The Coastal People Of Biafra And The Biafra Question
By Elochukwu Nicholas Ohagi,
For Family Writers Press International.
As it stands, majority of our coastal brothers are not with us in this struggle for the restoration of Biafra. Many times, they are seen on mainstream media threads insulting this sacred struggle of Biafra liberation. Some of them will gladly tell you that Ndi Igbo should not include them in their Biafra. I know that some of those names are fake, but it makes no much difference.
The few from the coastal region fighting for Biafra Restoration receives it hot from their brothers. They are called all sorts of derogatory names and seen as those brainwashed by the Igbos. I admire their courage. They know that the freedom of Biafra will favour the coastal regions more. They understand that with a confederate state, no one will lord it over another.
Some other people from the coastal region are just standing over the fence, asking Ndi Igbo to consult them first before they can join the struggle. Personally, I don't see it as reasonable that they should be consulted before they can come out and join the quest for their own freedom. In fact, on a serious note, it is our coastal brothers that should be fighting more for their liberation. Most areas in Igbo territories have not experienced the type of devastating land pollution which is predominant in the coastal areas. In many places in the coastal region, you can't cultivate and get anything from your farm. The water is polluted. Fishes keep dying in their thousands. Ogoni and many parts of Bayelsa have been totally destroyed by land, water and air pollution. The rate of poverty in these places is very alarming. No bridges to crossover rivers into other villages. Yet their resources are used in building mansions, uncountable bridges and flyovers in Abuja, Lagos and other parts of the country. Their seaports are shutdown, yet when you mention Biafra to them, they immediately rise up in anger and start demanding for consultation.
The Nigeria government can easily pay a group among them to say they are not Biafrans. Not as if our own leaders in Igbo land don't take money from Fulani caliphate just the denigrate their people. However, the reactions of an average man in the coastal region towards the quest for Biafra liberation is another pitiable self-inflicted tragedy. A case of a whole group of people who have resolved to see their chains as bracelets.
It is high time those in the coastal region stopped thinking that this struggle is all about oil. Let oil stop getting into their heads because the oil will soon dry up. Nigeria has taken everything from them. Even the headquarters of oil companies are either in Abuja or Lagos. The workers in NNPC are mostly northerners, yet they find the attacking strength when Ndi Igbo mention Biafra. Didn't Edwin Clark say that when you get to Warri Refinery, you start thinking you are in Kaduna.
There is one thing our brethren in the coastal region must know. This struggle for Biafra freedom is very important and nonnegotiable to millions of Ndi Igbo. It is not surprising that many people in Igbo land are already clamoring and saying that even if it is only five states that want Biafra, it is perfect for them. This is simply because they are hoping and rely more on their ingenuity than what is beneath the earth. A word is enough for the wise.
Edited By Paul Ihechi Alagba
By Elochukwu Nicholas Ohagi,
For Family Writers Press International.
As it stands, majority of our coastal brothers are not with us in this struggle for the restoration of Biafra. Many times, they are seen on mainstream media threads insulting this sacred struggle of Biafra liberation. Some of them will gladly tell you that Ndi Igbo should not include them in their Biafra. I know that some of those names are fake, but it makes no much difference.
The few from the coastal region fighting for Biafra Restoration receives it hot from their brothers. They are called all sorts of derogatory names and seen as those brainwashed by the Igbos. I admire their courage. They know that the freedom of Biafra will favour the coastal regions more. They understand that with a confederate state, no one will lord it over another.
Some other people from the coastal region are just standing over the fence, asking Ndi Igbo to consult them first before they can join the struggle. Personally, I don't see it as reasonable that they should be consulted before they can come out and join the quest for their own freedom. In fact, on a serious note, it is our coastal brothers that should be fighting more for their liberation. Most areas in Igbo territories have not experienced the type of devastating land pollution which is predominant in the coastal areas. In many places in the coastal region, you can't cultivate and get anything from your farm. The water is polluted. Fishes keep dying in their thousands. Ogoni and many parts of Bayelsa have been totally destroyed by land, water and air pollution. The rate of poverty in these places is very alarming. No bridges to crossover rivers into other villages. Yet their resources are used in building mansions, uncountable bridges and flyovers in Abuja, Lagos and other parts of the country. Their seaports are shutdown, yet when you mention Biafra to them, they immediately rise up in anger and start demanding for consultation.
The Nigeria government can easily pay a group among them to say they are not Biafrans. Not as if our own leaders in Igbo land don't take money from Fulani caliphate just the denigrate their people. However, the reactions of an average man in the coastal region towards the quest for Biafra liberation is another pitiable self-inflicted tragedy. A case of a whole group of people who have resolved to see their chains as bracelets.
It is high time those in the coastal region stopped thinking that this struggle is all about oil. Let oil stop getting into their heads because the oil will soon dry up. Nigeria has taken everything from them. Even the headquarters of oil companies are either in Abuja or Lagos. The workers in NNPC are mostly northerners, yet they find the attacking strength when Ndi Igbo mention Biafra. Didn't Edwin Clark say that when you get to Warri Refinery, you start thinking you are in Kaduna.
There is one thing our brethren in the coastal region must know. This struggle for Biafra freedom is very important and nonnegotiable to millions of Ndi Igbo. It is not surprising that many people in Igbo land are already clamoring and saying that even if it is only five states that want Biafra, it is perfect for them. This is simply because they are hoping and rely more on their ingenuity than what is beneath the earth. A word is enough for the wise.
Edited By Paul Ihechi Alagba
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