Friday, June 8, 2012
Brief Volunteer Scheme
Fellow Citizens, Please join me from any part of the world today (1st May 2012,Workers Day),to launch one of my pet projects, which is; Brief or Short Volunteer Scheme.The idea is to encourage our army of unemployed and underemployed Nigerians to take up unpaid/volunteer jobs.Those already employed,but wishes to change their job(s) are very much encouraged to take up volunteer jobs. Appeals will be made to the government,employers etc to consider taking/engaging volunteer staffs.The benefits for both the employers and the unemployed people will be enormous. Please,forward this message to all contacts(whether unemployed,under employed or employed).If any person,persons,government,institution(s),corporate bodies,organizations,establishments etc wishes to be part of this project,kindly get in touch thru this email: akutachinedu@yahoo.com May God bless Nigeria. C.V.Akuta UK.
Ibori Goes To Prison: Rejoice Not.
What difference does it make if one thief (James Ibori) goes to prison out of thousands that loot our treasury? As your reading this piece, a lot more looting is taking place or about to take place. On the other hand, half bread is better than nothing. At least one (James Ibori) is down. What about the rest? Will the rest treasury looters ever be caught and sent to prison? Yes if they are caught in UK or maybe other countries, and that is when they cannot escape, like Diepreye Alamieyeseigha did. In Nigeria no, rather treasury looters are rewarded with chieftaincy titles; some become kings and king makers. Other dine and wine with the President or publicly identify themselves with him, Chief/Thief Olabode George did it last year (2011), during the presidential election campaign. Rejoice not fellow Nigerians because we have not yet started fighting corruption. When we start, the rest of the world will begin to take us serious. Not long ago, some Nigerians were demonstrating that Ibori was innocent, before the same court, that sentenced him to prison. Those were paid demonstrators doing our image more harm. Are you sure, treasury looters will learn lessons from Ibori’s imprisonment? The writer is not sure about that. The writer is also concerned about how and when Ibori’s loot will be returned to Nigeria ? Who will receive them and how will the poor masses of Delta State and Nigerians get back their stolen money. Its not enough to send Ibori to jail, but the stolen wealth must get back to their rightful owners immediately. It’s a shame that our rulers, steal our money from Nigeria and bring it to foreign countries ( UK , Dubai , USA etc ), where the Western countries use it to develop their societies. There is no amount of kindness that will make the UK government to return 100% of Ibori’s loot. Some charges will apply, this is in addition to the wealth it has helped the UK economy create. The multiplier effects of Ibori’s looting are enormous. One thing is sure, he has impoverished Nigerians the more, while helping create wealth in UK . Same applies to all looters who have their loots in foreign countries. Fighting Corruption: Corruption is the biggest obstacle to our progress and development. The present leadership lacks what it takes to fight corruption. It is now left for the citizens, non governmental organization, Nigerians in Diaspora and the private sector to start waging wars against corruption. High crime rates, kidnapping, unemployment, and other social vices have a direct correlation with corruption. The writer suggests a synergy between groups in Nigeria and those in overseas, example Global Witness etc. Nigerians should volunteer whatever information they have concerning a treasury looter. CBN should enforce tougher anti money laundering policies. Nigerians can use the freedom of information act in UK and elsewhere to obtain information about suspected treasury looters. Name and shame any looter. Chinedu Vincent Akuta. An Activist and Citizens Journalist. akutachinedu@yahoo.com http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com
My Appreciation To President J.J.Rawlings
His Excellency, President J. J. Rawlings, Ghana. Email: info@jjrawlings.info Thru Ghana High Commissioner in UK, 13 Belgrave Square London, SW1X 8PN. Dear Sir, My Appreciation. Please, accept my sincere appreciation of your coming to pay your last respect to, late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ikemba Nnewi), during the National Funeral Ceremony held on Thursday 1st March 2012, at Enugu. Watching you (JJ Rawlings) as my role model, bow before the coffin/casket of our hero (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu) was too emotional for me. I am also sure that this singular act of yours touched many. Glad for the speech you made on that day, speaking the truth to our Nigerian “rulers” like late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu used to do when he was alive. Without doubts, there are more in common between you and late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. Birds of the same feather flock together. Personally, I have followed your actions in and out of government and I do not hesitate to say that Ghana is lucky to have produced a person like you. Both late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu and you, are reference points for African leaders to emulate. Sincerely Yours Chinedu Vincent Akuta UK
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Before Ribadu Accepts This “Offer”
The author was not surprised when President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Nuhu Ribadu to Chair the Petroleum Task Force. Short and simple, the presidency is in desperate search for credibility, especially since the fuel subsidy removal and the monumental exposure of corruption surrounding the oil subsidy. To the author and many other Nigerians, the creation of this task force and many other committees are simply a duplication of responsibilities of some existing ministries etc and waste of scarce resources. We are never good managers of our resources.
Dearest Nuhu Ribadu, Olisa Agbakoba, and other prominent members of this task force, please before accepting this “suspicious offer” kindly obtain an assurance(s) either oral or written (the later will be preferable) from the Mr. President, that he nor the executive will not interfere or intervene with your work. There will be no point wasting your time and our resources if the government will end up interfering with your work. But I suspect, President Goodluck Jonathan is simply following the foot steps of past leaders, who brought in credible Nigerians into their government, only to dump them at last. Ex Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, brought Wole Soyinka, Tai Solarin, Humphrey Nwosu, etc, Abacha brought in late Prof Sam Aluko etc. These credible Nigerians were used and dumped. The author wants to be proven wrong, otherwise this is what President Goodluck Jonathan will do.
If you can obtain the assurances from Mr. President as mentioned above, plus your experiences at Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, I believe you will do well, knowing that our major problem in Nigeria is corruption. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An Activist and Citizens Journalist.
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com
Dearest Nuhu Ribadu, Olisa Agbakoba, and other prominent members of this task force, please before accepting this “suspicious offer” kindly obtain an assurance(s) either oral or written (the later will be preferable) from the Mr. President, that he nor the executive will not interfere or intervene with your work. There will be no point wasting your time and our resources if the government will end up interfering with your work. But I suspect, President Goodluck Jonathan is simply following the foot steps of past leaders, who brought in credible Nigerians into their government, only to dump them at last. Ex Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, brought Wole Soyinka, Tai Solarin, Humphrey Nwosu, etc, Abacha brought in late Prof Sam Aluko etc. These credible Nigerians were used and dumped. The author wants to be proven wrong, otherwise this is what President Goodluck Jonathan will do.
If you can obtain the assurances from Mr. President as mentioned above, plus your experiences at Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, I believe you will do well, knowing that our major problem in Nigeria is corruption. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An Activist and Citizens Journalist.
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Resist Oil Subsidy Removal.
“The fate of the nation then lies in the hands of the faithful” Time Magazine, September 26, 2011. Page 27. By removing oil subsidy from 1st January 2012 contrary to the promised date of 1st April 2012, the government has proven once again never to be trusted. Please find below the reasons to resist oil subsidy removal.
1. The first is fraudulent payment on phoney import of PMS. The product is fraudulently certified as imported into Nigeria but is actually diverted to other countries in West Africa . Meanwhile, the documentation is perfected by criminal elements in Customs, Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). They not only collect the subsidy (which actually is outright theft), they also connive to collect demurrage on product that really never entered the Nigerian market. The reality is that what we actually consume in Nigeria may not be up to half of what the records or statistics say we consume.
2. The second fraud is the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF). PPMC used to have a network of pipelines and depots across the country. Supply envelopes were created around each depot in a way that ensured all parts of the country are covered. Each supply envelope is divided into zones. Actual transportation cost was calibrated according to zones within each supply envelope. The objective here was to ensure that products sell at the same price throughout each depot's supply envelope regardless of the distance of consumption from supply.
3. The third was also Bridging, the system whereby products are moved by road across depots as may be permitted in what was meant to be exceptional cases such as when repair is being carried out on the pipeline or at a depot. Over time and driven by fraudulent intent, what was designed to augment became the routine practice. Products would be released from Atlas Cove in Lagos ostensibly for bridging to say Kano or Sokoto but would actually be sold at nearby stations while the documentation is perfected and bridging allowance is paid.
The products were also meant to be sold at equal prices at all locations nationwide. When the refineries were working and the pipeline/depots were also functional, the products were pumped through pipelines from the refineries to the various depots from where they were picked for distribution within the supply envelope covered by each depot. In principle, the Eastern axis was meant to be supplied by the Port Harcourt Refinery 1. The Northern axis was meant to be supplied by the Kaduna Refinery. The Midwest and Middle Belt were meant to be supplied by the Warri Refinery while the Western axis was meant to be supplied by products shipped to Atlas Cove from Port Harcourt Refinery 2. This refinery was also meant to export products to West African countries.
All marketers were given a price structure by PPMC which routinely (and frankly unprofessionally) decided the marketers' margin and overhead allowance, the transportation allowance and the dealers' margin. Such a terrible system it was! The standard Transportation allowance was decided based on what was required to move products from the depot to Zone 3 within the depot's supply envelope. Transporters moving products to Zones 1 and 2 are paid less than the standard allowance while the balance was meant to be paid into PEF by the marketer. Transporters moving products to Zones 4 to 9 are paid the additional cost of transportation from PEF. Most of the consumption in around each depot occurs in Zones 1 to 3, usually up to 70%. The fraud: sell all products within Zones 1, 2 and 3 but collect PEF allowance as if almost all products were sold in the outer zones. This has been on for a very long time.
We can imagine why all the various adjustments and maladjustments occurred over the years especially during the military era when the fraud was mostly perpetrated, actively promoted and culturally institutionalized by high ranking Generals and Administrators. We can also see why all refineries eventually had to be crippled and pipeline network/depots of PPMC had to be paralyzed. From Point No 1 to 3 were some of the arguments to remove “oil subsidy” by the Finance minister.
To Remove “Oil Subsidy” actually means to punish Nigerians for the failure of government to effectively fight corruption in the oil industry. Therefore, the masses should be penalized for government’s weaknesses. Does President GEJ have any guarantee that the so called money to be realized from the oil subsidy removal will be used judiciously? What about President GEJ announcing to the entire world that subsidy will be removed on April 1 2012, only for him to remove it on 1st January 2012. Does that not speak volumes? Government has again proven not to be trusted. What happened to Petroleum Trust Fund after Obasanjo took over? What will happen to the Kolade committee after his tenure? Why set up Belgore committee to dialogue with the Nigerian Labour Congress/Trade Union Congress while the subsidy had already been removed? Why behave like an autocrat. How can the President cushion the effects economic problems to be caused by the oil subsidy removal? How will the poor and unemployed Nigerians survive this attack by the government? The list is endless. Nigerians should resist the oil subsidy removal, till this policy is reversed. May God bless Nigeria .
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An Activist and Citizens Journalist.
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com
1. The first is fraudulent payment on phoney import of PMS. The product is fraudulently certified as imported into Nigeria but is actually diverted to other countries in West Africa . Meanwhile, the documentation is perfected by criminal elements in Customs, Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA). They not only collect the subsidy (which actually is outright theft), they also connive to collect demurrage on product that really never entered the Nigerian market. The reality is that what we actually consume in Nigeria may not be up to half of what the records or statistics say we consume.
2. The second fraud is the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF). PPMC used to have a network of pipelines and depots across the country. Supply envelopes were created around each depot in a way that ensured all parts of the country are covered. Each supply envelope is divided into zones. Actual transportation cost was calibrated according to zones within each supply envelope. The objective here was to ensure that products sell at the same price throughout each depot's supply envelope regardless of the distance of consumption from supply.
3. The third was also Bridging, the system whereby products are moved by road across depots as may be permitted in what was meant to be exceptional cases such as when repair is being carried out on the pipeline or at a depot. Over time and driven by fraudulent intent, what was designed to augment became the routine practice. Products would be released from Atlas Cove in Lagos ostensibly for bridging to say Kano or Sokoto but would actually be sold at nearby stations while the documentation is perfected and bridging allowance is paid.
The products were also meant to be sold at equal prices at all locations nationwide. When the refineries were working and the pipeline/depots were also functional, the products were pumped through pipelines from the refineries to the various depots from where they were picked for distribution within the supply envelope covered by each depot. In principle, the Eastern axis was meant to be supplied by the Port Harcourt Refinery 1. The Northern axis was meant to be supplied by the Kaduna Refinery. The Midwest and Middle Belt were meant to be supplied by the Warri Refinery while the Western axis was meant to be supplied by products shipped to Atlas Cove from Port Harcourt Refinery 2. This refinery was also meant to export products to West African countries.
All marketers were given a price structure by PPMC which routinely (and frankly unprofessionally) decided the marketers' margin and overhead allowance, the transportation allowance and the dealers' margin. Such a terrible system it was! The standard Transportation allowance was decided based on what was required to move products from the depot to Zone 3 within the depot's supply envelope. Transporters moving products to Zones 1 and 2 are paid less than the standard allowance while the balance was meant to be paid into PEF by the marketer. Transporters moving products to Zones 4 to 9 are paid the additional cost of transportation from PEF. Most of the consumption in around each depot occurs in Zones 1 to 3, usually up to 70%. The fraud: sell all products within Zones 1, 2 and 3 but collect PEF allowance as if almost all products were sold in the outer zones. This has been on for a very long time.
We can imagine why all the various adjustments and maladjustments occurred over the years especially during the military era when the fraud was mostly perpetrated, actively promoted and culturally institutionalized by high ranking Generals and Administrators. We can also see why all refineries eventually had to be crippled and pipeline network/depots of PPMC had to be paralyzed. From Point No 1 to 3 were some of the arguments to remove “oil subsidy” by the Finance minister.
To Remove “Oil Subsidy” actually means to punish Nigerians for the failure of government to effectively fight corruption in the oil industry. Therefore, the masses should be penalized for government’s weaknesses. Does President GEJ have any guarantee that the so called money to be realized from the oil subsidy removal will be used judiciously? What about President GEJ announcing to the entire world that subsidy will be removed on April 1 2012, only for him to remove it on 1st January 2012. Does that not speak volumes? Government has again proven not to be trusted. What happened to Petroleum Trust Fund after Obasanjo took over? What will happen to the Kolade committee after his tenure? Why set up Belgore committee to dialogue with the Nigerian Labour Congress/Trade Union Congress while the subsidy had already been removed? Why behave like an autocrat. How can the President cushion the effects economic problems to be caused by the oil subsidy removal? How will the poor and unemployed Nigerians survive this attack by the government? The list is endless. Nigerians should resist the oil subsidy removal, till this policy is reversed. May God bless Nigeria .
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An Activist and Citizens Journalist.
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com
Total State of Emergency is Needed Urgently.
President GEJ has declared state of emergency in some parts of the country (Borno, Yobe, Niger, and Plateau State). However late, it’s a step in the direct direction. Total state of emergency is needed urgently. Mr. President should immediately initiate bill to make aiding and abetting terrorism a capital offence with capital punishment. Law makers should reconvene immediately due to the deplorable situation in the country. Furthermore, Mr President should extend the state of emergency to the following sectors:
1. Nigerian refineries. This is with the view to start refining crude in Nigeria immediately
2. War against corruption
3. Incessant kidnapping in the South Eastern part of the country/insecurity.
4. General insecurity
5. Infrastructures (roads, hospitals, schools, bridges, electricity etc).
6. Unemployment.
7. High cost of running his government, that is recurrent expenditures.
The list is exhaustive, but starting with the above items will be a welcome development. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An Activist and Citizens Journalist.
Facebook: C.v.Akuta
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
1. Nigerian refineries. This is with the view to start refining crude in Nigeria immediately
2. War against corruption
3. Incessant kidnapping in the South Eastern part of the country/insecurity.
4. General insecurity
5. Infrastructures (roads, hospitals, schools, bridges, electricity etc).
6. Unemployment.
7. High cost of running his government, that is recurrent expenditures.
The list is exhaustive, but starting with the above items will be a welcome development. May God bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An Activist and Citizens Journalist.
Facebook: C.v.Akuta
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Enough of Shedding Igbo Blood(s).
Please find below lists of Madalla bomb blast victims of 25th December 2011 at Niger State. Madalla bomb blast victims at the national hospital: Anthony Okoronkwo, Comrade Dike A. Williams, Emmanuel Dike, Richard Dike, Lilian Dike, Lynda Chioma Ubiukwu, Uche Queen Obiukwu, Chidinma Cynthia Obiukwu, Linderlin Ifeoma Obiukwu, Ann-Chinedu Aigbadon, Chiemeri Nwachukwu, Cecilia Ebeku, Oluebube Faustina Pius, Chidera Sylvia Pius, Florence Nwachukwu, Eucharia Ewoh, Joseph Daniel, Inspector Titus Eze, Obasi Jonathan Onyebuchi, Ehiawaguan Peter, Uche Esiri, Sgt. Kadiri Danjuma, Paulina Koju, Chukwudi Umeh, Christiana Kadiri, Esther Agbo, David Agbo, Helen Okolo, Mercy Agbo,John Agbo, Obiukwu Uche Stella, Ebuka Abuyi, Celestine Aniowo, Michael Sunday, Lucy Unji, Chiamaka Obiukwu, Favour Dike, Chimaobi Dike, Favour Egbo, Maria Obodugo, Kosisochukwu Egbo, Nzubechukwu Pius, Obodo Linus, Austin Ogbuagu, Chuks Ajuwe,Esther Ibu, Blessing Philip,Isaac Ibu,Kenedilins Aloysus.
Madalla bomb blast victims at specialist hospital, Gwagwalada
Innocent Okoronkwo (Intensive Unit), Chima Ohazurume, Justina Uche, Chinyere Amaechi, Ifeanyi Emenaha, Fidelia Onugwu, Chinyere Anthony, Sadiq Idris, Onyinye Peace Eneh, Clara Umozor,Pauline Okoronkwo,Uche Bonaventure, Uche Michael, Lawal Abubakar, Victor James.
Victims at General Hospital, Suleja
Owen Sylvester,Dalamin Isah (Passer-by),Ali Sani (Passer-by)
Victim at Major Hospital Kwamba
Edeh Christiana
Victims at Delight Hospital Suleja
Roseline Okeke, Chisom Eucharia Okoye
Victims at Suzan Hospital, Suleja
Chukwuebuka Obiakor, Jennifer Obiakor, Chidera Obiakor, Batrice Otogo
Victims at Daughters of Charity, Kubwa
Oliver Ogbonna, Remy Ofoha, Francis Rapheal
Victims at diamond Crest hospital, Zuba
Gabriel Christiana, Michael Nwanze, Achunike Okolo, Favour Ugochukwu, Nzube Pius. Source:http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2011/dec/30/newsbreak-30-12-2011-001.html
From the names above, it’s clear that over 80% of the victims are Igbos. Earlier this year (2011) Vanguard newspapers of 12th January 2011 (online version) reported that the Igbo community lost 40 members from the Jos crisis of that month (the author has lost count of different Jos crises). From my own personal experiences: One of my uncle’s house was completely burnt down in one of the disturbances in Kano in 2004. My own immediate younger sister escaped death in one of the disturbances in Jos, Plateau State. The list(s) is endless. The trends are consistent. From the 1945, 1953, and 1966 pogrom where over 50,000 Igbos were killed thru the civil war (over 1 million Igbos died) till date, the Igbos have always been the targets. This is for no just cause. Lost properties, assets, etc cannot be quantified in monetary terms. The Igbos have also been punished is several ways (abandoned properties issue, giving of £20 to every Igbo person after the war, despite any amount he/she had before the war). Meanwhile, the Igbos have made the most sacrifices than any other tribe for the unity of the country.
As in the 1945, 1953, and 1966 pogrom against the Igbos where the federal government appeared helpless to defend and protect Ndiigbo, the subsequent governments have also followed similar trends, particularly in the Northern States where Igbo’s have consistently been killed since the end of the war till date. Simply put, the Igbos are endangered species. As you read thru this piece, please purse and observe a minute silence, for the souls of the innocent Igbo people and other Nigerians killed for nothing sake.
Enough is enough. No more shedding of Igbo bloods. Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu once said that, if the price of nationhood is constant shedding of bloods, then let us not be a nation. Well, since the government cannot protect its citizens and Ndiigbo in particular, then Igbos have no choice but to protect themselves with all means necessary. Igbos should remember that self-preservation is the strongest human instinct. This is the time for the Igbos to sink all their differences and unite for the purposes of securing the safety of their lives and properties all over Nigeria. The Igbos must rise up together to face this challenges or continue to be killed every time. What affects one Igbo person directly, affects all Igbos indirectly. I therefore call on all Igbos, (All Ezes, Ohanaeze, all Igbo communities home and abroad, all Igbo unions home and abroad, etc) to immediately seek the ways out of these constant killings.
Perhaps, Igbos should start relocating their businesses and families out of the Northern region, reject youth service postings in the Northern region etc. This is because, they are simply the first targets to be killed at the slightest disturbances that does not concern them. Life first before anything else. However, the government must pay compensation to all those innocent families that lost their loved ones. The fault is not theirs. America and United Kingdom paid compensation to the various families of 9/11 (September 11, 2001) and 7/7 (7th July 2005) terrorist attacks in New York and London. May the souls of those innocent people that were killed, rest in peace. May God also bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An Activist and Citizens Journalist.
Facebook: C.v.Akuta
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
Madalla bomb blast victims at specialist hospital, Gwagwalada
Innocent Okoronkwo (Intensive Unit), Chima Ohazurume, Justina Uche, Chinyere Amaechi, Ifeanyi Emenaha, Fidelia Onugwu, Chinyere Anthony, Sadiq Idris, Onyinye Peace Eneh, Clara Umozor,Pauline Okoronkwo,Uche Bonaventure, Uche Michael, Lawal Abubakar, Victor James.
Victims at General Hospital, Suleja
Owen Sylvester,Dalamin Isah (Passer-by),Ali Sani (Passer-by)
Victim at Major Hospital Kwamba
Edeh Christiana
Victims at Delight Hospital Suleja
Roseline Okeke, Chisom Eucharia Okoye
Victims at Suzan Hospital, Suleja
Chukwuebuka Obiakor, Jennifer Obiakor, Chidera Obiakor, Batrice Otogo
Victims at Daughters of Charity, Kubwa
Oliver Ogbonna, Remy Ofoha, Francis Rapheal
Victims at diamond Crest hospital, Zuba
Gabriel Christiana, Michael Nwanze, Achunike Okolo, Favour Ugochukwu, Nzube Pius. Source:http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2011/dec/30/newsbreak-30-12-2011-001.html
From the names above, it’s clear that over 80% of the victims are Igbos. Earlier this year (2011) Vanguard newspapers of 12th January 2011 (online version) reported that the Igbo community lost 40 members from the Jos crisis of that month (the author has lost count of different Jos crises). From my own personal experiences: One of my uncle’s house was completely burnt down in one of the disturbances in Kano in 2004. My own immediate younger sister escaped death in one of the disturbances in Jos, Plateau State. The list(s) is endless. The trends are consistent. From the 1945, 1953, and 1966 pogrom where over 50,000 Igbos were killed thru the civil war (over 1 million Igbos died) till date, the Igbos have always been the targets. This is for no just cause. Lost properties, assets, etc cannot be quantified in monetary terms. The Igbos have also been punished is several ways (abandoned properties issue, giving of £20 to every Igbo person after the war, despite any amount he/she had before the war). Meanwhile, the Igbos have made the most sacrifices than any other tribe for the unity of the country.
As in the 1945, 1953, and 1966 pogrom against the Igbos where the federal government appeared helpless to defend and protect Ndiigbo, the subsequent governments have also followed similar trends, particularly in the Northern States where Igbo’s have consistently been killed since the end of the war till date. Simply put, the Igbos are endangered species. As you read thru this piece, please purse and observe a minute silence, for the souls of the innocent Igbo people and other Nigerians killed for nothing sake.
Enough is enough. No more shedding of Igbo bloods. Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu once said that, if the price of nationhood is constant shedding of bloods, then let us not be a nation. Well, since the government cannot protect its citizens and Ndiigbo in particular, then Igbos have no choice but to protect themselves with all means necessary. Igbos should remember that self-preservation is the strongest human instinct. This is the time for the Igbos to sink all their differences and unite for the purposes of securing the safety of their lives and properties all over Nigeria. The Igbos must rise up together to face this challenges or continue to be killed every time. What affects one Igbo person directly, affects all Igbos indirectly. I therefore call on all Igbos, (All Ezes, Ohanaeze, all Igbo communities home and abroad, all Igbo unions home and abroad, etc) to immediately seek the ways out of these constant killings.
Perhaps, Igbos should start relocating their businesses and families out of the Northern region, reject youth service postings in the Northern region etc. This is because, they are simply the first targets to be killed at the slightest disturbances that does not concern them. Life first before anything else. However, the government must pay compensation to all those innocent families that lost their loved ones. The fault is not theirs. America and United Kingdom paid compensation to the various families of 9/11 (September 11, 2001) and 7/7 (7th July 2005) terrorist attacks in New York and London. May the souls of those innocent people that were killed, rest in peace. May God also bless Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An Activist and Citizens Journalist.
Facebook: C.v.Akuta
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
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