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Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by igwebuike01: 1:27am On May 28, 2017 |
On May 30, many people in southeastern Nigeria will remember those who lost their lives in one of Africa’s most brutal wars. More than one million people died during Nigeria’s 1967 to 1970 civil war known as the Biafra War The conflict erupted after leaders from southeastern Nigeria declared that the region would secede from Nigeria. Memories of the war remain strong for those who lived through it. “Have you been walking with somebody and the bomb killed him and all you have to do is look at the corpse and continue walking? Even if it’s your sister, you just continue walking because you’re running for dear life? Or have you been hidden in the roof of a building because you are afraid, because your mother is afraid the soldiers will come and rape you?” says 21-year-old Enuma Okoro. “In my compound we saw several skeletons of dead people. My father’s compound was flattened. It was a war front,” says Obum Okeke, who was seven years old when the war started. FILE - A group of starving Biafran children wait at Aba for doctors to see them, July 27, 1968. FILE - A group of starving Biafran children wait at Aba for doctors to see them, July 27, 1968. Images sifted opinion The war gained widespread global attention once pictures of starving Biafran children were published in the international media. The Nigerian government had formed a blockade, making it difficult for aid groups to reach Biafra. Many children starved and developed a severe condition that became known as kwashiorkor. “First of all, the first thing you notice is the stomach bloated," says Christopher Ejiofor, a traditional king in his community in the southeastern state of Enugu. "The arms to the bones, the legs to the bones, the thigh to the bones, the head, skull. Can you imagine that? That is a starving a child. And that is what happened everywhere in Biafra,” he says. The war ended with the surrender of Biafra in January 1970. Biafrans returned to Nigeria and the country once known as Biafra, ceased to exist. But in recent years, the pro-Biafra movement has resurged. Supporters say the grievances that led to the war have still not been addressed. Poll: growing support A survey released this week from a Nigerian research group revealed that the pro-Biafra movement is gaining support, particularly among young people who did not experience the war. The rise could also be a reaction for a region that has received little infrastructural development from the federal government. “I am supporting it [Biafra] because that is who I am,” says senior university student Sofuru Afah. “Nigeria is an artificial creation by the British. I am not a Nigerian and I have never been and I never will. Buhari hates our people.” Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari fought against Biafra during the civil war as a young soldier. He says he will not tolerate the Biafra movement. Under Buhari’s administration, Nnamdi Kanu, leader of one of the more popular pro-Biafra groups, called IPOB, was detained in 2015 on charges of treason, criminal conspiracy and belonging to an illegal society. Kanu was released on bail last month after spending nearly two years in prison in the Nigerian capital of Abuja. IPOB’s deputy, Uche Mefor, told VOA the Nigerian government cannot ignore the voice of Biafrans. He says May 30 will be a day for the world to recognize because pro-Biafrans will unite in peaceful resistance. Some pro-Biafrans will stay in their homes while others plan to join street rallies. “The compliance on that day will indeed convince the world that the people of Biafra are actually ready for their self-governance. We have our right to self-existence and it doesn’t matter what anybody things about it,” he told VOA. The Nigerian government is determined to preserve Nigeria. Speaking at a Biafra remembrance forum in Abuja this week, acting president Yemi Osinbajo said Nigeria should remain one and all Nigerians should strive to achieve an ideal Nigeria. “We are not there yet, but I believe we have a strong chance to advance in that direction. But that will not happen if we allow our frustrations and grievances to transmute into hatred,” Osinbanjo said during the address. But, the message of one Nigeria is too late for many people like Lawrence Akpu, a former Biafran fighter. During the war, shrapnel cut into his spinal cord. Today, he’s confined to a wheelchair. Even though he’s poor and begs for handouts, he says he doesn’t regret fighting for Biafra and will fight again. “If we join our hands together to seek Biafra, we shall get Biafra. Because we have no place in Nigeria,” Akpu says. Akpu joins a group of other disabled Biafra War veterans on a hot afternoon. They reminisce about the war and soon, they begin to sing the war songs that kept their spirits inspired to keep fighting. http://www.voanews.com/a/biafran-secessionist-movement-grows-nigeria/3873873.html?hl=1&noRedirect=1 5 Likes |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by conductor111: 2:35am On May 28, 2017 |
Afonja right now 3 Likes
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Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Kingspin(m): 2:43am On May 28, 2017 |
Nigeria remain a useless country. There's no atom of cohesion of any kind. 6 Likes |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Nobody: 2:47am On May 28, 2017 |
Those who can't make it in Nigeria will never make it in a smaller Biafra, there is no excuse for personal failures. Only failures clamour for a senseless change cos they've not been able to do any meaningful thing with their lives. Nnamdi Kanu was released to avoid cries of victimization, not because he was fighting for a just cause. How can you insult a country by calling it a zoo and referring to everyone in that country as animals. In countries like China, its either the person is executed or jailed for life. At the end of the day, if Biafra is ever actualized, which I strongly doubt cos of the numerous Igbo mouths profiting from this one Nigeria, but if it happens, what will then happen to the Igbos and their investments and properties in Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, Abuja? Will they not say they're being vicitmized and deny ever supporting Biafra? They'll start protesting for dual citizenship right? At the end of the day, the idiots would want to eat their cakes and have it. Seal their own part away from other people as usual and keep eating from other people's zone? The Yorubas, on the other hand, hardly invest outside the Southwest and as such are the real tribe who have nothing to lose if ever Nigeria breaks up. I dont know about the Hausas but the Yoruba nation is galant. So that mentality that some people are begging for unity is a totally mad fantasy on nairaland. 4 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Blue3k(m): 2:51am On May 28, 2017 |
Who did the research? The should have mentioned organization so we can read it. 2 Likes |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by ariesbull: 3:05am On May 28, 2017 |
blackberlin: What happened to Igbo, Yoruba investment in UK and USA. If you can answer that ...Then you can answer the case if Biafra 6 Likes |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Kingspin(m): 3:06am On May 28, 2017 |
blackberlin:My friend so many of us including you, politicians etc have said more than Nnamadi Kalu. 3 Likes |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Nobody: 3:13am On May 28, 2017 |
Kingspin: Yes people have said worse things and they do everyday, but you don't go and create a secessionist radio station and start attacking a country. The same Nnamdi Kanu who is the saviour of Biafra was still protestong for One Nigeria in London before he was arrested. See the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS6HitcBPxQ And so many fools are following the bastard hypocrite. . . Kontinu 2 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Nobody: 3:18am On May 28, 2017 |
ariesbull: So Nigeria broke away from the UK and US? Its like comparing rain water to Manchester united, where's the similarity? You obviously went to Umu Okoro community school 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Kingspin(m): 3:25am On May 28, 2017 |
blackberlin:Why did Nnamdi Kanu created a successional radio station?? 1 Like |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Nobody: 3:28am On May 28, 2017 |
Kingspin:Ojukwu |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Kingspin(m): 3:33am On May 28, 2017 |
blackberlin:Ok na come and have peace in Nigeria. |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Nobody: 3:37am On May 28, 2017 |
Kingspin: The child that says his mother will not rest must also be prepared to do a vigil. If your prayer is that this country will not have peace, it will be your portion. 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Benekruku(m): 3:38am On May 28, 2017 |
blackberlin: |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Kingspin(m): 3:40am On May 28, 2017 |
blackberlin:It been Nigeria portion since 1960 where you belong. To get peace every right thinking person knows what exactly to do, Nigeria is not the first country. 2 Likes |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Benekruku(m): 3:40am On May 28, 2017 |
blackberlin: |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Nobody: 3:43am On May 28, 2017 |
Kingspin: I pity your destiny |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Jaideyone(m): 3:44am On May 28, 2017 |
conductor111:we actually don't give a fvck. the fact we've not been constituting a nuisance both online and offline doesn't mean we won't welcome a nationwide referendum. get yourself educated ipob yoot 1 Like |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by allhavesinned: 3:45am On May 28, 2017 |
blackberlin: How about Singapore that broke way from Malaysia? How about Pakistan from India, How about those that broke away from Russia. In conclusion, bro or sis, you're lazy 5 Likes |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Nobody: 3:47am On May 28, 2017 |
allhavesinned: You obviously have comprehension issues. Keep wallowing in ignorance, I won't correct you. |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Kingspin(m): 3:49am On May 28, 2017 |
blackberlin:No pity Nigeria destiny not me because everyone is suffering it together. Some people own are worst they are " suffering and smiling ". And finally no way for Nigeria until the right things are done. 1 Like |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Kingspin(m): 4:00am On May 28, 2017 |
blackberlin:The two are doing the vigil abi! Imagine if the two agree to end the vigil? What a great end. 2 Likes |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Nobody: 4:01am On May 28, 2017 |
allhavesinned: WE GONNA BUILD A WALL |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by anyimontana(m): 4:02am On May 28, 2017 |
Buhari,Let our people go..If u are still learning,pls ask pharaoh 2 Likes |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Nobody: 4:28am On May 28, 2017 |
Nigeria unity is non negotiable. God bless PMB drabeey was HERE 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by OreMI22: 4:29am On May 28, 2017 |
At some point use of IEDs against the soldiers shooting unarmed protester will be justifiable. Making the bombs from fertilizers isn't a big deal. You cannot continue to kill innocent people who are not armed nor breaking any law, while your own life is preserved. 3 Likes |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by conductor111: 4:41am On May 28, 2017 |
Jaideyone:What a time to be alive! The ball-less fulani slaves finally admit that they are waiting on the great Igbos to liberate them. Afonjas always cry. 1 Like 1 Share
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Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by conductor111: 4:47am On May 28, 2017 |
Drabeey:Buhari's children are flying around the world in Presidential private jets while you're here here using 10MB bonus data to defend the failed cespit called Nigeria. 1 Like 1 Share
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Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Nobody: 4:51am On May 28, 2017 |
conductor111: Why the insults now? The Yorubas support the agitation and we will lend our hand of support. I don't think there is nothing the Yorubas do that can placate the Igbo. I am happy that my people are seeing the raw hate from the igbos. My message here all along is being received by my Yoruba people and my work here is done. Biafra will be achieved soon so that we can have a sane Yoruba society once more. 2 Likes |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by conductor111: 4:55am On May 28, 2017 |
Alcatraz005:Nnamdi Kanu is a very wise man. Look at his antics working wonders. Kanu has not just raised IPOB, he has made the once "One Nigeria-parasite-loving" Sudanese descendants from Ile Ife to start supporting Biafra |
Re: Biafran Secessionist Movement Grows Stronger In Nigeria - VOA by Mynd44: 5:02am On May 28, 2017 |
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