By Patrick Okolie
Leader of the pro-Biafra group, Biafra Zionist Movement, BZM, Barrister Benjamin Onwuka and 100 members of his group were recently released from Enugu Prison after the Enugu High Court granted them bail following their remand on account of the re-declaration of the sovereign State of Biafra on November 5, 2012. He issued the statement below in Enugu last week where he declared his group's intention to continue with the struggle for the actualization of Biafra.
The Statement:
On May 30th 1967 , the Eastern National Consultative Assembly led by Dr. Alvan Ikoku, mandated His Excellency General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu to declare the then Eastern Nigeria, the Republic of Biafra. General Ojukwu took up the challenge and declared the Republic of Biafra on that historic day. On July 6th 1967, the whole world declared a war of genocide against the Biafran people, with some Islamic fundamentalist like Usman Katsina boasting that Biafra would be liquidated in 24 hours. That 24 hours later became a long three years of Biafran struggle to emancipate the entire black race from the yoke of white colonialism, racism and hatred. By 1970 over 3 million Biafrans in defence of their country and freedom had paid the supreme sacrifice with their lives.
On November 5th 2012, at Coal Camp Enugu, the Biafra Zionist Movement took up that challenge once again and renewed that original mandate of May 30th 1967 and re-declared the Independence and the Sovereignty of the Republic of Biafra. The Biafra Zionist Movement visited the old wound that prompted Emeka Ojukwu to act and that was the near attempt by the Muslim North and Obafemi Awolowo to campaign openly for the annihilation of the Ibo race. The BZM reclaimed the independence of the Republic of Biafra on two compelling grounds/factors namely:
That it is now abundantly clear that the Security of life and Property of the Biafran people are no longer safe and quaranteed in the entity called Nigeria and therefore on November 5th the Biafran people resolved to re-declare their independence based on the May 30th 1967 Mandate that was vested on Emeka Ojukwu by the leadership of the Rep of Biafra in order to quarantee the security and the survival of the Biafran people according to International.law.
2. That it is also very clear that the Biafran peoples right to freely worship their God according to their Christian faith is no longer guaranteed and safe in the entity called Nigeria and therefore on November 5th 2012, the Biafran people resolved to opt out of Nigeria in order that the Biafran people could be given protection under the United Nations Convention on the freedom of worship and Association.
On that November 5th the Biafran people accomplished that objective and for the first time the news about Biafra was aired on the International Network, television, Radio, Internet, Facebook around the world. It was a remarkable achievement by the Biafran people and they deserve to be thanked for their stoicism and sacrifice. With the above, the inauguration of the Biafran government is now slated for February 20th 2013 here in our Coal City Capital Enugu.
The whole world will witness the rising of the sun backed up by Mount Zion and nothing shall prevent us from forming a government of National Unity that will propel our country to the apogee of International Politics. We believe that we have the support of the USA, the EU, Israel and the International Community because for a very long time our people have been openly told that they are not wanted in Nigeria and it is for us to make that arrangement to be independent so that we can secure the live and property of our people as it is done else where in the world.
The near attempt by the North to dance with Islamising the Biafran people through the activities of the Boko Haram is a fatal mistake they will live to regret. The Repubic of Biafra will be progressive, strong, democratic and forward looking and will be joining the International Community to foster peace and economic empowerment to all the peoples of the world.
The Nigeria State has failed to provide for security of life of the Biafran people, so it is a challenge that we will assume from February 20th 2013 .
What Biafra will do for its People
HOPE: Since 15th January 1970 , the people of Biafra have been pressed to the wall. As the SLANG was read out by the coward Yakubu Gowon that the war was a draw through the famous No Victor No Vanquish, but behind the scene plans were adopted that will make the Ibos especially to pay for simply defending themselves against the attempt to annihilate them from the surface of the earth. Obafemi Awolowo came up with economic strangulation of Biafra by adopting the 20 Pounds policy in order to keep the remnant of Biafrans at the lower end of the economic ladder. Since 1970, our people are being reminded of the defeat they suffered at the hands of the world led by the British government. Our environment is been destroyed on daily basis because of Oil and our people are being killed daily because of the taste of the Nigeria State quest for Oil. The lack of Hope and prejudicial policies of the Nigeria State since 1970 has dragged a lot of citizens into all sorts of ways in order to find their daily bread. But the assurance from now is that the Rep of Biafra from Feb 20th will restore our lost hope and put in place a government that will respect and support it’;s citizens to achieve whatever they want to do in the world. Biafra will be a beacon of hope for the aggrieved people of Biafra and give hope and opportunity to all its citizens.
FREE MARKET CAPITALIST STATE
The Biafran government will establish a very sound economic system that will be based on individualism. The market will determine what action the government will take. We will not interfere or prejudice any individual who wants to make or invent anything that will enhance the economic well being of the state. The government of Biafra will support individual and help to attract foreign investors into our country to create jobs for our people. The days when our University graduates will become Keke NAPEP Riders or Okada Riders after graduating from their Universities will go. Our graduates will be economically agile and active after their University course. The government will encourage individual investors and open up international trade that will make Biafra an international player in the world.
LESS DEPENDENCE ON THE OIL
The Oil some will argue has been a cause on us instead of a blessing. To some extent it is true because since the end of the war, the oil has been the main source of Nigeria revenue providing almost 95% of our foreign earning revenue. This blind policy by the Hausa Fulani/ Yoruba Axis has led all other industries to die. For instance the Palm Oil and Cashew industry which was the back bone of the economy of the then Eastern Region have been allowed to die. Nigeria today is importing cooking oil from Malaysia which is a shame. The Malays came to the then Eastern Region in 1953 and took the palm Kernel to their country for plantation. Today Malaysia is one of the largest exporters of the Palm crude to the world earning the country Billions of dollars in foreign earnings. The Biafran government is going to restore our Cash Crop industry the Palm Oil and Cashew Industry and all other industries that have been allowed to die in Nigeria . Biafra would not be dependent on the Oil for its survival any longer. We are going to diversify into Human Resources Capabilities in order to be self reliant and not on oil all year round. The Japanese economy is built on man power, human intelligence, hard work and patriotism. Let those opposed to Biafra be made aware that Biafra will be a country of Human Resource and not on Oil. We will also support our Universities and scientist to come up with inventions that shall build upon to the service of all man kind.
EDUCATION IN BIAFRA
Since 1970 Education in Biafra has collapsed because of the policies of the Nigeria govern to stiffen the strength of the Biafran people. Before Biafra was declared education was the crown jewel of the Biafran people. But today if Biafrans don't sell their lands their children could not afford to attend Higher Institutions any more. Our entire education under Nigeria has collapsed. School fees are higher compare to other parts of Nigeria . If they struggle to attend up to University level, no jobs when they finish resulting if not as traders, but kidnappers, Okada riders or Keke NAPEP. The Biafra government that shall be formed in February is going to restore our educational system. There will be free education from Nursery to University. School teachers would be well paid and schools shall have well equipped computer labs so that our children would be equipped to compete with their American European, Israeli, Chinese and Japanese counterparts. Biafra would be the mother of Education rom Feb 20th 2013 .
A TRUE STATE
The Rep of Biafra will be a land of opportunities for all provided that you work hard. In Biafra there would be no majority nor minority. A tiv man will have the same right as Ijaw. Ogoni man will be the same as Igala man. Ibo as Efik and Urhobo as Ibibio. No one will buy power or influence in Biafra . Neither can you organize political tugs to intimidate or harass your opponents. Freedom of the expression shall be up held. The press will have the freedom to print what they consider to be in the interest of the state. Individuals will have every right to express themselves in any way they feel. No Police brutality, No security force brutality, but all must respect the law and allow the security agents to protect our country.
THE BIAFRA OF TODAY
The following States would constitute the Republic of Biafra . Edo State, Southern Ondo State, Bayelsa, Rivers, Benue State, Kogi (Ajaokuta down South) Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta State, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra. Others who wishes to follows the door shall be open to them. The Rep of Biafra will be a Pure Jewish/ Christian State .
As Biafra rises let us join together to build this country for the sake of those that have paid with their lives. Am calling on all Biafrans to join the government on Feb 20th 2013 and by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Rep of Biafra has now come to stay. We shall be a very strong and supporter of Israel . May God bless all Biafrans and May God bless Israel.
