Affirming the Igbo Culture: Biafra On My Mind: The New Nigerian Group (NNG)

There is way too much “purported happenings” in Nigeria on social media. I used the term “purported happenings” because most social media information and posts are not verifiable, and there is no way of knowing whether these posts saturating the internet and our media screens are true or fake news. Of course, we know that that the Boko Haram menace is true, we all understand and acknowledge that the conflict between the Herdsmen and farmers are real and that Nigeria as a whole has tuned into an arena in which opportunists take advantage of the chaos and confusion to commit all kinds of heinous crimes against humanity. Truly the gods of our forefathers are reeling with anguish regarding what our nation has become.

Adulteration of the Igbo Culture.

Is it me or is everything about us as people is looked at as inferior? I am not just referring to the other races but even us Igbos do not honor our culture the correct way. Specifically, when we talk about our culture amongst ourselves, we take pride on how unique it is and how it the best of the best anywhere. Within the Igbos, we refer to the Igbo culture as the best thing that was handed down to us by our forefather, however, our behavior and attitude toward the same culture when dealing on a different platform says something totally different. Unlike the other Nigerian tribes, it is the Igbo that is most at risk of our language becoming extinct. This may, be the (diaspora effect) because a lot of Igbos are scattered throughout the world and the local language of our adopted homes is invariably competing with our own native language. But what is most depressing is that even Igbo families living in Nigeria would rather their children speak English than their native language! Whenever we are together, we discuss loudly how our tradition, culture and customs define us as Igbos, how those customs set us apart from the rest of the world, however, and in our various homes, we would not allow the same culture to define our children.

The above is not what I intended to speak to. I am writing due to numerous posts on Facebook, WhatsApp, and other social media outlets depicting other races abusing our culture. There is this video of a Caucasian female dancing to our traditional music. Ordinarily, it would seem a harmless video of a white person attempting to adopt (acculturation) the Igbo culture, but upon listening to the commentaries that follow, I was disgusted by the implied suggestion that a white person butchering my cultural dance as she was, somehow lends credibility to that dance. Reflecting on this and other videos that shows Caucasians either speaking Igbo language, singing native songs and/or dancing to our music, it downed on me that some of us Igbos believe that these images somehow affirm and validate the realness of the Igbo culture. I wondered why people who post these images and the commentaries show so much excitement at the site of Oyibo dancing or singing Igbo music or song. This is totally embarrassing. This observation even took me back to the remake of the joromi song and the images of skinny white females attempting to contort their rigid bodies to mimic our dance moves. It makes me wonder if we have not bought into the belief that until a white person partake in our cultural activities, that somehow our customs would have no meaning? This is total nonsense! Think about it, we have a gazillion traditional dances, songs and videos posted on YouTube, Facebook, and other social media outlets every day, and performed by our people, however, they seem to lack the same excitement and enthusiasm that follow Oyibo performance. These posts do not go viral like those performed by other races as if the only way to affirm our existence is by the endorsement of the white race. Tufia kwa!

This phenomenon is even more telling in the political arena. No political solutions proffered by fellow Nigerians or Africans are worth a kobo until it is endorsed by either the United Nation or any other white mans’ apparatus set up to protect their interests. There is never a thought of using organizations such as the African Union to mediate or settle conflicts between African nations, instead we call on the United Nations – an organization that does not see it fit for any African nation to sit in their most powerful security council with veto power. Any conflicts resolved or mediated by the AU does not stand because we believe that we needed to have the blessing of the white man for the conflict to be properly adjudicated. Even the middle easterners (Arabs) have realized that they are responsible for their own wellbeing and destiny, hence the most recent eleven-day conflict between Hamas and Israel was settled, not by America or Russia, but by their neighbor Egypt. This will never happen within black Africa. Instead, we will be calling on all foreign bodies, mostly white organizations to come and resolve our tribal and cultural conflicts despite their not having any inkling or knowledge of the meaning of our cultures. That is the reason we lack respect anywhere in the world. Yes, I know that I am casting a very wide net for an Igbo phenomenon but had to go there to show how deeply and expansive we lack self-esteem. I often wonder if this phenomenon of inferiority is not innate in us as a people! The only time we stand up for ourselves is when fighting with our own folks or abusing our people and communities.

My people let us stop seeking affirmation of other races to be made whole. Regardless, my mother makes the best soup no matter how badly it tastes! These people we are seeking to affirm us, sold our forefathers into slavery (even though with our assistance) and continue to see us as a second-class citizen. Until we stand up for ourselves and claim our existence, no one will! I do not mind a white person wishing to learn about my culture and customs, what I object to is the shameless glorification of their participation. If you want to impress me, show me your children in Diaspora learning Igbo language, singing Igbo native tunes, and dancing to our traditional music. In essence, be proud of the tradition and customs that your forefathers laid down and left for you – we do not need any one or race to affirm the authenticity of what is already real and that is my culture. Anyone can learn it, partake in its uniqueness, but do not put other races as props to authenticate my uniqueness. It does not work that way! I do not see any of these other cultures using the black race as poster images for what is uniquely them!

Biafra On My Mind.

Dave Chappell the comedian once said to the cast of the Chappell Show that, whenever America is confronted with a depressing event, it is incumbent upon those with voices such as himself to speak up. There is a depressing social media war currently ragging between the illusionary Biafran nation agitators, and the Nigerian army and police. This social media war is now reaching fever heights. I am appealing to those Nigerians with voices to please speak up before this social media war transforms into another real civil war. As a people, we must learn from our previous mistakes and the mistakes of others. In 1861, just like the Biafran civil war, America was engulfed in a civil war that lasted approximately four years. Following the war, they learned how to live and respect each other, despite having unresolved differences. They honored the truce and are living in peace till today! The European history is replete with civil wars; however, all these nations came to the realization that wars (period) does not solve any real issues or conflicts. What they did was to agree on how best to work to protect the interest of all citizens for the sake of peace.

This matter of Biafra and the constant agitation to secede from Nigeria is becoming troublesome. Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu himself, in an interview, said that he will never advise or endorse another war in the name of Biafra. He even emphasized that he proudly led that first Biafran war that resulted in the loss of over three million lives, but he will not and never will support or endorse another war in the name of Biafra. If that is the case, why are we beating this drum of war for a Biafran nation? https://www.nairandkobo.com/post/my-dear-igbo-people.

In my previous article (link above) titled My Dear Igbo People, I was clear to point out that the Nigerian space is not big enough for the Igbo ambition, prowess and tenacity, why on earth are we clamoring to shrink that space to this imaginary and undefined tiny space called Biafra? Look around you, the Igbo nation hold sway in all aspects of Nigerian life, ranging from business to academia. It is true that there is a concerted effort to marginalize the Igbos, however and based on all measures, that effort is slowly crumbling. Instead of focusing on what will truly advance the Igbo courses in Nigeria, we have opted to focus on this “shinning object on a hill.” I am not against uniting the Igbos under an ideological theme of a Biafran nation, what I am opposed to is this constant drumbeat for war! Anyone who lived like I did, even as a child, through the Nigerian civil war and still wants to engage in that exercise, needs their head examined. I am asking all Nigerians at home and in diaspora, who have voices to speak up now against this call for war and combat. We do not need it; another war will set the Igbos back another fifty years just like the previous civil war did. We are still reeling from the effects of 1967 to 1970!

It is incumbent on all of us with or without voices to begin to speak up against both the silence of the Nigerian federal government and the activism of those agitating for war. We cannot allow youthful exuberance to overtake wisdom. The Nigerian government should not react to all the propaganda being peddled by individuals or groups on social media. The actions of the Nigerian government should be guided by good intelligence gathering and real information. I understand that this new rallying cry for the Biafran nation must be a torn on their sides, but they as the central government, with all their might and capabilities, should exercise restraint regarding their actions. Conversely, Igbo fathers and mothers should remember and understand that it is their sons and daughters that are being killed daily in these artificial and social media induced conflicts while their so-called leaders and perpetrators are living peaceful lives overseas. Like my buddy the “Ordinary Man” would say, “engaging in combat (karate) from afar, does not get you anything.” To win a karate contest, you have got to get in the ring! So, for those persons who live overseas and lending their voices and finances to the war echo chambers by magnifying this cry for war, prove your love for Biafra go home and join these innocent youth engaging the army and police while paying the ultimate prize. Stop wasting the lives of innocent citizens with your fake cries! We are Igbos, we possess a lot of street smarts, we need to apply those street smarts in our quest to achieve equity in Nigeria. What we should not do is engage in an unnecessary confrontation we know fully well will not bode well for the Igbo nation. Right now, we are not equipped to take on this fight with the federal government. Citizens are petrified about what is happening around them – there is fear everywhere. Suffice to say that any life wasted is one too many for whatever foolhardy objective we are hoping to achieve.

So, the sit-at-home order was successful in some parts of southeastern Nigeria, however, it has shown clearly what will constitute Biafra if we are granted autonomy today. Let us be clear, most calls that I received regarding the sit-at-home order clearly shows that most people complied with the order for fear of their lives and not the belief in the Biafran cause. There might have been pockets of individuals who believed that this may get us Biafra, however, the question should be who are the real losers in this exercise? Igbos for the most part are businesspeople, suffice to say that any exercise that will cripple business for even one day represents millions of Naira in losses throughout Igbo land. That money is gone forever! Why we always bite our nose to spite our face is something I can never figure out? Remember that May 31, 2021, is Memorial Day in the US. A day that Americans remember the men and women that paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect democracy. There was no stay-at-home order. It was a public holiday and people took that opportunity to visit family and do family activities. However, the day set aside to remember Biafran military men and women, and civilians who died during the civil war was marred by killings, unnecessary violence, and a stay-at-home order that crippled commerce throughout the region. Whereas the rest of the nation is going about their social and business activities, the east was engulfed in fear, killing and total collapse of business activities even for just one day. Now who is the loser!

Our proverb talks about when the ear does not heed the warnings, it will get cut off with the head. While Igbo nation is on fire, our politicians and people with voices are hiding behind tall grasses. They should all remember that should a war break out again between Nigeria and the Igbos, yes Igbos because we are alone in this pursuit for Biafra, even the politicians will be affected. Whereas they feel cozy in their opulent mansions and federal government provided security attachés, that will quickly disappear once a war breaks out. They must realize that even if they opt to leave the country, they will not be able to take their mansions and luxury cars overseas to another man’s safe location. There are several ways to trap a mouse and until we collectively speak to a better way to stop being marginalized, we will all burn in that fire called WAR!

The New Nigerian Group.

The bush fowl thought her chicks that while feasting on yam tubers, they should also feed on the root. That way when the farmers harvests his yams, they can survive by feeding on the root alone. What am I trying to say? As we pursue this “shinning object on a hill” (Biafra) we cannot neglect being active in today’s Nigerian politics. The Anambra governorship election is slated for November 6, 2021, and of course I would like my fellow Nwa Aba and native of Nnewi Chief George Moghalu to win, while the presidential election is scheduled to take place in 2023. Rather than put all our eggs in one basket, I believe it will be prudent that we focus some effort on what it will take to elect a qualified person of Igbo extraction in 2023. There is no denying that the Buhari led government has failed Nigerians and the question on our minds should be…what we are going to do about it. I do not see any collective will for a recall election. In fact, most Nigerians have moved on from Buhari and are just playing the wait and see game. There is even speculation that the current chaos being experienced in the country are all part of a grand plan to scuttle the 2023 presidential election. Could it be that the rest of the nation have come to the realization that someone of Igbo extraction could become president, all things being equal, and now this plot to use insecurity as a rouse to cancel the election? Umu Igbo, are you listening?

Despite all these, there exists this tacit talk among the Igbos about Igbo presidency in 2023. It appears that the Igbos are being distracted by this vain pursuit of the nation of Biafra. My people a bird in hand is worth a thousand in the bush! My suggestion is that the Igbos should focus and direct our efforts toward making sure we get our turn at running this nation in 2023. So far, the New Nigerian Group has been the only organized group attempting to ensure that we actualize this vision of Igbo presidency. Currently, this is a low hanging fruit! Truly, just like Malcolm X was advocating for a separate black nation in America during the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King was asking for inclusion and recognition of the black race. Two totally opposing views that in a weird way complemented each other. I am advocating that while we continue to agitate for a nation of Biafra, we should also focus on making sure a person of Igbo origin is elected President come 2023. Yes, we the Igbos can walk and chew gum at the same time, meaning we can pursue opposing visions at the same time. Both activities can happen simultaneously. I am once again appealing to all Igbos not to overlook this opportunity of fighting for our rights to the presidency. As much as possible, checkout the New Nigerian Group (NNG) website www.newnigeriangroup.ng to learn about the group and their activities to date. If you like what you see, become a member, and help them achieve this objective. To change Nigeria, we need to change everything about us. We must find a way to change the current narrative and direct our natural and human resources to our own benefit. Just like Ronal Reagan once said to developing nations, we need to pull up our booth straps and put in the kind of work that will ensure the kind of nation that we all espouse. A word is enough for the wise.

For more information check out www.nairandkobo.com and please leave a comment.