This letter is unsolicited, it will therefore not be unexpected that some of my readers will charge me with something that the Yoruba’s call “Shobolasion” (ma fi lo min dasi) or what is in modern day referred to as “busy body”. However I am a Nigerian and the Ibo or is it igbo question has been presented in this Village more than any other topic or issue. So in view of its popularity(as a subject to  be  popped up now then so that it will not  be forgotten or consigned  to  the dustbin of  history) and the predictable attitude of our Ibo brothers and sisters to anything bordering on this question, one cannot but add some of the vital but often neglected aspect of the discourse. The attitude of my Ibo friends in this Village is that of totalitarianism - any one who is not one of us has no right to discuss or contribute to any discussion concerning us. It is people with this orientation and state of mind that I expect will call me “gbeborun” or busy body. In spite of this, I intend to discuss this matter with profound objectivity and responsibility.

One of the compelling reasons for writing this letter is that 37 (thirty-seven) years after the end of the civil war, a day hardly passes without someone in this Village reminding us of that that dark spot of our history and applying arm-twist strategies to make us swallow the lie that the Ibo nation has been rendered comatose by the outcome of that war.  While this assertion may appear to be true, its significance has been overshadowed by other factors, which will be mentioned in this letter. I couldn’t just help but pity those who still hold the view that the war is responsible for whatever they have become today. The war ended 37 (thirty-seven) years ago. I don’t  think  it  took  that  long  for  Hiroshima to  recover. This  simply  reminded  me  of  an  unkempt and lazy  woman  who  told  all that  cared  to  listen  that  her  husband’s death prevented her  from  taking  her  bath  for  several months.  Perhaps  it  is  a  case  of  what  psychologists  refer  to  as  “hyper compensatory striving” At Independence , Nigeria was a tripod consisting of the Eastern, Northern and Western Region. Each of these regions had its own economic system and blessed with human, material, mineral and other resources.

Just as the West was harvesting cocoa, the North was busy constructing groundnut pyramids while the East was bursting  with activities in such areas as coal mining, production of cement etc. Each region had her own economy with the regional authority directing developmental efforts. There was healthy rivalry amongst the regions. The country never had it so good. Each region had representations in the armed forces, civil service and other federal establishments. There was also social peace, harmony and stability in all the three regions, the bedrock of these achievements being the inheritance from the colonial administration, selfless leaders, regional autonomy and excellent value systems. But the war changed all of that at least in the East. The war dealt a devastating blow to the socio–economic achievements of the East. Families were scattered, economic activities slumped and the psyche of the people battered. In Lagos then, as a little  boy my only recollection of the effects of the war was the instruction that there should be no naked light bulbs outside our homes in the night and that we should lie flat on  the  floor anytime we noticed helicopters in the sky. While we were attending school and our usual Owambe parties, our mates in the East were going through hell. Please do not ask me if the war was right or wrong. Do not ask me either the objective(s) behind the war. General Yakubu Gowon and Chief Odimegwu Ojukwu are still alive.   You many wish to ask them.

Then the war ended in 1970 with the declaration of “No victor, No vanquished” and a programme of Reconstruction and Reconciliation was put in place. Among the notable Nigerians who took part in that exercise were Tai Solarim, Wole Soyinka and Chief Obafemi Awolowo (in his capacity as the Federal Minister for Finance) While the Federal Government concentrated on rebuilding infrastructures little attention was paid to the reconstruction of the economy of the region including the rehabilitation of the people whose psyche was badly battered. The grant of 20 pounds per family was also inadequate and made rehabilitation almost  impossible. The harsh conditions of that time forced the Ibos to do what was the most sensible thing at that time - migration. 

The Exodus began.

It should be noted that prior to 1967, the Ibos were not the most itinerant in Nigeria, as Yorubas (especially those from the Old Oyo Empire and Ijebus) were known for their itinerant nature in search of business and other things of life. They migrated in large numbers to the north in Nigeria , the West African coast and even to some North African countries. However, in the case of Yourbas and Hausa/Fulani the number of migrants did not affect their home bases as such. And the migrants, somehow always return home. A popular Yoruba saying goes thus “Ile labo simi oko”, another one goes thus ”Bi oko ba rokun re osa a foribale fun elebute” no matter how long it takes for a ship to navigate the high seas and small rivers, it will eventually return to the harbour for anchoring”

The nature of their businesses and the exchange of goods, produce and ornaments between the various regions also demanded that after each voyage, the itinerant worker returned home to replenish stock. In the case of  the  exodus that began in the 70s, the prime and perhaps the sole objective was survival. Therefore our brothers and sisters left their ancestral homes in search of survival. Some were lucky to reclaim their properties and jobs, others were not so lucky and had to engage in  menial jobs to survive. But that was over 30years ago. Since 1970 we have had indigenes of this region presiding over the affairs in this region either as Administrators Military Governors, elected governors, local government chairmen etc. In the  business, entertainment, academia, sports and  other  areas  of  endeavour our  eastern friends  have  recorded  excellent  feats  since  after 1970.  Our  brothers  and  sisters  have  made  so  much  money  that  they  now  have  investments   in  virtually all  the  major  towns  in  the  western and  northern  regions   of  Nigeria.  They  are  today, MD/CEO of conglomerates,  banks, heads of  federal government  parastatals  and  are  represented in  the  federal  legislative  houses. Yet  they  are  crying of  marginalization and  oppression  and  forever  reminding  us  of  the devastating effects of the war.  Is it  for  real or  it is just blackmail or an  excuse to avoid taking responsibilities  for  their individual failings. 

As  far  as  I  am  concerned,  the  lot  of  the  Iboman today  and  the  absence  of  real  development in his homestead   can no  longer  be  blamed on  the  war  or  the  federal  government. We  passed  that  junction a  long  time  ago. Perhaps the  greatest  challenge is  the  ability  of  the  Ibo nation  to  organize itself as  a  group  with a  common  purpose  and  plan  towards  economic  emancipation of  its  region. The  war  is  not  a  feasible  excuse  anymore! The  recent  census  figures show  that  the  5  states  in  the  East  recorded  only 16.3million  out  of a  total  population  figure of  140million (11%).  And  in  spite  of  the  huge  allocations to  these states in the last  seven years, no visible progress has been made in terms of  economic development.  If  it will take 37 years to prepare for madness, only  God knows when the actual madness will manifest.  But  do  you  know what?  Our friends  have watertight alibis -  it  is  the  war.  No,  it  is  Awolowo.  It  is  the  Yorubas.  It  is  Obasanjo.  The reason  for  the poverty  in  their  region  is hmmmmmm.   Aso Rock. Because  they  regard  themselves  as  foreigners/visitors to  their  homeland, little  or  no  regard is  paid  to  how their  states  are  governed  or  to what  use(s)  the  resources  shared  at  the  federal  level  are  applied. Little  or  no  effort  is  made  at  the  community  level  to  raise  a  generation  of  leaders  that  will produce the positive  change/direction  that  the  region  is  in  dire  need  of. Culturally, they  have  not  found  it  expedient, after 37years to revive  their  cherished cultural  values  of old, to  understand  that a major  requirement  for peace  and  progress is that  there must  be  leaders  and  followers,  that followers however rich or influential  must surbordinate their  interests  in  the  pursuit  of  collective interest.  This means  that  the  principle  of  “kosi  Olori  lagonyin” –that  all men  are  equal  and  the  same has  limitations. Indeed, my  Ibo  friends resent  their  roots with  so  much  passion  that  the  first casualty is  their Ibo  names.  In  cases  where  they  are  not  dropped  completely  they  are  “westernized” to  become : chuks,oby,ify,etc  etc  with  very  heavy  accent during  introductions.

How  do  you  explain the  fact  that  while  other  regions  have  produced  a minimum  of three  generations  of  leaders  after  1970, Chief  Ojukwu  is  still  a  relevant  factor  and  a  rallying  point.  This  is  even  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  he  suffered  an electoral  loss  during  the  second  republic.  Or  what  do  you  make  of  the life-term senatorial  seat  awarded the likes  of Chief  Arthur  Nzeribe? Is there  no  Youngman in  the  east  to  take  over  from  unclu  Uche  Chukwumerije?  Is  this  race  dynamic  or  static  considering  the  fact  that uncle  Uche  was  the  chief of  propaganda during  the  war. Is  anyone  paying  attention  at  all  to  the slow pace of   economic/political  development  in  the  region and  the  devastating  effect  on  the  people  from  that  region?

It  is  time  to  stop treating  ringworm and  face the  more  important  task  of looking  for  a  cure  for  leprosy – development/economic  leprosy. Until  the  likes  of  Chinua Achebe, Emegwali, Dr.  Ekwueme, Okonji-Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, Kanu Nwakwo,  JJ Okocha  etc are  accorded  respect over  and  above  the  likes  of  Eze- Ego (king of  money)  and  his  types,  the  journey  to  freedom (even under  self-rule)  will  be  a  dream;  an  illusion. Until  my  people  emancipate  themselves  from  mental  slavery and  realize that “none  but  ourselves  can  free  our minds” the  cry  of  marginalization  will  continue  while  the  rest  of  the  country   will  move  on.  Until  you  learn  to  respect others and  appreciate  their  good  gestures towards  you,  don’t  expect  them  to  assist  you  in  whatever  endeavour  you may  choose  to  pursue. Finally  as  the  Yorubas  will  say “it is only  when  one doesn’t  understand  the  language  of  the  oracle  that  he  gazes  at  the  skies as  NOTHING is  written  thereon” – you  have  more  than  enough around  you  to  learn  from if  only  you  will open  your  eyes  and  minds.

Thanks  for  having  read  this  article.

Taslim Anibaba (FCA)                                  31st January,  2007

ADDENDUM

Perhaps my  Ibo friends can  learn  one  or  two  lessons  from  the  Yoruba  saying    which  goes  thus “Ile  la tin  ko  eso  rode”  - charity  begins  at  home.

The  time  has  come  for  our  friends  to  begin  to  return  to  base  and  collectively  plan  for  the  economic  emancipation  of  their  region.  If  I  may  ask:  where  are  those  long  yam  tubers that  used  to  come  from  the  east.

The  individualistic and  often self-centred  approach  to  development  has  failed..

It is  time   to  use  the  medium  of  governance  at the  state  and local government  levels  to  create economic  and  social structures  that  will  improve  the lot of  the citizens,  engage  the  youths and  keep  them  at  home for  continuity.

Mahatma  Gandhi  once  told  the  British “you cannot  be  masters  in  someone  else’s home”.  It  is  only  natural  and  given  the  primordial sentiments in  Nigeria  as  well as  the  strong ethnic  mentality  it  will take  decades  for  the  emergence of  a  true  Nigerian  state  where “though  tribe  and  tongue  many  differ  in  brotherhood  we stand “ will  be  realized. But it is  realizable.

The eastern  region  is  crying  out  for  leadership  and  development.  The  stumbling  block  to  the  realization  of  that  dream  is  not  the  war  or  the  federal  government.

The  time  has  come  for  the  stakeholders  there  to  set  some  super-ordinate goals for  themselves,  discard  individualism  and  self-centeredness. So  that  genuine  and  selfless contributions  can  be  made  towards  the  proper  rehabilitation of  the region.

It  is  only  when  this  is  done  that  the  rich and  affluent  will consider it  necessary  to  contribute  free  to  the  community and  uplift  the  status  of  the  citizens  without  expecting  anything  in  return..  When  that  time  arrives,  the  rich  will  not  order  NEPA not  to  extend electric  poles  to other  houses in  the  neighbourhood.  Also  the  age  long  age  grade  system will  be  strengthened in  such  a  way  that  unknown  elements  like Okongwu  will  not  rubbish  a  well known  and  respected Chief  Odogwu  as  was  the  case  during  the  Babangida  years.

By now, the  region  should  have  replaced the  war  heroes,  I  mean  the  lord himself,  the  chief propagandist, the arms  merchant  with  young  bright  minds  whose  attachment  to  the  war  is  mininimal  or  non-existent except for  the fact  that  it  took  place  decades  ago.

There  should  be  a  paradigm shift  so  as  not  to  jeopardize  the  future  of  unborn  children  with  the  unfortunate  incident  of  the  past.

I hope  you  will  find  some  wisdom   in  this  wake-up  call  coming from  a  good  friend of  the  Obiagelis, the  Chibuzors,  the Uzoamakas  etc

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 30.01.2007 22:33

oluye  Villager

# 2 Whew! Taslim, I wish you luck. Posted by oluye| 30.01.2007 23:45

Auspicious  Villager

# 3 Mr. Anibaba: I second Oluye's wish for you. I have said it before and I will say it again; a time will come when those whinners will suck that war 'titty' dry, causing them to loose all support and empathy that they deserve from the fall-out of the war - thanks to people like Obugi. The signs are manifesting already, with the emergence of people like Taslim Anibaba speaking their mind. It is only a matter of time... Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious| 31.01.2007 00:50

Obugi  Villager

# 4 Auspicious, Na wa for u O! causing them to loose all support and empathy that they deserve from the fall-out of the war What sympathy or empathy does ANY Igbo expect from a NIGERIAN? What sympathy or empathy has ever gone to Igbo ppl from NIGERIANS? Please don't make me laugh. Anyway, like I keep saying, its not about the war. Its about what ORDINARY Nigerians have done and continue to do TODAY - that you pretend not to see or hear. You only get riled up when an Igbo man talks. I wonder what much worse you Nigerians can do. Withdraw your 'SUPPORT' for Ndi Igbo.....or is there much worse in store? I fear O! Obugi. Posted by Obugi| 31.01.2007 01:01

Auspicious  Villager

# 5 Na wa for you too, Obugi!!! Update: Thanks for updating your post above to reflect my use of the word "empathy" as oppsed to "sympathy". You really are the king of misinformation. Last time I checked, I saw that I did NOT use the word sympathy BUT empathy - and they sure have different meanings. But that is beyond the point. My concern is to see to it that the irresponsible rabble-rousing that you engage in will never yield its evil results. My concern is to ensure that the "pogrom" that you relentlessly incite and campaign for with shocking effrontery will never see the light of the day. There is NOTHING that the Ndigbo suffer today that the rest of us do not suffer. So, save your unjustified whinning and crying for the next sucker you find - assuming you find any around. Thank You! Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious| 31.01.2007 01:14

anyax  JJC

# 6 Funmi Iyanda has a totally different take from you on this and she is not Igbo...read her blog post on this subject (google Funmi Iyanda Blog) and maybe you should read Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun (and the reading list at the back of the book) as well for a different perspective on some of these issues Posted by anyax| 31.01.2007 02:55

Auspicious  Villager

# 7 =Obugi;152186> What sympathy or empathy does ANY Igbo expect from a NIGERIAN? What sympathy or empathy has ever gone to Igbo ppl from NIGERIANS? Why would Obugi notice or appreciate any such thing as your neighbor's empathy and goodwill, when people like you have simply chosen to busy yourself in whipping-up ethnic sentiments? Why would you see the goodness in the heart of your average Nigerian neighbor (who we should always be careful to differentiate from the merciless ruling class) when people like you have chosen to be blinded by wallowing in expired self-pity? The empathy and goodwill that the good Nigerians out there have for their compatriots is not for individuals like you. Please, go away jare and continue with your fruitless fanning of embers of war and your so-called "pogrom". In time, you will come to appreciate the futility of your shadow-boxing. Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious| 31.01.2007 03:07

blondie  Villager

# 8 I do not understand why ethnicity has become a mantra in this village. Ethnicity rears its head in every in every article and resonse in this forum. Common guys! Don't you realise that this is exactly what our oppressors want? We expend so much energy on these non-issues while the despoilation of Nigeria continues.Didn't you read in the papers the other day that Areseokola's son got married to Iwuanyanwu's daughter? Sometime in 1997 I went to see my dentist friend in his office at Nicon HILTON. Guess what I saw? Kola Abiola was holding hands with Aisha Babangida just like lovebirds. I thought of all the people that died in the struggle for june 12. Don't get me wrong. One can lay down his life for his country or what he believes in. But the rogues that have held us hostage since independence continue to exploit these tribal sentiments among the hoi polloi. You all saw what happened at Odili's daughter's wedding.Every oppressor from all tribal hues was there. So don't you pedestrian hatemongers feel ashamed of yourselves? Orji Uzor Kalu would be the first to call at Otta Farms after May 29. Same with Rimi. But you all are here reaching for each other's throat like the typical talakawas trying to prove the superiority of your tribes. The oppressor must be having a good laugh! Let me tell you guys that the average Yoruba man will continue to drive his taxi in Abuja, Lagos, PH and even in Europe while Obj and his cabal continue to lord it over us.The average Igbo man will continue to sell his spare parts while the cabal enjoy their loot. But when the source of his filthy lucre becomes threatened the oppressor will now employ tribal sentiments and the alayes will rise. The talakawas will cry blue murder! Against who? Against his fellow oppressed. I am ashamed. Posted by blondie| 31.01.2007 03:16

blondie  Villager

# 9 Hey Anyax! Welcome on board! What took you so long to join the village? Posted by blondie| 31.01.2007 03:31

docokwy  Villager

# 10 Ok. Igbos still recognise Ojukwu since after 1970? Perhaps Igbos should kill him so that he is no more recognised? So who are the leaders of Yoruba after 1970? Adedibu, Obasanjo, Bode George, Tafa Balogun? You make me laugh. How organised are the Yoruba themselves and would they have smelt Aso Rock if not for Babangida and those marauding northern military men who put Obasanjo and Shonekan there? Is your SW heaven/paradise in spite of OBJ and Shonekan, your state govs and legislators? I continue to pity the Igbo who keep investing in Lagos, Ibadan, Kano etc. They will have themselves to blame when the bubble burst, for it sure will, sooner than later. Individually and on the average, Igbos remain the wealthiest Nigerians, inspite of everything. The 16M phoney census figure for the SE means nothing, as you will have to take away almost half of the lagos figure belonging to the Igbo. Ditto for Ibadan and Kano. We will see how the Yoruba will not whine when power goes back to the owners soon. Then they will become partners in whinning with the Igbo. Posted by docokwy| 31.01.2007 04:13

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