Igbos should, therefore, not allow our political, emotional, and cultural consciousness to be plagued by a homegrown nemesis. Rather, we should speak out, in unionism, against IPOB’s collateral damage to the Biafran Spirit (the Igbo brand in Nigeria). This 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Biafra is an excellent time for Igbos to come together and protect and preserve our common resource – the Biafran Spirt.

In Igbo cosmology, there are many gods e.g. Amadioha (the God of thunder), Ani (the Earth Goddess), Idemili (the lady of the waters), Upkaka Ndam (African oil bean that protects kindred’s of Ndam), Ogwugwu (a female god), etc. It is very common, in Igboland, for someone to be in good stead with one god and not the other. As such, Ogwugwu could kill a person despite an excellent relationship with Udo.


The Igbo sociopolitical landscape has produced “god-like-figures” like the gods in Igbo cosmology. Examples include Chief Dr. Nnamzi Azikiwe (The Zik of Africa), Mike Okpara, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu (Ikemba Nnewi), Chief Sam Mbakwe, Chinua Achebe, etc. Akin to the Igbo cosmology too, despite the excellent relationship of Igbos with these godlike-figures that we have come to love and admire, Igbos are witnessing our slow annihilation after we embraced the cancerous ideology of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB).

To say that Igboland is in grave danger is an understatement. We are currently facing a self-inflicted annihilation. The Igbo nation has been hoodwinked by a group who is not only erratic but one that is led by an embattled and paranoid leader, who is going down the tubes and is hellbent on dragging the entire Igboland down as well. Their political ineptitude, mediocrity, indiscipline, and ethnic bigotry is legendary and destructive.

This is, therefore, one of those pieces that I set out writing with the future Igbo generations on my mind. It is for the sake of the future of Igbos in Nigeria, for our children and grandchildren, that I, once in a while, steps in to present a different narrative, an insider’s view of the inside, on the state of Igbo land. On the remembrance of Biafra, at 53, I am particularly worried about the generation in Igbo land that is being fed with so much misinformation and outright lies that it may take an eternity to rectify.


The main purpose of IPOB’s campaign of misinformation is to confuse many Igbos with contradictory lies that will be repeated here and there until Igbos do not know what the truth is. For years, Igbos have allowed IPOB to spread lies that have poisoned the trust between us and the rest of the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

The cutting words of IPOB is worse than a bowstring. While a cut may heal, the cut of the tongue does not. Ultimately, what IPOB has succeeded in doing is stir up hatred between Igbos and the rest of Nigerians. So, I stand bold to state that IPOB is a disease; the lies and venom that they are vomiting through Nnamdi Kanu do not have to make sense to be successful as a disease.

IPOB tends to make frequent reference to other groups in Nigeria – usually in terms of outsiders and enemies. Most often, this reference is accompanied by a fear factor, a xenophobic perspective that is meant to heighten ethnic tension in Nigeria. This contributes to the creation of the ‘us versus them’ social divisions in Nigeria. They use a variety of tools and tactics to increase these schisms, or cleavages, in society at every given opportunity. It is a deadly disease.

There are two specific reasons why are I am worried about the slippery slope the Igbos are on. One is that the bug of misinformation and propagation of conspiracy theories and alternative facts has caught the educated and the enlightened strata of the Igbo race. The second is that ruin is the destination towards which IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu have pushed all Igbos, politically, economically, socially, and religiously.

According to Chinua Achebe, ...stories are not always innocent...they can be used to put you in the wrong crowd, in the party of the man who has come to dispossess you. IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu have not only disposed of Igbos of their place in the community of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, but they have also destroyed our trademark, the Biafran Spirit.

A family is like a forest when you are outside it is dense, when you are inside you see that each tree has its place. I am a member of the family and I can tell my brothers and sisters without hesitation that IPOB has destroyed the Biafran Spirit. Ashes fly back into the face of him who throws them. On this occasion marking Biafra at 53, Igbos should stop throwing ashes with IPOB.

The message from Biafran heroes to Igbos who are not speaking out against the desecration of the Biafran Spirit is that Ndigbo will continue to be incapacitated and paralyzed. The message to my Igbo brothers, from Biafran heroes, on this special commemoration of Biafra at 53, is that Igbos must ditch their blind support of the divisive political ideology, completely. Do not let anyone keep deceiving you that Biafra is coming, tomorrow. The Biafran heroes told me to tell Igbos that it is not coming. At least not as packaged and promoted by IPOB

On this occasion marking Biafra at 53, the Biafran heroes want Igbos to remember that knowledge without wisdom is like water in the sand. They told me to remind Igbos that a chattering bird builds no nest. They are reminding us that knowledge is like a garden: if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested. Biafran heroes told me to tell Igbos that even though the Biafran Spirit is enigmatic and indestructible, we must not allow IPOB to drag its good name to the mud.

Finally, the Biafran Spirit is e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g that IPOB is NOT. It is forward-looking, while IPOB is still looking back to 1960s; Biafran Spirit is progressive, IPOB is retrogressive; Biafran Spirit is fearless, IPOB fears even flies: Biafran Spirit is loving and unifying, IPOB is divisive and filled with hatred and anger; Biafran Spirit is positive and truthful, IPOB propagates lies and fear.

Igbos should, therefore, not allow our political, emotional, and cultural consciousness to be plagued by a homegrown nemesis. Rather, we should speak out, in unionism, against IPOB’s collateral damage to the Biafran Spirit (the Igbo brand in Nigeria). This 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Biafra is an excellent time for Igbos to come together and protect and preserve our common resource – the Biafran Spirt.

Together, we can.

Churchill Okonkwo, Ph.D.

@Churchillnnobi



http://saharareporters.com/2020/05/30/biafra-53-ipob-has-destroyed-biafran-spirit-igbos-must-restore-it-churchill-okonkwo

Biafra: 53 Years After

O Z O E M E Z I N A
ma na
E C H E Z O N A.

May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

na dem

Churchill Okonkwo is an Efulefu. He is looking for a political appointment.
When you speak hate about IPOB, Government will reward you with a political position.

Churchill abi Churchvaley, Go and start your own version of Biafra agitation.
come down to Igbo land and say this and see if you will not be disgraced.

"onye eriri eri"

Ogonimilitant:
Churchill Okonkwo is an Efulefu. He is looking for political appointment.

So what? Its not about Okonkwo, any Ibo following that bloody freak called Kanu is on the wrong path.

Excellent, I'm happy there are unbiased elders to condemn Nnamdi Kanu


Beware of a fraudster and a loser dragging igbo good name in dirt

MetaPhysical:
Igbos should, therefore, not allow our political, emotional, and cultural consciousness to be plagued by a homegrown nemesis. Rather, we should speak out, in unionism, against IPOB’s collateral damage to the Biafran Spirit (the Igbo brand in Nigeria). This 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Biafra is an excellent time for Igbos to come together and protect and preserve our common resource – the Biafran Spirt.

In Igbo cosmology, there are many gods e.g. Amadioha (the God of thunder), Ani (the Earth Goddess), Idemili (the lady of the waters), Upkaka Ndam (African oil bean that protects kindred’s of Ndam), Ogwugwu (a female god), etc. It is very common, in Igboland, for someone to be in good stead with one god and not the other. As such, Ogwugwu could kill a person despite an excellent relationship with Udo.


The Igbo sociopolitical landscape has produced “god-like-figures” like the gods in Igbo cosmology. Examples include Chief Dr. Nnamzi Azikiwe (The Zik of Africa), Mike Okpara, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu (Ikemba Nnewi), Chief Sam Mbakwe, Chinua Achebe, etc. Akin to the Igbo cosmology too, despite the excellent relationship of Igbos with these godlike-figures that we have come to love and admire, Igbos are witnessing our slow annihilation after we embraced the cancerous ideology of the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB).

To say that Igboland is in grave danger is an understatement. We are currently facing a self-inflicted annihilation. The Igbo nation has been hoodwinked by a group who is not only erratic but one that is led by an embattled and paranoid leader, who is going down the tubes and is hellbent on dragging the entire Igboland down as well. Their political ineptitude, mediocrity, indiscipline, and ethnic bigotry is legendary and destructive.

This is, therefore, one of those pieces that I set out writing with the future Igbo generations on my mind. It is for the sake of the future of Igbos in Nigeria, for our children and grandchildren, that I, once in a while, steps in to present a different narrative, an insider’s view of the inside, on the state of Igbo land. On the remembrance of Biafra, at 53, I am particularly worried about the generation in Igbo land that is being fed with so much misinformation and outright lies that it may take an eternity to rectify.


The main purpose of IPOB’s campaign of misinformation is to confuse many Igbos with contradictory lies that will be repeated here and there until Igbos do not know what the truth is. For years, Igbos have allowed IPOB to spread lies that have poisoned the trust between us and the rest of the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

The cutting words of IPOB is worse than a bowstring. While a cut may heal, the cut of the tongue does not. Ultimately, what IPOB has succeeded in doing is stir up hatred between Igbos and the rest of Nigerians. So, I stand bold to state that IPOB is a disease; the lies and venom that they are vomiting through Nnamdi Kanu do not have to make sense to be successful as a disease.

IPOB tends to make frequent reference to other groups in Nigeria – usually in terms of outsiders and enemies. Most often, this reference is accompanied by a fear factor, a xenophobic perspective that is meant to heighten ethnic tension in Nigeria. This contributes to the creation of the ‘us versus them’ social divisions in Nigeria. They use a variety of tools and tactics to increase these schisms, or cleavages, in society at every given opportunity. It is a deadly disease.

There are two specific reasons why are I am worried about the slippery slope the Igbos are on. One is that the bug of misinformation and propagation of conspiracy theories and alternative facts has caught the educated and the enlightened strata of the Igbo race. The second is that ruin is the destination towards which IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu have pushed all Igbos, politically, economically, socially, and religiously.

According to Chinua Achebe, ...stories are not always innocent...they can be used to put you in the wrong crowd, in the party of the man who has come to dispossess you. IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu have not only disposed of Igbos of their place in the community of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, but they have also destroyed our trademark, the Biafran Spirit.

A family is like a forest when you are outside it is dense, when you are inside you see that each tree has its place. I am a member of the family and I can tell my brothers and sisters without hesitation that IPOB has destroyed the Biafran Spirit. Ashes fly back into the face of him who throws them. On this occasion marking Biafra at 53, Igbos should stop throwing ashes with IPOB.

The message from Biafran heroes to Igbos who are not speaking out against the desecration of the Biafran Spirit is that Ndigbo will continue to be incapacitated and paralyzed. The message to my Igbo brothers, from Biafran heroes, on this special commemoration of Biafra at 53, is that Igbos must ditch their blind support of the divisive political ideology, completely. Do not let anyone keep deceiving you that Biafra is coming, tomorrow. The Biafran heroes told me to tell Igbos that it is not coming. At least not as packaged and promoted by IPOB

On this occasion marking Biafra at 53, the Biafran heroes want Igbos to remember that knowledge without wisdom is like water in the sand. They told me to remind Igbos that a chattering bird builds no nest. They are reminding us that knowledge is like a garden: if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested. Biafran heroes told me to tell Igbos that even though the Biafran Spirit is enigmatic and indestructible, we must not allow IPOB to drag its good name to the mud.

Finally, the Biafran Spirit is e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g that IPOB is NOT. It is forward-looking, while IPOB is still looking back to 1960s; Biafran Spirit is progressive, IPOB is retrogressive; Biafran Spirit is fearless, IPOB fears even flies: Biafran Spirit is loving and unifying, IPOB is divisive and filled with hatred and anger; Biafran Spirit is positive and truthful, IPOB propagates lies and fear.

Igbos should, therefore, not allow our political, emotional, and cultural consciousness to be plagued by a homegrown nemesis. Rather, we should speak out, in unionism, against IPOB’s collateral damage to the Biafran Spirit (the Igbo brand in Nigeria). This 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Biafra is an excellent time for Igbos to come together and protect and preserve our common resource – the Biafran Spirt.

Together, we can.

Churchill Okonkwo, Ph.D.

@Churchillnnobi



http://saharareporters.com/2020/05/30/biafra-53-ipob-has-destroyed-biafran-spirit-igbos-must-restore-it-churchill-okonkwo

Its obvious that the person who wrote this long epistle is just another "one Nigeria slave". Thats why he is talking about Biafra as if Biafra is about staying in Nigeria. You are allowed not to like IPOB, but dont make out that Biafra is all about being a "good Nigerian"

This Churchill Okonkwo is an embarrassment. Even if herdsmen slaughter everyone in Igbo land, his eyes will never open to the fact that the unity of Nigeria is a complete sham

MinorityOpinion
Metaphysical
All na one person. Don't be deceived.

Ogonimilitant:
Churchill Okonkwo is an Efulefu. He is looking for a political appointment.
When you speak hate about IPOB, Government will reward you with a political position.

Churchill abi Churchvaley, Go and start your own version of Biafra agitation.
come down to Igbo land and say this and see if you will not be disgraced.

"onye eriri eri"

Biafra is fast turning to North Korea in which having a different opinion is liken to treason, may be they will start execution of people like this writer once they get their Biafra. God save us

MetaPhysical:


So what? Its not about Okonkwo, any Ibo following that bloody freak called Kanu is on the wrong path.

Why cant you Yorubas mind your business. cant you live without Biafra? why are you so afraid. have you seen any biafran condemning Oduduwa republic. This IPOB is about Biafra and not about Oduduwa. IPOB has come to stay and its has taken over everywhere.
Nnamdi Kanu has come to save the world,
He deserves to be worshipped. This is something you don't know. Your salvation from the unholy union lies in his hands

Please, mind your business

Ogonimilitant:
Churchill Okonkwo is an Efulefu. He is looking for a political appointment.
When you speak hate about IPOB, Government will reward you with a political position.

Churchill abi Churchvaley, Go and start your own version of Biafra agitation.
come down to Igbo land and say this and see if you will not be disgraced.

"onye eriri eri"

How is this hate?

You don't know the meaning of hate

Lol
Even during biafra war we still have saboteurs
Ipob is the reason Churchill okonkwo is discussing biafra without fear
Even before here on nairaland biafra post was removed,now the tide has change ipob has awaken a spirit that cannot be tamed


If he think ipob are going the wrong way,then let him lead the path or keep his opinion where sun doesn’t shine

MinorityOpinion:


[s]Biafra is fast turning to North Korea in which having a different opinion is liken to treason, may be they will start execution of people like this writer once they get their Biafra. God save us

[/s]

Juliusmalema:
MinorityOpinion

Metaphysical

All na one person. Don't be deceived.

Shut up! Face this topic and condemn Kanu. He has destroyed Biafra.

Countries do not just come into existence by fiat. When Nigeria was to obtain Independence from the British, it took years of resistance. Eventually, they had to sit round the table and negotiate Nigerian independence and rally both local and international support. In this age and time, without international support, you cannot declare yourself an independent nation all by yourself. Learn from the South Sudan and Kosovo examples.

In 1967, Ojukwu declared the Eastern Nigeria as the Independent nation of Biafra. He did this without any international backing, support. He stayed in Enugu and consulted there and that was it, boom, he declared Biafra. He realized late that he needed international support. He later appointed Achebe and Co to travel round foreign capitals to lobby for support. We know how Biafra ended.

Kanu thinks he can just obtain Biafra by not building local and most importantly international support. The Biafran idea is noble but the execution was flawed in 1970 and even today.

Ogonimilitant:
Why cant you Yorubas mind your business. cant you live without Biafra? why are you so afraid. have you seen any biafran condemning Oduduwa republic. This IPOB is about Biafra and not about Oduduwa. IPOB has come to stay and its has taken over everywhere.
Nnamdi Kanu has come to save the world,
He deserves to be worshipped. This is something you don't know. Your salvation from the unholy union lies in his hands

Please, mind your business

Kanu cannot even save a little afaraukwu from python attack, but you believe he can save the world.
Mmmmttchhheww...i pity you.

It is Yoruba concern because you refuse to stay out of our region.

MinorityOpinion:


Biafra is fast turning to North Korea in which having a different opinion is liken to treason, may be they will start execution of people like this writer once they get their Biafra. God save us

Correct!

You see they dress Kanu like an Emperor already.

A bloody homeless, unemployed persin scamming innocent people in name of Biafra to earn livelihood.

Lolz! To Every Cone Head Afonja, Any Body That Support Biafra Or Ipob Automatically Become A Jobless Miscreant,while Any Igbo Man That Openly Deny Biafra Or Insult Ipob Become A Wise Igbo Leader!! Funny!! Proudly Biafran!! God Bless Ipob, God Bless Biafrans World Wide!!!

MetaPhysical:


So what? Its not about Okonkwo, any Ibo following that bloody freak called Kanu is on the wrong path.

How can you the enemy of Igbos dictate Who is on right path for Igbos.

MetaPhysical:

Shut up! Face this topic and condemn Kanu. He has destroyed Biafra.

What is remaining of Oduduwa republic?
I don't have my face designed with razor, to be obsessed with kanu.
I decide when to speak against and when not to..
You have no character but yet try to claim intellect..

MinorityOpinion:


Biafra is fast turning to North Korea in which having a different opinion is liken to treason, may be they will start execution of people like this writer once they get their Biafra. God save us

How does that concern Yorubas.



You hate Igbos yet still want to share the same country with them.

Okonkwo is an Afonja name, no ipodpigs, okoros can say such

Nigeriabiafra80:
Lol
Even during biafra war we still have saboteurs
Ipob is the reason Churchill okonkwo is discussing biafra without fear
Even before here on nairaland biafra post was removed,now the tide has change ipob has awaken a spirit that cannot be tamed


If he think ipob are going the wrong way,then let him lead the path or keep his opinion where sun doesn’t shine

"We won't pay or beg them to carry news about us,soon the will be force to talk about us"~Nnamdi Kanu 2014

Tranquillity360:
How can you the enemy of Igbos dictate Who is on right path for Igbos.

I wonder oooo

dionma:
Countries do not just come into existence by fiat. When Nigeria was to obtain Independence from the British, it took years of resistance. Eventually, they had to sit round the table and negotiate Nigerian independence and rally both local and international support. In this age and time, without international support, you cannot declare yourself an independent nation all by yourself. Learn from the South Sudan and Kosovo examples.

In 1967, Ojukwu declared the Eastern Nigeria as the Independent nation of Biafra. He did this without any international backing, support. He stayed in Enugu and consulted there and that was it, boom, he declared Biafra. He realized late that he needed international support. He later appointed Achebe and Co to travel round foreign capitals to lobby for support. We know how Biafra ended.

Kanu thinks he can just obtain Biafra by not building local and most importantly international support. The Biafran idea is noble but the execution was flawed in 1970 and even today.

If kanu is not doing it right,kindly start your own we will support you.



For now Kanu has full support of all biafrans.

MetaPhysical:


Kanu cannot even save a little afaraukwu from python attack, but you believe he can save the world.
Mmmmttchhheww...i pity you.

It is Yoruba concern because you refuse to stay out of our region.

Your fathers fought three years to bring them to your region.


Yorubas are also in East.

Ogonimilitant:
Churchill Okonkwo is an Efulefu. He is looking for a political appointment.
When you speak hate about IPOB, Government will reward you with a political position.

Churchill abi Churchvaley, Go and start your own version of Biafra agitation.
come down to Igbo land and say this and see if you will not be disgraced.

"onye eriri eri"

What he said is true biko.We should all thread with caution.

MetaPhysical:


Correct!

You see they dress Kanu like an Emperor already.

A bloody homeless, unemployed persin scamming innocent people in name of Biafra to earn livelihood.

How can Kanu be a scammer when he is not a yoruba man.

Ojiofor:


What he said is true biko.We should all thread with caution.

Afonja

Afonja man and lgbo matter