History of the Biafran war.
Every country has a history. It could be good or bad. Something you may not be proud of, or something that gives you that Joy when you remember it, or when you share it with others. My country is not an exceptional. We do have our history. But sometimes is better no told because most of the history of this great country that is known as the gaint of Africa is not a sweet one.
WHAT IS MY COUNTRY'S PAST STORIES?
For today I will love to talk about the Biafran war. The fight that broke out between Nigeria and the Biafran people called the Igbo speaking people of the eastern part of Nigeria.
It was actually called the fight for freedom. I believe that this was what it was from the beginning but it later brought more problem on the Igbo speaking nation of the Nigerian people.
The Biafran war also known as the Nigerian civil war happened between 1967- 1970. Just like I mentioned above, it was called the fight for freedom. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was the man who inspired the Igbos to stand and fight for freedom and he lead them. But they never saw what was coming ahead of them. I don't really intend to go deeper into what happened that period, but just a few things I want to note. When the war became too hard on the Igbo people they were forced to take refuge in other places because most of them were displaced. No more homes for most of them and they were scattered.
Secondly, the people were been starved. No food supply anymore and hunger strike in to the land of the Igbo people forcing some of their women to get married to the uniform men so that at least they can see food to eat.
Another big problem at that time was the issue of disease and health issues. So many of the Igbo people because sick as a result of malnutrition. Hence there was no good food to eat alot of people began to fall sick and there was no medication too.
The last one I want to point to is the case of Ethnic massacres. Alot of Igbos were report to have been killed by the Nigerian soldier who over powered them.
From the little that I gathered, their leader Ojukwu had to live the country for his own safety to ivory coast on the 9th of January, 1970. He also asked the Igbo people to stop the fight because they have lost alot of the Igbo people to the Biafran war.
He stayed there until he was sure that it is save for him to come back home before he made a move to return to his father's land.
HOW HAS THIS PAST HISTORY AFFECTED THE IGBOS IN NIGERIA TODAY?
Alot happened after that and things can never be the same again. After that war, the Igbo never rested from wanting out of this country. They have always asked for it. Today as we speak they are still insisting on starting a nation of their own where people who have the same vision will be together.
Is a pity because so many lives have been lost in the past as a result of this, and lots of lives are still going to the world beyond because of this freedom fight.
MY OPINION
I totally agree with them, but I also feel pain for the lives we lose every day just because of the fight for freedom. Sometimes I ask myself if is worth it. I don't know, but one thing I am sure of it is that I can't put my life on the line because of this. Freedom is sweet. But it will be sweeter if I enjoy the freedom that I struggled to get.
The last time I visited the national war meseaum was so disturbing on seeing those war ships and equipments which is now left for sight seeing.
I don't pray for such a happening again because the recovery from war is very difficult.
The war was a brutal one, which is not something anyone could pray for again.
That war took a great toll on the Igbos and even many years after, the issues which caused this war are a still being neglected.
War is not a good thing. The associated loss of lives and property is terrible.
In every country there must be a story and history, of course many of your friends tell the history of their country, just like you, if there is a war in a country, of course many innocent lives die for no reason, it is really unfortunate that great people who don't know anything become victims.
I don't like to hear the word war because it normally retard economic development.
I read a member's post about this war. I can understand that a lot of difficulties are faced in a civil war and it is very difficult to control the situation. Food supply is not available and diseases start spreading. Medical services are very difficult to get because hospitals are crowded with wounded and injured. In such a situation, the common people are affected the most because employment decreases and children are not able to study properly because schools have to be closed in war conditions and there is an atmosphere of unrest in the entire country.
I wonder what would have happened if Ojukwu and his men had access to enough food and water? Would the war have lasted longer?
Indeed, the Biafran war is important when it comes to discussing Nigeria’s history.
I heard in some part of the Igbo land, someplaces are still been affected by the war and you can still see bullet holes in some old houses, the fight for freedom doesn't go down easily and it hurts more that they couldn't get what they wanted.... I hope the Lord heal the heart of those that are hurt.
The Biafra war is one history i will never forget it damage a lot of things in the Igbo there were loss of life and property i don’t pray to witness any war
I saw some pictures of the kids back then suffering from kwashiorkor in an old news paper and the cause was hunger caused by the war.. A lot died of sickness too