Biafra
Memorial Project (BMP), a movement whose existence is sorely needed
now to bring the issues surrounding the Civil War to a lasting and
just resolution, is not a campaign to revive the secessionist threat
to Nigeria but a desire to bury our dead, honor what they fought
and died for and pray that never again shall fellow citizens be
prevailed upon to slaughter others as was the case in the run up
to that war. It is our responsibility to put in place, without further
delay, a mechanism that will compel us and our fellow Nigerians
to understand the tragedy of that horrible era of Nigeria’s
history and to recommit ourselves to the need to honor and safeguard
the lives and properties of all citizens at all times.
A special
day shall be set aside annually to commemorate the lives of those
who perished in the struggle for Biafra. Befitting monuments and
landmarks shall be constructed, at appropriate sites, to memorialize
the tragedy that was exploited by others who attempted to annihilate
us and subdue the Igbo spirit. It is everyone’s expectation
that fellow Nigerians will see the wisdom in joining us in this
endeavor because the losses, even though perceived most amongst
the Igbos, were still substantial in other groups that were also
caught up in that catastrophic crisis.
A National Memorial Day, a public holiday for the commemoration
of the Civil War nationwide, is the least that should be expected
from fellow citizens to honor the war heroes who made the ultimate
sacrifice, on both sides of the battle line, to bequeath to us the
nation that we inherit today. The successful execution of the BMP
will become a veritable sign that the resurgence of the Igbo nation
is afoot.
It is the trauma that a people can endure and survive that gingers
them to aspire to attain greater heights. The Jews, Japanese and
Germans have been able to make remarkable comebacks after the cataclysm
that befell them as groups at the conclusion of World War II 50
years ago. Ndigbo are capable of a similar spectacular comeback
but concrete programs must be put in place now to make such a comeback
possible in this generation. Since both the political will and the
material means to redeem our people are here with us, the implementation
of the BMP should proceed now without further delay. |
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