By Chikwas Onu Ikpe | For Biafra Writers
May 26, 2018
Abie Nathan was born of Jewish parents, on April 29, 1927, in the Persian city of Abadan, Iran. He was born with a birthmark, which an expert had supposed an indication to achieving great things. So he did as he fought during the Second World War (at the age of 17) with the Royal Indo-British Air Force, and was instrumental in the defense of Israel against the invasion of Arab armies.
In all likelihood, Abie was a humanist. Even as a combat pilot, he was tactical in order not to harm civilians of the opposition. On one occasion, following his bombing missions against the Arab villages, he was reported to have been struck with "deep depression," after he had visited and seen the destruction, wreckage and burnt bodies resulting from the air raid.
It is impossible to forget that Avraham Abie Nathan, under the pressure of mortar shells and grenades, demonstrated his humanitarian efforts to ensuring that Biafrans were not obliterated from the surface of the earth.
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The Israeli-born Abie dedicated his life for other people and for a better humanity. When it reached to his awareness, as regards to the plights of the Biafran people, especially children, in her belligerent times; he hired a DC8 plane sponsored by the State of Israel in order to fly humanitarian aid to Biafra. In the heat of the war, in 1968, Abie flew to the Netherlands, hired a boat which he equipped with 550 tons of provisions, and sailed to the United-States. In New-York he purchased more provisions that were packed by volunteers and it was sent to Biafra.
Today, we remember the gallantries of Abie Nathan, who was sensitive to the anguished cries of the repressed Biafran people; peculiarly children.
Occasionally, Abie flew to the Netherlands, and to the Americas, raising monetary funds through his newly founded "Fund for the Biafra Children" organisation. He took starving Biafra children to the Netherlands for medical treatment. He acquired food and powdered milk and flew to Sao Tome (a small island close to the south of Biafra) in order to deliver it to the children of Biafra.
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All over the world, Abie Nathan was a virtue of selfless humanity. He epitomized the 'Voice of Peace' for the oppressed and repressed people.
Avraham Abie Nathan,
We remember thee!
#BiafraFallenHeroes
Published by The Biafra Times
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