The
Civil War era left Nigerians, particularly those who inhabited
the war zones, with long-lasting physical and psychological
trauma which is still evident in the minds of survivors of
that national tragedy. The protracted military rule that followed
the Civil War has further entrenched the feeling of bewilderment
and estrangement amongst those who were on the losing side.
Ndiigbo were particularly mistreated and discriminated against
for spearheading the secession of the breakaway state of Biafra
and for mounting a 30-month heroic resistance to the central
government in Lagos. By military fiat, post-war army rulers,
who mostly comprised elements from the North and West, virtually
shut out Ndiigbo from any meaningful participation in national
governance. Return of democracy to Nigeria presents a unique
opportunity for Ndiigbo and all other marginalized entities
in the polity to seek restitution and self-redemption. Osondu
Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization with a mission
that is focused on restoration of Ndiigbo and their historical
allies to the respectable status which they had before the
Civil War.
To successfully tackle this daunting task, Osondu Foundation,
in collaboration with similarly committed pan-Igbo groups,
has embarked on the Biafra Memorial Project (BMP) as an initial
phase in its endeavor for obvious reasons. The average Igbo
sorely needs a tidy closure to the horrors of the Civil War
and its aftermath so as to enable him to face the future without
distractions. Ndiigbo and the rest of their compatriots can
utilize essential components of the BMP as ingredients for
national healing and nation building. We believe that cleansing
the land of iniquities of yesteryears shall, in turn, resurrect
the spirit of nationalism and patriotism which inspired our
founding fathers to struggle for the birth of a nation that
is destined to be home for all Nigerians for posterity. Beyond
the BMP, the Osondu Foundation is also engrossed in devising
practical solutions to the environmental, sociocultural, economic
and political quandary in which Nigeria has been plunged for
past decades. Follow the Osondu Newsletter periodicals for
more information on the agenda and program of activities of
the BMP and Osondu Foundation, Inc.
