By Ajike Njoku,Ifeanyi ANIAGOH
The present Nigeria is in turmoil because it deliberately choses to trash its history of ethnic differences and tribal conflicts.
One of the dangers of neglecting your history is that you lose your identity, you grope in darkness searching for where you belong and, in the end, you lose the courage to stand up for and identify with your own. you lose your sense of security and whatsoever insurance for a future unknown. Our Fallen Heroes deserve all the remembrance and accolades
The present Nigeria is in turmoil because it deliberately chose to trash its history of ethnic differences and tribal conflicts. The truth remains; Nigeria will know no peace and sound development until it is courageous enough to confront the truth of its nationhood and the multi-ethnic nationalities, some whom have experienced full blown civil conflict to challenge the too many lies on Nigeria unity in diversity.
The South Eastern Nigeria referred to as “Ala Igbo” or Biafra land continue to writhe in pains of neglect and allegedly state sanctioned militarization of entire region – reminding people of the region the sad memory of what led to the first civil war and the pains and anguish it unleashed on the region and the people.
It behooves Nigeria to effectively heal the pains of the Biafran-Nigerian Civil War. To do this, everyone must begin to learn about the war, talk about it and immortalize the deceased, both personally and via established institutions at both angles. Nigeria cannot continue to hide under the false claim of unity in diversity and threaten people who chose to remember their history.
It’s less painful when stories of war are told, instead of hiding them; It’s uniting to share the memories and heroics of men and women lost in battles., it removes causes of the agitations and cautions the new age against rebellion or starting another war
Arguing about the need and importance of this Biafran Fallen Heroes Remembrance Day can only amount to a ridiculous waste of time. Everyone in Ala Igbo throughout Nigeria, the Black Race and the entire World must appreciate the fact that;
Until we truly end an already started war, we can’t have peace or coexist mutually. It’s less painful when stories of war are told, instead of hiding them; It’s uniting to share the memories and heroics of men and women lost in battles.
Most importantly, it removes causes of the agitations and cautions the new age against rebellion or starting another war; More so, those who run away from their history live in deceit that will continue to hunt them till eternity.
After the Rwanda genocide caused by sociopolitical events similar to Nigeria of 1965 – 1970, the present government of Rwanda came together and declared a truce that will see to the permanent healing of emotional and physical bruises from the war. Rwanda declared a complete 7 memorial days of mourning observed on the 7th of April of every year to mark the remembrance and end of the 100-day Genocide against the Tutsi that took place in 1994, more to that, the government of Rwanda banned everything tribal or ethnic sentiments that might ignite such a thought of strife by Rwandans against Rwandans. It was such a brutal war similar to that of Nigeria-Biafra civil war. Although Nigeria attempted the same by declaring a “no victor and no vanquished” but it was a mere political rhetorical as mention or any attempt to remember what led to the civil war has always brought threats from the Nigerian authorities against anyone who dares to discuss it.
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State took the first step when he erected a cenotaph at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka. at the square is a transparent Wall of Honor containing the Names of all the Biafran Heroes Past.
I remember the day the Governor unveiled the iconic cenotaph with these words:
“Let’s celebrate the bravery of these great spirits who lost their lives yesterday that we may find peace today!”
These words can make you drop tears…
They remind you all the time that; in everything we do, we must leave footprints that those after us will read and benefit from. On same day, a befitting funeral was given to all these fallen heroes;
According to the Igbo tradition that glorious event tagged “Ozoemezina” cleansed the land of angers of the spirits and ushered in the rapid development of the Anambra part of “Ala Igbo” today.
Ozoemezina means “May It Never Happen Again”…
The gods have been appeased; let’s talk, share and celebrate our history while making sure that It Never Happens Again!
So, as we Honour all our Fallen Heroes, let’s give them due Accolades, they deserve All!
