Happy 65th Nigeria Indenpedence

*NATIONAL BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY BOLA AHNED TINUBU,* *GCFR, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE 65TH* *INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY OF NIGERIA,*

*OCTOBER 1, 2025*

Fellow Nigerians,

Today marks the 65th anniversary of our great nation's Independence. As we reflect on the significance of this day and our journey of nationhood since October 1, 1960, when our founding fathers accepted the instruments of self-government from colonial rule, let us remember their sacrifice, devotion, and grand dream of a strong, prosperous, and united Nigeria that will lead Africa and be the beacon of light to the rest of the world.

2. Our founding heroes and heroines—Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Ladoke Akintola, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and other nationalists—believed it was Nigeria's manifest destiny to lead the entire black race as the largest black nation on earth

3. For decades, the promise of our Independence has been tested by profound social, economic, and political challenges, and we have survived.  While we may not have achieved all the lofty dreams of our forebearers, we have not strayed too far from them. In 65 years since our Independence, we have made tremendous progress in economic growth, social cohesion, and physical development. Our economy has experienced significant growth since 1960.

4. Although, it is much easier for those whose vocation is to focus solely on what ought to be, we must recognise and celebrate our significant progress. Nigerians today have access to better education and healthcare than in 1960. At Independence, Nigeria had 120 secondary schools with a student population of about 130,000. Available data indicate that, as of year 2024, there were more than 23,000 secondary schools in our country. At Independence, we had only the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology as the two tertiary institutions in Nigeria. By the end of last year, there were 274 universities, 183 Polytechnics, and 236 Colleges of Education in Nigeria, comprising Federal, State, and private institutions. We have experienced a significant surge in growth across every sector of our national life since Independence - in healthcare, infrastructure, financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, aviation and defence, among others.

5. Our country has experienced both the good and the bad times in its 65 years of nationhood, as is normal for every nation and its people. We fought a bitter and avoidable civil war, experienced military dictatorships, and lived through major political crises. In all these, we weathered every storm and overcame every challenge with courage, grit, and uncommon determination. While our system and ties that bind us are sometimes stretched by insidious forces opposed to our values and ways of life, we continue to strive to build a more perfect union where every Nigerian can find better accommodation and find purpose and fulfilment.

6. Fellow Compatriots, this is the third time I will address you on our independence anniversary since I assumed office as your President on May 29, 2023. In the last 28 months of my administration, like our founding fathers and leaders who came before me, I have committed myself irrevocably to the unfinished nation-building business.

7. Upon assuming office, our administration inherited a near-collapsed economy caused by decades of fiscal policy distortions and misalignment that had impaired real growth. As a new administration, we faced a simple choice: continue business as usual and watch our nation drift, or embark on a courageous, fundamental reform path. We chose the path of reform. We chose the path of tomorrow over the comfort of today. Less than three years later, the seeds of those difficult but necessary decisions are bearing fruit.

8. In resetting our country for sustainable growth, we ended the corrupt fuel subsidies and multiple foreign exchange rates that created massive incentives for a rentier economy, benefiting only a tiny minority. At the same time, the masses received little or nothing from our Commonwealth. Our administration has redirected the economy towards a more inclusive path, channelling money to fund education, healthcare, national security, agriculture, and critical economic infrastructure, such as roads, power, broadband, and social investment programmes. These initiatives will generally improve Nigerians' quality of life. As a result of the tough decisions we made, the Federal and State governments, including Local Governments, now have more resources to take care of the people at the lower level of the ladder, to address our development challenges.

9. Fellow Nigerians, we are racing against time. We must build the roads we need, repair the ones that have become decrepit, and construct the schools our children will attend and the hospitals that will care for our people. We have to plan for the generations that will come after us. We do not have enough electricity to power our industries and homes today, or the resources to repair our deteriorating roads, build seaports, railroads, and international airports comparable to the best in the world, because we failed to make the necessary investments decades ago. Our administration is setting things right.

10. I am pleased to report that we have finally turned the corner. The worst is over, I say. Yesterday's pains are giving way to relief. I salute your endurance, support, and understanding. I will continue to work for you and justify the confidence you reposed in me to steer the ship of our nation to a safe harbour.

11. Under our leadership, our economy is recovering fast, and the reforms we started over two years ago are delivering tangible results. The second quarter 2025 Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.23%—Nigeria’s fastest pace in four years—and outpaced the 3.4 per cent projected by the International Monetary Fund. Inflation declined to 20.12% in August 2025, the lowest level in three years. The administration is working diligently to boost agricultural production and ensure food security, reducing food costs.

12. In the last two years of our administration, we have achieved 12 remarkable economic milestones as a result of the implementation of our sound fiscal and monetary policies:

i. We have attained a record-breaking increase in non-oil revenue, achieving the 2025 target by August with over N20 trillion. In September 2025 alone, we raised N3.65 trillion, 411% higher than the amount raised in May 2023.

ii. We have restored Fiscal Health: Our debt service-to-revenue ratio has been significantly reduced from 97% to below 50%. We have paid down the infamous "Ways and Means" advances that threatened our economic stability and triggered inflation. Following the removal of the corrupt petroleum subsidy, we have freed up trillions of Naira for targeted investment in the real economy and social programmes for the most vulnerable, as well as all tiers of government.

iii. We have a stronger foreign Reserve position than three years ago. Our external reserves increased to $42.03 billion this September—the highest since 2019.

iv. Our tax-to-GDP ratio has risen to 13.5 per cent from less than 10 per cent. The ratio is expected to increase further when the new tax law takes effect in January. The tax law is not about increasing the burden on existing taxpayers but about expanding the base to build the Nigeria we deserve and providing tax relief to low-income earners.

v. We are now a Net Exporter: Nigeria has recorded a trade surplus for five consecutive quarters. We are now selling more to the world than we are buying, a fundamental shift that strengthens our currency and creates jobs at home. Nigeria’s trade surplus increased by 44.3% in Q2 2025 to ₦7.46 trillion ($4.74 billion), the largest in about three years. Goods manufactured in Nigeria and exported jumped by 173%. Non-oil exports, as a component of our export trade, now represent 48 per cent, compared to oil exports, which account for 52 per cent. This signals that we are diversifying our economy and foreign exchange sources outside oil and gas.

vi. Oil production rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day from barely one million in May 2023. The increase occurred due to improved security, new investments, and better stakeholder management in the Niger Delta. Furthermore, the country has made notable advancements by refining PMS domestically for the first time in four decades. It has also established itself as the continent's leading exporter of aviation fuel.

vii. The Naira has stabilised from the turbulence and volatility witnessed in 2023 and 2024. The gap between the official rate and the unofficial market has reduced substantially, following FX reforms and fresh capital and remittance inflows. The multiple exchange rates, which fostered corruption and arbitrage, are now part of history. Additionally, our currency rate against the dollar is no longer determined by fluctuations in crude oil prices.

viii. Under the social investment programme to support poor households and vulnerable Nigerians, N330 billion has been disbursed to eight million households, many of whom have received either one or two out of the three tranches of the N25,000 each.

ix. Coal mining recovered dramatically from a 22% decline in Q1 to 57.5% growth in Q2, becoming one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors. The solid mineral sector is now pivotal in our economy, encouraging value-added production of minerals extracted from our soil.

x. The administration is expanding transport infrastructure across the country, covering rail, roads, airports, and seaports. Rail and water transport grew by over 40% and 27%, respectively. The 284-kilometre Kano-Kastina-Maradi Standard Gauge rail project and the Kaduna-Kano rail line are nearing completion. Work is progressing well on the legacy Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway. The Federal Executive Council recently approved $3 billion to complete the Eastern Rail Project

xi. The world is taking notice of our efforts. Sovereign credit rating agencies have upgraded their outlook for Nigeria, recognising our improved economic fundamentals. Our stock market is experiencing an unprecedented boom, rising from an all-share index of 55,000 points in May 2003 to 142,000 points as of September 26, 2025.

xii. At its last MPC meeting, the Central Bank slashed interest rates for the first time in five years, expressing confidence in our country's macroeconomic stability.

 

SECURITY:

13. We are working diligently to enhance national security, ensuring our economy experiences improved growth and performance. The officers and men of our armed forces and other security agencies are working tirelessly and making significant sacrifices to keep us safe. They are winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes. We see their victories in their blood and sweat to stamp out Boko Haram Terror in North-East, IPOB/ESN terror in South East and banditry and kidnapping. We must continue to celebrate their gallantry and salute their courage on behalf of a grateful nation. Peace has returned to hundreds of our liberated communities in North-West and North-East, and thousands of our people have returned safely to their homes.

 

YOUTH:

14. I have a message for our young people. You are the future and the greatest assets of this blessed country. You must continue to dream big, innovate, and conquer more territories in your various fields of science, technology, sports, and the art and creative sector. Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high.  We created NELFUND to support students with loans for their educational pursuits. Approximately 510,000 students across 36 states and the FCT have benefited from this initiative, covering 228 higher institutions. As of September 10, the total loan disbursed was N99.5 billion, while the upkeep allowance stood at N44.7 billion.

15. Credicorp, another initiative of our administration, has granted 153,000 Nigerians N30 billion affordable loans for vehicles, solar energy, home upgrades, digital devices, and more.

16. YouthCred, which I promised last June, is a reality, with tens of thousands of NYSC members now active beneficiaries of consumer credit for resettlement.

 

17. Under our Renewed Hope Agenda, we promised to build a Nigeria where every young person, regardless of background, has an equitable opportunity to access a better future—thus, the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme. The Bank of Industry is driving the programme,  in collaboration with the African Development Bank, the French Development Agency, and the Islamic Development Bank. This initiative is at the cusp of implementation. Over the last two years, we have collaborated with our partners to launch the programme, supporting our young builders and dreamers in the technology and creative sectors.

A MESSAGE OF HOPE

18. Fellow Nigerians, I have always candidly acknowledged that these reforms have come with some temporary pains. The biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living remain a significant concern to our government. However, the alternative of allowing our country to descend into economic chaos or bankruptcy was not an option. Our macro-economic progress has proven that our sacrifices have not been in vain. Together, we are laying a new foundation cast in concrete, not on quicksand.

19. The accurate measure of our success will not be limited to economic statistics alone, but rather in the food on our families' tables, the quality of education our children receive, the electricity in our homes, and the security in our communities. Let me assure you of our administration's determination to ensure that the resources we have saved and the stability we have built are channelled into these critical areas. Today,  the governors at the state level, and the local government autonomy are yielding more developments.

20. Therefore, on this 65th Anniversary of Our Independence, my message is hope and a call to action. The federal government will continue to do its part to fix the plumbing in our economy. Now, we must all turn on the taps of productivity, innovation, and enterprise, just like the Ministry of Interior has done with our travel passports, by quickening the processing. In this regard, I urge the sub-national entities to join us in nation-building.  Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers. Let us farm our land and build factories to process our produce. Let us patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ goods. I say Nigeria first. Let us pay our taxes.

21. Finally, let all hands be on deck. Let us believe, once more, in the boundless potential of our great nation.

22. With Almighty God on our side, I can assure you that the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria is here.

23. Happy 65th Independence Anniversary, and may God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Amen.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR

President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces

  of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

Presidential Villa,

Abuja.

Who Founded Lagos state

 AWORI PEOPLE, Rather Than Benin Empire FOUNDED LAGOS      

There is no historical evidence to show that Benin founded Lagos or Eko.  All other ethnic groups, except Awori People in Eko now Lagos, were traders.

 The city of Lagos, historically known as Eko, has a complex and multi-ethnic history. The origin of Lagos predates the Benin Empire, and it was initially inhabited by the Awori people, an indigenous Yoruba ethnic group. The Awori people were likely the first settlers in the area.

While the Benin Empire, centered around the city of Benin in present-day Edo State, had a significant influence in the region, there is no evidence to suggest that the Benin Empire directly founded Lagos. The Benin Empire was more inland, and its major interactions with coastal regions were often related to trade rather than territorial expansion.

Lagos, due to its coastal location, became a hub for trade and commerce over the centuries, attracting various ethnic groups and external influences. The Oba of Lagos, a traditional ruler, played a prominent role in the city's history, and relationships with neighboring kingdoms and empires were formed through trade and diplomacy.

 While the Benin Empire had influence in the broader region, Lagos was likely founded by the Awori people, and its history involves a combination of indigenous developments, trade interactions, and cultural influences from various sources. 

Meanwhile, during disagreement between Olofin and an affluent woman named Aina, the Oba of Benin attempted to settle these Iddo Island matters. In response to Aina's request for an investigation into the issue, the Oba dispatched envoys. Arriving in a canoe, the men took the fishing gear on the shore to be signals of distant war preparation. They reported their findings to the Oba upon their return, and he accepted a challenge by sending them back into combat with military backing. Following Olofin's defeat and capture, Aseru, a war chief who was a part of these reinforcements, stayed behind on the island of Iddo. He continued to fight other nearby villages, reaching as far as Iseri, where he finally passed away. Then, a certain Asipa returned his corpse to Benin. He was awarded by the Oba with the title of king of Iddo Island for his deed. The royal drum, known as the Gbedu, which the Obas of Lagos still beat, was also presented to Asipa. His son Ado rose to become Lagos's first king, and his ancestors still lead the Obas of Lagos today.

It's vital to remember that the specifics of this story are based on oral traditions. Although they offer insights into the historical contacts in the area, the nature of oral history makes it difficult to confirm the truth of precise details. However, the story emphasizes how interrelated the different groups were to one another and how important regional powers were in resolving disputes at that time.

Feel free to disagree, and provide evidence for your argument.

Untold Story OF WHY ORA PEOPLE DON'T BOW TO OBA OF BENIN

 It was recorded that Okpameh (also called Uguan) the son of Oba Ewaure left the Benin kingdom after he was banned for commiting murder.

He went up to Northern part and settled at a particular place he named Odorlerene (somewhere at the present day Ora).

Okpameh was a very powerful and renowned hunter, who was respected for killing dreaded leopard 🐆

He took a wife an Uokha Lady who bore him a Son he named Ora Ekpen (because of the circumstances surrounding his birth). Ora Ekpen later bore sons that make up the communities in today Ora.

Okpameh later received information of the death his brother who before then was the Oba of Benin.IL it was told that the brother died without an heir to the throne.

The elders of Benin kingdom sent messages to Okpameh to come over and to takeover the throne. 

Okpameh who initially declined the offer eventually agreed after many pleadings and some signs.

Okpameh departed for Benin and left his son Ora Ekpen behind.  Okpameh was then crown Oba of Benin and was named Oba Ozolua. This made every Ora descendant a prince thereafter.

Oba Ozalua died some years later. At his burial, his first son Ora Ekpen insisted that he would take the body of his father to his Odorlerene, but his younger brother the crown prince Esigie objected and stated that the body must be buried in Benin.

After much debate, it was resolved that the body of Oba Ozolua should be buried within the Oba palace in Benin, however Ora Ekpen would maintain his position of seniority.

This position includes but not limited to Ora Ekpen and his descendant not bowing to the Esigie (Oba elect) descendants. 

This was sealed from that day, and remains so till today. 

Compiled by: Elabor Joe Agbebaku

THE UNTOLD TRUTH ABOUT THE IGBO

THIS IS SIMPLY THE REASON WHY HAUSAS, YORUBAS, EDO AND THE NIGER DELTA MAN  WILL NOT TRUST THE IBO MAN AT THE CENTER AND WHY THE HAUSAS MAY NOT WANT TO RELINQUISH POWER IN NIGERIA* 

Any historians in the house to vet this but no insults or character assassination please:

Forgotten History Of Igbo Tribe And Northern Alliance.

Do you know that when Tafawa Balewa was Prime Minister of Nigeria;

Chief of Army Staff was from SE

Chief of Naval Staff was from SE

IG of Police was from SE

Chief of Defence Staff was from SE

Internal Affairs Minister SE

External Affairs Minister SE

Education Minister South SE

Many other key ministries to SE

Parliament President SE

Unilag VC from SE

The University of Ibadan VC from SE

North resisted same at ABU!

Still, there was dissatisfaction by SE, the officers from the region killed this same Balewa!!!!

Out of all the most senior officers in Nigeria, SE has 37, none was killed. 8 from the north, all of them were killed. 10 from the west, 2 were killed.

Then Ironsi imposed a unitary system of government on the country so that everything can belong to a region who snatched it!

We must know our history so that when we want to make corrections, we will not end up concealing the truth. 

This has nothing to do with tribalism but everything to do with the truth.....at times when lies litter the streets. 

There is a tendency to think those are truths and facts.

*What follows are documented facts that can be cross-checked for authenticity!"*

Thou shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

*“Prof. Ben Nwabueze was the man who drafted the constitution that took away powers from regions and handed it to the central government because his brother Aguiyi THEORY WOES IN NIGERIA TODAY:

The Igbo man is known to enjoy blaming the Hausa fulanis, Yorubas and indeed every other Nigerian tribe and Lord Luggard/Britain for their seeming claim of being in third class citizen status in Nigeria. 

In their perpetual attempts to play the victim card, they recount the political events of Nigeria from 1914 to the present in a half-baked and highly selective manner which cleverly avoids the mention of the roles played by their elite who by all natural laws of judgement were actually responsible for the woes that befell not only the Igbo race but the entire Nigeria nation. 

The story told in the post above is one of such selective and distorted accounts of history which the average Igbo man is fond of narrating.

However, the national archives have the complete and unedited history of Nigeria regarding the political events beginning way back from even before 1914. 

I will therefore proceed to furnish my readers with the complete story for all to read and be endowed with enough facts so as to judge and act from an informed position.

Shortly after the 1914 Amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates, it started getting clear that the country was bound to fail as the amalgamation in question was done with colonial fiat without the consent and consensus of the different tribes which were over 300.

This prompted the political leaders to start asking for de-amalgamation so as to forestall the future danger which the forced amalgamation portended.

To that end, Ahmadu Bello, speaking on behalf of the Northern protectorate in 1944 described the amalgamation as "The mistake of 1914 which if allowed to remain will ultimately lead to unstoppable bloodshed and a failed country".

Awolowo, speaking on behalf of the Yorubas and Western minorities, described Nigeria as a mere geographical expression not qualified to be called a country let alone a nation. 

Awolowo added that if the amalgamation could not be reversed, then Nigeria should be structured as a strictly federal state so as to enable each tribe enjoy autonomy this freedom from being dominated by any one single tribe.

But Nnamdi Azikiwe, speaking for the Igbos, denounced Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello, terming them ethnic champions. 

He accused them of nursing a sectional agenda against the unity of Nigeria, and he declared further that the Unity of Nigeria was non-negotiable.

After moving the motion for independece in 1953, Anthony Enahoro proposed that a secession clause should be incorporated into the future constitution of Nigeria so as to give legal backing for any tribe to peacefully exit the forced union if it feels marginalized in future.

According to Enahoro, such provision in our constitution would instill in all Nigeria's future leaders the fear of the consequences of misgovernance. 

But Azikiwe, speaking on behalf of Igbos, rose against him in the parliament and labelled him an agent of disunity, and enemy of Nigeria. 

At a later date, Awolowo too made a case for secession clause, but Azikiwe again resisted him and instigated the colonial authorities to threaten him and Enahoro with charges of treasonable felony if they didn't stop proposing secession clause for the future constitution. 

While Azikiwe did all these, Igbos cheered and urged him on because they felt the future Nigeria was theirs to dominate and lord it over every other tribe

Before independece, Tafawa Balewa too had in a public speech described Nigeria as a British experiment and Nigeria's unity as a British intention which Nigerians themselves don't believe in. But Azikiwe kicked and demonized him too. 

Had Azikiwe co-operated with Enahoro, Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa about the secession clause, Nigeria perhaps would not have been this misgoverned.

For those in doubt, here is a link of one of the numerous instances in which Nnamdi Azikiwe fought against the secession clause proposal for the future Nigeria constitution.

It should be noted that there were many Igbo members of the parliament in which Azikiwe fought against Awolowo's secession clause proposal in the link above, but not a single one of them rose against Azikiwe or condemned him.

Igbos initially never wanted to hear anything like secession in Nigeria because they so much believed, though falsely, that they were the most educated tribe. (The first Nigerian tribe to produce a university graduate is the Binis). 

As an evidence of Igbo domination agenda hence their initial resistance to the idea of secession; here are some quotes:

"From all indications, the god of us Igbos have destined us to rule the whole of Africa"..... Nnamdi Azikiwe (1945).

"It is getting clearer each day that Igbo domination of Nigeria is just a question of time"... Oscar Onyeamma. (1949).

 As at 1900, the whole of the present Benue State, Kogi East Senatorial District and some southern parts of Taraba State called Munchi District back then; were all in the Southern Protectorate. 

Whoever doubts this should consult MacMillan Atlas for secondary schools in Nigeria. With that situation the South had a higher population than the North hence always had an upper hand in any democratic bargain.

But as at the early fifties when the regions were being created, common sense dictated clearly that these areas should fall in the future Eastern Region. 

But against common sense, the colonial masters decided to gerrymander them into the Northern Region. 

While they did that, Azikiwe who was supposed to be in Enugu fighting against it as the leader of the East, was far away in Ibadan struggling with Awolowo to rule the Western Region and also playing the spoiler role against Awolowo's attempts to have Kwara and present Kogi Yorubas carved into the Western Region from the North which was already too large by landmass.

While he abandoned his burning house and was far away in Ibadan struggling against Awolowo for his own (Awolowo's) region, Igbos saw absolutely nothing wrong with that. Rather they applauded him as a nationalist. 

A nationalist whose house was burning yet busy chasing rats in a far away land.

When opinions became unanimous that Lord Luggard and his government must be forced out of Nigeria and indeed the whole of Africa, it was still the Igbos that frustrated the attempts. 

Here is how:

In 1948, Anthony Enahoro organized an anti-colonization symposium in Lagos for which Azikiwe and some other Igbos had agreed to deliver the keynote address. 

But when the D-day came, Azikiwe was nowhere to be found as he deliberately disappeared into thin air for fear of being arrested and dealt with by Lord Luggard. 

Anthony Enahoro then quickly replaced Azikiwe with another person who did the job improptu but perfectly well as he lambasted and lampooned Lord Luggard and the British Government. 

However, the British soldiers invaded the symposium venue, arrested the speaker and Enahoro and jailed them for treasonable felony. Ironically, the next day Azikiwe came out of hiding and granted a radio interview in which he accused Enahoro and the other organizers of suffering from youthful exhuberance.

On regaining his freedom few weeks later and being told of Azikiwe's radio interview, Enahoro resigned from his post as Editor of Azikiwe's newspaper - The West African Pilot.

Then he wrote a book titled "Nnamdi Azikiwe: Sinner of Saint". After launching the book, Enahoro left Azikiwe's party - the NCNC, and moved over to Awolowo's Action Group.

The first military coup in Nigeria was carried out by majority of Igbo army officers. 

That was the coup that truncated democracy just six years post Independence and led to a succession of coups which put the country on the reverse gear for 33 years.

Through that first coup, those Igbo army officers who accused the politicians and government of the day of monumental corruption, killed the political leaders of the Northern, Western and Midwestern Regions but allowed all Igbo political figures to escape by tipping them off prior to the D-Day. 

In addition to the killing of political figures, they also killed a total of 27 innocent high ranking military officers from every region except their Eastern Region.

In the end an Igbo man called Aguiyi Ironsi, who was supposed to have been killed alongside other military officers, ended up becoming the new military ruler of Nigeria. Rather than immediately arrest and punish the coup plotters, he kept them in detention where they were treated as heroes. 

This was actually what sowed the seed for the eventual Biafra War. On the 23rd of February 1966 (i.e. a month and 8 days after the first coup porpularly but wrongly known as Nzeogwu coup, an Ijaw born Army officer called Isaac Adaka Boro who hailed from Kaima town of present Bayelsa State, declared the secession of the Niger Delta Republic in an attempt to free his Ijaw people from the monumental marginalization they had been suffering under Igbos in the old Eastern Region.

But Aguiyi Ironsi immediately ordered Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu to arrest him and hand him over to the military high command under him in Lagos. Ojukwu went all out against Isaac Adaka Boro with federal military might and within 12 fighting days killed 150 Isaac Boro's soldiers, arrested him, stripped him naked, and had him driven to Lagos and handed to Ironsi who immediately charged him to court and within two months secured against him a conviction of treasonable felony for which he was sentenced to death by hanging fixed for December that year by the Supreme Court. His 'crime' was that he declared secession of The Niger Delta Republic from Nigeria. Meanwhile the Igbo coupists who shed innocent blood of other tribes and even sprayed bullets into the bellies of the pregnant wives of Ahmadu Bello and Brigadier Shodeinde were not charged to court or arraigned before any military tribunal.

Isaac Adaka Boro was in detention waiting for December to come for him to join his ancestors. But God so kind, a revenge coup happened on July 29 by Northern soldiers and Ironsi was overthrown and killed. Gowon took over and released Isaac Adaka Boro unconditionally, reinstated him into the Army with his previous rank.

Then on May 30, 1967, Ojukwu too declared secession of Biafra Republic from Nigeria and without consulting or apologising to Isaac Boro, drew a Biafra map which included the very areas that made up Isaac Adaka Boro's earlier declared Niger Delta Republic for which he fought against him and killed his soldiers. Seeing such level of arrogance in Ojukwu, Isaac Boro asked Gowon to provide arms for him to crush Biafra by fighting on the Nigerian side in vengeance for Ojukwu's frustration of his own secession declaration 15 months earlier.

Isaac Boro, as an Ijaw man conversant with the waterways, led the Nigeria Army through the coastal areas into Igboland to finish off thousands of Ojukwu's soldiers thus leading to the crushing defeat of Biafra. But today, Igbos accuse Ijaws of betraying them in the war. But from the facts as above, who really betrayed the other in all honesty? Be the judge. Why Gowon fought against Ojukwu's declaration of Biafra was as follows:

After Ironsi and Ojukwu successfully crushed Isaac Boro's Niger Delta Republic declaration, Ironsi immediately proceeded to promulgate the Anti-secession Decree which made the mere mention of secession from Nigeria punishable with death by hanging.

Ojukwu openly supported and endorsed the decree despite disapproval of it by the general public. So when Ojukwu later declared Biafra secession, he was reminded of the Anti-secession Decree made by him and his brother Ironsi.

Igbos frequently reference Aburi Accord to create the impression that the rest of Nigerian tribes don't honour agreements. This is a very dishonest narrative from Igbos.

First and foremost Aburi Accord was organized by soldiers and unelected civil servants who should not participate in political exercises like making laws due to the civil service anonymity principle. Secondly, those civil servants and military men in attendance were not elected by their federal constituencies to the Aburi summit. In the philosophy of democracy the only universally acceptable way of making laws is through duly elected representatives of the people. But in going to Aburi the peoples' representatives duly elected in the 1965 elections were all sidelined for soldiers to hijack the process. Where on earth do soldiers make laws for the people? Rather, the civilian populace makes laws that guide the military. Aburi Accord therefore had no seal of the people's sovereignty hence it was an illegality which shouldn't have been allowed to stand.

Thirdly, in 1957, Nigerians from all federal constituencies democratically elected representatives whom they sponsored to London, paid their flight tickets and hotel accommodation for the Independence constitutional conference. 

Those representatives all resolved and agreed on federalism marked by regional autonomy and resource control in the Independence Constitution which they brought back home and everyone accepted it.

In that constitution, Nigerians all agreed that on no account shall the military take over power. It was also clearly stated in it that ammendments to it could be done by only democratically elected representatives.

That constitution was the first ever agreement between all Nigerians. 

On the day of his inauguration as the Army GoC, Aguiyi Ironsi stood before the whole world and with his own mouth swore to protect and defend that sovereign Independence constitution regardless of the circumstances that may later arise.

But just six years after he manufactured an excuse to clinch power against the clear provisions of that constitution we all agreed to, unilaterally began to amend its provisions with his very offensive Decrees, and ended up dismantling the federalism and resource control therein, and ultimately subverted that constitution we all painstakingly sacrificed to draft. That was the height of Irresponsibility and the dishonoring of sacred agreement. That was how Igbos breached the first agreement, all Nigerians, ever all mutually consented to, thus laying the foundation for violation of future agreements.

So Aburi Accord was only treated exactly the same way Igbos treated the Independence constitution agreement.

Obasanjo removed history from the school curriculum hence the reason why many of what we know of the eventualities in Biafra war were altered to suite their narratives.

Anytime i hear or watch NNAMDI KANU talk i never take it serious but only as a noisemaker.

Thank God for this author. The Lord will bless him for us all! Everyone needs to know this for real. Knowing the truth sets free. We need healing as a Nation. 

By Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike

THE POWER OF AFRICAN WOMEN

 First and foremost i will like to talk about African women as a own because they are strong in nature. My mother is from western part of Africa country called  Nigeria and her native language is Yoruba.

I will love to talk about a movie called " The Woman King" and not complete without a strong African woman called   Viola davies...

to be Continous......

Operation Bernhard” by Nazi Germany

 

 In 1959, a German magazine funded a dive that recovered £700 million of Great British Pound counterfeit notes Hitler planned on using to sabotage the English economy.

 These fake English notes were perfectly preserved 300 ft below Lake Toplitz, an isolated lake located in the heart of a lush forest in the Alps, Austria.O and it was called operation Bernhard” was s secret counterfeiting campaign by Nazi Germany to forge British bank notes, to destroy the British economy.

It began originally with the idea of making perfect copies of British bank notes & then dropping them all over Britain, resulting in the collapse of the British Economy and At the end of WWII, the Nazis tried to cover-up their clandestine activities, including these counterfeiting. So they took the counterfeiting equipment & the notes, & dumped them in the Lake Toplitz. 

The Nazis dumped billions of dollars worth of stolen gold worth $5.6 billion into the waters of Lake Toplitz. Extensive Treasure Hunting dives has gone on in this Lake & its surrounding area. Lake Toplitz is one of the most dangerous lakes in the world to go hunting for treasures.  Like the Curse of the Oak Island Treasures, at least 5 people have died trying to scour the dangerous Lake for its Gold.

Most treasure hunter have been trying to find these Nazi treasures for years. Many have dived & many have lost their lives. 

Meanwhile, Inasmuch as they dropped most of the counterfeit pounds in the lake, most of the stolen items such as gold artwork and precious stones were shipped via U-boat to Argentina. Their level of subterfuge was unimaginable and unparalleled. 

Thanks for reading and do share.

History will Remember Nigeria Youth

 

MODELE WORDS

Our Pledge to #EndSars

October 16, 2020

It is no coincidence that the SARS acronym for the anti-robbery squad is the same as the deadly disease called SARS which affects the respiratory organs. The youths are the respiratory organs of Nigeria and in our call for a better life as youths in our country Nigeria, I remembered the national anthem on my way back from work and analysed the second stanza.

Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause

Guide our leader’s right

Help our youth the truth to know

In love and honesty to grow

And live in just and true

Great lofty heights attain

To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign

Our campaign to #EndSars is a desperate fulfilment of our undying noble cause to live in a safe, peaceful and flourishing nation. When the composers of the anthem composed it, they never knew it would get to a time when the youths of this country will be the majority and asked God helped us know the truth. 

Today we are standing in love and honesty to grow because we want to live in a just and true society. I have not been able to join the protest for some reasons, however, I have taken my protest to start within the capacity of my office in the public service. 

#EndSars is not just for the disbandment of a police unit but for the end to a system of extreme corruption. Youths have been labelled to be lazy, but in our journey to great lofty heights attainment they have arrived to survive, without giving them an environment to work and grow. The Nigerian system has been inflicted with SARS (corruption and injustice) which has made the hard work of many Nigerian youths not to be worth the while.

Corruption is rooted deep into the system and is the large cause of most of the issues affecting Nigeria, from poor amenities, to poor governance, to unemployment, to insecurity, to rising poverty levels, to environmental concerns and many more. The government has continued to fail and it has affected every aspect of our beloved country.

We pledge to #EndSars in our educational system. Lecturers are known to be a pain in the asses of students. From failing unjustly, to request for sex and payments to pass. There have been claims that graduates are unemployable when they were not taught right. This system has given birth to the number of unemployed youths in the system. Out hostels are like ghettos, classes are insufficient, facilities are ancient. The state of public schools are terrible. Private schools have also not met the standards of the Nigeria  population. The curriculum has also not been updated to match the changing times. Teachers are not well educated to teach. Our colleges of education have been abandoned, yet these graduates from Colleges of education are supposed to be the ones to help our nation grow? We are against this rot and therefore we Stand to #EndSars in Nigerian Education System. We do this by

1. Equipping schools across all levels with better pays for teachers and training for teachers. 

2. Ensuring lecturers are accountable for their actions.

3. Creating educational programs to encourage development.

4. Ensuring the schools and the industries are connected.

5. Ensuring that curriculum is updated.

We pledge to #EndSars in our healthcare. There was a time when our primary healthcare took care of issues that were basic and this reduced the number of people that went to the hospitals. Today, doctors run their private clinics and abandon the hospitals. Yet they say that they are not paid. Hospitals are not enough, the politicians send themselves outside the country for treatment yet the masses have to deal with poor healthcare. The budget for the health sector is not only insufficient but also doesn't get to the bottom. Therefore, we Stand to #EndSars in the Nigerian Health Sector. This can be done by:

1. Restoring out primary healthcares, 

2. Renovating all hospitals.

3. Equipping more hospitals.

4. Ensuring that Doctors are at their duty posts.

We Pledge to #EndSars in the civil service, the civil service has been hit by corruption and embezzlement. The pension of retirees have been held, salaries of staff in the system are not paid in time, allowances and entitlements are owed. This has resulted in the manner of rot in the system. Staff pick beans in the office and many do not do anything. The top gets richer and those down survive by any means. This corruption made many civil servants become lazy at work. The system has birthed unwilling workers who cannot drive the betterment of the country. Therefore we Stand to #EndSars in the Civil Service. To do this there should be:

1. A better payment plan for workers in the service.

2. Better working environment for workers.

3. Housing for staff across the country (do not let the top keep on keeping the houses let it get to all at all levels)

4. Better healthcare and allowances for the workers at all levels.

We pledge to #EndSars in the Military and Police Force. The brutality of the security keepers on the country is the worst. The amount of check points in the south, where peace is more than that in the north with high insecurity. The police collection point (checkpoints) have increased the transport fares of the normal Nigerians. The poor manner of policing in the country has made transportation not easy in the country. The number of deaths of poor citizens is highly unappreciated. The state of the police stations is an eyesore yet their homes are wonderful. The prisons and holding rooms are worse than the zoo. The hiring of police and military as body guards by theives and high ranking officials is enormous. This is the reason why we Stand to #EndSars in the Security Architecture of Nigeria. We ask that:

1. A reform of the security Architecture of Nigeria is made. States should man their security apparatus.

2. Proper recruitment structure is developed (psychology training included).

3. No less than a diploma is employed into the security apparatus.

4. Better prisons are built.

5. Reduction of escorts attached to politicians.

We pledge to #EndSars in the government. The embezzlement that has continued to occur in the Nigerian government is alarming. The lies and promises have continued to affect Nigerians. Poor social amenities, poor schools, poor healthcare, poor social services, and many more. We have been constantly dragged around by this government and we are tired. They have taken our Monies outside the country and developed other countries. Our wealth has been shared among a very few number of people in the government. The funds released for the Covid 19 palliatives, have not been felt by the public. The Ambassador of peace has called for the use of force against the peaceful protests, the CBN has identified the account where funds are been sent to for #EndSars protest yet has not been able to trace looted funds and other accounts of terrorists in the country. How do we think this country will grow? The government has continued to shut us up to grow in their quest for absolute power and extreme corruption. This is why we Stand to #EndSars in the government. To do this:

1. No less than a Graduate should hold any position in the Government.

2. Proper check should be carried out on funds allocated for projects and real time transparent reports should be sent to the public.

3. Political equity across regions and zones of Nigeria.

4. Elect of the best candidates and not based on the region he comes from.

5. Have a government with a "Human Face".

We pledge to #EndSars in the transportation sector. This has been one of the most notorious industry in Nigeria. The use of thugs against drivers to extort money by the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has been an undying cause for the terrible state of the Nigerian transportation system. The Union has continued to allow for the use of poor state of vehicles to move people from one place to another. The Union are partly a reason for the hike in transport prices. The Union not addressing their drivers to have complete papers is part of the reasons why the Police feel entitled to collection of bribe. They make change for the police collection points to allow for a smooth travel experience. This rot is caused because of the number of illiterates that man the Union. The government has not done their part too. There are no alternatives. Air transport is expensive for the common Nigerian. The railways are in their worst states. Sea transport is not safe for Nigerians. This is why we Stand to #EndSars in the transport sector. To do this we ask that:

1. The NURTW be reformed

2. All busses or vehicles used for transportation be in good state.

3. The fines and taxes collected from drivers be used to develop parks and other transport related matters.

4. The leaders of the Unions heading the different transport sectors must me educated.

We pledge to #EndSars in our Private sector. Businesses have continued to be unfair to those working for them. The poor wages and extreme working hours that they have put Nigerians to work. The unhealthy working culture, the harsh boss and staff relationship and many more has caused for an unhealthy work-life balance. Many on the streets do not have packages for retirement of when they are laid off. Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association NECA, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) etc have not done their jobs in ensuring a better and conducive working environment for workers. The bosses that want the ladies to open their legs for promotion and this unjust nature has lingered on for a very long time. The poor Corporte Social Responsibility activities of businesses for their immediate environment. The government has not also been fair to them, the government has also taken contract that belonged to indeginous companies outside the country, not giving them opportunities to compete. The foreign companies take all their monies back to their country and use Nigerians anyhow. The poor implementation of the Local Content Act  and many more. The private sector has not also looked to universities to help them solve problems through research. The banks have failed in their part to service the economy. They have not provided loans to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) rather they loan to big companies and oil compaines which have left the country in disarry. This is why we Stand to #EndSars in the private sector. We ask for:

1. Better collaboration between Companies and Universities for good business developments through research.

2. Better working hours (more flexible) for Nigerians. 

3. Better welfare packages for Nigerians.

4. Better working conditions for Nigerian employees.

In my final words, our fight is because we want a better life for everyone from young to old. We are fighting for our parents and our children and unborn offsprings. It is surprising that our parent sang between 1960 and 1978 that:

Nigeria we hail thee

Our own dear native land

Though tribes and tongue may differ

In brotherhood we stand

Nigerians all, are proud to serve

Our sovereign Motherland.

Our flag shall be a symbol

That truth and justice reign

In peace or battle honour 'd,

And this we count as gain,

To hand on to our children

A banner without stain.

O God of creation

Grant this our one request

Help us to build a nation

Where no man is oppressed

And so with peace and plenty

Nigeria may be blessed.

Our parents sang that they would hand over to us a banner without stain but it never happened. We are cleaning that stained banner so we hand over a country where no one will be oppressed and where Nigeria will be blessed. Those who sang this song have oppressed us and when we are with differing tongues standing United to end clean the banner they are calling for force. We fight to make Nigeria better and in peace and battle honour'd for truth and justice to reign we count as gain as Nigerian Youths.

To do this, I call on all of us in our different capacities to play our roles. As writers, develop contents to educate ourselves and librate us, as graphic designers use art to define the new Nigeria, as economists use data to explain the rot and let futurists amongst us predict future events with causes of actions, as lawyers fight this battle with the law and provide suggestions, Pastors and Imams let's continue praying and all others on our different capacities. When we define our stance and even though all of us are not at the forefront, we are playing our part to make Nigeria greater. 

WE WILL WIN THIS WAR.

Thank you #Nigeria #NigerianYouths 

F

NOTABLE CITIES IN YORUBALAND &THEIR FOUNDERS.

     NOTABLE CITIES IN YORUBALAND &THEIR FOUNDERS.

(1) Ile-Ife was founded by Obatala
(2) Owo was founded by Ojugbelu.
(3) Oshogbo was founded by Queen Oso-Igbo
(4) Akure was founded by Omoremi Omoluabi
(5) Ondo was founded by Queen Pupupu
(6) Iwo was founded by prince Ogbaigbai.
(7) Oyo was founded by prince Oranmiyan
(8) Igede Ekiti was founded by Ake
(9) Abeokuta was founded by Shodeke
(10) Ilesha was founded by Owalushe Ajaka.
(11) Esie was founded by prince Baragbon
(12) Ijero Ekiti was founded by Prince Ogbe
(13) Sango-Otta was founded by Osolo and Eleidi Atalabi
(14) Igbesa was founded by Akeredun
(15) Iperu was founded by Akesan
(16) Ikire was founded by Akinere
(17) Ado Ekiti was founded by Awamaro
(18) Esa-Oke was founded by Omiran Adebolu.
(19) Ilorin was founded by Ojo Isekuse
(20) Ikorodu was founded by Oga.
(21) Ijebu-Ode founded by Olode
(22) Iree (Osun) was founded by three brothers: Larooye, Arolu and Oyekun.
(23) Ila-Orangun was founded by Fagbamila Ajagun-nla.
(24) Ikere-Ekiti was founded by Aladeshelu
(25) Ikole Ekiti was founded by Akinsale
(26) Ede was founded by Timi
Agbale.
(27) Omu-Aran was founded by prince Olomu-Aperan
(28) Ode-Remo was founded by two hunters: Arapetu and Liworu.
(29) Ikirun was founded by Akinorun
(30) Saki was founded by Ogun
(31) Eruwa was founded by Obaseeku
(32) Iraye was founded by Odudu-Orunku
(33) Ogbomosho was founded by Ogunlola
(34) Offa was founded by Olalomi Olofa-gangan
(35) Inisa was founded by prince Ooku Eesun
(36) Ido Ani was founded by Oba Ozolua
(37) Ejigbo (Osun) was founded by Akinjole Ogiyan (Ogiriniyan)
(38) Okuku was founded by Oladile
(39) Efon Alaye-Ekiti was founded by Iji-Emigun
(40) Ijebu was founded by Obanta
(41) Isara-Remo was founded by prince Adeyemo
(42) Odeogbolu was founded by Eleshi Ekun Ogoji
(43) Ise-Ekiti was founded by Akinluaduse (Akinluse)
(44) Isara-Remo was founded by prince Adeyemo
(45) Itele-Ijebu was founded by Ojigi Amoyegeso
(46) Ijebu-Jesha was founded by Oba Agigiri Egboroganlada
(47) Ibokun (Ilemure) was founded by Obokun
(48) Ikoro-Ekiti(Eso -Obe) was founded by two hunters: Olushe and Olugona.
(49) Ilara Mokin was founded by Obalufon Modulua Olutipin.
(50) Igbara Oke was founded by Olowa Arajaka
(51)Epe was founded by Hu-Raka
(52) Malete (Iseyin) was founded by Adenle Atologuntele
(53) Igbo-Ifa(Kishi) was founded by Kilisi Yeruma
(54) Ijebu-Igbo was created by Ademakin Orimolusi.
(55) Ilobu was founded by Laarosin
(56) Gbongan was founded by Akinfenwa
(57) Ire-Ekiti was founded by Ogun
(58) Iwoye (Ayedun) was founded by Atabata.
(59) Igbajo was founded by prince Akeran
(60) Imesi-Ile was founded by Odunmorun and Eye.
(61) Orile-Owu was founded by Pawu.
(62)Otun-Ekiti was founded by Oore
(63) Igbo Asako( Igbo-Ora) was founded by Obe Alade.
(64) Idanre was founded by Olofin, a younger brother to Ododuwa. He came to Ufe after the demise of his senior brother.

Why We Wail....

Why We Wail..

The Arabian Peninsula has a very rich history dating 6000BC. The peninsula was occupied by Bedouins...the modern day Arabs. The peninsula is mostly sandy desert, hard rocky mountains, and wetlands around the coastal areas. To say this is one of the most uninhabitable places on earth is an understatement! Summer temperatures are so high that you'd be convinced your brains were being melted within your cranium; winter temperatures are so low you'd pray for global warming day and night! The desert is filled with sand boas, cobras, scorpions, goats and camels! It is a most uninhabitable peninsula!

The area was filled with Bedouin Tribes whom had formed pockets of Emirates over the peninsula. Over the centuries, they warred among themselves for supremacy...imagine fighting over vast areas of seemingly useless land? But they did! Life was hard!

In 1498, the Portuguese arrived, and took over the maritime and intermediary trade until their ouster in 1653. Along came the Dutch them the ubiquitous British that displaced the Dutch and signed "protectorate" Treaties with the numerous Emirates on the peninsula. Familiar?

For the British to thrive, they called a truce among the big Emirates along the North Eastern Coast. By 1853, permanent truce was signed and the states were called Trucial States...states in truce.

The British held sway on the peninsula.

In 1932, the Al Saud Family had had enough of the British, carved a large portion of the peninsula for themselves, convinced three other Emirates to themselves and declared themselves sovereign! The British held on stronger to the Trucial States.

The Trucial States were Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Shajar, Fujaira, Abu Dhabi, Al Qawain amd Ras Al Khayima. They were all independent Emirates under the British rule; held down by the 1892 Treaty.

In August 1966, the Emir of Abu Dhabi (Sheikh Zayed) started convincing the other Emirates on the "need to have a federation of sorts and develop as other successful countries". By December 1971, the United Arab Emirates was birthed in that unforgiving piece of real estate on that peninsula! Oman, Bahrain and Qatar opted to be independent countries.

A most profound event of the formation of the United Arab Emirates was their study of the 1963 Republican Constitution of Nigeria...and the formation of a federation along the lines of our discarded constitution.

Every aspect of nationhood was argued even years after. But they built a strong and powerful country with regional autonomy and delineation of central and regional roles.

Since 1971 till date, the UAE has developed at a frenetic pace! And have preserved regional identity even with a jointly controlled centre.

Data Facts
Population: 9 million
GDP: $400 billion
Landmass: 80,000 square kilometers
Literacy: 98%

Did you notice the GDP? Greater than that of Nigeria that has 180 million people!!! By extension, the average citizen of the UAE is at least 12 times richer than the average Nigerian!

The landmass is just a notch larger than the Ala-Igbo Region of Nigeria and about half of that of the Odua Region (Yorubaland)! They have a population three times less than Ala-Igbo and about the supposed population of Kano! Only about 1.2 million of the population are actual citizens while the rest are resident non citizens including my humble self!

The UAE is a thriving country! The road network in Abu Dhabi would make you swoon, while Dubai would sweep you off your feet in an instant! Despite oil and gas, the country has a large manufacturing sector. Everything is regional; all regions fend for themselves! All regions are free to trade internationally, have international airports, seaports, power plants and refineries! I've been to several of those!

The country basically developed before my very eyes. My apartment on Sheikh Zayed road was a desert patch known to me. The metro project (subway) started "in my very before" so did projects as Jumeriah Lake District! The Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi had some support from yours sincerely (started full operations about 4 months ago)...

The United Arab Emirates is a wonderful country! It is a country that shows you the "can do" spirit in motion! Despite being 75% Muslims, they hardly care about it! No non Muslim has ever been killed (to my knowledge) in the UAE!

The country has 67% male population (Lol) hence the influx of our dear sisters all over the world to the Arabian Enclave to help in the "massage" industry (sic!)

Every company worth its salt, has a foothold in the UAE! The country is working, thriving, and an envy of many!

How did a country that had no right to survive make it so good? How did a country that was next to nothing when Nigeria was the giant of Africa become such a formidable force in less than 30years? How come a country of less than 10 cities have more money and success than Nigeria with over 500 large cities? How could a country 32 times smaller than Nigeria be almost 15 times richer and 1000 times more developed?

Their Structure!

They discussed their constitution!
They agreed on regional autonomy!
They have regional fiscal independence!
They have freedom to enter or exit the Union!
They do not have a unitarized constitution!
They do not have ethnic domination tendencies!
They signed truce among themselves!
The right of each region is upheld!
They do not have allocations!
They have the equality of regions!

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi occupies 75% of the landmass of the country (the size of Benue State), has 60% of the oil & gas deposits, but has ONLY one vote in the Federal Advisory Council (Senate) and has no advantage whatsoever over a tiny emirate as Ras Al Khayimar (the size of Wuse District) with no mineral resources of worth!

The United Arab Emirates, a forlorn, forgotten and seemingly hopeless piece of desert on the unwanted part of the Arabian Peninsula, is a success story today. From a bleak outlook, they built a formidable country! Nigeria, with all the boasts, pride and obvious advantages, has wrecked the country into something so desolate that foreigners avoid it like plague and citizens cannot flee fast enough! We have saddled ourselves with an unworkable constitution and a ridiculous structure no genius on earth could make work!

We lie and deceive ourselves daily; rather than set out work, we hope for a Messiah to wave the magic wand and make everything alright! We clap for defectors and other goons in the political firmament, then hope that some "Sai Baba" or "Oloye Saraki" would yell "Open Sesame" and "Voila", development! It would never happen!

To be anywhere near nationhood, that despicable document called the 1999 Constitution must be destroyed first! We must enthrone regional autonomy, then start the journey towards nationhood! Afterwards, we could develop! But as long as this foolish structure persists, not only shall development elude us, we shall kill ourselves till no one is standing! Oh, the Boko Haram and Fulani Terrorists already started the killings? My bad!

We must #restructureOrBurst! No amount of electioneering would change our situation if we did not fight the right battles!

Elections are not our problem; the structure is!

Chief Awolowo Interviewin1983(Civil War)

Awo speaks - An excerpt from a town hall interview in Abeokuta in 1983.


CIVIL WAR

Question: Chief Awolowo, …Your stand on the civil war, however unpopular it might have been to the Biafrans or Ibo people, helped to shorten the war. Today, you’re being castigated as the sole enemy of the Ibo people because of that stand, by among others, some of the people who as members of the Federal Military Government at that time, were party to that decision and are today, in some cases, inheritors of power in one Nigeria which that decision of yours helped to save. How do you feel being painted in this role, and what steps are you taking to endear yourself once again to that large chunk of Nigerians who feel embittered?

Awolowo: As far as I know, the Ibo masses are friendly to me, towards me. In fact, whenever I visit Iboland, either Anambra or Imo, and there’s no campaigning for elections on, the Ibo people receive me warmly and affectionately. But there are some elements in Iboland who believe that they can maintain their popularity only by denigrating me, and so they keep on telling lies against me. Ojukwu is one of them. I don’t want to mention the names of the others because they are still redeemable, but ….Ojukwu is irredeemable, so I mention his name, and my attitude to these lies is one of indifference, I must confess to you.

I’ve learnt to rely completely on the providence and vindication of Almighty God in some of these things. I’ve tried to explain myself in the past, but these liars persist. Ojukwu had only recently told the same lie against me. What’s the point in correcting lies when people are determined to persist in telling lies against you, what’s the point?. I know that someday the Ibos, the masses of the Ibo people will realize who their friends are, and who their real enemies are. And the day that happens woe betide those enemies. The Ibos will deal with them very roughly, very roughly.

That has happened in my life. I have a nickname now, if you see my letterhead you’ll find something on top, you’ll find a fish done on the letterhead. Some people put Lion on theirs, some people put Tiger, but mine is Fish. And Fish represents my zodiac sign, those of you who read the stars and so on in the newspapers; you’ll find out that there’s a zodiac sign known as Pisces, in Latin Pisces means Fish.

So I put Pisces on top, that’s my zodiac sign being born on the 6th of March,….er well, the year doesn’t matter, it’s the day that matters. And then on top of it I wrote Eebudola. All of you know the meaning of that. You know I don’t want to tell a long story but………………Awolowo school, omo Awolowo, the school…… started in Urhoboland, in the Mid-west in those days. They were ridiculing my schools, I was building schools – brick and cement, to dpc level, block to dpc level and mud thereafter. And so the big shots in the place..”ah what kind of school is this? is this Awolowo school? Useless school” and when they saw the children..”ah these Awolowo children, they can’t read and write, Awolowo children” that’s how it started, with ridicule, and it became a blessing, and now they say “Awolowo children, they are good people” no more ridicule about it, that’s how it started, so the 'Eebu' has become honor, the abuse became honor.

And so when I look back to all my life, treasonable felony, jail, all the abuses that were heaped on me, to Coker Inquiry, all sorts, and I see what has happened to the people who led, who led all these denigration campaign, where are they today? Those that are alive are what I call 'Homo Mortuus' - dead living, 'oku eniyan', that’s what they are, those that their lives have gone.

So when I look back, I come to the conclusion that all these abuses which have been heaped on me all my life for doing nothing, for doing good, they have become honor, and so 'Eebudola' is one of my nicknames. So I’ve cultivated an attitude of indifference, I’ve done no evil to the Ibos.

During the war I saw to it that the revenue which was due to Iboland - South Eastern states they call it, at that time..East Central State, I kept it, I saved the money for them. And when they ….were librated I handed over the money to them - millions of pounds. If I’d decided to do so, I could have kept the money away from them and then when they took over I saw to it that subvention was given to them at the rate of 990,000 pounds every month. I didn’t go to the Executive Council to ask for support, or for approval because I knew if I went to the Executive Council at that time, the subvention would not be approved because there were more enemies in the Executive Council for the Ibos than friends. And since I wasn’t going to take a percentage from what I was going to give them, and I knew I was doing what was right, I wanted the state to survive, I kept on giving the subvention – 990,000 pounds almost a million, every month, and I did that for other states of course - South Eastern State, North Central State, Kwara and so on.

But I did that for the Ibos, and when the war was over, I saw to it that the ACB got three and a half million pounds (£3,500,000.00) to start with. This was distributed immediately and I gave another sum of money. The attitude of the experts, officials at the time of the ACB was that ACB should be closed down, and I held the view: you couldn’t close the ACB down because that is the bank that gives finance to Ibo traders, and if you close it down they’ll find it difficult to survive. So it was given. I did the same thing for the Cooperative Bank of Eastern Nigeria, to rehabilitate all these places, and I saw to it as Federal Commissioner for Finance that no obstacle was placed in the way of the Ministry of Economic Planning in planning for rehabilitation of the war affected areas.

TWENTY POUNDS POLICY

That’s what I did, and the case of the money they said was not given back to them, you know during the war all the pounds were looted, they printed Biafran currency notes, which they circulated, at the close of the war some people wanted their Biafran notes to be exchanged for them. Of course I couldn’t do that, if I did that the whole country would be bankrupt. We didn’t know about Biafran notes and we didn’t know on what basis they have printed them, so we refused the Biafran note, but I laid down the principle that all those who had savings in the banks on the eve of the declaration of the Biafran war or Biafra, will get their money back if they could satisfy us that they had the savings there, or the money there. Unfortunately, all the banks’ books had been burnt, and many of the people who had savings there didn’t have their savings books or their last statement of account, so a panel had to be set up.

I didn’t take part in setting up the panel, it was done by the Central Bank and the pertinent officials of the Federal Ministry of Finance, to look into the matter, and they went carefully into the matter, they took some months to do so, and then made some recommendation which I approved. Go to the archives, all I did was approved, I didn’t write anything more than that, I don’t even remember the name of any of them who took part. So I did everything in this world to assist our Ibo brothers and sisters during and after the war.

And anyone who goes back to look at my broadcast in August 1967, which dealt with post-war reconstruction would see what I said there.

STARVATION POLICY

Then, but above all, the ending of the war itself that I’m accused of, accused of starving the Ibos, I did nothing of the sort. You know, shortly after the liberation of these places, Calabar, Enugu and Port Harcort, I decided to pay a visit. There are certain things which I knew which you don’t know, which I don’t want to say here now, when I write my reminisces in the future I will do so. Some of the soldiers were not truthful with us, they didn’t tell us correct stories and so on.

I wanted to be there and see things for myself, bear in mind that Gowon himself did not go there at that time, it was after the war was over that he dorn himself up in various military dresses - Air force dress, Army dress and so on, and went to the war torn areas. But I went and some people tried to frighten me out of my goal by saying that Adekunle was my enemy and he was going to see to it that I never returned from the place. But I went.

But when I went what did I see? I saw the kwashiorkor victims. If you see a kwashiorkor victim you’ll never like war to be waged. Terrible sight, in Enugu, in Port Harcourt, not many in Calabar, but mainly in Enugu and Port Harcourt. Then I enquired what happened to the food we were sending to the civilians. We were sending food through the Red cross, and CARITAS to them, but what happened was that the vehicles carrying the food were always ambushed by the soldiers. That’s what I discovered, and the food would then be taken to the soldiers to feed them, and so they were able to continue to fight. And I said that was a very dangerous policy, we didn’t intend the food for soldiers. But who will go behind the line to stop the soldiers from ambushing the vehicles that were carrying the food? And as long as soldiers were fed, the war will continue, and who’ll continue to suffer? and those who didn’t go to the place to see things as I did, you remember that all the big guns, all the soldiers in the Biafran army looked all well fed after the war, its only the mass of the people that suffered kwashiorkor.

You won't hear of a single lawyer, a single doctor, a single architect, who suffered from kwashiorkor? None of their children either, so they waylaid the foods, they ambushed the vehicles and took the foods to their friends and to their collaborators and to their children and the masses were suffering. So I decided to stop sending the food there. In the process, the civilians would suffer, but the soldiers will suffer most.

CHANGE OF CURRENCY

And it is on record that Ojukwu admitted that two things defeated him in this war, that’s as at the day he left Biafra. He said one, the change of currency, he said that was the first thing that defeated him, and we did that to prevent Ojukwu taking the money which his soldiers had stolen from our Central Bank for sale abroad to buy arms. We discovered he looted our Central Bank in Benin, he looted the one in Port Harcourt, looted the one in Calabar and he was taking the currency notes abroad to sell to earn foreign exchange to buy arms.

So I decided to change the currency, and for your benefit, it can now be told the whole world, only Gowon knew the day before, the day before the change took place. I decided, only three of us knew before then- Isong now Governor of Cross River, Attah and myself. It was a closely guarded secret, if any Commissioner at the time says that he knew about it, he’s only boosting his own ego. Because once you tell someone, he’ll tell another person. So we refused to tell them and we changed the currency notes. So Ojukwu said the change in currency defeated him, and starvation of his soldiers also defeated him.

These were the two things that defeated Ojukwu. And, he reminds me, when you saw Ojukwu’s picture after the war, did he look like someone who wasn't well fed? But he had been taking the food which we sent to civilians, and so we stopped the food.

ABANDONED PROPERTY

And then finally, I saw to it that the houses owned by the Ibos in Lagos and on this side, were kept for them. I had an estate agent friend who told me that one of them collected half a million pounds rent which has been kept for him. All his rent were collected, but since we didn’t seize their houses, he came back and collected half a million pounds.

So that is the position. I’m a friend of the Ibos and the mass of the Ibos are my friends, but there are certain elements who want to continue to deceive the Ibos by telling lies against me, and one day, they’ll discover and then that day will be terrible for those who have been telling the lies.