INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUIUM PLANNING COMMITTEE ON THE IGBO QUESTION IN NIGERIA – Before, During And After the Biafra War. WHY THE INTERNATIONAL COLOQUIUM ON THE IGBO QUESTION? INTRODUCTION:- The International Colloquium on The Igbo Question in Nigeria is conceived by a body of Igbo Intelligentsia, Clergy, Elders and Patriots in the light of the current socio-political situation in the Nigerian Federation and the debate over her future; and in the light of the enormous challenges facing the Igbo nation both in Nigeria and in the contemporary world. Given the absence of internal cohesion within the Igbo nation and the lack of national focus, the call for an International Colloquium to address the issues of the future and survival of the Igbos is considered both timely and urgent. i. The Igbos in Nigeria The Igbo nation is one of the three largest ethnic nationalities that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria which was created by the British Colonial Administration in 1914. The Igbo nation has an estimated population of about 150 million people world-wide. Her citizens are highly cosmopolitan and are found in every nook and cranny of the world. Within the Nigerian Federation, the Igbos are second in population after any native population. In Nigeria, the Igbos are found in the South-East, South-South and the Middle Belt, with strong cultural links with their neighbors in those areas. ii. National Character. Ndigbo are basically democratic and egalitarian in their socio-cultural philosophy; with a highly intellectual, religious, industrious and entrepreneurial spirit. There is more Igbo investment in the rest of Nigeria than inside Igbo-land. They are among the few, if not the only African society, that worshipped the Supreme God before the coming of Christianity. At the present, she has over 90% Christian population . iii. World-Class Citizens. Her citizens were in the forefront of African nationalism and led the struggle for Nigeria’s independence. She has produced world-renowned citizens in the various fields of human endeavor. Some of these include Olaudah Equiano, the great ex-slave writer; Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, historically regarded as the doyen of African nationalism; Chinua Achebe, the author of the epic novel, Things Fall Apart, the father of African literature and one of the greatest writers in the contemporary world; Philip Emeagwali, the world-acclaimed father of the internet; Sir Akanu Ibiam, the one-time President of the World Council of Churches; Cardinal Arinze, one of the leading Catholic Cardinals in contemporary times. iv. The British Amalgamation of 1914 And the Emergence of a Crisis-ridden Country. The Federation which resulted from the British amalgamation in 1914 produced a highly crisis-and corruption-ridden country, endemic absence of basic human rights, with the Igbos being the major victims in the series of political, religious and ethnic riots that have bedeviled the Nigerian Federation since its formation. v. Incursion of the Military in Nigerian politics The high-point of the instability of the Nigerian Federation came in the wake of the military coups of 1966 and the series of massacre of Igbo civilians and military officers in different parts of Nigeria. The initial coup was staged by young army officers with the aim of installing Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a Yoruba chieftain, as Prime Minister of Nigeria. What followed after the failure of that coup was one of the worst cases of holocaust in human history. Finding themselves unsafe in other pats of Nigeria, the Igbo returned to their territory to build a home of their own only to face the further annihilation holocaust during the Nigeria-Biafra war of 1967-70. vi. The Nigeria-Biafra War The Nigeria-Biafra War of 1970 claimed over 3 million Igbo lives in an unprecedented genocide in human history; the destruction of enormous material resources belonging to the Igbos in different parts of Nigeria, great devastation of Igbo-land and the rest of the former Eastern Nigeria. Apart from the genocidal experience, there was deliberate dismembering of the Igbo territory, with the core sector of Igbo-land land-locked and economically made prostrate. There is an obvious conspiracy among the leaders of the other major ethnic groups in Nigeria to continue to repress and hold down the Igbos and keep them politically irrelevant in the affairs of the Nigeria. And at the same time anatagonize them with their kits and kin as well as other neighbors in other parts of Nigeria vii. Current pressures and challenges of physical and economic survival. There has been problem of Igbo integration in Nigeria particularly since the end of the war. With the emergence of Islamic insurgencies in Nigeria and the campaign to islamize Nigeria, the Igbos have been the major victims in the Boko Haram attacks on churches, markets motor parks and other public institutions. The economic deprivations of Igbo citizens and region have given rise to kidnappings and other social vices which compound the economic and social problems in the region. What is referred to as The Igbo Question in Nigeria is about the cumulative horrendous expe2riences of the Igbo nation and the present second-class status of her membership of the Nigerian Federation since the amalgamation of 1914. The Igbo nation incurred the wrath of the British colonial authorities because her citizens led the struggle for the emancipation of of Nigeria from colonial rule. As further punishment for her citizens for ht role in the anti-colonial struggle, the British made sure that the Igbo were crippled politically and incited the other nationalities against them. viii. Renewed Calls for Renegotiating the Basis of the Nigerian Federation- Where do the Igbos Stand? There is acute feeling of loss of self-confidence and national pride among the Igbos, aggravated mainly by the Biafra experience and the continued peripheral role of the Igbo nation in the scheme of things in Nigeria. And this is nation that has contributed more than any other nationality in the economic and political development of Nigeria. Meanwhile, the volatile nature of the Nigerian political environment continues to fuel demands for the renegotiation of the basis for the co-existence of the over 350 Ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. This call has been made by various segments and zones in the country in recent times. The Afenifere socio-cultural organization of the Yorubas, the South-South Forum, the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly, the Arewa Consultative forum, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the highly respected organization of The Patriots, many leading stakeholders in the Nigerian project, etc; all these have persistently called for a national Conference to renegotiate the basis of the Nigerian federal Union. The Igbo are yet to clearly articulate what they want in the present circumstances, yet they are at the worst receiving-end in the Nigerian Federal project. The need for the Igbos to put their house in order has been strongly highlighted by the recent book written by the world-renowned African literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe in his recent book, There was a Country, A Personal History of Biafra. With the publication of the book, there has been renewed debate world-wide on The Igbo Question in Nigeria. There is acute restlessness among the Igbo population over their peripheral status in Nigeria. While many elders in Igbo–land continue to advocate for the continued membership of the Nigerian Federation, the younger generation think otherwise. Under such circumstances, the need for a strategic International Forum of Igbo intelligentsia and patriots, women and youth, both at home and in the Diaspora to collectively identify the historical roots of their predicament, to define what they want in the Nigerian project and to chart a course for their future both in Nigeria and in the world, becomes very imperative and urgent too. 2,Aims and Objectives of the Colloquium This project is driven by the firm conviction that time has come when intellectuals, the clergy and statesmen within Igbo-land should get together and provide the compass for the survival of Ndigbo in Nigeria and in the contemporary world. This is the rationale for the proposed International Colloquia on The Igbo Question in Nigeria. The basic aims and objectives of this project can, therefore, be summarized as follows: - i. To provide a platform for Igbo intelligentsia, clergy, patriotic leaders, elders, women and youth, at home and in the Diaspora, to commune collectively over the economic, political and socio-cultural challenges facing the Igbo nation both in Nigeria and in the world today. ii. To examine the historical roots of contemporary Igbo predicament over which all and sundry in Igbo-land, youths and elders, men and women, at home and in the Diaspora, keep groaning day after day, month after month, year after year. iii. To consider the impact of the Biafra experience on the Igbo nation today, and examine the issues raised by the African literary icon, Chinua Achebe, in his recent world-celebrated book, There was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra (TWAC). iv. To examine ways and means of overcoming the contemporary Igbo predicament so that her citizens can live a life of dignity, co-exist and at peace with their neighbors, capable of protecting their collective and individual interests, apply their God-given talents and endowments for the betterment of themselves and the entire human race, do honor to the spirit of their ancestors, serve their God without let or hindrance. v. To produce a Blueprint/Charter for the Survival of the Igbo nation in both Nigeria and in the world at large. Such a Blue Print shall articulate not only what is to be done but how to achieve them. 3. The Idea of Two Colloquia Two Colloquia are envisaged - one in Nigeria, the other in the Diaspora. The First Colloquium will dwell mainly on the history of the Igbo Question in Nigeria, documentation, reflections and summaries of its various dimensions, as listed in the sub-themes in section 7. The Second Colloquium will produce a Road-map or Charter as well as Plan of Action. In the light of our history and our experiences today, the Charter should be able to define what future we desire for ourselves and for our children. It shall also chart the need course or courses of action. In all, the two Colloquia will draw from major historical documents and publications on the various dimensions and processes in the evolution of The Igbo Question in Nigeria and the acute challenges of development in the region, etc. For example, documents relating to the evolution of the Nigerian Federation, the submission of the Igbo-speaking Peoples of Nigeria to the 1994-5 National Constitutional Conference, the submission of Ohanaeze to the Oputa Panel, the Ahiara Declaration, the Aburi Accord, etc. Similarly, it shall draw from major historical publications such as There was A country; Personal History of Biafra by Prof. Chinua Achebe; Nigeria and Biafra: My Story, by General Philip Effiong; `The Untold Story of Nigeria-Biafra War by Dr Luke Nnaemeka Aneke; Blood on the Niger by Emma Okocha; Nigeria-Biafra War: Politics of Memory, edited by Prof. Chima Korieh, The Igbos In Nigeria: Leadership and Development in the 20th Century by Prof T. Uzodinma Nwala; etc. The Colloquiums will also review major studies that comprehensively address the issues of the development of Igbo land such as those on the legacies of the Azikiwe-Okpara era, studies of Igbo intellectuals into various issues of economic and social development, the document produced by the South-East Economic Commission (SENEC), issues of cultural and social challenges facing Igbo civilization and the role of various institutions in meeting these challenges. 4. Facilitators. The Colloquium is being facilitated by The Coalition of Pan-Igbo Associations (COPIA), among whom are: - i. The Conference of Democratic Scholars (CODES), ii. Aka Ikenga, iii. Izu-Umunna, iv. Igbo Studies Association (ISA-USA), v. World Igbo Congress (WIC) vi. Igbo World Assembly (IWA), vii. Ndigbo Council for National Coordination (NCNC), viii. Ofobuike Intellectual Union. ix. Council for Intellectual Cooperation of Nigeria (COFICON). x. The Renaissance Forum USA. x. Aladinma Organization x. Ekwenche Organisation x. Ohanaeze Ndigbo 5. These organizations have nominated their representatives in the Planning Committee of the Colloquium. 6. THEME: THE IGBO QUESTION IN NIGERIA: BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER BIAFRA FIRST COLLOQUIUM Date:- Wednesday, January 8th – Saturday January 11th , 2014 Venue:- Nike Lake Hotel Enugu, Enugu State 7. SUB-THEMES PART A. Ndigbo In World History. i. Who are the Igbos? ii. Igbos in Pre-History iii. Ancient Igbo Kingdoms PART B. National Character i. Indigenous Worldview - Culture, Philosophy, Religion, etc, ii. Igbo Values – Economic, Political and Ethical system. iii. Igbo language and literature PART C Ndigbo in Modern History PART D. Pre-colonial and the Slave trade up to 1850. i. Igbo World Before Equiano ii. The Atlantic Slave Trade and Igbo Civilization iii. Igbos in the American and Caribbean Diaspora PART E.Colonial Period 1850 – 1960 i. Colonial Penetration, Conquest and Occupation of Igbo land ii. Igbo Resistance: Ahiara, Agulu, Aro, Ngor Okpala, etc. iii. The Pacification of the Lower Niger. iv. The disruption of the Aboriginal order and the import of the new and alien order. v. The 1914 forced Amalgamation of autonomous nationalities and the Birth of British contrived Federation. vi. Ndigbo and the Anti-Colonial Struggle. vii. Igbo Women in the Resistance to Colonialism. viii. The Emergence of political parties. ix. Zik and the Zikist Movement. x. Ndigbo and the Colonial Regime (Conspiracy and Intrigue) x. Colonial Constitutionalism and the emergence of a skewed Federalism. x. Ndigbo and the Pre-Independence Multi-ethnic Nigerian Society. PART. FNdigbo in Post-Independent Nigeria PART G.Immediate post-colonial Period i. From Dominion Status to Republican/Presidential system. ii. Election and Census crisis. iii. The Western Nigeria crisis and the trial of Awolowo. PART HThe Legacies of the Azikiwe-Okpara Regimes in Eastern Nigeria. PART I.Incursion of the Military into Nigerian Politics i. The January Coup of 1966 – Whose Coup? ii. The Counter Coup of July 1966. iii. Massacre of igbo in other parts of Nigeria particularly in the North. PART J. The Nigeria-Biafra War i. The Holocaust/Pogrom/Genocide Against the Igbo : before, during and After the war. ii. The Aburi Accord. iii. Creation of States and Igbo geo-political Marginalization. iv. The Declaration of Biafra. v. Nigeria Declares war on Biafra • The Conduct of the War. • Alliance of Foreign Interests. • Recognition of Biafra. • International Reactions to the war • .Failure of Diplomacy. Part. K.Ahiara Declaration. Part L.The Scientific Revolution in Biafra i. The Socio-historical Roots of the Scientific Revolution. ii. The Character of the Scientific Revolution. iii. Nigeria’s response to the Scientific Revolution in Biafra – A case of cutting your nose to spite your face. PART MEnd of the War i. War indemnity imposed on the Igbos ii. .Loss of all financial assets. iii. Seizure of Igbo properties in the name of abandoned property. iv. Re-integration policy towards Soldiers and civil servants who fought on the side of Biafra. v. Indigenization policy which strategically excluded Igbo participation. PART. N. Post-War: Reconstruction/No-Reconstruction i. The three Rs of the Federal Government – how realist? ii. The Role of East Central State Youths PART. O.Lessons of Biafra i. Who are the Biafrans? ii. Lessons from other lands. PART. P.Igbos as the Marginal Nationality in Nigeria. . Political, Economic and other social policies discriminations against the Igbos in Nigeria. . The challenges of national survival PART. QOn the Future of the Nigerian Federation i. National Conference ii. Ethnic Nationalities iii. Insurgencies and Ethnic Militias. PART. R.Towards the Resolution of the Igbo Question in Nigeria & The Future of the Igbos in Nigeria And in the Cotemporary World. i. Separate Statehood, Confederation, Regionalism, Zonal Structure, ii. Federation And the Federating Units. iii. The Role of party platform in the Resolution of the Igbo Question in Nigeria. PART S Postscript: i. Chinua Achebe’s Personal History of Biafra. ii. Documentary. PART T Towards a Roadmap for the Future of Ndigbo. Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii SECOND INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUIUM Date:- to be decided later. Venue: -USA THEME:-IGBO NATIONAL CHARTER SIGNED INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUIUM PLANNING COMMITTEE July 31, 2013
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 11:42:02 +0000
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