WAS THE CIVIL WAR SENSIBLE? Christian Okwori
After reading about nine different books by various biased and neutral authors and old newspaper compendiums on the Nigerian - Biafra Civil War of 1967 to 1970, I can safely conclude that the war was due more to youthful egos between Ojukwu of just 36years of age and Gown of just 31years of age who were in a hurry to practicalize their military trainings . The War Lords mortgaged the lives and futures of millions in the alter of their ego and youthful exuberance. Had the Warlords been in their fifties or sixties I swear there wouldn't have been a war.
When I was in the North people talk about the easterners and you think Igbos are all shades of evil and treachery. When I was in the east you hear people talk about hausa/fulani and you wonder if they are humans or monkeys while you imagine Yorubas are one dirty and traitorous people who love leaking oil. Same in the deep west you hear of Igbos as if they are all about money and dishonesty while you think Hausas are dumbhead idiots. But meeting wonderful people from all this places heals from this wicked inculturations and reprehensible prejudices. Good and bad people exist in equal proportions in every tribe. Don't be misled by any hate preacher or dark hearted elder. Don't hate anyone because of his tribe, religion, or the action of his tribesman.
I feel shamed to see men and women much older, enlightened, and educated than those scoundrels dutifully promoting their animalistic and jingoistic ideologies half a century on. Terrible! It's one thing to be educated and it's another thing to be mentally liberated. If you are an elderly person or highly educated , highly intelligent , well travelled, and well exposed yet promoting hatred between tribes and religions, shame on you.
Nigeria and Nigerians will survive the evils foisted on them by selfish, whimsical , and egomaniacal leaders who pollute the minds of the holoi poloi against each other and spill each others blood just to gain political capita only to later hobnob together in hotels and nocturnal meetings sharing the loots from our collective treasuries without tribal or religious differences. In fact, commonsense is no longer common. The Warlords don't die in war only their cannon fodders, the ordinary people do and no ones ever gets to remember them but praise the warlords. Wake up my people.
I have seen countless happy intermarriages and unbreakable friendships between Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Kemberi, Ijaw, Kalabari, Idoma, Tiv, Okun, Nupe, Beri beri, Bachama, Zuru, kpoto, Igharra, Esan, Ninzo, Langtang, Doma, Chongai, fufulde, Igala, Bini, Itsekiri, Koma, Ilaje, Egungun, Efik, Ebira, Kabba, Kede, Ibibio, Urhobo, Isoko, and many more. More than 15% of Nigerians today are born by parents from different tribes. Why the animosity? My belief in a Nigeria that belongs to everyone where everywhere is home to everyone is ever unshaken. The binding force is much much stronger than the shearing force. We only need good leadership. Nigeria will outlive these teething pains of national development and social evolution as we evolve into the Utopia we all dream. Shun ethno-centric jingoism or divisive tendencies . No one is born to rule and non is born to servitude. Rise up to the new dawn and smile bright for the sun is about to shine on your hope. The Nigeria of your dream is nigh. The Nigerian Dream is here.
Christian Okwori 300517.2.
After reading about nine different books by various biased and neutral authors and old newspaper compendiums on the Nigerian - Biafra Civil War of 1967 to 1970, I can safely conclude that the war was due more to youthful egos between Ojukwu of just 36years of age and Gown of just 31years of age who were in a hurry to practicalize their military trainings . The War Lords mortgaged the lives and futures of millions in the alter of their ego and youthful exuberance. Had the Warlords been in their fifties or sixties I swear there wouldn't have been a war.
When I was in the North people talk about the easterners and you think Igbos are all shades of evil and treachery. When I was in the east you hear people talk about hausa/fulani and you wonder if they are humans or monkeys while you imagine Yorubas are one dirty and traitorous people who love leaking oil. Same in the deep west you hear of Igbos as if they are all about money and dishonesty while you think Hausas are dumbhead idiots. But meeting wonderful people from all this places heals from this wicked inculturations and reprehensible prejudices. Good and bad people exist in equal proportions in every tribe. Don't be misled by any hate preacher or dark hearted elder. Don't hate anyone because of his tribe, religion, or the action of his tribesman.
I feel shamed to see men and women much older, enlightened, and educated than those scoundrels dutifully promoting their animalistic and jingoistic ideologies half a century on. Terrible! It's one thing to be educated and it's another thing to be mentally liberated. If you are an elderly person or highly educated , highly intelligent , well travelled, and well exposed yet promoting hatred between tribes and religions, shame on you.
Nigeria and Nigerians will survive the evils foisted on them by selfish, whimsical , and egomaniacal leaders who pollute the minds of the holoi poloi against each other and spill each others blood just to gain political capita only to later hobnob together in hotels and nocturnal meetings sharing the loots from our collective treasuries without tribal or religious differences. In fact, commonsense is no longer common. The Warlords don't die in war only their cannon fodders, the ordinary people do and no ones ever gets to remember them but praise the warlords. Wake up my people.
I have seen countless happy intermarriages and unbreakable friendships between Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Kemberi, Ijaw, Kalabari, Idoma, Tiv, Okun, Nupe, Beri beri, Bachama, Zuru, kpoto, Igharra, Esan, Ninzo, Langtang, Doma, Chongai, fufulde, Igala, Bini, Itsekiri, Koma, Ilaje, Egungun, Efik, Ebira, Kabba, Kede, Ibibio, Urhobo, Isoko, and many more. More than 15% of Nigerians today are born by parents from different tribes. Why the animosity? My belief in a Nigeria that belongs to everyone where everywhere is home to everyone is ever unshaken. The binding force is much much stronger than the shearing force. We only need good leadership. Nigeria will outlive these teething pains of national development and social evolution as we evolve into the Utopia we all dream. Shun ethno-centric jingoism or divisive tendencies . No one is born to rule and non is born to servitude. Rise up to the new dawn and smile bright for the sun is about to shine on your hope. The Nigeria of your dream is nigh. The Nigerian Dream is here.
Christian Okwori 300517.2.
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