion with Rev Iloh has helped
> >> me
> >> > > to put in perspective AchebeÃ¢â€¢Ë™s book, there are several
> >> angles
> >> > > to the Biafran tragedy that I believe have not been explored
> >> and I
> >> > > intend to stretch him along that line in the weeks and months
> >> ahead.
> >> > > The lesson of it all, however, is that those who talk glibly
> >> about
> >> > > wars donÃ¢â€¢Ë™t know what they are talking about. Yes, Nigeria
> >> is
> >> > > not working and there are sufficient grounds to question some
> >> of the
> >> > > assumptions on which our nationhood is predicated. But to beat
> >> war
> >> > > drums at the least provocation is a sign that we have not come to
> >> > > terms with our past and the price so many people paid; indeed
> >> that
> >> > > we have not learnt the lessons of this tragic episode in our
> >> > > history, or that we have forgotten what lessons we learnt. That
> >> > > would be an even greater tragedy for our nation.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> > >
> >> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

__._,_.___

Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

New Members 2

Visit Your Group

Please note that membership into our focused and specialized groups are by Invitation. If interested, you may reply to our Invitation to become a member. Also, you may directly send a message using the SUBSCRIBE Links above to subscribe yourself in a specific group. The subscription policy in these Groups shall be "EASY COME, EASY GO." All requests for subscription require the approval of Moderators.

Thanks.
Martin Akindana
Moderator

ChtAfriK Network Groups - the 'talk shop' of the African village.
...setting the pace in innovation and specialization in the African net community.

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use • Send us Feedback

.

__,_._,___

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "USA Africa Dialogue Series" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to usaafricadialogue+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

Dialogues

Saturday, February 2, 2013

USA Africa Dialogue Series - On the Matter of Okokon Ndem's Name Being Associated with Falsehood and/or Propaganda for his Civil War Efforts for Biafra

No comments:

Post a Comment

Followers

Blog Archive

About Me