BIAFRA CONTINUED....

Wife of jailed MASSOB leader, Ralph Uwazuruike, recently told the BBC that despite her husband's imprisonment, she is committed to gaining independence for Igbos and stated "the struggle continues."

Mrs. Uwazuruike is quoted as saying that, Igbos are "not wanted", thus the continued need for a separate existence. Her husband is on trial for treason due to his calls for secession. He was arrested in October 2005.

Now, the more I pay attention and talk to people, the more I believe that the majority of Igbo's DO NOT want to create their own separate state. If that is true, then Ndigbo (Igbo people) needs to organize themselves (something they are very good at doing) and put an end to the secessionist talk and the statements suggesting that they are less Nigerian than any other tribe. How can a proud people publicly declare through 'mouthpieces' that they don't feel wanted? It infers defeatism and weakness - attributes that are not customary to any group of Nigerians. Ndigbo, and all Nigerians, can not allow opportunists to claim that they represent the whole, particularly when their comments have little positive value but instead, can cause serious havoc and violence.

This is not a matter of not being "wanted" as Mrs. Uwazuruike and others suggest. Nigeria is your land, so, claim it. If you don't think Nigeria is your home, or just feel like making useless noise, then please stop making excuses for your insecurities and inferring that other Nigerians look down on you as a people. That is untrue. I have to say that although I respect her right, any other person's right, to speak their mind about what bothers them,
Mrs. Uwazuruike's comments and Ojukwu's , not too long ago, seem too opportunistic for me to warrant them significant merit. Some people like to hear themselves speak and constantly feel the need to be important. Such people are the worst kind because they will do and say whatever is necessary, damning the consequences, to satisfy their compulsions. Read the following sentence and let it simmer - Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians.

I understand that there will be discontent and serious misgivings about the civil war (Biafran war) amongst those who suffered the most. However, all Nigerians must remember that when the message being spouted at you is divisive and even violent, consider whether the messenger actually has your true interest at heart. I would argue that 9 out of 10 times, they do not. Nigerians must truly address Biafra and the issues it conveys. I am unsure as to what steps have been taken, but a national day of memorial for the Biafran dead and a continued discourse towards unity and equity continue to be necessary in Nigeria to address the bad feelings that some Ndigbo feel and the sour past all Nigerians must deal with as a part of our shared history.

I would like to see and hear more people fighting for Nigeria, and not just segments of the population or its resources. After all, if one of us is dissatisfied, we will all suffer. Thus, we must work in unison to improve our lot together. It is high time we no longer allow opportunists, from within and without, to take advantage of us by creating and stoking the flames of disharmony to our detriment. If not, at the end of the day, Nigerians will end up used and abused. That is a future that I cannot imagine for myself or my people.

(Read Biafra post for more thoughts and comments from readers).