Hatred is a popular word in the history of mankind. It is used on things or beings that one is not friendly with or something that is detested. According to Oxford Dictionary, Hatred is defined as strong aversion; intense dislike; hateful regard; an affection of the mind awakened by something regarded as unpleasant, harmful or evil.
The treatment or the way the old Eastern region of Nigeria is being treated, speaks volumes of hatred. In the history of Nigeria, people hardly talk positive of the Igbos (in the Eastern region), without getting a hate speech from about eighty percent (80%) of the other parts of the country. And one still wonders, what necessitated this level of hatred. Even before self-governance of the various parts of Nigeria between 1956-1959, the Igbos were massacred on several occasions especially in the Northern region. 22nd of June 1945, was the genesis of the Killing of Igbo people by in the history of mankind.
It is well known that during the pre-colonial era, there existed basically, three (3) regions in Nigeria but when nepotism and ethnic sentiments came in 1966, there were series of meetings in order to iron out the issues hampering the positivity of the nation, Nigeria. One of those meetings was the famous "Aburi accord" between late General Odimegwu Ojukwu and General Yakubu Gowon, which was later violated by Gowon. He then declared war on Biafra (the Eastern region).
In the course of this violation, there came the so-called Nigeria/Biafra war that lasted from 1967 to 1970, which can be called the world versus Biafra war. This war claimed the lives of about five million Igbos. Thereafter, the Eastern region was divided, carving out the miniaturized five states as IGBO States.
After the declaration of no victor, no vanquish in 1970, the Igbos have been the most active force in one Nigerianism by investing and developing virtually all parts of the federation. But no matter their positive impact in the One-Nigeria project, they are still being hated, marginalized and cheated in all things except in pains and agony.
In the year 1999, the core Northern parts of Nigeria began their quest for sharia law. This was later granted by the President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, without killing of any Northerner. When Igbos demand their own right to self-determination, they became enemies of the state. The ever presence of military and security personnel in the Eastern part of the country who engage mostly in extortion and killing of innocent people in the region without recourse, shows much evidence of hatred towards the Igbos.
Now, there have been so much unrests in the Northern part and all the government does have been pampering and negotiating with the terrorists and their so-called bandits who have been killing and pillaging on daily basis. But a none violent group, called the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which came up in the year 2002, agitating for justice and equity for both South-East and South-South (Biafraland), the Nigerian government has relentlessly launched attacked and killed many members of the group, with attempted murder of it's leader, in 2017. The same peaceful movement was later proscribed.
The judicial arm did it's worst by ruling in favour of Hope Uzodimma, as the governor of Imo State even when he came 4th in the gubernatorial election. Eversince the forceful installation of Hope Uzodimma as the Imo State Governor, peace has since gone to oblivion. All the Nigerian government does is to militarize the zone and kill innocent civilians in the name of killing IPOB and operatives of Eastern security network (ESN).
As Balotelli, a popular footballer will always ask, "why always me?" and one will ask why always the Igbos? It is high time equity play it's vital role to balance the whole system. Or simply put, let the Biafran nation go and determine her own future and that of her unborn children.
Written by Onyemachi Eme
Edited by Chukwuemeka Okechukwu
For Family Writers Press International
Exactly my dear
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