Biafra: WIC to present case against Nigeria to UN, world powers

The Biafra Times | September 9, 2019

By Magnus Eze

The World Igbo Congress (WIC) rose from its annual convention in Houston, Texas, United States with a resolve to adopt diplomacy in the push for emancipation and possibly the independent state of Biafra.

A communiqué from the gathering also dwelt on several myriads currently plaguing the Igbo nation.

These included security of life and property in Igboland; the menace of the herdsmen, as well as the future of the Igbo regarding association with her neighbours among others.

The convention also discussed how to support WIC to fully play the leadership role that will be beneficial to Ndigbo and the promotion of synergy among all Diaspora Igbo organisations.

The communiqué issued by Secretary-General of WIC, Dr. Richard Nwachukwu, after its deliberations, indicated that the Igbo would approach the United Nations and the world powers to present their case against the Nigerian Federation.

It restated the call for the immediate relocation of Igbo businesses’ headquarters to Ala-Igbo in order to protect them from frequent and unwarranted attacks.

Other decisions from the convention were that all Igbo support the congress which in turn is mandated to provide leadership in galvanizing Diaspora Igbo and pursue a plan of action leading to the information acquisition and dissemination necessary to promote investment in Igbo land.

To promote and support technology transfer through mobilisation and active engagement of well-connected young Igbo entrepreneurs in the Diaspora to Ala Igbo, the congress agreed that it should work with Ndi-Igbo and progressive government functionaries.

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The congress also agreed that it should pursue the establishment of Diaspora Igbo database so as to assist in strategic planning for the security and economic improvement of Igboland.

While lamenting that the 1999 constitution currently in effect in Nigeria, does not have referendum in any of the schedules,  it resolved to supplement the pursuit of Igbo emancipation through diplomacy and engagement of foreign powers, the United Nations and regional powers in matters involving the region politically, economically, militarisation, suppression, and persecution of Ndi-Igbo in Nigeria.

“Over the years, people in diaspora of different nations of the world, have been the key players and drivers of nation-building and economic emancipation of their homelands. It resolved that the congress should take the leadership role like other diaspora groups like Jewish Congress, apply pressure and lobbying mechanism to achieve Igbo emancipation.

“It is resolved that WIC should, through Association of Southeast Town Unions, establish formidable intelligence units in Ala-Igbo, as well as reinforce vigilante groups in Ala-Igbo to ensure that Igbo land is protected.

READ ALSO: We don't need your apology, IPOB tells South-East Govs

The WIC also urged Nigeria to actively support religious freedom by signing the Roundtable on Ministerial Inter-Religious Freedom which other countries are signatories.

It also unanimously resolved that every adult Igbo in the Diaspora should donate a minimum of $20 annually to the congress’ special account to serve as a token of commitment and bolster the achievement of the mandates outlined.

The Biafra Times

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Publisher: Charles Opanwa

Before Throwing in With The So-Called Igbo Leaders

May 26, 2019

By Nelson Ofokar Yagazie | Biafra Writers

Can one really point at anything achieved by the so-called Igbo leaders? The focus here is not on accumulation of individual wealth. No; the focus is on what they have achieved or done for us as a people.

They wear red caps and assign to themselves the name “Igbo Leaders.” They try to confuse you with high-sounding political terminologies, riding on your ignorance to work for selves. They proscribed IPOB, watering the ground for the Nigerian state to come up with the terrorist tag and its own version of proscription, yet IPOB is the only viable group concerned with our freedom, growth, and wellbeing as a people. They oppose Nnamdi Kanu – the only man that truly cares about you, offering his life in the pursuit of our common good.

Well, what good have those folks – the so-called Igbo leaders – done us? As an Easterner, you need to score above 250 to secure admission in the university but a Northerner with 100 marks smoothly gains admission. The system excuses this cheat on the altar of “education less privileged states.” Now ask yourself this question: what makes them educationally less privileged? Did we not all start the race at the same time? The allocation given to Kaduna state alone is bigger than that of three states put together down east. So what really makes them educationally less privileged? And if truly they are less privileged, how is that your making? Why are you being made to suffer for what is not your fault? 250 marks as against 100, and sometimes 80 even. Your only offence here is coming from a region considered slaves. What have the so-called Igbo leaders done about this cheat?

The Enugwu airport is the only international airport in Igbo land while Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani count many. On top of that, it is only one airline that is allowed to operate there. What have your Igbo leaders done about it? And even now, the federal government has announced its decision to shut down that singular international airport you have. What are your Igbo leaders doing about it?

RELATED NEWS: Why Igbo Leaders Should be Overlooked

Lagos has two functional seaports, and as we speak a third is being built at Badagery. Just at the neighbouring city of Ibadan a dry port is being built. Up North, another dry port is under construction. Down Biafra land, they shut down Calabar Seaport, Warri Seaport, and Port-Harcourt Seaport. Ninety percent of all the importation in this country is done by you. Yet they closed down all the seaports in your land and went to faraway Yoruba land and Hausa land to build seaports and dry ports to suffocate you economically. What have those claiming to be your leaders done about the situation?

They closed down Nkalagu cement industry and Ibeto cement industry to give Dangote rights of monopoly in the industry and to forestall all the employment opportunities Nkalagu and Ibeto Cement factories would have offered. You reading this article could have been working in either of the companies. And if not you directly, then your son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, relative or friend could have. That opportunity is lost because of the federal government’s indiscriminate action against businesses owned by your kind. What did Igbo leaders do about it?

Plying Biafran roads? Every half kilometer you’ll meet a police checkpoint. Sometimes the gap between subsequent checkpoints is not even up to half a kilometer. They harass and extort money from commuters, torturing and sometimes shooting road users that fail to comply. Study the policemen at these checkpoints; they are predominantly Hausa/Fulani, sometimes with minute attachment of Yoruba. What have those calling selves Igbo leaders done about the situation?

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And the nature of the roads themselves? Deathtrap. That’s the summation of a returnee who had a cause to drive around. So deplorable are our roads it’s easier to have accident than not to. After a journey one goes to church to give testimony of God saving him from death. To travel to a neighbouring city and return in safety becomes a miracle.  The situation is totally different in the North where fine road networks will make you think you’re in another country altogether. What have Igbo leaders done about it?

You are industrious; dexterous and highly productive. How are you being encouraged? Think of the boys at Aba Shoe village. Think of what they turn out manually and imagine what will happen if properly equipped. They need electricity to function. Not just the Aba boys; there are several of you being hampered by inadequate power supply. Yet the Ala-oji power plant in Aba built by Bat Nnadji to supply Aba, Obigbo, Igwe-ocha (Portharcourt), Umuahia, Okigwe, Afikpo, and other neighboring cities is grounded by federal government’s refusal to allow gas supply to the plant. Economic strangulation! What have the so-called Igbo leaders done about it?

Second Niger Bridge has remained politics; they deceive you with it every four years. In Lagos, they have three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland – Eko Bridge, Carter Bridge, and Third Mainland Bridge. And as we speak, they are talking of Fourth Mainland Bridge. Yet, a second Niger Bridge is considered too much for you. Where then are the Igbo leaders? What are they doing about this situation?

READ ALSO: Biafra Heroes Day: I must remember my uncle on 30th May

The trend drags a lot further of course, but factoring in your time and our collective poor habit of reading, I choose to stop here.  I have provoked your thoughts, however. So think, think and think. Are these people really worth being called leaders? Are they worth your loyalty?

A leader does not seek his own; a leader seeks the good of his followers. Sadly, those parading selves as Igbo leaders cannot point at anything achieved for our collective good, instead, they ride on our misery to cut deals for themselves. So before you throw in with the so-called Igbo leaders, ask yourself what have they done for you? What really have they achieved? May God give you understanding.
Ndewo nu!

THE BIAFRA TIMES

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Publisher: Charles Opanwa

Why Igbo Leaders Should be Overlooked

May 24, 2019

By Nelson Ofokar Yagazie,  Chief Editor | The Biafra Times

It was former President Goodluck Jonathan that promoted Enugu airport to international airport. Stella Odua, functioning in her capacity as aviation minister, worked hard to upgrade the airport really to a standard befitting of international airport. The jealous Yoruba, knowing that the Lagos airport is viable on the account of the Igbos who are the most traveled in the country, and figuring what will become of it should the Enugu airport start functioning in the full capacity of an international airport, began to work against it. Using their very biased media, they slandered Odua, creating the fertile ground for their political players and their counterparts from the North to mount pressure on President Goodluck to remove the hardworking woman from office. Fearing what would become of his desires to return to office should he ignore the demands of the caliphate and their conniving Yoruba political players, Goodluck succumbed to pressure. Odua was relieved of her duties. A Yoruba man now taking over, the ongoing work at the Enugu airport was stalled. Ohaneze Ndigbo saw it all but did nothing. Igbo political players did nothing. Ala-Igbo Development Foundation did nothing. Yet these are the groups that arrogate to selves the position of Igbo Leaders.

Assorted flights operate from Lagos airport, Abuja airport, Kano, Kaduna and the rest of the international airports in Yoruba land and in the North. On the contrary, however, the only flight allowed to land or take off from Enugu, Akanu Ibiam international airport, is Ethiopian Airline. Every other airline is prohibited. Even the Ethiopian airline is being discouraged with extreme charges. Nobody answering to that self-aggrandizing nomenclature “Igbo Leaders”  has stood up against this economic persecution; not the politician, not Ohaneze Ndigbo. Not even the elite fraud-front, Ala-Igbo Development Foundation, who claims to be primarily concerned with developments in Igbo land.

Again, the cost of flight from Enugu to China is almost double of what is from Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna to the same China. This is part of the grand plan to discourage travelers from taking off or landing at Enugwu. Naturally, people tend to flow to a region where they can cut costs. With the constant shifting from Enugu to either Lagos or Abuja, a time will come when the airline would have no choice than to shut down its operation at Enugu. The so-called Igbo leaders are either blind to this or observe, but choose to do nothing.

READ ALSO: Biafra Heroes Day: No Mockery of Our Dead Heroes on 30th May

Then comes the Federal government’s bold decision to shut down the Enugu international airport. The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, made this known at the 2019 Stakeholders’ Forum, in Lagos. As widely reported by various news outlets in the country, the minister said the Federal Government would have to downgrade the Enugwu Airport in terms of its status as an international airport, excusing the decision on the terrible state of the runway. Yet this is the same runway they stopped Stella Odua from rehabilitating and victimized her for daring to. Igbo political players, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ala-Igbo Development Foundation and all other mushroom groups fancying selves as Igbo leaders are mute. What manner of leaders are they then?

The Heart of Darkness – Lagos state – alone has two functional seaports … one at Apapa and the other at Tin Can Island. And as we speak, a third is under construction at Badagry. Just at the neighboring city of Ibadan, a dry port is being built. Up north in Kaduna, another dry port is under construction. In Biafra-land however, the exact opposite is the case: Calabar Seaport is shut down, Warri Seaport is shut down and Port-Harcourt Seaport is shut down. Meanwhile, ninety percent of importation in Nigeria is done by Biafrans. Where then are the Igbo leaders? Ala-Igbo Development Foundation, Ohaneze-Ndigbo, and the politicians … where are they? None of them has made even ordinary statement about this, yet they love to call selves Igbo leaders.

One could go on and on and on. The economic emasculation is palpable, yet the so-called Igbo leaders do nothing about it. On what basis, therefore, are they leaders? On opposing IPOB?

READ ALSO: Biafra Heroes Day: I must remember my uncle on 30th May

June 12 is declared a national holiday in honor of one man – Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola – a Yoruba man. Yet, the six million Biafrans killed in the genocidal war visited on Biafra are not worth being honored with a day. Sad enough, the so-called Igbo leaders who ought to be at the forefront of the 30th May sit-at-home call in honor of the victims of the genocide have turned themselves willing tools in the hand of the Nigerian state to oppose the call.

Obvious then is the fact that the current crop of Igbos fancying selves as Igbo leaders do not know what leadership is. They are in fact self-seeking elements merchandizing our common good for personal goal, and as such, should be totally ignored.

THE BIAFRA TIMES

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Biafrans beware of World Igbo Congress

By Tim Tochukwu | For Biafra Writers

November 29, 2018

The World Igbo Congress (WIC), a notable Igbo-Biafran group in Diaspora, is currently in the middle of what might actually be a game. However, if that is what it is, then the coloration and the full details is yet to manifest; and so Biafrans must beware.

Yes! Biafrans must be on full alert to know where they are fully headed. What is known of some groups in Igbo-Biafraland is that they have always pretended to be fighting for Igbo-Biafran interest, when in actual fact they use such interests as a bargaining chip to feather their political nests.

We have many of them as socio-political groups, political parties and groups and so on. Amongst them are Ohanaeze Ndigbo; All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN); Bilie Human Rights Initiative (BHRI); Biafra Independent Movement (BIM); and even Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM). Often, what happens is that immediately the group gets what they are looking for in government or from government, the issue of Biafra is jettisoned.

Recently, WIC claimed to be in support of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu; the only group that have refused to compromise their quest for Biafra in spite of hundreds of their members being killed, dehumanized, and imprisoned.

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But the question is: How genuine is WIC in this its current statement and stance? It is on record that WIC is an Igbo group that claims to be an amalgam of all Igbo-Biafran groups in Diaspora. However, what is evidently known about the group, since the time of Olusegun Obasanjo as Nigeria’s president, is that it fraternizes with politicians in power (both at home and abroad). By doing so, it secures monetary inducement for itself and political appointments to its members from governments, just like the social group, Ohanaeze. In the process, they have often connived with governments to oppress the people further, just as Ohaneze did last year by instigating the Operation Python Dance with the Nigerian military and government to murder scores of Biafran youths and nearly killed Nnamdi Kanu.

For this reason, it is good that Kanu, in accepting to work with WIC, has warned that nobody or group would cut any deal with IPOB. After all, it was this same group that invited Kanu to sound him out on his road-map to Biafra, only to start accusing him (for the benefit of Nigerian government) of soliciting for arms.

This writer, therefore suggests that Biafrans should be careful, and take the statement of WIC with a pinch of salt. For starters, leaders of WIC should travel to Israel meet with Kanu, and there pledge their support for the whole world to see. That is the better way than a statement released from the United States of America (USA), which could be denied at any point in time.


Edited by Chukwuemeka Chimerue

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Biafra: Where Lies The Igbo Elder's Patriotism And Service To Their Youths?

By Victoria. O. C. Agangan || For Biafra Writers

February 7, 2018

And it stated that, "the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and only the violent taketh it by force!" Many a times, I hate to accept the truth blatantly glaring in my face but it is simply the truth. The so-called elders of Igboland have failed the youths. They refuse to speak the truth nor stand for it but for tokens exposed their youths to be devoured. What greediness I ask?

The northern leaders' protection of their youths is unwavering, so also has that of the Afenifere/Yoruba elder statesmen remained constant like the northern pole. It is time to take the bull by its horn! Except the strong man is overcomed, the fence of his building cannot be collapsed. The embodiment of Nigeria as it is has all these components of the elders standing up for the rights of their youths even in worst scenarios, but reverse is the case for the Igbo youths.

Like weaklings, the so-called Igbo elders, cowardly hover for cover and peanuts (few coins) and then look away in pretence when evil is being committed against their own. Chai! My people this is very unfair and unthinkable! It is wickedness to have such crop of elders in Biafra land who neither support their own nor consider their wellbeing. Many times I begin to wonder what exactly they think of themselves, exposing their youths to be slaughtered, because they are not courageous enough to take steps in the right direction.

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How many times will a coward die before his real death? Death is inevitable, and it behooves me to acknowledge that they are scared of death or what they would lose, when that is a path they are gradually moving towards to. Why is our land replete with traitors as so-called leaders, I will not cease to ask? Is it because we lack the ability to do away with such gabbages? Or the fear to stand for truth or manly weakness? I am bemused. They refused to do the needful in supporting the efforts of the youths in acquiring freedom, but are contented to watch their children brought down to death, this is too unfair!

I hate to be blessed with such weak-minded individuals. I abhor calling them elders because they are complete failures and I am angered each time I think of how they disgrace themselves before their northern Fulani masters whom they always pledge allegiance to. Who are these statesmen and political leaders really? Should we go ahead and look unto them as Biafran youths or resolve to start removing them by ourselves to allow progress and equity? My fellow youths this article is for you! Unless the stench is removed, the smell will persist. How many sacrifices are we going to keep making for this position-seeking overgrown adults?

How long will we allow ourselves to be used as stepping stones for their filthy and inordinate ambitions? The whole of Biafra land is besieged with military personnel and killer herdsmen, yet no one is talking, my people are molested, inflicted, killed as Sheep without Shepherd. Yet they get enriched by our sweat. They cannot get any better idea or project for our future, there is no government established industry in Biafra land, no good roads, no reasonable plan for our posterity, yet, we let them be, why?

Fulani Herdsmen Militia: Osinbajo, The Trojan Horse Of Christendom— An Open Letter To Awaken Christians In Nigeria

Charity, they say begins at home! They sold Mazi Nnamdi Kanu out, the voice who stood out when they could not. Why? They boast of their misdeeds to the chagrin of the young and suffering youths. They feel unconcerned because we have allowed them to be. They give us up for their comfort because we are taking after their gullible ways, why? Biafrans youths why?

It is time we resist and reset our obeisance because our noble literary icon, late Chinua Achebe once wrote that "when things fall apart, the center cannot hold." If only....., I leave the Biafran youths to figure this out. I think we need to purge our systems before we are all totally flushed out of existence. A word is enough for the wise. Biafran youths, this message is for you.


The Biafra Times
Edited By Chukwuemeka Chimerue
Publisher: Chijindu Benjamin Ukah
Contact us: [email protected]

Nnamdi Kanu: World Igbo Congress demands Kanu’s whereabouts, says FG, South East governors’ silence worrisome

20 December 2017

The World Igbo Congress (WIC) has urged the Federal Government and governors of the South East states to open up on the whereabouts of leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

This is coming on the heels of the group’s concern over the attack on Kanu’s residence in Umuahia, Abia State and his subsequent disappearance.

The group, which frowned at government’s posture in the matter, said in a statement by the group’s Public Relations Officer, Basil Onwukwe, that government’s silence on the matter for over three months after the incidence was worrisome.

Read Also: BIAFRA: IPOB EXPOSES THE UNPATRIOTIC EFFORTS OF CHIEF NNIA NWODO TO DESTROY THE WORK OF IPOB

“The only statement from the Federal and state governments were the proscription of IPOB by the Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi on behalf of the South East governors and a pronouncement by the Nigerian Army that Kanu’s IPOB was a terrorist group.

“It is public knowledge that the Nigerian Army, 82nd Division, attacked Kanu’s residence, allegedly killing more than 100 unarmed citizens and left bullet ripped walls and shattered windows.

“We also know that soldiers jumped fences into Kanu’s compound. Kanu and his parents were all in the residence at the time of Nigeria Army’s invasion. Video tapes of mass burial by the Nigeria Army of their victims during the Python Dance II are still in public domain,” the statement reads.

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It further noted that Kanu and his IPOB movement were not armed, and had never been armed, adding that the Army operation was not necessary.

The Army, he insisted has a Military Police unit designed for suspected rebellious soldiers but did not consider this option either.

“Failure to use either of these forces strongly suggests that the Federal Government did not intend to arrest Kanu for questioning. Their intent was clearly to assassinate him.

“Armored vehicles are used in military combat operations between foreign entities upon declaration of war. It is fair to state that Kanu and his parents may have all perished in the attack,” the congress added.

It noted that Ndigbo in the Diaspora, other Nigerians and the entire world were entitled to accurate information on the Nigerian Army attack on Kanu’s residence.

Source: TheGuardian

The Biafra Times
Publisher: Chijindu Benjamin Ukah
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