Why Igbos Are Suffering 50 Years After The War

A Biafran veteran,  Godwin Iteogu, who spoke to THE WHISTLER on the anniversary of the Nigerian civil war has given his views on why the Igbos have continued agitation 50 years after the war ended.

Today, Wednesday January 15, is the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian civil war that started in 1967 and ended on January 15, 1970.  

The war broke out after late Chukwuma Odumegwu Ojukwu, declared secession of the South East region (Biafra) from Nigeria.

On January 12 1970, Nigeria military leader, Yakubu Gowon in a special radio broadcast marking the end of the war ordered amnesty to the people and soldiers of Biafra and moved for measures to reintegrate the people, as he tagged the war, “no victor, no vanquished.”  

Gowon initiated the reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation as a measure to rebuild and re-integrate the war devastated Southeast region and its people.

But 50 years after, post war reconstruction effort has not been evident as the country’s unity is still threatened by secessionist movements from the Southeast, especially the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB). 

Iteogu, who served in the Armed Forces Hospital of Biafran (AFH) located in present day Saint Augustine Grammar School, Nkwere, Imo State, shared his views with THE WHISTLER on why post war national reconciliation has failed to assuage the Southeast and unite the country.

“The sad fact is that we are supposed to be a defeated people, so it will take time for us to stand back on our feet and be reintegrated,” he declared, adding that it is not for lack of trying on the part of the federal government.

The veteran stated that the “born to rule mentality” of some Nigerian leaders and the elevation of ethnicity and religion over competence and national interests are some of the reasons total re-integration of the Igbos has not materialized. 

“However, when you talk from the point of view of superiority and inferiority then you can’t talk of national reconciliation, except for God’s intervention.

“With the look of things, the various tribes are focusing on the things that divide us rather than the things that unite us. Born to Rule mentality is from the pit of hell not from God,” he said quoting late Patty Obassey in one of his records.

He urged Nigerians to shun tribalism and place national interest above religion and ethnicity, adding that any government that sponsors ethnic interest and religious bigotry is dividing the country. 

“When people highlight the interest of tribe above the interest of the nation, it will be difficult. Any Government that enthrones ethnicity and religion is inadvertently fanning the embers of division of the country.”

Iteogu however singled out the Administration of late Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua as the most forthcoming, while also describing the late president as “ the sincerest president who has consistently pursued the process of reintegrating the people of the region.”

He called on the government and well-meaning Nigerians to focus on the things that unite the different ethnic groups than the things that divide us.

“A united, just, equitable, fair, reward-based Nigeria is a possibility, if only we see ourselves as all created in the image and likeness of God.

“National reconciliation and unity are possible only when we appreciate unity in diversity, that we are independently dependent, else all the efforts of national reconciliation will be to no avail.

“Reconciliation will come when we see ourselves as the same; I mean from the point of view of equality.”

Reacting to the approach of IPOB and MASSOB, he said that people have different approach to the issue of fighting for the interest on the Nidigbo and these group have their different ideology.

According to him, “IPOB and MASSOB, these are various groups agitating for the rights of Ndigbo. They are absolutely entitled to their views, whether they serve the best interest of the generality of Ndigbo, is a different case.”

He however warned against precipitating another civil war, stressing that anyone who experienced the Nigerian civil war would never want a repeat. 

“A Colonel after the civil war coined this acronym, SABENA, Such A Bitter Experience Never Again. I completely share this view,” he stated.