.We Are Greater As One Nigeria, Says Osinbajo
By Baron Ike
The 50th anniversary of the end of Nigeria-Biafra war was held in Abuja on Thursday, May 25, with different Nigerian leaders regretting the war that saw the killing of many Igbo, but insisting that the country is still big enough to take care of every ethnic nationality’s needs under one Nigeria.
While the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said citizens have a right to discuss their continued existence in Nigeria former President Olusegun Obasanjo urged the government to beg the Igbo not to leave the union. While calling for dialogue Obasanjo said: “Let’s beg Biafran agitators.”
“We should beg those agitating for Biafra that there is enough cake to share and that Nigerians must treat the country with care,” said Obasanjo.
Obasanjo regretted that Nigeria has not got true national leaders, saying “we never had a national leader. Our leaders at the beginning were mindful of their regions. That is our problem till today.”
Osinbajo said at the event which held at the Shehu Musa Yar Adua that Nigerians were greater together than apart.
He urged all Nigerians to work together to build the country, and to not let their frustrations drive them to see their compatriots as enemies. He said the time and the resources spent on the war could have moved the country leaps further in development.
Osinbajos’ words:“Some say secession is the answer to charges of marginalisation. Some say Nigeria is colonial contraption, and that we should be independent ethnic nationalities. This is what forms the call for Biafra which is sometimes vitriolic.
“I have to differ, we are greater together than apart. Instead of trying to flee every time we face frustrations, it is best for us to come together to build the nation.
“We should not use the media, and the social media as a means to propagate hate. We cannot benefit from that. Our frustrations must not drive us to see other people as enemies.
“And, I believe Nigerians should exercise the right to discuss their existence here.”
President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nwodo, said most Nigerians were in agreement that the country, as currently structured, “is not working”.
He said though the war had ended, it appeared the Nigerian establishment was still at war with the Igbo.
Nwodo, a former minister of information, regretted that the experience of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war still dictates the politics of today’s Nigeria.
He suggested that the restructuring of the country should start with its constitution, noting that what we have today as our constitution was a military imposition drafted to favour one part of the country.
His words:“At the end of the war an unconscionable policy of impoverishing the Igbo was launched. Before the war, Nigeria lived in peace and unity.
“Reflecting on the Nigeria-Biafra conflict after 50 years, we have made elaborate efforts to build a united country. The best way to achieve unity is national building. Our present constitution is an imposition of the military.
“Almost all Nigerians agree that Nigeria is not working. We must become more responsive to the world around us. We have for too long allowed the experiences of the war to dictate our politics.”
Nwodo told the government to direct security agencies to stop their siege and attacks on Biafra protesters and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and to pursue dialogue with them.
“The government must ask its police and army to stop its action on IPOB and Biafra agitators in the South East, there is nothing dialogue cannot achieve.
“Every part of Nigeria can leave independently, but no enclave can be more viable than a united Nigeria. We want a Nigeria that is the collective ownership of all Nigerians, and not by a group or ethnic group that is in power.
“Nigeria cannot prosper as it should. Our country is at a crossroads, and the tension is palpable. Let us rise up a claim a glorious destiny,” said Nwodo.
Also speaking, at another forum in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, newspaper mogul, politician and businessman, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu said the Igbo have invested more in Nigeria than any other ethnic nationality in Nigeria.
Iwuanyanwu, said the Igbo do not wish to secede from Nigeria “because they have invested in the country more than the Hausas and Yorubas.”
He described the Igbo as major stakeholders in the country, saing they would not be party to any move to divide it. He said the Igbo want to be one Nigeria in fairness.
He faulted the federal government over the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the IPOB, saying “Biafra is not about secession”.
Said Iwuanyanwu:“He (Kanu) only expressed his view. No arm was found in his possession. We are Biafrans and we are not ashamed to say it.
“Igbo have invested more in Nigeria than Arewa and Oduduwa. We want to be one Nigeria in fairness.
“Biafra is not about secession. It is a name of a particular people in Nigeria from the South East. Therefore, it is not an offence to say that I am a Biafran.
“There was no victor, no vanquished after the civil war. I am impressed with Yakubu Gowon because he implemented all the agreements reached at the end of the civil war. Igbo were not deprived at the end of the civil war.”
Iwuanyanwu however accused the federal government of marginalising the Igbo “simply because the zone voted en masse for the People’s Democratic Party in the last presidential election.”
He, also challenged the youth in the country to always “shun tribal and religious sentiments” and work for the growth of the Nigeria.