USA Africa Dialogue Series - Re: Surrender message of Biafra warlords

 

I may be cockeyed, it seems to me that the Igbos are acting contrary to what they – some of them - say. Their behavior does not support the incessant assertion that they want to leave Nigeria. In making these pronuncements, they generate a lot of animus from other Nigerians. We all really need to shift the discussion to how we, as Nigerians can progress, economically, socially, technologically etc.

Every day, we see bus loads of Igbos leaving Igboland and heading to other parts of the nation. Secondly, we do not see other Nigerians heading to Igboland to displace Igbo people and making it difficult for Igbos to build a viable economy of their own within that space. Today, Igboland has the least density of non-Igbos leaving within their territory. Almost all states in Nigeria have the Igbos as the second most populous, with the indigenes being the most.  In some non-igbo states within our country, the Igbos have even become the most populous to the discountenance of the original inhabitants.

   This is reminiscent of a wife threatening to divorce her husband and leave his house, yet everyday, she invites her mother, father and distant relatives to come and live with her and the husband. 

If there are some Igbos wanting to leave Nigeria for whatever reason they may proffer, the conversation must begin among Igbos themselves. It is not by throwing blame everywhere that will result in the creation of their own nation. Let these band go and convince other Igbos that their lot is better within their own nation. And when they have succeeded, they must start migrating en masse back to Igboland.  Luckily, our constitution permits freedom of movement. This means that no one can stop them from going back home. Now, they can start building a very strong civiization within that area that is Igboland. One that will be the envy of the rest of Nigerians.

Now, up to this moment, there need not be any discussion with other Nigerians since all the steps they will be taking are presently permitted under our law.

Now, may be in about two decades, they can see if indeed it is in their interest to declare a seccesion from Nigeria.

Unless if seccesion is not the intention of the few rabble rousers among our Igbo brothers!!!

In all sincerity, most Igbos do not want to leave Nigeria. They, like the rest of us, are trying to figure out how to meet our daily needs, take care of our children and pursue happiness in our our way. If, however these majority does not unequivocally stop the noise makers, they risk the mistrust and consequent backlash from other Nigerians.

This should not be the case  

 

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