Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko
Before I dwell in my subsequent posts on the connection between the frustrations of millions of Nigerian youths, specifically, the much marginalised Igbo youths; and the misgovernance, unemployment, unbridled nepotism and divisive policies of the Nigerian state, that made the ongoing agitation inevitable, I may have to briefly explain the Igbo spirit and the world’s understanding of the Igbo man.
It is safe to assume that the Mi6, the CIA, French intelligence and many other secret service agencies, definitely knew, that it was just a matter of time, before the Igbo younger generation begins to push the boundaries caging them in Nigeria since 1970, in search of a more comfortable or better still, agreeable arrangement that would allow them express themselves, in the march into the future.
The application of total blockade, isolation and ruthless bombardment that aided the eventual military conquest of January 1970, could not guarantee over time the submission and pacification of Ndigbo. Even the hurriedly created 12-state structure deliberately designed to hold down Igboland, subdue the Igbo spirit and turn Ndigbo into a minority, still couldn’t subdue Ndigbo. Everybody knew that the oppression of the Igbo may not be sustained over a long period of time. The restless Igbo spirit of adventure, venture, trade and progress, would at some point run into conflict with the experiment of containing the Igbo. It was just a matter of time. The next generation Igbo will definitely revolt at some point.
The Igbo has unwittingly made themselves a people of interest to every school of thought in the universe. The Bohemian Club, the Trilateral Commission, the Council on foreign relations, every political and regional thinktank in the world, have all noted the remarkable prowess of the Igbo of South-East Nigeria, who may be unaware themselves though, of the keen interest powerful organs of the world have in their affairs.
Their scientific inventions during the civil war, their performance in academics the world over, their presence as respected professionals in various disciplines of human endeavour in the western world, their uncanny ability to overcome adversity within a very short period of time ( as amply demonstrated by the fast turn around of their economic misfortune after losing all their wealth in exchange for a miserly 20 pounds forcefully granted them in 1970.) Their dominance of commerce in West, East and Southern Africa. The impact of the volume of their trade with Chinese companies and their notable presence in many countries of the world.
The world do not actually know what to do with the indefatigable Igbo of West Africa. Fear, resentment, awe, admiration and hatred, are some of the emotions and responses of people towards the Igbo. Even prisons, in many countries, in every region of the world, are not left out of feeling the Igbo presence. Illegal trade, illegitimate racketeering of all sorts, ranging from smuggling of banned substances to internet fraud, also regrettably have Igbo presence. Though this isn’t something to be proud of, but truth must be told. They are everywhere and into everything. Amongst them you find the good, the bad and the ugly.
Aside Lebanese, Indian and Pakistani businessmen, the Igbo holds the ace in sniffing out business and trade opportunities anywhere in the world and introducing his kinsmen and brethren, who subsequently invade the newfound virgin land and change the history and story of the place in question. Even the famed Iranian and Chinese businessmen are behind Ndigbo in spread and determination to succeed.
The story of the notorious eboe slave in the Americas in the 18th and 19th centuries, established a great fear of the difficult and very stubborn eboe slave from the Bonny creek.
Tousaint L’Overture, Dessaline, of Haiti, President Moyers of Liberia and the famous Igbo landing, st the Dumber creek mass suicide stamped the image of a fearless spirit of the Igbo man to the world. Rightly or wrongly, the world has a certain, though largely undiscussed view of the Igbo of West Africa.
The presence and impact of Ndigbo in Nigeria, especially in trade and commerce isn’t something I should talk about here.
The suggestion that the Igboman, in spite of his numerous enviable talents, demonstrates consistently a lack of political sagacity, enough to play helpful politics, may not be far from the truth. The accusation that he seems to allow immediate pecuniary consideration to blind him from making useful long term strategic decisions that would strengthen his future politically, may also be true. The local belief that he doesn’t really mind or care to offend his neighbour in his quest for individual advancement, may not be entirely false. The story that he doesn’t know how to manage his success, especially in the area of public relations that would reduce envy and hatred towards his person, maybe true as well.
The image of the Igboman, his swashbuckling desperation to succeed in life, which is usually misrepresented by his hustling spirit and misunderstood by his neighbours, has been responsible for his image over the years. That he doesn’t care how others perceive him, and most probably very unaware of the fact that even the caucasian looks at him with wonder and utter amazement, could be the reason, he is watched closely and checked consistently. The envy and jealousy towards him is at the root of all his travails. Nobody wants him to dominate the land. The fear of the Igbo man is real.
Every Igbo schoolboy or girl, knows that Ndigbo are not the favourites of the colonial master. But they all may not know that the reluctance to establish a seaport in Igboland, is no accident. The decision to contain Ndigbo and regulate the economic growth of Igboland isn’t a slight issue. It is a very serious matter. Some people are scared of Ndigbo, afraid of Igbo resurgence. Determined to hold Ndigbo down in perpetuity. This deep truths are at the foundation of the discontent that gave birth to the agitation.
Some people convinced themselves that Ndigbo would be difficult to control and contain if a seaport is established in Igboland. They fear economic explosion that could place the Igbo ahead everyone. The inability and obvious lack of tact in handling the fear of the Igbo man, led Nigeria to the preference of a constitution that is slowly killing Nigeria daily, and enthronement of nauseating nepotism that only enflamed anger and despair, enough to kick start agitations.
The appalling mismanagement of both our diversity and the economy, coupled with the frightening impunity that rattled the land, completed the fear of the future that brought us where we are today.
The Igbo, who, as a result of their exclusion from the Nigerian commonwealth, found themselves scattered all over the world, unconsciously created a strong cultural and economic Igbo world that the world has yet to discover and appreciate. A world where the Igbo diaspora successfully partners with the Igbo at home. An emerging strong world, where diaspora remittances so sustains the home branch that the home branch effectively coordinates an agitation led and directed by the diaspora branch. This is the secret of the agitation. That is why our Governors are helpless. The funding of the agitation is external.
It is impossible to successfully handle the agitation without a proper study, understanding, and appreciation of the contemporary Igbo world, the effects the dichotomy against Ndigbo has had on their psyche over the years, the difficulties the Igbo political class have in reining in the agitators, the difficulty in achieving peace while stubbornly refusing to restructure the current unitary system and the need for honesty in pursuing a peaceful resolution.
The current strategy of attempting to crush the agitation by force, without understanding the underlying causes, has not worked in 22 years. There’s no indication whatsoever that it will work. It has only deepened the agitation, opened up new fronts and complicated the crisis.
The nation will do well to review its current strategy and consider engagement, dialogue and political solution. I know for a fact that the central government, the South East Governors and the security agencies handling the matter, do not have the faintest idea of the resolve, numerical strength, and resources at the disposal of the agitators. They do not know the strength of the agitators in Brazil, United States, UK, China, Indonesia, Australia, India, and in other countries of the world. The agitators are in their millions and committed to their struggle. It is not true that Nnamdi’s arrest and detention has weakened the agitation. Government should engage the agitators.
Peaceful resolution remains the better path to tread, and engaging the agitators remain the door to peaceful resolution.
TO BE CONTINUED.
