AWO, ACHEBE, AND THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR.
"Nevertheless, it is on record that at the Western ‘Leaders of Thought’ meeting in Ibadan on May 1, 1967, Awolowo said, “If the Eastern Region is allowed, by acts of omission, or commission, to secede from or opt out of Nigeria... then the Federation should be considered to be at an end, and the Western Region... should also opt out of it.” Awolowo’s statement made a month before Biafra officially pronounced secession from Nigeria can never be interpreted as a promise to Igbo people that if they seceded the Yoruba People would do the same thing. Moreover, Awolowo was not addressing an Igbo congregation but a Yoruba one at Ibadan. At best the statement was directed to the Federal government implying that if it allowed the East to go the West also would go and otherwise the West would stay."
"Regardless of whose ox is gored Nigerians should learn to be firm, resolute and aware- some in telling the truth and not seeing or remembering the truth differently. Since truth is straight, constant and not bendable it remains a fact that if the five Majors of January 15, 1966, were not infiltrated, betrayed and sabotaged by tribal traitors there would not have been pogrom in the North and there would not have been civil war."
"Nevertheless, it is on record that at the Western ‘Leaders of Thought’ meeting in Ibadan on May 1, 1967, Awolowo said, “If the Eastern Region is allowed, by acts of omission, or commission, to secede from or opt out of Nigeria... then the Federation should be considered to be at an end, and the Western Region... should also opt out of it.” Awolowo’s statement made a month before Biafra officially pronounced secession from Nigeria can never be interpreted as a promise to Igbo people that if they seceded the Yoruba People would do the same thing. Moreover, Awolowo was not addressing an Igbo congregation but a Yoruba one at Ibadan. At best the statement was directed to the Federal government implying that if it allowed the East to go the West also would go and otherwise the West would stay."
"Regardless of whose ox is gored Nigerians should learn to be firm, resolute and aware- some in telling the truth and not seeing or remembering the truth differently. Since truth is straight, constant and not bendable it remains a fact that if the five Majors of January 15, 1966, were not infiltrated, betrayed and sabotaged by tribal traitors there would not have been pogrom in the North and there would not have been civil war."
Outstanding! Simply outstanding! This is the most insightful, spirited, aggressive, informative, and all-encompassing defense of Pa Awo's position before, during, and after the Nigerian civil war that I have ever seen. Enjoy the reading.
No comments:
Post a Comment
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.