This is an old article written right after the Operation Python Dance II. I wanted to post this due to some of the happenings back home, especially as it relates to the Herdsmen/Farmer conflict. Enjoy.
As the effects and impact of Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB and the Operation Python Dance II fades in our memories and become part of history, I want to once again make sure this dialogue about the Igbo marginalization is not lost in the public sphere. It will be a tragedy, if the agitation for better treatment of Igbos in Nigeria stalls due to the action of one group; or, out of fear of the army and Operation Python Dance II. Even the federal government’s heavy handedness should not silence Umu Igbo in the quest for our fair share of the national cake. I understand that my position may come under criticism by individuals who would rather we, throw the baby out with the bath water – but regardless, Nigeria is all we have for now and we must seek the best approach for Umu-Igbo to co-exist with other tribes in Nigeria.
There is no disputing the fact that Igbos are marginalized! There is no doubt that the presence of Igbos in every nook and cranny in Nigeria, strikes fear in our neighbors and the question is why? Yes, God has endowed us with certain qualities that when put to good use always yields success. The Igbos are industrious, hardworking, tenacious, adventurous and fearless. But unfortunately, we are also boisterous. Listen to any conversations with members of the other tribes within Nigeria, and you will find that they in fact like and appreciate the Igbos for our attributes, self-confidence and other qualities. However, the same person will tell you that the Igbos have this underlying objective to conquer and control everything. The question would be, is that true?
Whether you are of the mindset that the cure all for Igbo marginalization would be seceding from Nigeria, or the rebirth of the Biafran state, common sense tells us that Igbos are better off as part of the Nigerian union. Could you imagine having to get a visa to visit other parts of Nigeria? As it stands today, Nigeria as whole is not even big enough to contain the Igbo ambition and imagination, what less a tiny territory that would become Biafra. We are all over Nigeria doing business, and making marked contribution to the economies of these regions. Please ask yourself why the Northern Governors decided to dialogue with the AREWA group regarding the quit notice? Was it due to their love for the Igbos or for the unity of Nigeria? No, to the contrary, they know the value of the Igbos, their investments in their territories, the tax contributions, our business savvy and concluded that forcing Igbos to leave would have a devastating impact on their local economies. My people, that decision by the Northern Governors, has everything to do with the survival of their local regions and economies which they know will be devastated should all Igbos park up and leave.
A look at the major tribes in Nigeria would reveal their contributions to the national economy. The Hausa/Fulani predominantly feed the entire nation, and pound for pound, the Yoruba could boast of producing the most educated of all the tribes. However, the Igbos hold sway of the middle class and dominate the business environment especially merchandising. So, why not focus on those areas that is our specialty? Common sense tells us that! Umu-Igbo, this separatist movement and mantra espoused by some, will have the opposite effect of isolating and ostracizing Igbos in Nigeria. Mind you that there is no harm in complaining about marginalization and asking for fair treatment, however, taking it to the level of asking to secede from Nigeria goes beyond peaceful agitation. With this matter of independent Biafra, we are not only courting trouble, we are creating undue burden on our successes. Our focus now should be how to minimize Igbo marginalization in Nigeria? Let’s talk about some options.
First, the Igbos, instead of this talk about secession and an independent Biafran state, should claim Nigeria. That country belongs to us too! What we have done with our quest to secede is sending a message to the rest of the country that we do not belong to, or in Nigeria. If that is true, then we have no business advocating or agitating for better inclusion in the affairs of Nigeria. This is insanity! No other tribe, major or minor, has any more claim to Nigeria than the Igbos given our contributions and the sacrifices by Igbo leaders, from the struggle for independence to our current economic contributions. Think for one moment about the sweat equity of the Igbos in terms of business, social and political contributions. Our innate ability to explore and develop areas in Nigeria; that if not for the Igbos, would remain unexplored? And you want to let go of that? No, if we do, then we all need our collective heads examined. What we have done so far in our exuberance, is to brand ourselves as outsiders and non-Nigerians. If we did, then we cannot complain about being marginalized since by our actions, we have already marginalized ourselves. Regardless of your position, the Igbos should project the fact that Nigeria belongs to us! That we are as much a part and parcel of that country and that no person has any right to question that ownership, and what more take away that right. All Igbos, as part and parcel of Nigeria should be allowed quiet and full enjoyment of our skills and abilities anywhere and everywhere in Nigeria.
Second, while we continue to agitate for our right to equitable representation in the federal character, we must not lose touch of our God given talent and skills. We Igbos are very creative and good at creating something out of nothing. We are adept at business, especially merchandising. We must concentrate in those areas. Yes, the Igbos are good at other things too, but we must continue to explore those areas for which we have competitive and comparative advantage. What is my message? We must embrace Nigeria as ours while conducting our trade and never apologize for our successes be it in the North, South, East or West. Now, since some of us now claim to be descendants of the Jews, take solace in some of the similarities, they do the same everywhere they are found. They are over represented in business, entertainment, management and other forms of livelihood. In the US, they lay claim to some cities such as New York and other places and in fact, they are the king makers. But one thing is clear, they go about their businesses ever so softly and for the most part covertly. This is where we differ from the Jews. We as Igbos in our quest to conquer the world, should learn to deal with our neighbors in such a way as to assuage any fears they may have of Igbo domination. Tone down the rhetoric!
Third, Igbos should be mindful of being branded as rebels and secessionists. In today political climate, the key word is “brand and kill.” The United States have used this ever so successfully to topple governments all over the world. Iraq, Libya, Iran, Vietnam knows this ever too well. These nations were successfully branded as either terrorist sympathizers or communist nations and then the aggressor countries use that brand as justification to invade and destroy their territories. Trump, the current US president, used it successfully during his campaign by branding and quickly dispatching contenders. He is using it today to cripple the press. Yes, by branding the press as “fake news,” his objective is simply to delegitimize them all. These things matter. Now, if by our actions and constant threat to seceded from Nigeria, our neighbors successfully brand us as rebels, secessionists and trouble makers, then any harm done to us could be easily explained and justified. In our very own eyes, the federal government to justify Operation Egwu Eke II, quickly proscribed IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu as terrorists, yes it was done after the fact, but it worked. Today, it does not matter whose children died during that operation, Nigeria’s position was that they were fighting a perceived terrorist organization and deadly force is justified. We all may sit here and question which country is saying what about the proscription of IPOB, however, have you noticed that no actionable plan has followed any of the pronouncements. Truly world politics is strange. So, as we continue to fight for our rights in Nigeria, we must make sure we do not engage in actions that will brand us as trouble makers or secessionists. If we do, do not complain when Egwu Eke III comes calling.
Fourth, there is no denying that Igbos has been marginalized since independence. Suffice to say the civil war made it worse. However, this continuing marginalization goes far beyond other ethnic groups conspiring to marginalized us. Like we say, “onye kwe, chi ya ekwe.” As Igbos we marginalize ourselves too. This must stop. As a tribe, we do not have love or trust for one another – but would rather engage a foreigner than our fellow Igbo in business, politics or collaboration of any kind. But sadly, we will sit together at Bukas and eat Ukazi soup like we are from the same mother. Our fierce competitive nature is not limited to others, but is extended to other Igbos as well. We lack respect for the rule of law, hence the reason most Igbo organizations end up splitting or disbanded. Just as we collectively believe in the superiority of our culture over others, we also believe in the superiority of our ideas over other Igbos. Maybe as a people, we know ourselves so well that we will never allow ourselves anywhere close to us…if that make any sense. We are our own worst enemies.
Finally, could you imagine what will happen if we Igbos collectively begin by electing leaders who will represent our interest rather than their personal gains at both local and federal levels? Could you imagine if the Igbos of means created the computer village in Aba, Owerri or Umuahia? Could you imagine, just like Innoson built his assembly plant in Nnewi, other industries of comparable size and impact, owned by Igbos, is built all over Igbo land? If our roads are fixed and schools upgraded to world standard? With all our God given talents, we the Igbos have become the proverbial hunter who is carrying an elephant on his head while attempting to pick up a dead squirrel. My dear Igbo people, be wise and stake your claim in the only country that we know – and that country is Nigeria!
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