The Igbo Yom HaShoahs' Day

 ... A Historical Perspective

Today I found it responsible to pay my respect to the fallen and surviving heros of the genocide popularly known as the Nigeria-Biafra War which saw the decimation of three million people mostly women and children due to starvation. The resistance of the people of the Eastern Nigeria during the conflict did preserve the race of one of the most progressive tribes in Africa.

All over the world, there is no Jew, no matter how highly placed, who fails to observe the Yom HaShoahs' Day which is the Jewish Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day. Again, if the Jews could start early right from 1951 to observe the Yom HaShoah, long before the United Nations resolve in 2005 to adopt 27th January as an International Holocaust Day, then nothing should stop the Igbo from earmarking 30th May as their own Heroism Remembrance Day, pending when the United Nations will commemorate it for them, for it's a name you give to your dog that it will answer.

I will like to start from the people of my immediate constituency - the writers, scholars, researchers and scientists - before concluding it with the veterans, officers and men of the Biafran army.

We remember the great Poet, Christopher Okigbo, who, for the love of his people, momentarily abandoned his artistic calling and took on the garb of a soldier in Biafra. Okigbo was killed in the Nsukka area when he went to lob a grenade inside a ferret armoured car. Many writers mourned and decried his enlisting into the army arguing he could have joined the war in an intellectual capacity and probably serving as a roving ambassador for Biafra in Europe, just like his other contemporaries. But Okigbo died in what he believed in.

We appreciate Dr. Felix Oragwu, a Scottish-trained Nuclear Physicist, who headed the research and production dept (RAP). Oragwu and his team were responsible for the many technological breakthroughs in Biafra, which includes the development of a flying mine known as "Ogbunigwe" and the refining of petroleum and jet fuels via local means. In today's world, Ogbunigwe, based on my analysis, could be likened to a "cruise" or "surface-to-air" missile.

Also at a point, after the Asaba massacre by the Nigerian forces, these RAP scientists wanted to electrify the entire River Niger, our soldiers having blown up the head bridge, to prevent the enemy forces from crossing over into Onitsha but the idea was later dropped due to a want of time. Dr. Oragwu is still alive today.

We have Dr. Sylvester Ugoh, a Harvard-trained economist, who ran the Central Bank of Biafra in war time. His second, in the bank, Prof. William Uzoaga, a professor of Business Administration, was so busy in the Biafra's Military Intelligence that he had no time visiting the bank throughout the war.

People like Chinua Achebe headed a Committee that was responsible for the intellectual foundation of the new nation. They drafted the people's Constitution and the famous Ahiara Declaration which formed the basis of the Biafran Revolution.

Numerous other intellectuals, including Harvard, MIT, Oxford, and Cambridge-trained scholars were involved in one way or the other in the emancipation of the people of Eastern Nigeria.

The efforts of the civilian militiamen also cannot be over-emphasized as it contributed greatly in putting up resistance throughout the 30-month civil war.

In the Biafran army were dedicated officers like Colonels Nwawo, Joe Achuzia, Ogbugo Kalu, Akagha, Iheanacho, Eze, Ohanehi, Amadi, Ivenso, Aghanya, Obioha, Udeaja, and many others. Most of these Officers were Sandhurst trained except a few like Achuzia, who started out as a militiaman with war experience in Burma, before being commissioned into the army and given Commands.

It was the team led by Colonels Achuzia, Udeaja and Major Uchendu that successfully carried out the famous "Abagana Ambush" which decimated thousands of enemy's forces, stores and ammunitions. To this, Achuzia was nicknamed "Hannibal" by astonished journalists.

We also have Colonel Timothy Onwuatuegwu, a brave and courageous officer. Sandhurst trained. Onwuatuegwu fought till the end of the war in 1970 but, unfortunately, the federal forces ambushed and killed him few days after the war ended. Pure cowardice!

There were also Majors Olehi, Isong, Oji and others who fought gallantly throughout the war.

The efforts of Corporal Nwafor cannot be forgotten. Nwafor used the only remaining anti-tank rocket in the entire 54 Brigade to successfully halt the advance of enemy's Saladine Armoured car in Onitsha. Nwafor died in the process but the captured Saladine Armoured car was christined "Corporal Nwafor" in memory of his exploits.

We remember Captain Anuku, the Biafra's Navy Commander, and Colonel Sokei, the Air force Commander who unfortunately had his chest pierced by shrapnel from a mortar fire around Ogidi and became a casualty.

We give much respect to Major-Generals Alexander Madiebo, the Commander of the Biafra's Army, and Philip Effiong, the Second-in-Command of Biafra Republic. Madiebo displayed prowess throughout the war. And Effiong did excellently well when given the task of handing over the fallen nation back to Nigeria.

Special salute to the Commander-in-Chief of the Biafran Armed Forces, H. E. Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, who rose to the responsibility of leadership in saving his people when the need arose.

My final salute to all patriots, organizations, countries and men of goodwill who saw to the survival of one of the most envied tribe in the history of black nation.

Chike Nnamani is a writer, scholar, and public affairs analyst