They want other people's state as well including Lagos. Have you forgotten they were stopped at ore in ondo state on their way to takeover Lagos. Am sure after taking over Lagos in order to keep it they have to take over Ogun and ondo state as well for obvious reasons. They will equally need portharcout and some surrounding oil producing states. Anyways all that is history now. But I doubt if anyone can fight to keep Nigeria together a second time around.

Raskimonojendor:
Aslong as they take ONLY their 5 states, there would be wild jubilation all over Nigeria.

mrvitalis:

I don't think so ojukwu was in the Awolowo socialism school of thought that has kept Nigeria backward till date

If the war hadn't happened the eastern region would have been most developed because Micheal okpara was already doing magic


Of if Michael okpara and Eyo ita was allowed to govern biafra then we would have developed

If Zika, imoke and akpabio still controlled biafra it would have failed

My only fear is that Ojukwu would likely stay in power for long time but Biafra would certainly develop especially technologically. The only world power that would have a very good relationship with Biafra would be France.

China is a socialist state (if I'm not mistaking) but better than Nigeria!

teamoneline:


Christianity happened simple. Christianity's job is to keep you waiting for spirits to come and solve all your problems and if you are not solving your own problems like Thomas Edison then you won't be inventing anything

Most of these guys in charge of Biafra at that time were all Christians!

nairalanda1:



Biafra, would have been a oil dependent, broke resource dependent country.

The only reason why Biafra went into weapons development was simply because the Nigerian government cornered the oil receipts. That left Biafra with limited money to pay for weapons from abroad.(The Brothers war gives a good description of how that happened). Should Biafra have won the war, they would have become a massive importer of stuff using oil money.

The problem with most African countries is simple. Independence was sold based on the idea that everyone would enjoy the good life. An industrialization project means a long period of suffering before the benefits come in. That is a effing tough sell to the populaiton. So, what many African countries did on independence was mass welfarist projects ...based on money that was not there. To sustain those projects, more and more raw materials had to be sold...and when the population grew too large, loans were taken.

That is the reason why Biafra would never have been a super power, and Nigeria and most African countries are broke. It is also a part of the reason why South Africa is regressing.

All it would take is to adopt South Korea's five year plan! Ojukwu had this pride in what Biafrans were able to achieve and wouldn't let that just fade away with all the enemies they already had.

The oil would be used to develop Biafra while they would invest in scientific research especially in weapons. My only fear is that Ojukwu would have stayed longer in power which I have no issue with, as long as they do exactly the same thing that happened in South Korea.

You seem to underrate the Biafran leaders of that time.

SuperOnyi:





My only fear is that Ojukwu would likely stay in power for long time but Biafra would certainly develop especially technologically. The only world power that would have a very good relationship with Biafra would be France.

China is a socialist state (if I'm not mistaking) but better than Nigeria!

Having relationship with France is why we would never have developed

Ojukwu would not have been able to hold power for too long because the South South would revolt and igbos would be the last people to support a sit tight president

China is a socialist only on paper they are capitalist in practice

SuperOnyi:







All it would take is to adopt South Korea's five year plan! Ojukwu had this pride in what Biafrans were able to achieve and wouldn't let that just fade away with all the enemies they already had.

The oil would be used to develop Biafra while they would invest in scientific research especially in weapons. My only fear is that Ojukwu would have stayed longer in power which I have no issue with, as long as they do exactly the same thing that happened in South Korea.

You seem to underrate the Biafran leaders of that time.

South Korea had very limited resources, and no oil, so they had no choice.

Biafra would have a lot of poor people demanding that 'they get some benefits now'...which makes a import dependent, resource dependent economy inevitable. And it took SK a long time to develop.

I think you need to Read Madiebo account of the war inorder to predict what Biafra could have been if it was won.

Achebe focused on the bright side of Biafra intelligence and accomplishments while Madiebo accounts were about the Egos and what made the war a huge casualty.

If Biafra exsited as a country, we could be another DR Congo in the making. Ojukwu as of then was a sit tight leader and hated consultation. He was seen as a god like human and he tried to maintain that view throughout the war to a point, Biafrans were divided into two group. One fighting for Ojukwu while another was fighting for a country. At the end Ojukwu sided with those that think he is morthan who he is.

This is my cry againt Nnamdi Kanu. We have seen liberators exalted to prophet and god like position, and it always fail. Nnamdi Kanu started like Ojukwu but at a point exalted the whole Biafra thing to himself. Thats where he failed and thats where Ojukwu failed.

I might sound pessimistic, but i think Igbos are far better off now than Ojukwu Biafra. We have only one problem now, and the issue is we are yet to see Nigeria as a farm where we cultivated anyhwere but take the proceeds home. The day we start thinking like that, we would be more valued in the country while Biafra states become far better than any place in Nigeria.

nairalanda1:


South Korea had very limited resources, and no oil, so they had no choice.

Biafra would have a lot of poor people demanding that 'they get some benefits now'...which makes a import dependent, resource dependent economy inevitable. And it took SK a long time to develop.

I understand you but South Korea did it in just one generation so it is possible with the right people in charge.

Biafra had a powerful story that is strong enough to hold nations together for centuries, this story made it possible to create this "us vs them" mentality that unites a group of people against another.

It's either they develop weapons and build themselves up or get annihilated by the enemies, what happened in Biafra is enough to build a strong detest for failure. You know how powerful state propaganda is...

Remember I said 2 years into the war (which is 1969), by 1969, Biafrans were already overwhelmed and hundreds of innocent children were already dying weekly because of starvation caused by the blockade of the Nigerians.

You think Jonathan Uchendu, Ojukwu, Achebe, and the others would let that go? No matter the corruption there, it wouldn't be close to what we have here today plus it would not stop them from investing in science.

mrvitalis:

Having relationship with France is why we would never have developed

Ojukwu would not have been able to hold power for too long because the South South would revolt and igbos would be the last people to support a sit tight president

China is a socialist only on paper they are capitalist in practice

Yeah, France is a vampire.
Have you read the Ahiara Declaration? Bro, Ojukwu might stay long in power but would certainly leave! Dude was just a rich kid who wanted to see Africa rise.

SuperOnyi:



I just finished reading there was a country by Chinua Achebe (yesterday) and I feel so much pain, regret, and hate for my own race. Inasmuch as I'd love to write my opinion about the topic, I'd love to hear some mature opinions from reasonable humans like me.

But one thing I'm sure of, is that Biafra would have been leading Africa technologically especially when it comes to weapons. The great Achebe quoted a European who confessed that Biafra was the only African country owned and controlled by Africans!

I'm in pains and scared I would die without witnessing that sort of patriotism and inventiveness in this part of the world. I'm in pains!

Before reading Achebe's book, what other books did you read?

Achebe is an amazing writer, but 'there was a country' was just off the mark, It achieved one thing though - introduce the reader to ibo mindset and pains, not to others who at times were victims of same ibo mindset and views.

anungangampu:
I think you need to Read Madiebo account of the war inorder to predict what Biafra could have been if it was won.

Achebe focused on the bright side of Biafra intelligence and accomplishments while Madiebo accounts were about the Egos and what made the war a huge casualty.

If Biafra exsited as a country, we could be another DR Congo in the making. Ojukwu as of then was a sit tight leader and hated consultation. He was seen as a god like human and he tried to maintain that view throughout the war to a point, Biafrans were divided into two group. One fighting for Ojukwu while another was fighting for a country. At the end Ojukwu sided with those that think he is morthan who he is.

This is my cry againt Nnamdi Kanu. We have seen liberators exalted to prophet and god like position, and it always fail. Nnamdi Kanu started like Ojukwu but at a point exalted the whole Biafra thing to himself. Thats where he failed and thats where Ojukwu failed.

I might sound pessimistic, but i think Igbos are far better off now than Ojukwu Biafra. We have only one problem now, and the issue is we are yet to see Nigeria as a farm where we cultivated anyhwere but take the proceeds home. The day we start thinking like that, we would be more valued in the country while Biafra states become far better than any place in Nigeria.

Hmmm, I understand you sir.


That's why I believe Ojukwu would certainly try to remain in power, Achebe even wrote that both Ojukwu and gowon's advisers were all trying to make them feel good about themselves.

I now see why MNK refused to be president and I also agree exalting liberators to prophet like position is foolish. But I disagree, Igbos would be better off in Biafra.

No country is perfect, in times of wars, things like that happens -- expecting Ojukwu to step down when the war was ongoing wasn't the wisest thing to do.

Raheeqilmaktoom:


Before reading Achebe's book, what other books did you read?

Achebe is an amazing writer, but 'there was a country' was just off the mark, It achieved one thing though - introduce the reader to ibo mindset and pains, not to others who at times were victims of same ibo mindset and views.

Other books about the war? None yet, just Achebe's...

skj1377:
They want other people's state as well including Lagos. Have you forgotten they were stopped at ore in ondo state on their way to takeover Lagos. Am sure after taking over Lagos in order to keep it they have to take over Ogun and ondo state as well for obvious reasons. They will equally need portharcout and some surrounding oil producing states. Anyways all that is history now. But I doubt if anyone can fight to keep Nigeria together a second time around.

Attacking Lagos was the right thing to do! Had they succeeded, the war wouldn't have been fought in just Biafra land where the civilians were targeted.

I mean why would Biafrans attack Lagos? It's a war, for God's sake! Lagos was the capital of Nigeria at that time and that was the location of the government's 'house.'

MICHEALADEX:
If they can't come near imo on election day, after all the no election in Igbo land then all the noice is just a flash in the pan

What election? I don't follow Nigeria politics.

SuperOnyi:








Hmmm, I understand you sir.


That's why I believe Ojukwu would certainly try to remain in power, Achebe even wrote that both Ojukwu and gowon's advisers were all trying to make them feel good about themselves.

I now see why MNK refused to be president and I also agree exalting liberators to prophet like position is foolish. But I disagree, Igbos would be better off in Biafra.

No country is perfect, in times of wars, things like that happens -- expecting Ojukwu to step down when the war was ongoing wasn't the wisest thing to do.

No one expected Ojukwu to step down. As a matter of fact, Ojukwu had more leverage than Gowon when the war started. He had almost all intelligencia from Southern Nigeria on his side. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Effiong were far intellectual than him but they all allowed him to flourish.
Till he began, the Biafra or death mentality. As on 1968, igbo have dominated control in places in the North and Lagos.
Whether Biafra existed or not, Igbo will always travel out. But my concern was that leaders of his Kind who came to power didnt do well. I dont think he will be an exception.

Ibrahimcoomasie:

If that's the case, how come we are not seeing great inventions that will shake the Africa and the world coming out of the SE...

God bless u

At least south east is the most homogeneous region in Nigeria

gidgiddy:


Even the 5 States, you unity beggars no go gree make them go

nnamdi Kanu himself said he rejected it

So what should we do?

anungangampu:

No one expected Ojukwu to step down. As a matter of fact, Ojukwu had more leverage than Gowon when the war started. He had almost all intelligencia from Southern Nigeria on his side. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Effiong were far intellectual than him but they all allowed him to flourish.
Till he began, the Biafra or death mentality. As on 1968, igbo have dominated control in places in the North and Lagos.
Whether Biafra existed or not, Igbo will always travel out. But my concern was that leaders of his Kind who came to power didnt do well. I dont think he will be an exception.

Ojukwu would do better than leaders like Mugabe. That Biafra or death mentality must have been as a result of the death caused by war.

Anyway, I will making a part 2 of this thread and dig into this topic.

SuperOnyi:








Ojukwu would do better than Mugabe. Anyway, I will making a part 2 of this thread and dig into this topic.

Good one

SuperOnyi:







Other books about the war? None yet, just Achebe's...

I mean there are tens of books written about the events leading up to and after the war.

Achebe's book focused solely on making every action taken by the secessionists and glorifying it, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

You can call the Achebe book a book of self consolation and self victimization.

Raheeqilmaktoom:


I mean there are tens of books written about the events leading up to and after the war.

Achebe's book focused solely on making every action taken by the secessionists and glorifying it, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

You can call the Achebe book a book of self consolation and self victimization.

While I understand what you're saying sir, but I think Achebe's book is an important piece of history. He wasn't trying to paint himself or the others good but writing from his own point of view.

Remember he started from the very beginning, which is the circumstances that laid to his birth... he wasn't a main actor in Biafra so I think he had a good intention. I love how he was blunt, also, he also admits his people's shortcomings (if I'm not mistaking, he agreed he might be biased... I don't know)


The country he was referring to might be the old Nigeria of his time and maybe a little bit on Biafra achievements.

SuperOnyi:







While I understand what you're saying sir, but I think Achebe's book is an important piece of history. He wasn't trying to paint himself or the others good but writing from his own point of view.

Remember he started from the very beginning, which is the circumstances that laid to his birth... he wasn't a main actor in Biafra so I think he had a good intention. I love how he was blunt, also, he also admits his people's shortcomings (if I'm not mistaking, he agreed he might be biased... I don't know)


The country he was referring to might be the old Nigeria of his time and maybe a little bit on Biafra achievements.

I honestly think to many non-ibo readers, he was biased, heavily. Other books tend to put a big hole in his book.

Raheeqilmaktoom:


I honestly think to many non-ibo readers, he was biased, heavily. Other books tend to put a big hole in his book.

I appreciate your honesty and totally understand what you're saying. For example, not a lot of people have nice things to say about Mr. Steiner whom Achebe painted as a great guy that fought for Biafrans.

Again, Achebe was just a civilian like my grandparents. He was just a writer who wrote about what he witnessed and heard during one of the darkest years of his life. Losing his mother during the war and almost losing his family must have been devastating...

The purpose of that book is to prove that it is possible for Africa to rise, if only we're ready to pay the price.