It also doesn’t help when they cut proven leaders like the great Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and many others all in the name of politics. How many Northerners are sticking knives, pins and arrow into Abacha and Babangida? Both men are not even in the same class as the Ikemba Nnewi -- one of the rarest of all men -- yet, some Igbo take pride in dressing him down!

Onlytruth:

This is really the crux of the Igbo downfall in Nigeria, when we keep treating our leaders like dirt, we can never survive or make giant strides that way!
We are still searching for leaders, when God has already given us our leaders. All we need to do is follow.  When we realize that no leader is perfect, and that it is only an extremely lucky people that get the likes of the great Ikemba as leaders, only then could we start to see the light.
The real truth is that only the Igbo have a tested leadership really, because nothing tests a people's leadership than war and defeat. Love him or hate him, Ikemba remains the ONLY Igbo leader.

SEFAGO:

Thats sad.

SEFAGO:

^ Quite some wisdo. You could apply your wisdom to other useful purposes than secessionism

SEFAGO:

Ok, I dont wanna go off-topic,, So I would ignore your statement and wait for the appropriate thread

EzeUche:

The Igbo nation had attributes most other Nigerian nationalities can only dream of; and are what most other nations were not. The Igbo made Nigeria better. Any wonder then that the Igbo can do without Nigeria ; but Nigeria and her myriad nationalities cannot do without the Igbo? Take the Igbo out of the Nigeria equation, and Nigeria will be gasping for air. How did a people this intelligent, this savvy, and this contributive got shut out of the corridor of federal power and continually being deprived the chance to attain the highest seat of Nigeria ’s political power?

The Igbo nation had attributes most other Nigerian nationalities can only dream of; and are what most other nations were not. The Igbo made Nigeria better. Any wonder then that the Igbo can do without Nigeria ; but Nigeria and her myriad nationalities cannot do without the Igbo? Take the Igbo out of the Nigeria equation, and Nigeria will be gasping for air. How did a people this intelligent, this savvy, and this contributive got shut out of the corridor of federal power and continually being deprived the chance to attain the highest seat of Nigeria ’s political power?

He truly was a truly great man. Because of his brilliance and strength of character, he was very much misunderstood and envied; and because most couldn’t measure up to his expectation and greatness, they vilified him. If you were not alive when Awolowo lived, or if you were not fortunate to have met him, well, let me tell you this: He was graceful. He was charismatic. He was purposeful. Most of all he had a clear vision of what he wanted for Nigeria and for humanity. Above all else, he was a nice and decent human being! Oh AWOLOWO!!

Within the context of Nigerian, and indeed within African politics, Awolowo had no equal. He towered above his colleagues. To truly appreciate his greatness, all you need do is to take a look at the men and women who now dot, and have dotted our public estate and public space. Do so and you’d be hard-pressed to name a political leader in Nigeria, in the last 50 years, who did more for his people and for his country than Awolowo. In him we lost the brightest star we ever had and may have to wait another seventy years for a man like him

The overwhelming majority of Niger Deltans, especially the Ijaw, are peace-loving. During the Nigerian Civil War, they sacrificed their young men and women for One Nigeria. They believed in the unity, the security and the prosperity of Nigeria. But as it turned out, Nigeria has a sinister agenda towards the Ijaw and the Niger Deltans. It is evident, now evident, that Nigeria’s policy is to conquer them. The Ijaw have the land and the waterways, the natural resources, the strategic location and the population. Such wealth is more than enough for the powers that be to want to dominate and conquer them. But the Ijaw are no fools. The younger generation of Ijaw will as soon walk away if Nigeria continues on this path.

To the extent that we are citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our inalienable rights and dignity must be respected; our farmlands and waterways treated with utmost care; our basic needs and security guaranteed; and our rights to full and equal political and economic participation assured; more indigenous Ijaw states created; and profits from the sale of oil distributed to our satisfaction. It is that simple.

SEFAGO:

I read this article and its such a disservice to other Nigerians- how the hell can you claim that :

006:

There’s no disservice to other Nigerians, it’s the sincere truth. A wise nation could have exploited the potentials of a part of it for the benefit of everyone; but what do we have? Nigeria suppressing the Igbos to the detriment of everyone.

I’m glad the author is non Igbo, else could have been accused of bias. He/she captured the Nigeria picture with “The Igbo have made significant and measurable contribution to every community they have settled in. And Nigeria became what it was because of the Igbo. The Hausa-Fulani and the Yoruba have been at the helm of Nigeria’s national affairs and the result has been dismal. ”

In him we lost the brightest star we ever had and may have to wait another seventy years for a man like him

SEFAGO:

sjeezy8 I actually read his other articles yesterday, and was going to post his awolowo article, in a new thread, so that the joke would be on this minuscule minded people. It gets really funny though

Awolowo:
006 do you agree with this statement

006:

There’s no disservice to other Nigerians, it’s the sincere truth. A wise nation could have exploited the potentials of a part of it for the benefit of everyone; but what do we have? Nigeria suppressing the Igbos to the detriment of everyone.

I’m glad the author is non Igbo, else could have been accused of bias. He/she captured the Nigeria picture with “The Igbo have made significant and measurable contribution to every community they have settled in. And Nigeria became what it was because of the Igbo. The Hausa-Fulani and the Yoruba have been at the helm of Nigeria’s national affairs and the result has been dismal. ”

sjeezy8:

you are being biased because the article is about igbos- Read his other articles and you will see that he is a confused fellow.

sjeezy8:


He towered above his contemporaries. Not only that -- all the leaders we’ve had since his exit from government and politics have been political dwarfs. One would be hard-pressed to name a political leader in Nigeria -- since the second-half of the twentieth century -- who did more for his people and for his country than Awolowo.

Awolowo was not a President. He was the Premier of the Western Region of Nigeria from October 1, 1954 until October 1, 1960. Nonetheless, his accomplishments dwarf the combined achievements of the last five heads of government Nigeria has had. And so from now until eternity his contribution to Nigeria’s socioeconomic and political life will be remembered and appreciated by discerning minds. As a federal minister under General Yakubu Gowon, he saved Nigeria from self immolation.

SEFAGO:


006 do you agree with this statement  

006:

To be frank, the article captured what has been my frustration with Nigeria and what I believed was going on in Nigeria. I’ve never read the author’s articles nor do I know his/her ethnic group; but when his/her articled captures what I honestly believe is wrong with Nigeria, I wouldn’t hesitate to praise its sincerity.

On a personal level, my siblings will tell you not to bring a case before me if you’re wrong because I’ll never support you no matter how close we are.

sjeezy8:


"If the Ijawnation had what the Palestinians have…the federal government and the international community would be on their knees begging for summits, memoranda of understanding, peace and peace treaties…For the Ijaws therefore, the time has come to rethink her relationship with Nigeria; to rethink her place within the federating state of Nigeria; to take stock of her lot since October 1, 1960. If Nigeria and the rest of the country don't give a care about the Ijaws - why should the Ijaws care about what happens to Nigeria?" - S.O Abidde

And, as of June 2009, about 70 percent of the oil wells are onshore and another 30 percent are off-shore. Offshore or onshore, more than 70 percent of all oil reservoirs are located on/inside the Ijaw territory. On account of this, the Ijaw own the most lucrative and the most coveted land and waterways in Nigeria. That they have access to the Atlantic Ocean is also a coveted advantage. For these and other reasons, whatever political settlements that is to be reached, must be reached, principally, through and to the satisfaction of the Ijaw.

The Ijaw ethnic nationality never wanted to be part of post-colonial Nigeria. The feeling of forced-marriage is still widespread in some enclaves. According to Lindsay Barrett, “The Ijaws already showed signs of being unwilling partners in the post-colonial Nigerian state during the struggle for independence. Their leaders complained loudly that they were marginalized in the affairs of the Eastern Region which was dominated by the Igbos. The Ijaws also raised the alarm over the developmental and service deficiencies they were inheriting from the colonial period. Their argument was so persuasive that in 1958 Sir Henry Willinks of the Colonial Office in London was sent to study their grievances and make recommendations for redress prior to the granting of independence, which was coming in two years’ time. The Willinks Commission largely vindicated the complaints of the leaders of the Niger Delta.”

During the Nigerian Civil War, they sacrificed their young men and women for One Nigeria. They believed in the unity, the security and the prosperity of Nigeria. But as it turned out, Nigeria has a sinister agenda towards the Ijaw and the Niger Deltans. It is evident, now evident, that Nigeria’s policy is to conquer them. The Ijaw have the land and the waterways, the natural resources, the strategic location and the population. Such wealth is more than enough for the powers that be to want to dominate and conquer them. But the Ijaw are no fools. The younger generation of Ijaw will as soon walk away if Nigeria continues on this path.

To the extent that we are citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our inalienable rights and dignity must be respected; our farmlands and waterways treated with utmost care; our basic needs and security guaranteed; and our rights to full and equal political and economic participation assured; more indigenous Ijaw states created; and profits from the sale of oil distributed to our satisfaction. It is that simple.

Igbo: A People In Search Of A Leader: Further Commentary

by Sabella O Abidde (Non-Igbo)

The bulk of this essay was first published in the summer of 2004. However, after reading Mr. E Ejike Anyaduba’s exposition, “Igbo: A People In Search Of A Leader,” (Daily Independent, Thursday May 15, 2008), I thought I revisit a subject that has confounded me for several years. Although Anyaduba’s essay has an historical undertone, his starting point was the failed abduction of a sitting governor, Dr. Chris Ngige. The writer went on to chronicle some of the “anomalous situations” and the “comical nonsensical act” that has come to characterize the Ndiigbo. He went on to take a swipe at the “avalanche of political jobbers who masquerade as Igbo leaders.” Either way one looks at it, Anyaduba is correct, but he did not tell the whole story.

Some observers of the post-1983 Nigerian political scene have come to the conclusion that the Igbo are their own worst enemy. Indeed, one cannot but be perplexed at the miscalculations and self-immolating tendency of the Igbo elites. A once proud people, a once proud nation has allowed itself to be the ball to be dribbled every which way. I wonder: what are the average Igbo farmers, housewives, teachers, traders and miners saying about the disruptive behavior and rascality of their current political leaders. Beginning in the 1930s through the 1970s, the Who-Is-Who of Ndiigbo were men at the top of their class. When they spoke even the heavens listened. The reverse is the case today. The mighty is falling, the light is dimming.

As someone who grew up in all the four regions of the country -- and having been a witness to the brilliance of the Igbo Nation -- I never knew a day would come when they essentially would give their opponents the tool with which to curtain and weaken their significance in the Nigerian enterprise. It is hard for me to imagine Nigeria without the Igbo. It is even harder to imagine what the Ndiigbo have allowed their elites to do to them. What happened to the Igbo? Well, I am not capable of such critical analysis. I leave that to people like Okey Ndibe, Peter Claver Oparah, Levi Obijiofor, Moses Ebe Ochonu, Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo, and Ozodi Thomas Osuji. They can tell us why the Igbo, collectively, are where they are today. It is not pretty. I guess that is one of the facts Ejike Anyaduba was getting at.

The Igbo nation had attributes most other Nigerian nationalities can only dream of; and are what most other nations were not. The Igbo made Nigeria better. Any wonder then that the Igbo can do without Nigeria ; but Nigeria and her myriad nationalities cannot do without the Igbo? Take the Igbo out of the Nigeria equation, and Nigeria will be gasping for air. How did a people this intelligent, this savvy, and this contributive got shut out of the corridor of federal power and continually being deprived the chance to attain the highest seat of Nigeria ’s political power?

I begin by summarizing some of the reasons (I have been given) as to why a Nigerian of Igbo lineage have yet to be elected the executive president of Nigeria: (1) that the Igbo seem to be suffering from Germanic Complex; (2) that they easily succumb to the Hausa-Fulan/Yoruba politics of divide-and-conquer; (3) that they are ferociously independent and so do not want to follow the command of a single leader; (4) that the persistent political infightings and betrayal amongst the Igbo elite and centers of power has been a hindrance to their goals; and (5) that the Igbo are content with dominating the economic arena and have therefore given up all hope and struggle for political power.

There are no empirical evidences to support all of the aforementioned reasons; and even most of the anecdotal evidences, as presented to me, are weak. The exception is reason number four: the infighting amongst Igbo elites and between centers of power, plus the psychological issue. This psychological factor has two related components: mistrust of the Igbo by other ethnic groups, and the unspoken determination of the Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani to deprive the Igbo of their rightful place in the Nigerian polity. In other words: the North and the West have a deep-seated mistrust of the Igbo and so are hell bent on restricting, containing, and denying the Igbo their political right. Added to this is their subtle message to other minority groups: the Igbo, as a group, are not to be trusted!

The West doesn’t think much of the North and the North has contempt for the West; yet, both regions have found a way to engage in “political prostitution” to the detriment of the Igbo. This unholy alliance has its root in the 1966/67-1970 Nigerian Conflict. Essentially, the North and the West have not rid themselves of their prejudices and hatred of the Igbo. They have been using their jaundiced perception and misreading of history to thwart the Igbo presidential aspiration. It is this psychological rut, in addition to the infighting and unnecessary wrangling between Igbo power centers that adequately accounts for why the Igbo have been denied the presidency.

It doesn’t help that the Igbo have all these centers of competing powers that seems to be doing Kaduna , Kano , Sokoto and Minna’s bidding. And yes, it is admirable that the Igbo are building what may someday rival the successes of Taiwan and South Korea . But that is not enough! It won’t be enough!  It also doesn’t help when they cut proven leaders like the great Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and many others all in the name of politics. How many Northerners are sticking knives, pins and arrow into Abacha and Babangida? Both men are not even in the same class as the Ikemba Nnewi -- one of the rarest of all men -- yet, some Igbo take pride in dressing him down!

At the individual level, some Hausa-Fulani have great relationship with some Igbo. Same can also be said of Yoruba elites with fruitful relationship with some Igbo. But that is not enough. These friendships and relationships should be extended to the presidential arena. The Igbo have made significant and measurable contribution to every community they have settled in. And Nigeria became what it was because of the Igbo. The Hausa-Fulani and the Yoruba have been at the helm of Nigeria ’s national affairs and the result has been dismal. It is time the Igbo take control and command of Aso Rock.

This article is not suggesting that the colluding groups covertly met and agreed to stop an Igbo from become Nigeria ’s President. This scheme is borne out of an unspoken accord, an unconscious collusion, if you will. Nigeria cannot be greater than what it is if the Igbo are excluded from the Presidency. It is injurious to continuously point -- consciously or unconsciously -- to the unfortunate events of 1966/67-1970. Come to think of it: the Igbo suffered the most and are owed a world of apology.

006:

@ sjeezy8

All your postings have no relevance to the article in question and stop trying to discredit the author. If you don’t believe the author was sincere in this article - Igbo: A People In Search Of A Leader: Further Commentary, so be it.

Leave it for others to judge.

sjeezy8:

No make me laugh BOY - no one is discrediting the author he is what he presents himself to be. All my postings are relevant he said igbo made Nigeria whats it is and could be worse without igbos, cool. But in Another article he said Awolowo made Nigeria what it is and Nigeria would ahve been worse off without him while in another article he says Ijaws made Nigeria what it is.

You are very senseless if you dont see his conflicting opinons in each of his artcles.