WHAT HAPPENS TO IGBO-BIAFRANS INVESTMENT WHEN NIGERIA BREAK-UP?
By Okonkwo Isaac Somto
For Family Writers
This question keeps popping into the minds of most people when you talk to them about a breakaway from Nigeria. Not that they don't want Biafra or prostrated of living in Nigeria but some are scared of losing their investments in Nigeria if there was a break-up. It’s no doubt that Igbo-Biafrans properties are scattered throughout the landscape of Nigeria. In a number of cases such as in Abuja and Lagos, the value of Igbo-Biafrans properties is said to be more than those other tribes in Nigeria. Some conservative estimates have put Igbo/Biafrans’ properties outside the Homeland values at several hundreds of billions of dollars. We must not pretend that such size of wealth should be ignored or abandoned at the toss of a coin.
We also must not forget what happened during the 1967 Nigeria-Biafra civil war. After the war, most of the investments of Igbo-Biafrans outside their homeland were seized by the Nigeria government, while some of their properties were also stolen from them by emirs, governors and citizens of Nigeria. In fact after the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, Igbo-Biafrans were only given just £20 to start a new life despite that many of them have millions in their account. It didn't matter whether Biafrans had millions and billions worth of investments in Nigeria, they were still given only £20 after the war to cover what they lost. More than 50years has gone by and with just £20, Igbo-Biafrans are still the most dominant, powerful and most successful tribe in Nigeria but the killing of Biafrans still persist and now we all are back to where we were before the 1967 Nigeria-Biafra civil war. Biafrans still want dissension from Nigeria thus asking for freedom to exercise their rights to self-determination and for a sovereign state of Biafra.
What this tells us is that no matter how big the investments, properties and wealth of igbo-Biafrans outside their Homeland, it has never clouded them from thinking and working for a permanent solution, in separation, to the incessant Islamic killings, kidnapping by Hausa-Fulani herdsmen and also looting by the federal government of Nigeria. There is need for a sovereign nation to end all these calamities befalling Biafrans in Nigeria. But one of the questions that keeps rising is this- What happens to the investments of Biafrans if Nigeria split?
It should also be remembered that other Nigerians equally have properties and investments within Igbo/Biafra Homeland. No matter the size, no one wants to lose what he has toiled to acquire. If a peaceful secession were to be conducted between Nigeria and Biafra, everyone gets to retain his\her investment in whatever part it’s located. It’s doesn't matter if you a Biafran, Yoruba, Hausa, everyone gets to keep hold of their vested interests and belongings. Also The Organization of Emerging African States (OEAS), an international governmental organization that promotes self-determination and the end to colonial era boundaries in Africa noted that if there is a secession, all “Property of the federal government within the borders of Biafra will become property of Biafra. The Nigerian government however will retain all national debts. Biafra will then release the Nigerian government from any obligation to pay reparations for crimes committed during the war of independence 1967-1970.” Also you can designate to remain as a Nigerian citizen or plump to become a Biafran citizen once the parting is completed.
We should also bear in mind that international boundaries do not prevent a foreign citizen from owning properties in places other than their native homeland. Now that we all know that everyone gets to hang onto their precious assets, I have this question to ask Biafrans, "which is more important, this slavery and indignity of unending genocides of one-Nigeria or freedom in a separate progressive, secure and prosperous independent sovereign nation of Biafra?
By Okonkwo Isaac Somto
For Family Writers
This question keeps popping into the minds of most people when you talk to them about a breakaway from Nigeria. Not that they don't want Biafra or prostrated of living in Nigeria but some are scared of losing their investments in Nigeria if there was a break-up. It’s no doubt that Igbo-Biafrans properties are scattered throughout the landscape of Nigeria. In a number of cases such as in Abuja and Lagos, the value of Igbo-Biafrans properties is said to be more than those other tribes in Nigeria. Some conservative estimates have put Igbo/Biafrans’ properties outside the Homeland values at several hundreds of billions of dollars. We must not pretend that such size of wealth should be ignored or abandoned at the toss of a coin.
We also must not forget what happened during the 1967 Nigeria-Biafra civil war. After the war, most of the investments of Igbo-Biafrans outside their homeland were seized by the Nigeria government, while some of their properties were also stolen from them by emirs, governors and citizens of Nigeria. In fact after the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, Igbo-Biafrans were only given just £20 to start a new life despite that many of them have millions in their account. It didn't matter whether Biafrans had millions and billions worth of investments in Nigeria, they were still given only £20 after the war to cover what they lost. More than 50years has gone by and with just £20, Igbo-Biafrans are still the most dominant, powerful and most successful tribe in Nigeria but the killing of Biafrans still persist and now we all are back to where we were before the 1967 Nigeria-Biafra civil war. Biafrans still want dissension from Nigeria thus asking for freedom to exercise their rights to self-determination and for a sovereign state of Biafra.
What this tells us is that no matter how big the investments, properties and wealth of igbo-Biafrans outside their Homeland, it has never clouded them from thinking and working for a permanent solution, in separation, to the incessant Islamic killings, kidnapping by Hausa-Fulani herdsmen and also looting by the federal government of Nigeria. There is need for a sovereign nation to end all these calamities befalling Biafrans in Nigeria. But one of the questions that keeps rising is this- What happens to the investments of Biafrans if Nigeria split?
It should also be remembered that other Nigerians equally have properties and investments within Igbo/Biafra Homeland. No matter the size, no one wants to lose what he has toiled to acquire. If a peaceful secession were to be conducted between Nigeria and Biafra, everyone gets to retain his\her investment in whatever part it’s located. It’s doesn't matter if you a Biafran, Yoruba, Hausa, everyone gets to keep hold of their vested interests and belongings. Also The Organization of Emerging African States (OEAS), an international governmental organization that promotes self-determination and the end to colonial era boundaries in Africa noted that if there is a secession, all “Property of the federal government within the borders of Biafra will become property of Biafra. The Nigerian government however will retain all national debts. Biafra will then release the Nigerian government from any obligation to pay reparations for crimes committed during the war of independence 1967-1970.” Also you can designate to remain as a Nigerian citizen or plump to become a Biafran citizen once the parting is completed.
We should also bear in mind that international boundaries do not prevent a foreign citizen from owning properties in places other than their native homeland. Now that we all know that everyone gets to hang onto their precious assets, I have this question to ask Biafrans, "which is more important, this slavery and indignity of unending genocides of one-Nigeria or freedom in a separate progressive, secure and prosperous independent sovereign nation of Biafra?
As for me and my house, I choose Biafra and my Biafra Freedom.
ReplyDeleteLet those who choose to remain slave of Buhari and Obasanjo because of property remain in the zoo so Buhari and his boko haram terrorist mob and the northern youth, and Yoruba leaders can continue to use them for sacrifice, give them to the baboons or have their blood float on Lagos lagon. It is their choice. But let it be known that their choice should prevent Biafra restoration! Would not stop Biafra restoration!
The bell sounds of Biafra is already ringing everywhere! Biafra has come. Farewell and so long the Islamic Nigeria country!!!
Invalueable Biafra my choice forever!
ReplyDeleteLove Biafa more than anything
ReplyDeleteThis author is simply disingenuous. Painting a rosy sanario is one thing, the reality on ground is a different thing.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures this author painted is obtainable in the developed world not anywhere in the African continent.
As our people will say,"sleep gives a preview of death ". In the same way the December season and the high cost of living east of the Niger should give you a preview of life in "Biafra ".
Can this author point at anything that the Igbos as one people own jointly as a people. Name one business venture. Some igbos see themselves as superior to other igbos. What makes you think that those people you have been treating as your inferior will give up the freedom and equality that one Nigeria gave.
Good luck in the Biafran Venture but a better place to start would have been some smaller scale joint venture involving all the separate independent states that will be forming the utopian state Biafra.
This author is simply disingenuous. Painting a rosy sanario is one thing, the reality on ground is a different thing.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures this author painted is obtainable in the developed world not anywhere in the African continent.
As our people will say,"sleep gives a preview of death ". In the same way the December season and the high cost of living east of the Niger should give you a preview of life in "Biafra ".
Can this author point at anything that the Igbos as one people own jointly as a people. Name one business venture. Some igbos see themselves as superior to other igbos. What makes you think that those people you have been treating as your inferior will give up the freedom and equality that one Nigeria gave.
Good luck in the Biafran Venture but a better place to start would have been some smaller scale joint venture involving all the separate independent states that will be forming the utopian state Biafra.
Thank you d writer of this piece. People must understand that IPOB is fighting for biafran freedom through a peaceful means to ensure that we retain our investments werever they are, be it new nigeria or elsewhere. Owning a property outside of ones country has always being there.
ReplyDeletePeople must not panick about d future of biafra bc biafrans hv what it takes to be a successful nation. There is no fighting amongst us and we see ourselves as one. It is only d wicked nigeria dt sowed division amongst our people putting us in different states to fight ourselves. Having a sovereign state of biafra will not prevent us from living in abuja, lagos or kano but will now give us d chance to fight for any injustice metted to our people in those cities bc we will a govt in place for us. A biafran will not be killed or threatened in any part of nigeria or d world at large without questions being asked.
People are talking about biafran investments in nigeria, what of their investments outside of nigeria? Some will want to bring it back home if we have an organized peaceful govt in place.
No matter how one looks at it, it is better for all biafrans to hv their own country - the jewish african state. The hausa/fulani - yoruba gang up will never stop bc they are afraid of biafran dorminance due to our ingenuity, hardwork and competitive nature.
Thank you d writer of this piece. People must understand that IPOB is fighting for biafran freedom through a peaceful means to ensure that we retain our investments werever they are, be it new nigeria or elsewhere. Owning a property outside of ones country has always being there.
ReplyDeletePeople must not panick about d future of biafra bc biafrans hv what it takes to be a successful nation. There is no fighting amongst us and we see ourselves as one. It is only d wicked nigeria dt sowed division amongst our people putting us in different states to fight ourselves. Having a sovereign state of biafra will not prevent us from living in abuja, lagos or kano but will now give us d chance to fight for any injustice metted to our people in those cities bc we will a govt in place for us. A biafran will not be killed or threatened in any part of nigeria or d world at large without questions being asked.
People are talking about biafran investments in nigeria, what of their investments outside of nigeria? Some will want to bring it back home if we have an organized peaceful govt in place.
No matter how one looks at it, it is better for all biafrans to hv their own country - the jewish african state. The hausa/fulani - yoruba gang up will never stop bc they are afraid of biafran dorminance due to our ingenuity, hardwork and competitive nature.
Sigh!
ReplyDelete